Alright, with 2019 finally in the books, it’s the perfect time to do a roundup of my favorite reads of 2019.
Note that I’m only including books that I’ve actually read on this list, and it only includes book released in 2019 (and not books released in prior years that I happened to read in 2019). There’s also a few books from 2019 that I still plan on reading such as Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo, among others. If they end up making the list, I’ll update this!
If you’ve been following this blog all year, all of these books will have been mentioned and reviewed before, but if not then this is a great way to get caught up!
The Dutch House
What It's About: At the end of the Second World War, Cyril Conroy combines luck and a single canny investment to begin an enormous real estate empire, propelling his family from poverty to enormous wealth. His first order of business is to buy the Dutch House, a lavish estate in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. Meant as a surprise for his wife, the house sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves...See the Full Summary and Review of The Dutch House Publication Date: September 24, 2019
What It's About: At the end of the Second World War, Cyril Conroy combines luck and a single canny investment to begin an enormous real estate empire, propelling his family from poverty to enormous wealth. His first order of business is to buy the Dutch House, a lavish estate in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. Meant as a surprise for his wife, the house sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves...See the Full Summary and Review of The Dutch House Publication Date: September 24, 2019
The Nickel Boys
What It's About: This follow-up to The Underground Railroad brilliantly dramatizes another strand of American history through the story of two boys unjustly sentenced to a hellish reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida.
When Elwood Curtis, a black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee, is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy, he finds himself trapped in a grotesque chamber of horrors...See the Full Summary and Review of The Nickel Boys Publication Date: July 16, 2019
What It's About: This follow-up to The Underground Railroad brilliantly dramatizes another strand of American history through the story of two boys unjustly sentenced to a hellish reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida.
When Elwood Curtis, a black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee, is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy, he finds himself trapped in a grotesque chamber of horrors...See the Full Summary and Review of The Nickel Boys Publication Date: July 16, 2019
Recursion
What It's About: Memory makes reality.
That's what NYC cop Barry Sutton is learning, as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome—a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived.
That's what neuroscientist Helena Smith believes...See the Full Summary and Review of Recursion Publication Date: June 11, 2019
What It's About: Memory makes reality.
That's what NYC cop Barry Sutton is learning, as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome—a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived.
That's what neuroscientist Helena Smith believes...See the Full Summary and Review of Recursion Publication Date: June 11, 2019
Ask Again, Yes
What It's About: Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope, two rookie cops in the NYPD, live next door to each other outside the city. What happens behind closed doors in both houses—the loneliness of Francis's wife, Lena, and the instability of Brian's wife, Anne—sets the stage for explosive events to come.
Ask Again, Yes is a moving novel about two families, the bond between their children, a tragedy that reverberates over four decades, the daily intimacies of marriage, and the power of forgiveness.See the Full Summary and Review of Ask Again, Yes Publication Date: May 28, 2019
What It's About: Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope, two rookie cops in the NYPD, live next door to each other outside the city. What happens behind closed doors in both houses—the loneliness of Francis's wife, Lena, and the instability of Brian's wife, Anne—sets the stage for explosive events to come.
Ask Again, Yes is a moving novel about two families, the bond between their children, a tragedy that reverberates over four decades, the daily intimacies of marriage, and the power of forgiveness.See the Full Summary and Review of Ask Again, Yes Publication Date: May 28, 2019
The Testaments
What It's About: A previously published cover of this ISBN can be found here.
Fifteen years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, the theocratic regime of the Republic of Gilead maintains its grip on power, but there are signs it is beginning to rot from within.
At this crucial moment, the lives of three radically different women converge, with potentially explosive results...See the Full Summary and Review of The Testaments Publication Date: September 10, 2019
What It's About: A previously published cover of this ISBN can be found here.
Fifteen years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, the theocratic regime of the Republic of Gilead maintains its grip on power, but there are signs it is beginning to rot from within.
At this crucial moment, the lives of three radically different women converge, with potentially explosive results...See the Full Summary and Review of The Testaments Publication Date: September 10, 2019
Catch and Kill
What It's About: In this instant New York Times bestselling account of violence and espionage, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Ronan Farrow exposes serial abusers and a cabal of powerful interests hell-bent on covering up the truth, at any cost.
In 2017, a routine network television investigation led Ronan Farrow to a story only whispered about: one of Hollywood’s most powerful producers was a predator, protected by fear, wealth, and a conspiracy of silence...See the Full Summary and Review of Catch and Kill Publication Date: October 15, 2019
What It's About: In this instant New York Times bestselling account of violence and espionage, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Ronan Farrow exposes serial abusers and a cabal of powerful interests hell-bent on covering up the truth, at any cost.
In 2017, a routine network television investigation led Ronan Farrow to a story only whispered about: one of Hollywood’s most powerful producers was a predator, protected by fear, wealth, and a conspiracy of silence...See the Full Summary and Review of Catch and Kill Publication Date: October 15, 2019
The Huntress
What It's About: From the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling novel, THE ALICE NETWORK, comes another fascinating historical novel about a battle-haunted English journalist and a Russian female bomber pilot who join forces to track the Huntress, a Nazi war criminal gone to ground in America.
In the aftermath of war, the hunter becomes the hunted…
Bold and fearless, Nina Markova always dreamed of flying...See the Full Summary and Review of The Huntress Publication Date: February 26, 2019
What It's About: From the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling novel, THE ALICE NETWORK, comes another fascinating historical novel about a battle-haunted English journalist and a Russian female bomber pilot who join forces to track the Huntress, a Nazi war criminal gone to ground in America.
In the aftermath of war, the hunter becomes the hunted…
Bold and fearless, Nina Markova always dreamed of flying...See the Full Summary and Review of The Huntress Publication Date: February 26, 2019
Exhalation
What It's About: Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here
The universe began as an enormous breath being held.
From the acclaimed author of Stories of Your Life and Others — the basis for the Academy Award-nominated film Arrival — comes a ground-breaking new collection of short fiction: nine stunningly original, provocative, and poignant stories...Publication Date: May 7, 2019
What It's About: Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here
The universe began as an enormous breath being held.
From the acclaimed author of Stories of Your Life and Others — the basis for the Academy Award-nominated film Arrival — comes a ground-breaking new collection of short fiction: nine stunningly original, provocative, and poignant stories...Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Been meaning to try the new Blake Crouch. Glad to hear it’s as good as I hope it will be.
yeah I really enjoyed it — hope you end up liking it too!
I was extremely bored with Ask Again, Yes. I only stuck with it because I thought there would be a pay-off and there wasn’t :-/ I also didn’t care for a popular book from last year: Where The Crawdads Sing. Ugh. I am however close to loaning The Testaments after placing a hold in my library as soon as it came out!
Rachel || http://anotherstationanothermile.com
hmm well the testaments certainly has more “action” than ask again yes so maybe you’ll like it more? I think if you liked the handmaid’s tale you’re more likely to like the testaments as well
I nominated you for the ‘Time To Talk’s Mystery Blogger Award’
thank you!
A great selection, thanks for sharing your favourites.
thank you, and thanks for dropping by! :)
Thank you for sharing! I will read the book you recommended.