As a little over a month of the new year has passed and all of us have gotten started with our reading goals for 2020, I wanted to take a moment to look back and highlight some of my favorite books that I read in 2019, while everyone is still setting up their TBRs for the new year. As always, these books are presented in no particular order. I hope you all enjoy!
Oryx and Crake was one of the books I read for my courses this fall, and was my first book by Margaret Atwood. This novel was extremely disgusting in its unflinching portrayal of the dystopian future, but at the same it was incredibly thought-provoking. Oryx and Crake shows a look at a possible future awaiting us if we continue becoming more and more and dependent on the corporations that are already omni-present in our lives. Despite being conflicted about this novel, I want an adaptation of Oryx and Crake as soon as possible.
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
This new trilogy by powerhouses Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff is perfect for fans of their previous science fiction trilogy, The Illuminae Cycle. Personally, I was so moved by this new story that I felt the need to chase the familiarity of their first series written together. One of my favorite aspects about this book was that one of the main characters, Finian, gave us readers both bisexual and disability representation. I am extremely excited to get my hands on the second book of the trilogy, Aurora Burning, which will be released in May.
Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim
This novel reignited my passion for food and inspired me to find the magical in the every day. I truly do believe that food and cooking for the people we care about is a form of everyday magic and throughout this novel, the main character Natalie learns that as well. Lim's sophomore novel, Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop, coming out in August, should explore similar themes.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
This contemporary romance novel was one of the most feel good-esque of the books I read in 2019, as well as a genuinely lovely balm against the vitriol of the current political climate. I already talked about this book during my post for Pride Month. I absolutely loved how Red, White & Royal Blue took all the worst parts of American and British politics currently and changed them into hopeful situations. There is an adaptation in the works that I'm extremely excited for.
Crier's War by Nina Varela
Crier's War was one of my most anticipated books of 2019, which I had also talked about in my Pride Month post, and I am so glad that I enjoyed it enough to have it make its way to my favorite books of the year. The novel is about two girls, two enemies from different castes, who are thrust together and begin to wonder if their place in their world is as clear-cut as they had previously believed. The second and final book in this duology, Iron Heart, is coming out in September and it has once again made its way to the top of my most anticipated books of the year.
The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
The Beautiful marks the re-emergence of vampires in young adult, and I for one could not be any more excited to see it happen! This is a glorious historical romance set in New Orleans in 1872, in which the city is ruled by La Cour des Lions and it seems as if a new supernatural creature can be found on every street corner. The second book in the duology, The Damned, is set to come out in June.
Foul is Fair by Hannah Capin
I was debating for the longest time whether to actually include Foul is Fair in my list of favorite books of 2019, as I read it as an advance copy and it only came out in February of this year. However, as you can all see, I finally decided to include it because it was one of the most influential books I read in 2019. Foul is Fair is an extremely timely Macbeth retelling set in a post #MeToo era, told from the point-of-view of the Lady Macbeth character. I don't want to say too much to spoil the book, but I highly, highly recommend everyone picks this up now that it's on sale.
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
Oryx and Crake was one of the books I read for my courses this fall, and was my first book by Margaret Atwood. This novel was extremely disgusting in its unflinching portrayal of the dystopian future, but at the same it was incredibly thought-provoking. Oryx and Crake shows a look at a possible future awaiting us if we continue becoming more and more and dependent on the corporations that are already omni-present in our lives. Despite being conflicted about this novel, I want an adaptation of Oryx and Crake as soon as possible.
The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
The Guinevere Deception was also one of my most anticipated books of 2019, and like Crier's War made my end of the year favorites as well. The Guinevere Deception is another retelling, this time of the Arthurian legends. I was initially drawn to the stunning cover, but as I heard more about the plot, I became more excited for the novel. So far there seems to be a potential for Guinevere to be queer, which I hope will be explored in the subsequent books of the trilogy.
Educated by Tara Westover
Educated is the only non-fiction book I've included on this list, and it is a memoir of a young girl being brought up by an extremely religious father, who believes Armageddon is coming. Thematically, Educated fit well as a counterpoint for all the fictional dystopias I was reading for my course. I was recommended Educated by a member of my extended family, and I am so glad I moved it up on my tbr list.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
A Discovery of Witches was one of the last books I read in 2019, and I became immediately obsessed with it. The novel is the first in a trilogy of dark academia books set at Oxford University as the supernatural world rocks on its foundations as a long-lost manuscript reappears. It also features more vampires, which you should know by now that I love.
What were your favorite books from 2019? Do you have any of these books already in your tbr? Let me know in the comments below!
-Laura
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