Favorite Books of 2019

Hello Bookworms! Today we are talking about the best books I read in 2019. I didn’t think I would be able to do it, but I narrowed it down to 15 books. And considering I read 115, I think that’s a pretty decent number.

A couple of caveats: These are not books (necessarily) published in 2019, they’re just books I read in 2019. I did not put two books from the same series on this list (even if I loved all of them.) And, this list doesn’t include books I read for the first time prior to this year, but reread in 2019.

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»» The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
This is the final installment in the Era 1 Mistorn trilogy – and it kinda broke me. I spent at least 15 minutes ugly crying after finishing it. And, it is easily one of the best finale’s I’ve ever read. Sanderson’s ability to weave a narrative is quite impressive. He creates these massive worlds full of characters that you come to love.

“Somehow, we’ll find it. The balance between whom we wish to be and whom we need to be. But for now, we simply have to be satisfied with who we are.”

»» Assassin’s Quest by Robin Hobb
Nighteyes is everything. And that’s all I have to say about that.

“Honor and courtesy and justice … they are not real, Fitz. We all pretend to them, and hold them up like shields. But they guard only against folk who carry the same shields. Against those who have discarded them, they are no shields at all, but only additional weapons to use against their victims.”

»» Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
I adored this entire quartet. Murderbot is hilarious. And watching it navigate the complexities of the human experience while just trying to watch some TV in silence was so endearing.

“I didn’t care what humans were doing to each other as long as I didn’t have to a) stop it or b) clean up after it.”

»» How Long ‘Till Black Future Month? by NK Jemisin
This short story collection is nothing short of amazing.

“Everyone—even the poor, even the lazy, even the undesirable—can matter. Do you see how just the idea of this provokes utter rage in some? That is the infection defending itself … because if enough of us believe a thing is possible, then it becomes so.”

»» The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden
Do I love a frost demon? Yes, yes I do.

“There are no monsters in the world, and no saints. Only infinite shades woven into the same tapestry, light and dark. One man’s monster is another man’s beloved. The wise know that.”

»» Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
This book left me completely gutted and completely in awe of Gay’s talent as a writer and her ability to put her truth out in the world.

“I buried the girl I had been because she ran into all kinds of trouble. I tried to erase every memory of her, but she is still there, somewhere. She is still small and scared and ashamed, and perhaps I am writing my way back to her, trying to tell her everything she needs to hear.”

»» Seven Blades in Black by Sam Sykes
This book was a wild ride from start to finish. It’s full of sardonic humor, and our protagonist is a lovable asshole. The sequel is one of my most anticipated books this year.

“My story,” she said. “What I tell you, you write down. Down to the fucking letter, you write it. You tell it. You remember it. You let it be known what Sal the Cacophony did before she went cackling to hell and left this dark earth to all you dumb motherfuckers.”

»» Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
I have never loved a romance book more than I loved this one. Also, I would very much like my own Redford Morgan, please and thank you.

“The thing is, Red.. some of us have so many marginalizations, we might drown if we let all the little hurts flood in. So there are those, like me, who filter. I think you’ve noticed I filter a lot.”

»» Holy Sister by Mark Lawrence
Nona Grey is one of my favorite protagonists ever.

“To sow knowing that you will not reap is an old kind of love, and love has always been the best key for unlocking the future.”

»» Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
This is easily one of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read.

“Words are seeds, Casiopea. With words you embroider narratives, and the narratives breed myths, and there’s power in the myth. Yes, the things you name have power.”

»» Starsight by Brandon Sanderson
This book is a brilliant follow up to Skyward. It’s a story about our inherent prejudices and the dangers of being instantly suspicion of those who are different. And realizing that species/races are not a monolith. All of these themes are woven in with Spensa’s and M-Bot’s character growths and the plot so seamlessly, and are so relevant to the current political climate.

“A hero does not choose her trials. She steps into the darkness. Then she faces what comes next.”

»» The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
It’s Erin Morgenstern. It’s a masterpiece. A love letter to book lovers.

“Be brave,” she says. “Be bold. Be loud. Never change for anyone but yourself. Any soul worth their star-stuff will take the whole package as is and however it grows. Don’t waste your time on anyone who doesn’t believe you when you tell them how you feel.”

»» Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
This is my second Naomi Novik book, and I think I loved it even more than Uprooted. It’s feminist as hell – full of badass female characters. And, I loved every minute of it.

“But the world I wanted wasn’t the world I lived in, and if I would do nothing until I could repair every terrible thing at once, I would do nothing forever.”

»» Aurora Rising by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman
I’m not going to lie, this book made me squeal with delight. It was just so much damn fun.

“But they have not seen their sun die. Their people burn. Their world end. And they do not know, yet, that there are some breaks that cannot be fixed.”

»» House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A Craig
Ummm….this kinda scared the shit out of me. But, it was compulsively readable.

“Me? He looked down. “I’m the most terrifying nightmare of them all.”
I raised by eyebrows, waiting for him to elaborate.
“Regret.”

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So what are some of the best books you read in 2019? Are any of these books on your list?

Happy Reading ♥