The 10 Most Anticipated 2020 Books

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From thrillers to nonfiction, these are the 10 most anticipated 2020 books that you’ll want to pre-order immediately. Apologies in advance for making your to-read list for the year even longer.

The Witches of Willow Cove, Josh Roberts

In The Witches of Willow Cove, the debut novel from SmarterTravel’s former Executive Editor Josh Roberts, 13-year-old Abby Shepherd discovers that she and several of her schoolmates are descended from witches and that her town, Willow Cove, is home to a secret past with ties to the Salem witch trials. Soon Abby must decide who to trust when every adult in her life seems to be keeping secrets of their own.

World Travel: An Irreverent Guide, Anthony Bourdain

Beloved chef and travel writer Anthony Bourdain was working on a new book when he died, which will be published posthumously this year. World Travel: An Irreverent Guide features Bourdain’s musings on some of his favorite places, accompanied by essays written by Bourdain’s friends and family.

Joy at Work, Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein

You’ve sparked joy in your house, and now Marie Kondo wants you to take that same approach to work. This guide by famed declutterer Marie Kondo and Rice University business professor Scott Sonenshein will help you tackle both the physical work clutter (papers, desks) and the non-physical (emails, pointless meetings).

Saint X, Alexis Schaitkin

Although fictional, Saint X’s story feels ripped from the headlines. The plot centers around a fictional Caribbean island (Saint X) where a college-aged woman on vacation with her family goes missing. What happens after makes this book both gripping and moving.

Wow, No Thank You, Samantha Irby

In need of a laugh? Pick up Samantha Irby’s Wow, No Thank You, a book of hilarious essays inspired by Irby’s real-life experiences. The book touches on topics from friend dates to Hollywood, all with a great sense of humor.

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Seven Lies, Elizabeth Kay

What’s a little lie between friends? The story of a deep female friendship, Seven Lies starts with just one small lie from the protagonist and quickly spirals into deeper, darker falsehoods. The truth is finally revealed at the end of the book, in a twist that you’ll never see coming.

Black Sunday, Tola Rotimi Abraham

Tola Rotimi Abraham’s debut novel Black Sunday has already garnered tons of buzz in advance of its February debut. The novel follows the lives of two sisters as they grow up and apart in Lagos, Nigeria.

Uncanny Valley, Anna Wiener

Ever wonder what it’s really like to work at one of those big-money startups in Silicon Valley? Anna Wiener pulls back the curtain to expose the good, bad, and plain crazy in her memoir, Uncanny Valley, set in the tech industry at the peak of its success.

The Lion’s Den, Katherine St. John

Expect to see The Lion’s Den, publishing in May, at beaches and pools everywhere you go this summer. This ultimate beach read has all the essentials you need for an escape: a billionaire boyfriend, a yacht, a Mediterranean background, and plenty of secrets to keep you guessing.

Amnesty, Aravind Adiga

If you’ve read either of Man Booker Prize-winning author Aravind Adiga’s previous books (The White Tiger and Selection Day), then you’ll be thrilled to see he has a new novel out. Amnesty is the story of Danny, a Sri Lankan refugee working illegally in Australia after his visa is denied. When Danny uncovers evidence of a crime, he must make a choice—tell the police and risk deportation, or keep it to himself and possibly let a murderer go free?

More from SmarterTravel:

• 15 Great Summer Books to Read at the Beach
• 11 Funny Books to Read on Your Next Trip
• 7 New Books You Can Download at the Airport

Caroline Morse Teel is a Senior Editor at SmarterTravel. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline for photos from around the world. 

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