Activist and speaker Glennon Doyle is the bestselling author of "Love Warrior," "Carry On, Warrior," and her latest memoir, "Untamed," was one of 2020's top selling books.
Doyle's "Untamed" shares her journey of self-discovery and a powerful message of untaming ourselves and finding our inner voice.
Now, she's sharing some of her favorite books of 2020 with "Good Morning America" and why they will make great holiday gifts.
"I cannot tell you how excited I am to be here today as your book elf," Doyle told "Good Morning America." "My two favorite things in the entire world are the holidays, and books. So while it was nearly impossible, because so many beautiful books were released in 2020, I put together a list of books that I think will be perfect for anybody on your gift list. Because every single one of them is just like a hug to the soul... what everybody needs in 2020!"
"While you are picking up these incredible books written by these beautiful artists, check them out at your local independent bookstore and do something good for the world," she urged.
Read on for Doyle's 2020 book picks in her own words.
Non-fiction books that are like hugs for the 2020 struggling soul
For the deeply feeling friends on your list:
'Good Morning, Monster: Five Heroic Journeys to Recovery,' by Catherine Gildiner
A therapist and six of her most fascinating, resilient patients. We need to read stories about folks who have been through hell and kept going.
‘Heart Talk: The Journal’ by Cleo Wade
Everything Cleo writes is so comforting and this just felt to me like sitting down with a good friend.
For your geek book-y friend:
‘Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath,' by Heather Clark
This book is big. And it is also one of the most beautiful biographies I have ever read.
For your best friend:
'Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close,' by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman
This book is about navigating and redefining what friendship is in our lives. And it's going to be great for you and your best friend to read together.
Fiction:
Great novels help us lose and find ourselves at the same time. These are two of 2020’s great novels that will give everyone on your list plenty to think and talk about. They are about everything we need to be talking about in 2020: relationships, mental health, loss, pain, healing, race.
'Memorial,' by Bryan Washington
About love and loss and family and everything 2020 taught us matters. A "GMA" Book Club pick!
'Vanishing Half,' by Brit Bennett
Race and sisterhood and America. The perfect 2020 read. A "GMA" Book Club pick!
For the sober friend on your list:
'We Are the Luckiest,' by Laura McKeown
I love it because it's raw and real. And because it doesn't have a preachy word in it. Disclaimer: Don't buy it for your friend as a hint to get sober. Only for the friends who already are.
For EMO artistic teen on your list:
'I Would Leave Me If I Could: A Collection of Poetry,' by Halsey
2020 has been a tough year on teens. I love the idea of teens reading this and discovering poetry as a way to express themselves. Halsey has written a gorgeous book of poetry. In it, Halsey is deeply vulnerable. I suspect it will make teens feel less alone.
For the budding teen activist:
'WOLFPACK,' by Abby Wambach
Editor's Note: Doyle chose a book by Olympic soccer star Abby Wambach, who is also her wife!
This is a book written for tweens about showing up for their lives and in the world, as leaders full of honor and kindness, and just love this author! And literally love her, she's my wife.
For the little ones on your list:
I used to be a third grade teacher, so children's books are my jam and two gorgeous kids books were released this year that your kids need.
'If You Come to Earth Hardcover,' by Sophie Blackall
Written from the perspective of a child who is introducing the planet and humanity to an alien who has just landed. Such a fresh, beautiful reminder of how precious and connected we are. I like this for kids, but also as a reminder for the parents who are reading it to them.
'I Am Every Good Thing,' by Derrick Barnes and Gordon James
If I were still a teacher, I would start every single morning by sitting my kids down and reading this book to them. It's a reminder of how precious each one of them is.
And a story everyone will love:
'Dolly, Songteller' by Dolly Parton
I know 2020 might be a tricky year for gift buying because we have all become a little bit more separated through COVID, through politics, through all of it, but don't worry, because my final pick everybody's got to love! It is written by the great American unifier Dolly Parton. What's not to love? This is a gorgeous book written by a wonderful human being. If all else fails, give them "Darling."
