Happy New Year!! This was quite a reading year for me. My best ever I believe. In 2019 I read 116 books. 105 I read on my Kindle or as a physical book, and 11 of them I listened to as audiobooks. In my year-end wrap-up, I am excited to share with you the very best of them. I read so many four and five star books this year, it was hard to choose the best of the best! If you want to see some of my other reviews, just click on the category "Books" in my sidebar. This will be a long post, so grab a tea or coffee and settle in!
BEST BOOKS
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger was my number one favorite book this year. It is a coming of age story about four orphans who run away from their nightmarish 1930s orphanage in order to escape the abuse they are experiencing there. Similar to both Huckleberry Finn and The Odyssey, the kids experience all sorts of characters and adventures on their journey down a river in a stolen canoe. In the descriptions of our land and our past, there was something so "American" about this book. It was such a satisfying book for me. If you love fully drawn characters who will stay with you long after the book is finished, this is a good one for you.
In my opinion, you cannot go wrong with an Ann Patchett book, and The Dutch House is one of her best. It is the story of a very dysfunctional family, in particular, the bond between two siblings. If you enjoy a good family saga, this will satisfy that itch. The house in the book is practically a character on its own and the highs and lows that happen under its roof over the years is quite a story. The character development is unparalleled in this book and the themes of forgiveness, loyalty and the complexity of family relations will stay with you a long while. I understand that the audiobook, narrated by Tom Hanks is outstanding.
Oh wow, was The River by Peter Heller ever a wild ride. I read this practically in one sitting and held my breath for many hours of it. This book was in my number one spot for most of the year, only getting bumped down a bit by the previous two books I mentioned. Less than 300 pages, it is the gripping adventure of two college boys who are traveling on a remote Canadian river by canoe. These boys are tested by fire, white water and violence, and you will not be able to put the book down until the last page. I promise.
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne will not be for everyone, but I absolutely loved it. The author is Irish and has a uniquely Irish way with words and descriptions. Set in Dublin, Amsterdam and New York City, the book covers the life of Cyril Avery from the 1940s to the present day, and his struggle to find his identity. This book made me both laugh and cry, sometimes on the same page. The book is witty, poignant, full of quirky and memorable characters, and has great insight into human nature. It is a chunkster, over 600 pages, but I loved every word.
One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow by Olivia Hawker, was such an entertaining book. It is only $1.99 on Amazon for your Kindle, so I urge you to give it a try. Set in 1870's Wyoming, two neighboring women who have good reason to not get along, are forced through circumstances to bond together to save everything and everyone who is dear to them. Lots of conflict in this book, as well as betrayal, grief, hardship, and loss. The characters are so well portrayed and the story so well drawn that you will feel as if you are an eyewitness to all that transpires. More character-driven than a fast-paced plot, I found the descriptions of the prairie and interactions between the characters positively poetic.
The Garden of Lost and Found by Harriet Evans is a real bargain ($5.99) on Amazon for your Kindle right now as well. Set in 1919 in England. Liddy Horner is shocked to find her artist husband burning his best-known painting "The Garden of Lost and Found" in the garden of their home, Nightingale House. His fame and fortune were largely the results of this nationally beloved work and it is incomprehensible that he would do such a thing. The story is told over three generations, and by the end, you will understand the artist's motives and actions. Poignant, engrossing, mysterious and captivating. I loved it.
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane was another family saga that I thoroughly enjoyed. You Ann Patchett and Barbara Kingsolver fans will really like this author. The book is the story of two New York City cops who end up being next-door neighbors. A tragic event changes the course of the future for each family, and we follow the characters for over forty years. The characters are so well drawn you will feel as if you know them. Even if you don't like their actions, you will feel such empathy. This book is about friendship, loyalty, resilience, overcoming obstacles. But most importantly, it is about how one thing often leads to another and how real people deal with personal catastrophe. Excellent book
If you are a fan of the music of the 1970s, in particular of the group Fleetwood Mac, you will get a real kick out of Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The book is written in a unique style: like a Rolling Stones magazine interview. You experience the viewpoints of all the band members as they reflect over their successful run and their dramatic breakup. Drugs, sex and rock and roll- you feel as though you are backstage with the group as they take the world by storm. The book seems so authentic, you will find yourself Googling the songs to see if they are for real. It was fun and entertaining.
BEST AUDIO BOOKS
I bought the hardback copy of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, but ended up listening to the audio version, which was very well narrated. This was a hugely popular book in 2019, and was on so many Best of the Year lists. For me, it was a bit of a slow start, but picked up steam and ended up being a favorite of the year. The book is very much an ode to nature, with gorgeous descriptions of the marshes of North Carolina. It is also the coming of age story of Kya, a wild child who grows up on her own in the marshland. And last, it is a compelling mystery, with a twist at the end you do not see coming. It is on everyone's Must Read lists for a reason, and if you haven't read it, I urge you to pick it up.
