Fiction
Hilary Mantel, Ali Smith and Tsitsi Dangarembga completed landmark series, Martin Amis turned to autofiction and Elena Ferrante returned to Naples – Justine Jordan picks the best novels of the year, including a host of brilliant debuts.
Read the whole list: Best fiction of 2020
Children’s books
Imogen Russell Williams on an excellent wintry fantasy, a pair of young detectives, the return of Lyra and Pan - plus picture books and poetry for everyone.
Read the whole list: Best children’s books of 2020
Crime and thrillers
From hard-hitting debuts and gritty mysteries, to a cosy caper and a swashbuckling maritime puzzle, Laura Wilson picks the best crime and thrillers by the likes of Tana French, Stuart Turton, Rumaan Alam and more.
Read the whole list: Best crime and thrillers of 2020
Science fiction and fantasy
From Kim Stanley Robinson to Diane Cook, Adam Roberts considers a year where visions of a climate emergency-ravaged near future came to the fore.
Read the whole list: Best scifi and fantasy of 2020
Memoir and celebrity books
Fiona Sturges selects the best memoirs, including Caitlin Moran, Raynor Winn and Deborah Orr, as well as searing revelations and sparkling anecdotes from Mariah Carey, Matthew McConaughey and Michael J Fox
Read the whole list: Best memoirs and celebrity books of 2020
Politics
Gaby Hinsliff picks the best books about politics and politicians, including biographies exposing the inner demons of Boris Johnson and Donald Trump, some quality David Cameron gossip – and why Germans do it better.
Read the whole list: Best politics books of 2020
Ideas
How to succeed at failing, guides to anti-racism work, a fun journey towards the apocalypse, and human nature – good or bad? Steve Poole shares the best books about big ideas.
Read the whole list: Best ideas books of 2020
Sport
Huw Richards picks a clear-eyed look at grassroots football, hard-hitting memoirs from a world champion kickboxer and a leading female rugby player, and more.
Read the whole list: Best sports books of 2020
Nature and science
Katy Guest looks at the books published in a year where science became big news: guides to dealing with future pandemics, the human side to Stephen Hawking and a data-led argument for global women’s empowerment. And Patrick Barkham picks five remarkable nature books, including teenager Dara McAnulty and the follow-up to Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris’ The Lost Words.
Read the whole list: Best science books and best nature books of 2020
Poetry
Rishi Dastidar marks a year of excellent collections, including Clive James’s joyous farewell, sounds of the city from Caleb Femi, and outstanding debuts from Will Harris and Rachel Long.
Read the whole list: Best poetry collections of 2020
Comics and graphic novels
An award-winning tale of rival ice-cream sellers, a migrant Syrian family’s experiences of the US and a superhero in drag are just some of the highlights selected by James Smart.
Read the whole list: Best comics and graphic novels of 2020
Art
Kathryn Hughes picks titles about Andy Warhol, Artemisia Gentileschi and Lucian Freud, plus a clear-eyed view of London’s changing landscape.
Read the whole list: Best art books of 2020
Food
Mouthwatering pastries, simple one‑tin bakes, a new Ottolenghi and a rapturous account by Nigella … Meera Sodha shares the best recipes and food writing to transport you around the world.
Read the whole list: Best cookbooks and food writing of 2020
Stocking fillers
Justine Jordan selects five little treasures to liven up your festive giving, including a history of Essex girls and the new David Sedaris collection.
Read the whole list: Best gift books of 2020