To be honest, these posts feel slightly A LOT repetitive at this point….BUT, I’ve learned a few things by documenting it, so there’s that. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- The lists really don’t change from the first round to the final round. Even though Goodreads takes write-ins, they barely get added. There were only a few categories with write-ins that made it to the final round (science fiction, nonfiction, memoir and autobiography).
- From here on out, I’ll vote in the early rounds (and even include my hopeful write in votes), but I won’t be doing a full blog post until the final round (so, so sorry I’ve made you go through all of these!)
Best Fiction
I’ve read a lot of these suggestions, and I’ve really liked a lot of them (in fact, some of them have a strong chance of making my Top 10 list). Other strong contenders (in my opinion) are: The Girl With the Louding Voice and Trascendent Kingdom.
I was bummed to see that The Death of Vivek Oji was removed from the finalists. And, honestly, while I’m shocked American Dirt was even nominated in the first place, I think two things have given it wide attention: the fact that Oprah chose it for her book club and the controversy surrounding its early days.
Mystery & Thriller
I’m still sticking with The Sun Down Motel! It was a page turner for me that I had a hard time putting down.
I think Riley Sager’s popularity will help him win this category with Home Before Dark, though I think The Sun Down Motel and Long Bright River also have a chance.
Historical Fiction
I will never be okay with Deacon King Kong (in the running for my favorite book of the year) not making it to the final round!
Out of the books still on the list, I like The Vanishing Half the most. I know I saw a lot of positive reviews for The Book of Longings (that book was not for me!) and The Pull of the Stars (on my TBR). I learned a ton from A Long Petal of the Sea, but don’t think it got enough readability to win.
Romance
I truly loved The Two Lives of Lydia Bird, but I don’t think it has the readability that One To Watch has.
This is a tough one for me to predict – I was between Regretting You and Beach Read. I ultimately think Hoover’s popularity and following will give her the win.
Horror
Out of the nominees that I read, Mexican Gothic is the only one that I enjoyed. Though I don’t think it has a chance against Stephen King!
Nonfiction
I attempted to read Hood Feminism: Notes From the Women That a Movement Forgot early in the pandemic and I don’t think my mind was in the right place. It’s on my list to try again now that my mind is a little more calmed.
Because of the surge in antiracist reading, I think Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You is going to win this category.
Memoir & Autobiography
Ok, don’t judge me…I voted for A Promised Land before I’ve finished it, but I feel confident that this will be the right choice for me.
I did love Untamed and think it’s a great book. A lot of people have praised it, so I think it’ll win the category. I think A Promised Land has a shot, but I’m not sure the late publication will give it enough time to gain enough supporters (unless it just wins because it’s Barak Obama’s book).
History & Biography
So many of the nominees from this list are on my TBR! I hope to get to them all of them soon. The Address Book: What Stree Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power is really good…but there’s absolutely no comparison to Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents!
I wholehearedly believe Caste should win this category, but The Splendid and the Vile has a high rating and I know Erik Larson is loved by many.
Debut Novel
There are so many good books in this category. I was sad to see Real Life was kicked out, but the remaining books are still really good. I finally picked up Valentine and I loved it so much, so that one got my vote!
I think My Dark Vanessa will win though. I think it’s got more favorable popularity than Valentine…though I think The Girl With the Louding Voice is one to watch (pun not intended)!
And, just for fun, here’s my pick and prediction for the remaining categories:
- Fantasy: I would pick The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, but I think Crescent City will win.
- Science Fiction: Totally guessing here, but I’d pick Network Effect, but I think An Absolutely Remarkable Thing will win.
- Humor: I would pick A Punchable Face, but I think The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s: Oral History might win.
- Science & Technology: No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram
- Food & Cookbooks: Eat A Peach
- Graphic Novels & Comics: Heartstopper
- Poetry: Home Body
- Young Adult Fiction: Clap When You Land
- Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
- Middle Grade & Children’s: The Trials of Apollo
- Picture Books: The Cool Bean
In case you’re interested in (repetive) past posts about the 2020 Goodread Choice Awards, you can find them here: Goodreads Choice Awards 2020: Round #1, and Goodreads Choice Awards 2020: Semifinal Round.
Happiest When Reading 