Ok. You have to trust me on this one. Promise me you will read or listen to The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain. It was SO good. GIve me a book that involves time travel and I am all in, and this book is no exception. It is 1970 and Carly Sears has just been widowed. Her husband was killed in Vietnam, and she has just discovered she is expecting their child. Her pre-natal tests show that her unborn child has a heart defect and will definitely not survive once it is born. You can imagine her devastation at this double whammy tragedy. However, there just might be a chance for her, as her physicist brother in law is not what he seems and can help. You see, he is from 2017 and is a time traveler. He says he can get her to 2001 where in-utero surgery is a successful new thing. Her baby can have surgery, get the heart defect corrected and she can return home to 1970 North Carolina with a healthy newborn. Of course, there are complications, which make the storyline of this book so compelling. You will not be able to stop listening or reading. Please check out this book. You will thank me. Yes you will.
I very much enjoyed The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. She is the author of Me Before You, which was hugely popular a few years back. This book was the author's first attempt at historical fiction and I would say it was a success. There has been a bit of controversy over this book, which I won't go into here. Google it if you are interested. At any rate, I listened to an audio version of the book, which was well narrated and extremely enjoyable. The story is set during the Great Depression in the mountains of Kentucky and concerns five women who pack in library books to families in rural Appalachia as part of Eleanor Roosevelt's literacy program. The Horseback Librarians of Kentucky were a real thing. The basics of the story are truly rooted in America's past, and the fictional characters are compelling, varied, and interesting. It is a wonderful story of female friendship.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Boy, am I ever sorry to have to say The Spies of Shilling Lane by Jennifer Ryan was my biggest disappointment of 2019. Her debut book The Chilbury Ladies' Choir was one of my BEST books of 2017, but this Sophomore effort was not great. The characters were contrived and exaggerated, the plot was dull, superficial and unbelievable. Nothing about the book grabbed me. I got about 60% through the book and put it down. It was such a big let down for me, as I had really been looking forward to it and bought a copy the minute it was published.
That's a wrap for me for 2019! Hope you enjoyed my reviews. Have you read any of the books I mentioned? What did you think? Do you have any books you would like to share in the comments? Please do! I look forward to sharing lots more good books in 2020.
36 responses to “My Top Books of 2019”
Thanks fir the recommendations. I have read several of these books, I’m a big reader too. I read The Gown by Jennifer Robson last month and enjoyed it. Maybe you would too
Thanks fir the recommendations. I have read several of these books, I’m a big reader too. I read The Gown by Jennifer Robson last month and enjoyed it. Maybe you would too
Thanks fir the recommendations. I have read several of these books, I’m a big reader too. I read The Gown by Jennifer Robson last month and enjoyed it. Maybe you would too
Thanks, Nicole! I loved looking at your first photo of your bookshelf and seeing ones that I’ve read because of you! There are now many that fall into that category. Guess what book I started yesterday…the one you wanted to throw across the room!! haha. I’ll let you know how it goes for me. Take care!!
Thanks, Nicole! I loved looking at your first photo of your bookshelf and seeing ones that I’ve read because of you! There are now many that fall into that category. Guess what book I started yesterday…the one you wanted to throw across the room!! haha. I’ll let you know how it goes for me. Take care!!
Thanks, Nicole! I loved looking at your first photo of your bookshelf and seeing ones that I’ve read because of you! There are now many that fall into that category. Guess what book I started yesterday…the one you wanted to throw across the room!! haha. I’ll let you know how it goes for me. Take care!!
I keep a list of books to read, many recommended by you, and made good progress this year. I think The Nightingale is at the top of my list, but I also loved two books from a local author – Into the Dark and Out of the Light by Aletha Romig – they had me guessing, disgusted, curious, and on the edge of my seat. If you read them, make sure you have the second book handy as soon as you finish the first one! I did read The River on your review and it was great! I wound up reading instead of sleeping a few nights because I couldn’t put it down! Looking forward to another year with lots of books!
I keep a list of books to read, many recommended by you, and made good progress this year. I think The Nightingale is at the top of my list, but I also loved two books from a local author – Into the Dark and Out of the Light by Aletha Romig – they had me guessing, disgusted, curious, and on the edge of my seat. If you read them, make sure you have the second book handy as soon as you finish the first one! I did read The River on your review and it was great! I wound up reading instead of sleeping a few nights because I couldn’t put it down! Looking forward to another year with lots of books!
I keep a list of books to read, many recommended by you, and made good progress this year. I think The Nightingale is at the top of my list, but I also loved two books from a local author – Into the Dark and Out of the Light by Aletha Romig – they had me guessing, disgusted, curious, and on the edge of my seat. If you read them, make sure you have the second book handy as soon as you finish the first one! I did read The River on your review and it was great! I wound up reading instead of sleeping a few nights because I couldn’t put it down! Looking forward to another year with lots of books!
You’ve given me some good reading ideas. A few of them I’ve read, but most, I have not. Happy New Year, Nicole.
You’ve given me some good reading ideas. A few of them I’ve read, but most, I have not. Happy New Year, Nicole.
You’ve given me some good reading ideas. A few of them I’ve read, but most, I have not. Happy New Year, Nicole.
