7 Powerful Books About Family and Friendship from The 2020 Fall Reading Guide

Autumn is the perfect time to curl up with a book that touches the heart. If you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate stories that explore the family and friendship stories are beautifully written and emotionally resonant. In this roundup, I’m sharing The 2020 Fall Reading Guide Family and Friendship Books—a collection filled with powerful narratives, compelling characters, and deeply human moments that made me laugh, cry, and reflect.

Top 7 Family and Friendship Books of Fall 2020

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

In Transcendent Kingdom, we follow Gifty, a Ghanaian-American neuroscience PhD student in Alabama, as she wrestles with the loss of her brother to opioid addiction, her mother’s crippling depression, and her own internal conflict between science and faith. This novel is a tender meditation on grief, mental illness, cultural identity, and belief.

I selected this book because it made me reflect on how we carry our pain while still reaching for hope. It’s perfect for readers who loved Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng or Homegoing (also by Gyasi). This story made me feel both heavy and deeply understood—it’s a layered and emotional journey I think many will relate to.

You can get a copy of Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi on Amazon.

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie

This smart and witty debut introduces us to Afi, a young woman in Ghana who is married off to a man she barely knows—and who doesn’t even show up to the wedding. As Afi finds herself navigating the expectations of her family, new in-laws, and life in a modern city, she begins to define success and happiness on her own terms.

I included this novel because it’s full of heart, humor, and cultural richness. Afi’s growth and self-discovery made me root for her every step of the way. It’s a must-read for fans of Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams or The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan—readers who love stories of women breaking free and coming into their own.

You can get a copy of His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie on Amazon.

Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie

This sweeping saga centers on Noriko, a biracial girl born to Japanese aristocracy in post-WWII Japan, who is abandoned by her mother and forced into hiding. Spanning decades and continents, her journey is one of survival, strength, and reclaiming her sense of self in a world that seeks to erase her.

I chose this book because Noriko’s resilience left a lasting impression on me. It’s for readers who enjoy Memoirs of a Geisha or Pachinko. The emotional highs and lows of her story moved me deeply and reminded me how the desire to be seen and loved transcends time and place.

You can get a copy of Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie on Amazon.

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

This unconventional story kicks off with a failed bank robbery and turns into a tender exploration of the lives of eight strangers trapped in an apartment. As their stories unravel, we discover the pain and hope each person is carrying—and how unlikely friendships can bloom in the most unexpected places.

I included this because it made me laugh, cry, and reflect all in one sitting. If you loved The Midnight Library by Matt Haig or The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, you’ll adore this book. It reminded me that even in anxious times, there’s light to be found in human connection.

You can get a copy of Anxious People by Fredrik Backman on Amazon.

What Are You Going Through by Sigrid Nunez

In this contemplative novel, a woman accompanies a terminally ill friend through the end of her life. It’s a quiet yet profound meditation on mortality, friendship, and the small, meaningful ways we show up for each other when it matters most.

This one struck a personal chord and made me think deeply about compassion and companionship. I included it because it’s gentle, wise, and powerfully emotional—ideal for readers of Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout or The Friend by the same author. It’s one of those books that stays with you long after the final page.

You can get a copy of What Are You Going Through by Sigrid Nunez on Amazon.

The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons

Eudora, an elderly woman with plans to end her life on her own terms, is completely thrown off course when a quirky 10-year-old girl and a kindly neighbor insert themselves into her routine. Their unexpected friendship reminds her what it means to live fully, even when you think it’s too late.

I selected this book because it felt like a warm hug on a chilly day. For fans of A Man Called Ove or Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, this novel offers hope, charm, and the reminder that it’s never too late for second chances. Eudora’s journey made me smile, tear up, and reflect on the beauty of unexpected connections.

You can get a copy of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons on Amazon.

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

What begins as a family vacation turns into a gripping psychological drama when two strangers arrive at their Airbnb, claiming the world outside has collapsed. As tension mounts, the novel explores race, privilege, fear, and the limits of trust and community in times of crisis.

I chose this book because it made me sit with discomfort in the best way. It’s perfect for readers of The Road by Cormac McCarthy or Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. It made me question what I would do in the same situation—and reminded me how our bonds shift and evolve under pressure.

You can get a copy of Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam on Amazon.

Which Family and Friendship Books Will You Read First?

Are you drawn to any of the family and friendship books from The 2020 Fall Reading Guide? What themes resonate with you most this season—grief, belonging, reinvention? Let’s chat in the comments.