I’ve been lucky enough this year to read a great number of books so trying to choose only ten favorites was incredibly difficult, but at last here we are. The year 2019 has come to an end and to reflect briefly on those months that have passed I’ve come up with my traditional list of the top ten books I read & reviewed this year along with some honorable mentions (because it really was too difficult to choose only ten!) all listed in alphabetical order. I say books I read as opposed to books released in 2019 because honestly then creating these yearly lists wouldn’t be as fun or hard.
Let me know if you enjoyed any of these as well! What are some of your top books that you read this year?
(For this list I tried to focus on “Big Publisher” books since I made a separate “Top Reads” post for indie authors and indie pub. books. If you missed that post then be sure to check it out because there were a lot of really great reads this year! 2019 Indie Spotlight)
DARK GIFTS TRILOGY
Vic James
Fiction | Dystopian Fantasy
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Gilded Cage is a startlingly harsh but addictive version of this world. A book that is equally enchanting as it is terrifying, the story that unfolds is both quite serious and quite fantastical. Beautiful, dramatic, bleak, and exciting, only to be followed by the steep stomach-clenching drop of the rollercoaster in book two then plummet into the thrilling finale of book three. The plot thickens, the stakes raise higher than bearable, the characters deepen, and page after page will tease you with caresses only to turn and lash your heart with a grin crafted of hellfire.”
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THE FEMALE OF THE SPECIES
Mindy McGinnis
(YA) Fiction | Contemporary
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“The Female of the Species will gently remove your rose-colored glasses right before grinding them coldly beneath its heel. It isn’t a bloody-thirsty war cry so much as a dark yet heart wrenching plea to look, to see, to understand, to change, and by the final page you will want to raise your fist and scream through the tears staining your cheeks for this book may use fictional names but the story is very real and likely in some way yours.”
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THE HATHAWAYS Series
Lisa Kleypas
Fiction | Historical Romance
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“This set of standalones is connected by the Hathaway family and they are my favorite! The romance utterly swept me away each book but even without it I would have loved these books. The historical detail, the complex relationships between characters and societal expectations, the love, the grief, the teasing, the- oh well just everything!”
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HEROINE
Mindy McGinnis
Fiction | Contemporary
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Heroine is a gritty glimpse into the slide from athlete to addict made perhaps even more frightening by its simple honesty. Sensationalism and scare tactics are left out and instead it faces its readers down with raw emotion and a vividness that will leave your mouth dry.”
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I AM STILL ALIVE
Kate Alice Marshall
YA Fiction | Survival
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Heart-pounding, captivating, deadly, and oddly beautiful, this book is a must read for those seeking tales of blunt sugar-free adventure. You’ll feel the rain-soaked chills long after you turn that final page.”
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THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF US
Katy Upperman
YA Fiction | Contemporary
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“The Impossibility of Us is a beautiful but heart-breaking journey through pain, difference, and love, each moment carefully penned with exquisite emotion demanded by heart’s truth. It is a reminder that we cannot control the world or the pain it delivers, but we can choose to the break the chains it would have us drown in, because beyond the oppressive depths, if you can let go and gasp above the surface, there is an entire world worth living in and it is breathtaking.”
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MORNING STAR
(Red Rising #3)
Pierce Brown
Fiction | Sci-Fi
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Morning Star is the ending destined from the start. What began as a spark has ignited beyond one vengeful boy and into the hearts of endless fleets and colors willing to give their blood for a better future. Adrenaline and cunning drench the pages as players attempt to outmaneuver one another never quite leaving the Institute games from whence they were trained, but this time it is the fate of a galaxy resting in the balance. Deaths, betrayals, alliances, and schemes so secret they stun await as you embark on this final installment of the epic Red Rising Trilogy. Embrace it and the tears of grief and triumph that come with it.”
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ROGUE ONE
(A Star Wars Story)
Alexander Freed
Fiction | Sci-Fi
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“While the Star Wars series combines action with good ol’ fashioned save-the-day clichés that we all love, Rogue One remains a war tale. It somehow lacks that gentle glimmer of naivety and good guy hope, rather it faces facts as they are. Jyn, Cassian, Bodhi, Baze, and Chirrut know precisely what is at stake and what they must do. They are the soldiers in the trenches.
There is no time for starry-eyed What If’s, just alliance that grows into camaraderie, grim determination that touches on hope, and faith in the Force no matter how devout or reserved. They are soldiers, not rulers, and for freedom they fight.”
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THRONE OF GLASS Series
Sarah J. Maas
YA/NA Fiction | Fantasy
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“This epic fantasy series will blow your mind. Born of fae, humans, witches, and demons. Forged in battle, secrets, magic, and ancient debts. Triumphant in every way from character journeys to intricate plot weavings that will keep you on your toes and your breath in your throat. Do not overlook this tale for its wide acclaim for I assure you that it was well earned.”
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A VERY LARGE EXPANSE OF SEA
Tahereh Mafi
YA Fiction | Contemporary
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“A Very Large Expanse of Sea is a beautifully shared tale of a boy and a girl who fall in love and the hate-coated chaos that ensues. This story will twist your heart in so many ways, an absolute rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish, you’ll have tears running down your cheeks one moment and laughter bursting from your lips the next.”
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Honorable Mentions
LORD OF THE FADING LANDS
(Tairen Soul #1)
C.L. Wilson
Fiction | Fantasy Romance
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Terrible out of date covers BUT inside you’ll find a swoon-worthy romance, lots of action, a fascinating world, and an overall plot that will have you utterly captivated.”
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LOVE HER WILD
Atticus
Poetry | Contemporary
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Atticus has earned a place on my shelf as a poet able to craft words in such a way that I feel understood. They make me feel and they make me think. Much of his work comprises of very short and simple love poems, but whether he fills an entire page or chooses only a pinch of words, there is a depth behind each thought.”
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STORMRISE
Jillian Boehme
YA Fiction | Fantasy
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon
“Stormrise is a YA military fantasy infused with dragon lore and it was captivating from start to finish. War, battle training, a band of young men (except one lol) marching to evacuate the king, a dragon prophecy set into motion, and a young heroine who sets forth on a dangerous path impersonating a solider to save her family and her kingdom. Lots of action, plenty of lore, many intriguing characters, tons of challenges to be overcome, and every moment Rain is desperately guarding her secret.”
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What are some of YOUR favorite reads this year? My TBR never seems to shrink no matter how many books I read and yet I’m always on the hunt for more titles to add to the list!
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