First, I'll share some stats and fun facts about my 2019 reading year, then my top picks, and finally, my Top 10 (or whatever) lists in each category. I read some outstanding books last year, so these were tough choices! You can see a complete list, with links to reviews, of all the books I've read in recent years on my Book Reviews page.
Stats and Facts
NOTE: the numbers in ( ) are my 2018 stats, for comparison.
Total Books Read in 2019 = 87 (88)
Adult Fiction = 50 (45)
Nonfiction = 14 (17)
Teen/YA = 12 (15)
Middle-Grade = 12 (10)
Graphic Novel/Memoir = 15 (11)
Audiobooks = 27 (28)
(note that categories overlap)
Women authors = 54 = 62% (43 = 49%)
Diverse books = 37 = 43% (22 = 25%)
From My Own Shelves = 45 = 52% (33 = 38%)
You can also see how I did on my 2019 Reading Challenges.
Top Picks - Best of the Best
Best Adult Novel
Hum If You Don't Know the Words by Bianca Marais
(loved it so much in April, I am re-reading it next month!)
Best Nonfiction
The Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea
(powerful, moving true story, especially on audio)
Best Teen/YA
Threatened by Eliot Schrefer
(wonderful novel and inspired me to read Jane Goodall's memoir)
Best Middle-Grade
Remarkables by Margaret Peterson Haddix
(unique premise & in-depth characters)
Best Graphic Novel
Old Souls by Brian MacDonald and Les McClaine
(compelling, chilling story about reincarnation)
Best Audio Book
Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt
(warm, funny memoir about grief, family, and moving forward)
(unique premise & in-depth characters)
Best Graphic Novel
Old Souls by Brian MacDonald and Les McClaine
(compelling, chilling story about reincarnation)
Best Audio Book
Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt
(warm, funny memoir about grief, family, and moving forward)
Top Ten (or whatever) Lists of 2019
(each list is in no particular order, and some books appear on more than one list)
Top 11 Novels
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail HoneymanThe Likeness by Tana FrenchMy Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura KamoiePachinko by Min Jin LeeThe Rent Collector by Camron WrightTrue Grit by Charles PortisHum If You Don't Know the Words by Bianca MaraisIf You Want to Make God Laugh by Bianca MaraisGone with the Wind by Margaret MitchellFinding Dorothy by Elizabeth LettsThe Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Plus Honorable Mentions to these 3 which were re-reads 2019 and are STILL on my Best Of list!
Mudbound by Hillary JordanThe Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle ZevinThe Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Top 8 Nonfiction Books
Becoming by Michelle ObamaBeing Mortal by Atul GawandeThe Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto UrreaMaking Toast by Roger RosenblattAn Ordinary Man: An Autobiography by Paul Rusesabagina, with Tom ZoellnerThrough a Window: My Thirty Years with the Chimpanzees of Gombe by Jane GoodallVincent and Theo by Deborah Heiligman
Top 5 Teen/YA Books
Grimoire Noir by Vera Greentea and Yana BogatchOn the Come Up by Angie ThomasA Study in Charlotte by Brittany CavallaroThreatened by Eliot SchreferVincent and Theo by Deborah Heiligman
Top 5 Middle-Grade Books
The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo: The Monster Mall by Drew WeingGuts by Raina TelgemeierThe Parker Inheritance by Varian JohnsonRemarkables by Margaret Peterson HaddixStargazing by Jen WangSunny Rolls the Dice by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Top 5 Graphic Novels/Memoirs
The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo: The Monster Mall by Drew WeingGrimoire Noir by Vera Greentea and Yana BogatchGuts by Raina TelgemeierOld Souls by Brian MacDonald and Les McClaineStargazing by Jen Wang
Top 10 Audio Books
Becoming by Michelle ObamaThe Blinds by Adam SternberghThe Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto UrreaMaking Toast by Roger RosenblattMiracle Creek by Angie KimOn the Come Up by Angie ThomasRemarkables by Margaret Peterson HaddixA Study in Charlotte by Brittany CavallaroVincent and Theo by Deborah HeiligmanThe Widows by Jess Montgomery
From your list of faves, I've only read/listened to Becoming but, I LOVED it!
ReplyDeleteMe, too! And amazing on audio :) It was a tough call, though, to pick a favorite since I also read so many other great nonfiction books and audio books!
DeleteI love lists like this! And, we've got so many favorites in common: Eleanor Oliphant and Being Mortal in particular. I have Pachinko on my TBR shelf so hope to get to it soon.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely do, Helen! I think you'll love Pachinko :)
DeleteTrue Grit made my top list, too! I'm currently re-listening to Becoming. Love her.
ReplyDeleteI know! I just listened to your Top Books of 2019 episode yesterday and was going to message you :) Becoming is so good - enjoy!
DeleteVery impressive!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Davida!
DeleteI am impressed that you reviewed all the books you listed. As I busy myself creating lists of favorite books of the decade I realize how many books I love but never reviewed. Sigh. I'm adding your favorite of the favorites to my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteI am struggling to fit it all in lately, Anne, so though I try to review everything, I may need to cut back. I did loosen my standards at the end of the year and skip a couple (and did a few mini reviews) - otherwise, my 2019 wrap-up would have still been waiting!
DeleteI need to read Becoming, I have it in hardback and audio would you believe! But this year for sure. I loved Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and listened on audio which was great. So I didn't peek at the ending... which I sometimes do!
ReplyDeleteHaving both formats is probably the best way to do it, Kathryn - it's amazing on audio, read by the author, but I think the print book might have photos, which I missed. I loved Eleanor Oliphant, too!
DeleteAnd I NEVER peek at endings - I get mad at myself if I peek ahead a few paragraphs by mistake and ruin a surprise! ha ha
Thanks for sharing your favourites
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
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