Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. And so another year comes to an end so it’s time to look back at the books I read this year and figure out what were my favourites. Without further ado, in no real particular order, here’s my favourite books of 2019 and I’ve linked back to my reviews (if I reviewed them that is!).
The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven
The Exact Opposite of Okay was one of the first books I read this year and it has stuck with me since then. I thought it handled the subject of revenge porn so well while still having a main character that was sarcastic and strong while still hurting. Think this (and its sequel which is also great) will be all-time favourites.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
I’m probably one of the last people to read this book but I definitely got why Children of Blood and Bone received so much hype. It was a gripping magical adventure and though I didn’t like the romance at all, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Safe as Houses by Simone van der Vlugt
This was a creepy thriller and one where it was so tense and that all hope seemed to be lost for so long that I wasn’t even sure if everything would turn out OK in the end.
The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Considering I found The Shadow of the Wind tough to get through (enjoyable but slow-going) I found The Angel’s Game to be so readable. I loved the mystery, the setting and how it linked to The Shadow of the Wind.
The Runaway Jury by John Grisham
I’d not read a John Grisham book before but this one was great. It was gripping and intriguing and I was never really sure how the central court case would end up.
The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
This is the kind of book that makes me want to read more science-fiction. The characters, the setting, the writing; it was all so good. I want to read the next books in this sort-of series but as I’m so bad at reading series we will see how soon that happens!
Internment by Samira Ahmed
This book was tough to get through at times because it unfortunately felt so close to our reality. It was a gripping book though with characters you couldn’t help but root for.
Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal: The Lives and Careers of Two Tennis Legends by Sebastián Fest
I went to the Laver Cup in Geneva and had such an amazing time watching tennis legends Federer and Nadal play. Before I went, I read this book and found it a fascinating insight into the two of them and their legacies.
Old Man Hawkeye Volumes 1 and 2 by Ethan Sacks, Marco Checchetto, Andres Mossa, Francesco Mobili and Ibraim Roberson
I didn’t read a lot of graphic novels or comics this year, but I did read all of the Old Man Hawkeye series. It’s a prequel to Old Man Logan (which I also really liked) and I thought it did a great job at connecting to story while adding new things. Plus, it focussed on Hawkeye, an older-version of Hawkeye but one that still is Clint Barton deep down.
What are some of your favourite books you read this year?
Elena Square Eyes 
I just started The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet and I’m loving it. I’m so mad it’s taken me this long to finally read it! I’m a huge sci-fi junkie so if you want to read more in the genre, I’m your gal!
My TTT: https://alittlenerdtoldme.wordpress.com/2019/12/31/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-books-i-read-in-2019/
The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet is just lovely! Ooh thanks for the offer – definitely want to get into more sci-fi in the future once I’ve made a dent in my TBR.
Ah yes, that ever elusive TBR dent! If you ever make one, share your secret 😂
The Long Way To A Small Angry Planet is one of my favorite books. Love it!
The sequel to Becky Chambers’ book was pretty great too. Great list! 🙂
Lovely. Wishing you lots of great reads in 2020.
Thank you. Hope 2020 brings you a lot of great reads too 🙂
I thought Internment was a tough read, too. One of these days I need to go back and finish reading it.
My TTT.
It’s tough bu worth it in the end.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
I want to read more of the Angry Small Planet series.
Same! I like the idea of them being kinda connect but not direct sequels, I think that works well for someone like me who doesn’t tend to read books in a series very quickly so there’s less chance of being lost if there’s characters/events I don’t really remember.
I loved The Exact Opposite of Okay too! Great list! 😊
My TTT: https://lifewithallthebooks.com/2019/12/31/top-ten-tuesday-favourite-books-i-read-in-2019/
Thank you! 🙂
I’m terrible at reading series as well, which is why I try not to start them! I loved Children of Blood and Bone and just got the sequel so hoping to read it soon! I hadn’t heard of Internment but that premise sounds a bit too close to home. I had no idea that first book was about revenge porn (wha-?) but I’m certainly intrigued- adding it to my TBR! Happy new year 🙂
Haha! Yes I don’t often read series either, I hope to get the sequel to Children of Blood and Bone once it’s out in paperback.
Yes, it’s kind of weird to say how funny and empowering The Exact Opposite Of Okay is when the catalyst for the story is revenge porn, but it is and it works.
Happy New Year to you too!
The Long Way To A Small Angry Planet is high on my must-read list. I don’t think I’ve seen a bad review of it.
Yep that’s how I felt when I finally read it and I was very happy to find that everyone wasn’t lying about how good it was! 🙂
AWESOME list! I still need to get to The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers!!
Thank you! Gosh I had the book for a couple of years before I actually read it so don’t feel bad at all! It’s worth the wait though 🙂
I’ve not read any of these! I’ll have to check some of them out. Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
I’m always happy to bring my favourite books to peoples attention. Happy reading!
What a diverse list! It’s been awhile since I read a John Grisham, but I always enjoy his books.
Happy New Year! My TTT
I have a very eclectic taste in books! 😀 I definitely want to read more of his books after really enjoying The Runaway Jury.
Happy New Year to you too! 🙂
Great list! I really want to read The Exact Opposite and Internment. I bought Internment last year and never got around to reading it. Hopefully I finally will this year.
Thank you! Ah yes, that never ending problem of buying books and then taking forever to actually read them 😉 hope you get to Internment soon.