My 2019 Books of the Year

Looking through this list, I can’t help but think that this is a fantastic way to end the decade! Just reading these titles and remembering the stories gives me a warm buzz and makes me wish I had time to re-read right now (I don’t, my towering TBR is testament to that!)

I have gone for the classic Top 10 Books of 2019 concept, however it is split 7/3 to fiction. That’s just the way it happened when I was taking a look back through my 2019 reads but, as it turns out, that is also a pretty accurate representation of my genre split across the two. It’s something I really want to balance out in 2020 – more non-fiction is definitely going one of my reading goals.

RIGHT. Onto the list!

(These will appear in the order I read them, rather in a definitive rank as they were all amazing and I would be hard pushed to pick a no.1. Click the titles for my full reviews.)

My 2019 Books of the Year

/ FICTION

/ My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

For once, a book you can believe the hype about! A dry, sardonic, unputdownable tale of a woman who helps clean up the murder scenes after her sister has killed her latest lover.

/ The Corset by Laura Purcell

I have read three books by Laura Purcell this year – all great but The Corset was the standout for me. A gothic gem set in Victorian London, it’s spooky, it’s a page-turner and it builds the atmosphere so well that you race through it to the last perfect page.

/ Things in Jars by Jess Kidd

I just love everything about Jess’ magical way of storytelling and this intriguing tale, also set in the Victorian era, is a love story / ghost story / mystery story – just plain brilliant story.

/ The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder by Sarah J.Harris

Featuring one of the most unique plots I’ve encountered. This books takes the classic murder mystery and spins it on its head. Plus, it’s brilliantly written. One of my most recommended books of the year.

/ In at the Deep End by Kate Davies

I was lucky enough to be sent In at the Deep End to review, otherwise I may not have picked it up. This is the reason I’ve included it here – I want to shout about it and make sure more people read it! It’s a funny, filthy contemporary read that follows 26-year old Julia.

/ The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

The book that made me fall in love with the romance genre (well, as long as the book is as witty, warm and addictive as this one!) Tiffy and Leon are two delightful characters I won’t forget in a hurry.

/ Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

A dystopian novel that is 100% unlike any dystopian novel you’ve read before. Full of hope and exquisitely written, it’s one of my true stand out reads of the year.

 

/ NON-FICTION

/ We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Do you believe women should have equal rights to men across the board? Then you are a feminist / decent human. In only 48 pages, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie eloquently, succinctly and funnily explains why, yes, we should all indeed be feminists. It’s a slightly modified transcript of her TED talk and it’s brilliant. Give it a watch here.

/ Eat, Drink, Run by Bryony Gordon

This is Telegraph journalist Bryony Gordon’s memoir about how embracing exercise helped her control her mental health demons. I’m not a runner, but still found myself so inspired by Bryony’s approach to life. It was a real eye-opener and made me reconsider my approach to things, which is why I popped it on this list.

/ The Trauma Cleaner by Sarah Krasnostein

OK, this is one of the most fascinating accounts of someone’s life I’ve ever read. Author Sarah Krasnostein spent four years getting to know Sandra Pankhurst, the Trauma Cleaner of the title, and creates in this book an exquisite blend of storytelling and real-life detail – from the elements of the gritty trauma cleans to Sandra’s amazing personal story.

And that’s it! It has been a pleasure reading back over my reviews and reacquainting myself with all the detail in these brilliant books.

Let me know if you’ve read any of my choices and what you thought. Also, leave your lists in the comments too, I’m obsessed with reading people’s end-of-year round ups!