In the year when we were all stuck inside for months on end, books were our only saving grace.
In the past, books would have been a treat reserved for weekends and holidays. Remember when you'd pick up that best seller at the airport - the one you'd had your eye on for MONTHS - you'd start it on the plane and finish it days later on a sun-bed somewhere hot and far away from chilly Blighty.
Well, in 2020, hot sun-beds in even hotter countries were merely a memory of summers past and so, unfortunately, we had to accept our lot in the UK and pick up our long-lusted-after book under overcast skies in lukewarm 17 degree heat.
Oh well, we told ourselves.
For lots of us, we got through far more books than we ever had before. Some of us even started Zoom book clubs as a way to pass the time on furlough. And so in 2020, in the year when we couldn't go to the theatre and we couldn't go to the clubs, we were very thankful for all the authors typing away at home.
Now, as this year finally draws to a close, we can look back on all those pockets of escapism that we delved into when times got tough (that got deep...) and, thanks to Amazon, we can even reveal the 20 most sold books in 2020.
So, if you haven't quite satisfied your reading fix for this year or, if you want to get a head start on 2021 (you eager beaver), here's the top 10 most sold fiction and non-fiction books from 2020.
SHOP: The top 10 most sold fictions books in 2020
Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.
SHOP the top 10 most sold fiction books 2020
1 of 10Blood Orange
A gripping thriller that'll have you hooked from the first page.
2 of 10Girl, Woman, Other
It looks at Britain through the eyes of twelve different characters and it sheds a completely different light on the nation that you know.
£9.19
- Rrp: £9.99
3 of 10Normal People
Set in Ireland, Normal People follows the story of a young couple in love as they navigate the realities of their emotion-packed relationship.
£6.00
- Rrp: £9.99
4 of 10Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
If you haven't read this - what are you doing? It's a story of magic, bravery and friendship and it's a British classic.
5 of 10The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
A collection of beautiful drawings and "the thoughts and feelings that unite us all."
£9.00
- Rrp: £20.00
6 of 10The Beekeeper of Aleppo
A story of love, courage and hope that will have you engrossed from the first page through to the last.
£8.99
- Rrp: £9.99
7 of 10The Flatshare
The escapism that you need in 2020, tbh.
£7.99
- Rrp: £9.99
8 of 10The Silent Patient
A gripping thriller that takes you alongside the character of Alicia Berenson after she shoots her husband.
£6.99
- Rrp: £9.99
9 of 10The Thursday Murder Club
"Four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders." Intrigued? Us, too. Check it out now.
£5.99
10 of 10Where the Crawdads Sing
A story of love in North Carolina - it's beautiful and gripping.
£5.50
- Rrp: £9.99
SHOP: The top 10 most sold non-fiction books in 2020
SHOP the top 10 most sold non-fiction books 2020
1 of 10Mrs Hinch: The Little Book of Lists
Because why wouldn't you want the amazing Sophie Hinchcliffe guiding you through your weekly cleaning schedule?
£8.00
- Rrp: £12.99
2 of 10Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self-Love Is the Key to Unlocking Your Greatness
The ultimate guide to help you manifest positivity. Join the "self-love revolution."
£9.79
- Rrp: £12.99
3 of 10Pinch of Nom: 100 Slimming, Home-style Recipes
It's loved by Slimming World fanatics and its recipes actually taste good despite being so low calorie. It's a win, win.
£11.79
- Rrp: £20.00
4 of 10Pinch of Nom Everyday Light: 100 Tasty, Slimming Recipes All Under 400 Calories
For anyone on a real calorie-clinching diet - this is the recipe book for you.
£10.00
- Rrp: £20.00
5 of 10Becoming
If you love Michelle as much as we do and miss the days of First Lady Michelle, then you NEED this in your life.
£17.28
- Rrp: £25.00
6 of 10This Is Me
It's the one and only Mrs Hinch's memoir - why wouldn't you buy this? Become a Hincher today.
£12.99
- Rrp: £16.99
7 of 10Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
You'll need your thinking cap on for this one, but once you're hooked you'll be fascinated by how far the human race has come.
8 of 10Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race
In a year of global anti-racism protests, this is the book that took the world by storm. Definitely recommend.
£8.40
- Rrp: £10.99
9 of 10Untamed: Stop Pleasing, Start Living
Adele says this book will "shake your brain and make your soul scream." If that doesn't entice you, we don't know what will.
£12.49
- Rrp: £14.99
10 of 10The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
Learn how to re-jig your headspace and look at things from a different POV. It's a thinker but it's good.
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Which ones did you pick? If you're stuck choosing, Normal People is a real page turner. And, now you've satisfied your bookworm fix, it's time to get started on your Christmas shopping.
Seriously, we're almost halfway through December - you need to get going. You might have 15 family members, but don't panic because we've put together gift lists for every family member, including your grandma and your great aunt Sue. Plus, all our gift guides are online, so you don't have to traipse around your local town centre wondering whether granny would prefer socks or a scarf (the answer is a scarf, btw).
Why not start with our gift guide for her, and then you can move onto your work secret Santa (always a toughie).
Happy shopping 🎉.