Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Hello everyone, well its Christmas Eve and with only one week left in the year we find ourselves reflecting a lot on this past year here on Stuck in the Stacks. So today for TTT Haley is sharing her favorite reads of 2019. We put these together originally for TBR and Beyond Book Club over on Facebook, where we are moderators.
Let us know if you have read and enjoyed any of these and what you would put on your own Top Ten lists.
1- The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden- In my opinion, Katherine Arden’s Winternight Trilogy is perfection. I read it in January and it survived as my favorite read of the year to the end. It reminded me why I love reading so much. I would read the phone book if Katherine Arden wrote it.
2- A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum- We have already said plenty about this book but it is such an important book with a unique perspective focused on Arabic women who have been oppressed by a male dominated culture and tradition
3- Let’s Call It A Doomsday by Katie Henry- This was a special one to me because I grew up Mormon and the protagonist is a young, practicing Mormon girl who makes some unlikely friends. Throughout the story she struggles with her own anxieties about not being what she thinks she should be and embracing herself for who she truly is.
4- Heroine by Mindy McGinnis- this is a gritty contemporary that comes with all the trigger warnings but it is fantastic novel and gives voice to opioid addiction in young adults; a topic that is unfortunately far too prevalent in our society. This was my first McGinnis novel but I have since read a handful of her other books since and they have all been fantastic.
5- Sweet Black Wave by Kristina Perez- I love this series so much. It is a Tristen and Isolde retelling from the point of view of Branwyn, Iseult’s lady in waiting and cousin. You think you know the Tristen and Isolde myth but Perez breaths new life into the classic tale and I cannot wait for the final book in the trilogy next year.
6- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid- this book touched me on a deep level and I still think about Evelyn and her strength and independence. Her insights into life were so thought provoking and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction.
7- A Treason of Thorns by Laura E. Weymouth- I love my fantasy novels with a strong sense of place and this is the definition of that sort of story. Violet is our main character and she comes from the Sterling family who, for centuries, have been the caretakers of the Burleigh mansion, whose magic has allowed the surrounding land and villages to thrive. But when V’s father dies trying to free Burleigh from the oppressive rule of the king, Burleigh’s magic runs rampant and destructive. Ultimately, it is up to V to free Burleigh or die trying.
8- The Grace Year by Kim Liggett- This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2019 and it did not disappoint! Every year, girls are sent into the woods for a year where they are to release their “womanly magic” into their environment before they return home and are married off. A survival story with a touch of Lord of the Flies and Hatchet, I loved this novel. It deserves all the hype.
9- Red Clocks by Leni Zumas- a near future dystopian in which all forms of birth control have been banned from oral contraceptives and IUDs all the way up to abortion. Beyond that, the Personhood Amendment grants rights of life, liberty and property to every embryo. The story follows four women as they try to live and thrive in this society and I found it incredibly compelling. This novel is moving, thought-provoking and hopeful. Reminding us that, regardless of personal belief and opinion, our choices are our own and we cannot be afraid to stand up for ourselves.
10- Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton- this book is rounding out my top ten and it is a crass, big-hearted novel about the end of the world told from the point of view of a cast of animals. Our main narrator is a domesticated crow S.T. and his dopey, lovable hound dog sidekick Dennis. Together, they set out on a quest to make sense of the zombie apocalypse that has ravaged their world and free all of the pets that are trapped indoors. Trigger warnings for violence and death to animals.
What About You?
Let us know what you think of Haley’s list and share you favorite reads of 2019 in the comments!
I’ve seen “The Grace Year” around A LOT but haven’t really looked into it. Glad to know you enjoyed it! ?
Yes! It is so good! I hope you enjoy it!
Ooh these are all amazing books! I haven’t read any of them yet (although I did read Laura E. Weymouth’s The Light Between Worlds this year and LOVED it!), but I’m definitely going to soon! Happy Reading! 🙂
My Top Ten Tuesday!
If you loved Light Betweeb Worlds I definitely think you’ll enjoy A Treason of Thorns.
From your top ten I’ve only read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and really enjoyed that one. Though I think I liked her other book, Daisy Jones and the Six, a bit better. I really really really want to read Heroine and the Grace Year, so I’m glad they ended up being two of your best reads of the year. Here’s to another great year of reading! 🙂
Yes! 2020 is going to be a fantastic reaeing year. So many good books comimg out.
I haven’t read Daisy Jones yet but I know Emily loved it!
I’ve been super curious about Hollow Kingdom so I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it. ?
Its really good! The humor is an acquired taste and there is no shortage of violence and gore. If you can accept all of that I think you’ll enjoy it.
The audiobook is amazing!
Thanks for sharing your favorite reads of the year with us!
Thank you and thanks for stopping by!
Look good to me! Have fun! Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays!
I’ve heard so many good things about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about The Grace Year.
My TTT.
Its so good and totally lives up to the hype in my opinion.
Love all the gifs! I haven’t read any of these, but there are some I want to check out like Heroine.
-Lauren
Its so gritty and real but so good and well done. A really important book for the YA community.
I’m so happy to see #6 make your list! I loved that book when I read it. Have you read her Daisy Jones & The Six yet? That’s my #1 for this year.
No but Emily keeps telling me I should. ?
I must find time to read Evelyn Hugo. It sounds absolutely wonderful! Happy holidays!
Happy Holidays to you! Thanks for stopping by!
I haven’t read any of these yet, but I hope to read A Treason of Thorns early in the new year.
Its so good! I hope you enjoy it!
This is a great list! I think Evelyn Hugo is going to be in my Top 10 this year too and The Grace Year might just be on there as well, although I still need to have a proper think about this. Top 10 is so difficult and I’m just terrible at choosing haha ? Merry Christmas!
Its so hard to choose!
Merry Christmas to you as well!
I’m afraid three of your choices would probably make my top ten least favorite books of the year. But it would be boring if we all agreed on books all the time, right?? 😉 I did not enjoy Evelyn Hugo. I didn’t hate it, but it wasn’t my favorite of TJR’s. And I think maybe I just wasn’t feeling the dystopian genre in 2019. I didn’t enjoy The Grace Year and didn’t finish Hollow Kingdom. I did appreciate Hollow Kingdom’s style and the writing, but I just couldn’t get into it. I’m hoping to give it another try someday.
Happy Holidays!
My TTT
Oh so happy to hear your thoughts on all of these!
We are firm believers that every reader has their own tastes and its what makes blogging and talking about books fun and interesting.
We would love to hear what some of your favorite reads of 2019 were!
I agree!
Some of my favorite reads this year were My Lady Jane, My Plain Jane, The Unhoneymooners, Things We Save in a Fire, and The Most Fun We Ever Had. 🙂