Goodreads’ 10 Best Books of the 2020s (So Far): Must-Read Modern Classics

We are only a few years into the 2020s, and yet it already feels like we’ve lived through an entire decade of incredible books. Every year brings a new wave of stories that stick with us, challenge us, and sometimes completely take over our reading lives. So it got me thinking, what are the best books of the 2020s so far?

That’s where Goodreads comes in. As one of the largest reading communities in the world, it gives us a pretty solid idea of what readers are loving right now. So instead of waiting until the decade ends (which honestly feels way too far away), why not take a look at what’s already standing out?

Now, you might be thinking this list is way too early and you wouldn’t be wrong. Normally, I’d agree. But with the number of standout books we’ve already gotten, there’s more than enough to start forming a list that actually means something. And chances are, even when the 2030s roll around, a lot of these titles will still be in the conversation.

What makes this list interesting isn’t just the books themselves, but what they say about readers today. These are the stories people are connecting with right now. The ones being talked about, recommended, and revisited. And anytime you can find a new book to add to your reading list, that’s a win.

So let’s get into it.

Goodreads’ 10 Best Books of the 2020s

• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
• The House in the Cerulean Sea (The House in the Cerulean Sea, #1) by T.J. Klune
• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
• Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
• My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
• House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1) by Sarah J. Maas
• I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
• The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, #0) by Suzanne Collins

There’s a little bit of everything here, fantasy, sci-fi, literary fiction, memoirs. And that’s part of what makes this list so strong. It’s not just one type of reader being catered to. It’s a snapshot of the entire reading landscape right now.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the standouts.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

I’ll be honest, I originally picked this book up because of the cover. Sometimes that’s all it takes. But what I found inside was something much more meaningful.

This is one of those rare fantasy books that feels warm. Not just entertaining, but genuinely comforting. Klune builds a world that’s imaginative without being overwhelming, and the characters are what really make it work. They don’t just exist on the page, they feel real.

At its core, this story is about belonging. About finding your place and the people who make you feel at home. There’s also a strong message about acceptance and understanding, but it never feels forced. It just naturally becomes part of the story.

And that’s what stuck with me. It’s not just a fantasy novel, it’s one that actually makes you feel something.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

This is one of those books that gets recommended everywhere and for good reason.

The Midnight Library is all about choices, regrets, and the “what ifs” that we all think about at some point. The idea is simple but powerful: what if you could try out different versions of your life? What if you could see how things would’ve turned out if you made different decisions?

That’s exactly what the protagonist gets to do.

What makes this book work is how relatable it is. Everyone has moments where they wonder if they made the right choice. And Haig takes that idea and turns it into something deeper.

It’s not just about alternate lives, it’s about coming to terms with your own. And by the time you finish it, you start looking at your decisions a little differently.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Andy Weir is one of those authors where, if he releases a book, I’m reading it. No hesitation.

After The Martian, expectations were high and somehow, Project Hail Mary delivers.

This is sci-fi at its best. It’s smart, engaging, and surprisingly emotional. Weir has a way of taking complex scientific ideas and making them accessible without dumbing them down. You actually feel like you’re learning something while still being completely entertained.

And then there’s the story itself. Without giving too much away, it’s about survival, problem-solving, and an unexpected friendship that ends up being one of the highlights of the book.

There aren’t many sci-fi novels that balance humor, science, and emotion this well. This is one of them.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

This is a book I didn’t expect to read but I’m glad I did.

I don’t usually go out of my way to pick up memoirs, but this one was everywhere. And once I started it, I understood why.

Jennette McCurdy tells her story in a way that’s honest, uncomfortable at times, but also incredibly important. She talks about her childhood, her relationship with her mother, and the pressures of growing up in the spotlight.

What stands out is the balance. There’s pain here, but there’s also reflection. You can see her trying to understand everything she went through, and that adds a layer of depth that a lot of memoirs don’t have.

It’s not an easy read but it’s definitely a worthwhile one.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

This is one of the most talked-about books of the decade so far and it’s easy to see why.

The concept alone is enough to pull you in: a woman makes a deal to live forever, but in return, no one can remember her.

That idea opens the door to so many possibilities, and Schwab explores them in a way that feels both expansive and personal. You get centuries of history, but at the same time, it never loses focus on Addie herself.

It’s a story about identity, loneliness, and what it really means to be remembered. And it sticks with you long after you finish it.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

This is one of the more grounded books on the list, but it hits just as hard.

Brit Bennett tells the story of twin sisters who choose to live very different lives, one embracing her identity, the other passing as someone she’s not. From there, the story expands into themes of race, identity, and family.

What makes this book stand out is how layered it is. It’s not just one story, it’s multiple generations, multiple perspectives, all connected in a way that feels natural.

It’s the kind of book that gives you a lot to think about, even after you’ve turned the last page.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

This is one of the most unique books on the list.

It’s hard to even describe Piranesi without taking away from the experience. The setting is strange, almost dreamlike, and the story unfolds in a way that slowly pulls you in.

At first, it feels confusing but that’s part of the appeal. As things start to come together, you realize just how carefully everything was put together.

It’s not a fast-paced book, but it’s one that rewards patience.

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

If you’re a fan of fantasy, this one is hard to ignore.

Sarah J. Maas has built a massive following, and House of Earth and Blood shows why. It’s a mix of urban fantasy, romance, and action, all wrapped into one.

The world-building is detailed, the stakes are high, and there’s no shortage of emotional moments.

It’s a longer book, but if you’re willing to invest the time, it pays off.

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

This is easily one of the heaviest books on the list.

It deals with difficult themes and doesn’t shy away from them. The story focuses on a relationship that’s deeply troubling, and the way it’s explored is both unsettling and thought-provoking.

It’s not for everyone but it’s the kind of book that sparks important conversations.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Going back to the world of The Hunger Games was always going to be a big deal.

Instead of continuing the story, Collins takes us back and focuses on President Snow. And that shift in perspective makes things a lot more interesting than you might expect.

You get to see how power, ambition, and morality shape a character over time. It adds depth to the original series and gives fans something new to think about.

Final Thoughts

That’s Goodreads’ take on the best books of the 2020s, at least so far.

What stands out to me is how diverse this list is. You’ve got everything from feel good fantasy to heavy literary fiction, from sci-fi adventures to deeply personal memoirs. It really shows how wide the reading world is right now.

I’ve read a few of these and already have plans to get to the rest. And that’s really the point of a list like this, not just to look back, but to find your next great read.

Because if the first few years of this decade are any indication, we’re in for a lot more incredible books before it’s all said and done.

So the real question is how many of these have you read? And which one are you picking up next?

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