The stories 2020 FORGOT

Our memories of the COVID-19 pandemic certainly won’t leave us for some time, but that’s not all that’s happened this year

- BESS BROWNING

The pandemic, its subsequent tragedy and worldwide lockdowns, have dominated headlines throughout 2020. Sadly, the news has often brought us great uncertainty and sadness. The newspaper limelight was regularly shared with the Black Lives Matter movement and Donald’s Trump ousting, but hiding in the wings were the stories of unsung heroes who had a moment of fame, a new venture for the royals and the sad loss of famous faces. As the clock ticks towards 2021, Woman looks back at some of the other stories of this unforgettable year.

Celebrating diversity

Two authors made history in June when they became the first women of colour to top the UK paperback charts. Bernardine Evaristo (left) hit the number-one spot in the fiction chart with her novel, Girl, Woman, Other, for which she won the Booker Prize in 2019.

Meanwhile, Reni Eddo-Lodge topped the paperback nonfiction chart with her 2017 book, Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race.

Reni and Bernardine’s success in the book charts coincided with the Black Lives Matter protests across the globe.

A different path