The last post was my genre favorites of 2019, but this is the big one. These are my overall favorites of 2019. These are my top 12 favorite books of the year. I tried to narrow it down to a top 10, but I couldn’t choose 2 books to remove form the list, so here we are. Below are my top 12 favorite books in order from lowest to highest rated.
Choosing blindly, my favorite books of the year were surprisingly heavy in the contemporary category. Last year, nearly all of my favorite books were fantasy, and this year, only two fantasy books made the list. Science fiction made a larger appearance, and two non-fiction books made the list.
Finally, I’m not going to include summaries for these books. I included summaries in my monthly wrap-ups as well as in my last post of genre favorites. Instead, I’m going to give you a quick reason why I loved it.
The Interestings
Why I loved it? Even though I’m not typically a fan of slice of life contemporaries, this was actually a page turner. The characters felt completely real and I was totally connected to them.
The Rithmatist
Why I loved it? This fills a niche in the upper middle grade / younger YA crowd that I think is often missed. The magic system is really fun and the friendship is very well executed.
The Flatshare
Why I loved it? This is the best written romance that I’ve ever read. Both characters were complex, their relationship developed authentically, and the side characters are well thought out.
A Ladder to the Sky
Why I loved it? This is a contemporary/literary fiction that reads like a thriller. The protagonist is deeply unlikable, yet you still want to spend time with them, which is (in my opinion) the mark of an excellent book.
Other Words for Home
Why I loved it? It was deeply vulnerable, beautifully written, and highly relatable. Simply an excellent middle grade book.
The Monk of Mokha
Why I loved it? Written by one of my favorite authors and about one of my favorite things ever (coffee), so it’s just a surefire win.
The Way of Kings
Why I loved it? It’s one of the best fantasy books every written. Enough said.
Educated
Why I loved it? It’s hard to say I “loved” this book because it is filled with so many hard topics, but it deeply affected and inspired me.
Into Thin Air
Why I loved it? I’m obsessed with Mount Everest and this book was so fast paced and gripping while being more than just an adventure novel.
The Humans
Why I loved it? It was hilarious and touching at the same time. A somewhat topical science fiction with a deep message about what it means to be human.
The Martian
Why I loved it? I was gripped every single second of this novel. I loved the protagonist that we spend nearly the entire book with, I was rooting for him the entire time, and it made me completely obsessed with Mars.
City of Girls
Why I loved it? The writing was so beautiful that it felt like it was wrapping itself around me like a warm blanket. I loved the gorgeous setting and the complexity of the main character.
What was one of your favorite books in 2019?