For those interested, here’s my complete reading list for 2019. My goal was at least 52 books; I ended up reading 105. 🤓
A big change I made, on January 1, 2019, was to my personal rating system. I’m only rating books I love (4 stars) and adore (5 stars). These are the books I see myself re-reading at least once (4 stars) and probably even buying (5 stars) at some point. So, in selecting my Top 5, I only looked at my 4- and 5-star reads of 2019.
In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire
Published: 1/8/2019
So far in the Wayward Children series, Lundy is the character I most identify with. She’s serious — about books and about being who she wants to be, not who society says she should be. And as soon as I finished this book, I knew it’d be #1 on my Top 5 for the year.
You should read this if you like: portal fantasy; the Goblin Market; the Wayward Children series; bookworms with big dreams; rules, logic and order; life-altering consequences for breaking the rules or trying to cheat the system.
My Review | Add it on LibraryThing | Add it on Goodreads
Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson
Published: 2/7/2017 (in Canada)
One of THE best contemporary coming-of-age mixed with myths novels I’ve read to date. I read it the last 2 days of 2019 and it was a perfect way to wrap up my year in reading. I laughed; I cried; I raged; I laughed some more… Following her Acknowledgments, the author bio was hilarious! I plan to read book two in the trilogy – Trickster Drift – as soon as I can get my hands on a copy of the hardcover. C’mon, US publishers, catch up already! And, for all you lucky Canadians, it’s being adapted for the screen.
You should read this if you like: experiencing conflicting emotions; stories about Indigenous peoples BY an Indigenous author set in modern times; coming-of-age stories in which a teen wrestles with iffy parents, tumultuous relationships, a dangerous “job”; real-life issues like drug use, bullying, self-harm, sexuality and identity; mythic fiction, especially Trickster tales.
My Review | Add it on LibraryThing | Add it on Goodreads
Confessions by Kanae Minato
Published: 8/19/2014 in the US (Originally published 8/5/2008 in Japan)
Blew my freaking mind! I literally could not put it down. If you thought Amy Dunne was vindictive, meet Yuko Moriguchi whose vegenance rivals even Edmond Dantès. I’ve read MANY thrillers, but none affected me the way this one did. It’s NOT about a rich white couple who cheat on each other or lie to each other (or some other rich people problem) and then try to get even. Nope. Confessions is a gut-punch of a revenge story.
You should read this if you like: women in translation; the Japanese subgenre iyamisu; hardcore revenge thrillers; stories told from several different points of view; exploring the culpability of children who commit crimes; the ways in which children manifest their own trauma – e.g., bullied becomes the bully; pondering if certain kids are just born “evil.”
My Review | Add it on LibraryThing | Add it on Goodreads
Miracle Creek by Angie Kim
Published: 4/16/2019
When I finished this debut novel, all I could think was, “Wow. I didn’t know there could be THIS much heart in a courtroom thriller!” Yes, I cried.
You should read this if you like: courtroom thrillers; stories from an immigrant Korean family’s perspective; exploring the difficulties of parenting children with special needs; examining the ways in which society judges mothers; testing the limits of family loyalties against moral responsibility; first-person POV from several characters.
My Review | Add it on LibraryThing | Add it on Goodreads
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
Published: 5/7/2019
A heartwarming story with a great message — empowerment with a captial E — especially for those who may not get to see themselves in YA lit on the regular. While Acevedo shines a light on teen pregnancy, the story’s more about Emoni striving for her dream job/career, figuring out what (if anything) she’s looking for in a romantic partner, and realizing she doesn’t have to sacrifice everything on the alter of motherhood; she can be a woman, student, friend, chef AND a good mom.
You should read this if you like: hints of magical realism in contemporary YA; positive rep of teen moms; teen dads who step up and parent their child; healthy teen friendships; teens who work within their limitations and think outside the box to achieve their dreams and goals; grandmas who support their family, but also live their own life; cooking and food; teen chefs.
My Review | Add it on LibraryThing | Add it on Goodreads
Honorable Mentions
While the following didn’t make it into my Top 5 of 2019, they definitely deserve mentioning. Listed in alphabetical order. Each image is linked to its publisher’s page.
I’d love to hear about the best books you read in 2019, so please feel free to share your favorites in the comment box. They can be from any genre, published in any year; the only stipulation is that you read the book sometime during 2019.
Top 5 Books Read in 2018
Top 5 Books Read in 2017
Top 5 Books Read in 2016
Top 5 Books Read in 2015
Top 5 Books Read in 2014
Top 5 Books Read in 2013
Top 5 Books Read in 2012
Post history notes: Drafted 12/31/2019; First published on my blog 1/20/2020; Last updated 1/22/2020
I don’t read a lot of YA, but those books on your top five sound interesting. Miracle Creek has definitely been on my radar. Your honorable mentions have a bunch I want to read. So many books, so little time, right?
Thanks for visiting my blog. You simply must read Parable AND Oryx and Crake. I loved the latter so much, I bought the second and third books in the trilogy. I’m a big Atwood fan anyway. Thinking I’ll read her “The Penelopiad” soon.