Top 10 Reads in 2019
Another year, and still more books. Here is the list of the top 10 books I read in 2019:
10. “The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs” by Steve Brusatte
Non-fiction. I’ve read a lot of dinosaur books, but it is always good to refresh your memory. This book does that and also catches you up in recent dinosaur discoveries. There is never a dull moment, and at one point, I teared up. It really hits you.
9. “Take Me With You” by Andrea Gibson
Poetry. Poems that are short, sweet, and quotable. I enjoyed it mostly because it was inspirational to not just love, but to write about it.
8. “Coraline” by Neil Gaiman
Fiction/Fantasy. Not Caroline. This might be my favorite children’s story. Gaiman captures creepiness in its purest form and I can’t wait to read this to any child that comes in close proximity to me .
7. “Words in Pain” by Olga Jacoby
Nonfiction - Epistolary. A series of letters written by a dying mother to her husband, doctor, and sister in the early 1900s. Sounds grim? It is. But also empowering. In her first letter she confronts her doctor to stop hiding facts of her illness simply because she is a woman. Then she casually states she doesn’t believe in God and gives some pretty just reasoning. I want everyone to read this book.
6. “Children of Time” by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Fiction/Science-fiction. Future, lost in space, spiders. I give praise to the world building in this story (Book 1 of 2). I was constantly on my toes reading this, and it’s one of the best sci-fi books I’ve read in awhile.
5. “Bunner Sisters” by Edith Wharton
Fiction. Isn’t it weird when you read a depressing story, but absolutely LOVE it? Reading this was that feeling. I still can’t figure out why. The closest I can come to explaining is how Edith makes clear that even the simplest life can greatly impact another. I will definitely read this again.
4. “How to Talk Dirty & Influence People” by Lenny Bruce.
Autobiography. I have to admit, I didn’t seek out this book. After binge-watching “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, and becoming curious about Lenny, my husband and I bought some Lenny Bruce records at an estate sale. The book happened to be included. Reading this literally made me laugh out loud, but it’s more than just a laugh. Lenny was funny, but also satirical, critical, and down-right honest. His life is a sad story, but one that should be heard.
3. “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi
Non-fiction. Speaking of sad…let’s talk about death. Paul Kalanithi not only writes beautifully, but he opens the door to his private life to explain the inevitable. Death will be there for us all, but as Paul states, "dying is still a part life." And we shouldn't be afraid to embrace the moment when it comes- for ourselves, our family, and our friends.
2. “The Winter of the Witch” by Katherine Arden
Fiction/Fantasy. The Winternight Trilogy (Winter of the Witch is the 3rd book) is a grim Russian fairytale. But then Katherine Arden also has a way of making her words read like cursive- sentences flow so beautifully. Her writing is enchanting, just like her story. At one point, my Mother and I confessed to each other that we fell in love with the Winter King. Big time crush. I’m sad it’s over, but it’s a trilogy I’ll be reading over again soon.
1. “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
Fiction. Sorry, but as long as I keep reading this every year, Pride and Prejudice will always be my number one. A memorable classic telling an endearing love story surrounded by snarky commentary. If you haven’t read this yet, read it and then read it again.
Those were 10 books of the 52 I read in 2019. If you want to see the full list and my ratings, you can view them on my Goodreads profile: My Year in Books.
Happy 2020! And go read a book or Austen will hand it to you:
“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” - Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey