My favorite reads of 2019

I have had a fabulous year of reading. Most of the books that I've read this year have been recent publications and, honestly, I find the quality and diversity of fiction being produced currently to be quite amazing. I do primarily read fiction, although I also manage to work in a few nonfiction books throughout the year.

 Trying to come up with a list of my favorite reads of the year was a bit daunting because most of what I have read has been quite good. There have been no real stinkers in the mix. I've had a couple of two-star reads, no one-stars, but most have been three-stars or more.

 I had thirty-seven five-star reads this year and I limited my selection process to those, even though I was strongly tempted by some of the four-stars. From that five-star group, I tried picking my favorite book from each month. In the end, I was able to identify a baker's dozen of books that were my absolute favorites of the year and here they are in the order that I read them with links to my reviews of them.

 My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

 The Lost Man by Jane Harper

 Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell

 Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett

 On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

 Inland by Tea Obreht

 The Islanders by Meg Mitchell Moore

 Make Your Home Among Strangers by Jennine Capo Crucet

 Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarozuk

 Trust Exercise by Susan Choi

 Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

 Wow! I have only just realized after listing them that twelve of my thirteen favorite reads of the year were written by women. I did have other five-star reads written by men besides Ocean Vuong, but I have to admit my list was heavily tilted toward female writers. Maybe I'll find more male writers to like in 2020! 

  

Comments

  1. Brian JosephDecember 30, 2019 at 3:09 AM

    This is an impressive list of books. I would like to read most of them. At the very least I hope to get to Daisy Jones and the Six this year. Hopefully 2020 will also be a good reading year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersDecember 30, 2019 at 11:28 AM

      This year really has been exceptional for the literature produced. We can only hope that trend continues.

      Delete
  2. David M. Gascoigne,December 30, 2019 at 4:31 AM

    Miriam reads far more fiction than I do and I will pass on your list of favourites to her. My single best work of fiction this year was a reread (after close to fifty years) of John Steinbeck's "East of Eden," a monumental work if ever there was one. All the best for 2020, Dorothy, with many good books along the way.

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    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersDecember 30, 2019 at 11:29 AM

      My younger daughter has resolved to read/reread Steinbeck in 2020. It's hard to beat the classics.

      Delete
  3. SusanJanuary 2, 2020 at 4:37 AM

    I've read 5 from your list, nice! I'm interested in picking up Mostly Dead Things ... and just want to make sure it's not too harsh on animals? I also should read Ocean Vuong's book.

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    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersJanuary 2, 2020 at 10:18 AM

      Nothing harsh to animals, only people, and there are bits of dark humor to leaven the more tragic aspects of the family saga. Vuong's book is unique in style and I found it to be a compelling read. If you decide to read either or both, I'll be interested to read your reviews.

      Delete
  4. Captivated ReaderJanuary 15, 2020 at 1:44 PM

    Nice choices for your 2019 favorites... I've acquired both Daisy Jones & The Six and The Old Drift. Hopefully, I read both books later this year.

    ReplyDelete

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