You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat review – self-destructive search for love
A young Palestinian-American’s struggle with her sexual identity and a demanding mother are deftly explored in this assured debut novel
The Fall of a Sparrow by Ann Pasternak Slater review – TS Eliot’s troubled first wife
A new biography of Vivien Eliot fails to flesh out the woman abandoned by the poet and often regarded as the source of his despair
Let Us Dream by Pope Francis review – the holy father of fraternity
In reflections written during lockdown, the pontiff adds his weight to a growing group of people seeking a return to community-minded values
Best science fiction and fantasy books of 2020
From Kim Stanley Robinson to Diane Cook, visions of a climate emergency-ravaged near future came to the fore
Best children’s and teens books of 2020
Wintry fantasy, young detectives, the return of Lyra and Pan - plus poetry for everyone
Best crime and thrillers of 2020
From hard-hitting debuts and gritty mysteries to a cosy caper and a swashbuckling maritime puzzle
Best sports books of 2020
Clear-eyed insights into grassroots football, hard-hitting memoirs from a world champion kickboxer and a leading female rugby player and more
Best cookbooks and food writing of 2020
From mouthwatering pastries to simple one‑tin bakes … recipes to transport you around the world
Best art books of 2020
Andy Warhol, Artemisia Gentileschi and Lucian Freud fall under the spotlight, plus a clear-eyed view of London’s changing landscape
Best stocking filler books of 2020
From cats to meatballs to monsters: here are five little treasures to liven up your festive giving
Best nature books of 2020
From the debate on land ownership to the unexpected joys of lockdown; books that explore our relationship with nature
Best science books of 2020
Tidy bedrooms, how to deal with future pandemics, the human side to Stephen Hawking and pictures in the sand
Best comics and graphic novels of 2020
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
Best poetry books of 2020
Clive James’s joyous farewell, David Bowie speaks to Simon Armitage – and sounds of the city from Caleb Femi
Best fiction of 2020
Hilary Mantel, Ali Smith and Tsitsi Dangarembga completed landmark series, Martin Amis turned to autofiction and Elena Ferrante returned to Naples – plus a host of brilliant debuts