116 books!! AND you made quilts!! I am in awe at your use of time management! I have the Dutch House waiting for me at the library, and One for the Blackbird…is on my kindle. I read The River and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have pegged several from your list to read this year…thank you for sharing with us!
116 books!! AND you made quilts!! I am in awe at your use of time management! I have the Dutch House waiting for me at the library, and One for the Blackbird…is on my kindle. I read The River and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have pegged several from your list to read this year…thank you for sharing with us!
116 books!! AND you made quilts!! I am in awe at your use of time management! I have the Dutch House waiting for me at the library, and One for the Blackbird…is on my kindle. I read The River and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have pegged several from your list to read this year…thank you for sharing with us!
Thanks for the recommendations. I’ve read a few of your favorites and I added The Dream Daughter to my to-be-read list.
Thanks for the recommendations. I’ve read a few of your favorites and I added The Dream Daughter to my to-be-read list.
Thanks for the recommendations. I’ve read a few of your favorites and I added The Dream Daughter to my to-be-read list.
Happy New Year Nicole! I quilt & like reading so especially like your blog! I look forward to & really enjoy your book reviews! I have read some of your current recommendations & have now added The Dutch House! The Dream Daughter is a new one to me & at your urging am considering! Thank you very much!
Happy New Year Nicole! I quilt & like reading so especially like your blog! I look forward to & really enjoy your book reviews! I have read some of your current recommendations & have now added The Dutch House! The Dream Daughter is a new one to me & at your urging am considering! Thank you very much!
Happy New Year Nicole! I quilt & like reading so especially like your blog! I look forward to & really enjoy your book reviews! I have read some of your current recommendations & have now added The Dutch House! The Dream Daughter is a new one to me & at your urging am considering! Thank you very much!
I love that you post your book reviews! I also loved The Giver of Stars, This Tender Land and Where the Crawdads Sing. I’m adding the others to my To Be Read list, and two are already on my library request list. Thank you so much for sharing your quilts and your books with us!
I love that you post your book reviews! I also loved The Giver of Stars, This Tender Land and Where the Crawdads Sing. I’m adding the others to my To Be Read list, and two are already on my library request list. Thank you so much for sharing your quilts and your books with us!
I love that you post your book reviews! I also loved The Giver of Stars, This Tender Land and Where the Crawdads Sing. I’m adding the others to my To Be Read list, and two are already on my library request list. Thank you so much for sharing your quilts and your books with us!
Hi
If you like time travel, have you read the series of books by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander? Or see the series? My favourite. I’ve even been to Scotland to see each and every film location in the 4 series that are out. Mad I know.
Hi
If you like time travel, have you read the series of books by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander? Or see the series? My favourite. I’ve even been to Scotland to see each and every film location in the 4 series that are out. Mad I know.
Hi
If you like time travel, have you read the series of books by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander? Or see the series? My favourite. I’ve even been to Scotland to see each and every film location in the 4 series that are out. Mad I know.
Thanks for the great list Nicole, your #1 was new to me, it’s on my list now. Have you read other books by Krueger, he has an extensive backlist. I’ve not read any books by him. I also added the Boyne and Hawker books to my TBR. I really enjoyed the Dream Daughter, it didn’t have a lull, great start to finish. I did not think of highly of The River as you did, it was B read for me. I read over 120 books in 2019, 118 were audio books! Looking forward to more great recommendations this year, thanks so much for sharing your reading life.
Thanks for the great list Nicole, your #1 was new to me, it’s on my list now. Have you read other books by Krueger, he has an extensive backlist. I’ve not read any books by him. I also added the Boyne and Hawker books to my TBR. I really enjoyed the Dream Daughter, it didn’t have a lull, great start to finish. I did not think of highly of The River as you did, it was B read for me. I read over 120 books in 2019, 118 were audio books! Looking forward to more great recommendations this year, thanks so much for sharing your reading life.
Thanks for the great list Nicole, your #1 was new to me, it’s on my list now. Have you read other books by Krueger, he has an extensive backlist. I’ve not read any books by him. I also added the Boyne and Hawker books to my TBR. I really enjoyed the Dream Daughter, it didn’t have a lull, great start to finish. I did not think of highly of The River as you did, it was B read for me. I read over 120 books in 2019, 118 were audio books! Looking forward to more great recommendations this year, thanks so much for sharing your reading life.
Loved The River! (I recommend his novel/mystery Celine, too.) I was also disappointed with Shilling Lane. And I am just about the only person who was not enchanted by Crawdads — because of several BAD editing mistakes that ruined the story for me.
Loved The River! (I recommend his novel/mystery Celine, too.) I was also disappointed with Shilling Lane. And I am just about the only person who was not enchanted by Crawdads — because of several BAD editing mistakes that ruined the story for me.
Loved The River! (I recommend his novel/mystery Celine, too.) I was also disappointed with Shilling Lane. And I am just about the only person who was not enchanted by Crawdads — because of several BAD editing mistakes that ruined the story for me.
I love your book lists and immediately share it with my book group. Thanks for sharing.
I love your book lists and immediately share it with my book group. Thanks for sharing.
I love your book lists and immediately share it with my book group. Thanks for sharing.