The best books I read in this year
Hey y’all, today I’m sharing a little not sewing post and talking about reading instead. I read 95 books this year, just shy of the 100 book goal I had. If you want to see all the books, here’s my Pinterest board of them. I know, there’s Good Reads, but I just can’t get into that no matter how I’ve tried. I don’t want to think about star ratings of books I’ve read or even worse – written reviews of every book I read. I know many people love it, but it is not for me.
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So, in no particular order, here are my favorite 5 with affiliate links (on which I earn a tiny commission) in case you want to buy any of them:
- A Very Large Expanse of Sea I’ve read Tahereh Mafi’s supernatural YA series Shatter Me, and this realistic fiction book shares the fervent coming of age emotion of that series but improves with well-rounded and relatable characters in the post 9/11 United States.
- Daisy Jones & the Six Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book follows the formation and dissolution of a rock band. It’s told through interviews with the characters, and I enjoyed that writing style. There was also a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming but enjoyed.
- City of Girls I’m a sucker for anything by Elizabeth Gilbert, including this well written historical fiction. The picture she paints of New York makes me want to visit (and if you know me, you’d know big cities are not my jam) and the theatre, sewing and costuming in the plot were all sweet bonuses for me.
- The Library Book Susan Orlean makes the mundane fascinating, and this book is a great one for book lovers. Who knew the inner workings of libraries and one particular library fire she focuses on could be so intriguing?
- Maid more than other books I’ve read on pulling oneself up by the bootstraps, Stephanie Land’s book illuminates some of the societal divisions and inequity that seem to only be increasing at the moment.
There were so many great books I read this year (check out my board) so I had a hard time choosing, but also one of the reasons I don’t like Good Reads is because I don’t want to write reviews of every book I read 🙂 I don’t even want to contemplate what star ranking to give something – I just want an easy visual list I can look back on. So limiting this post to 5 books worked well for me. Happy New Year!
Bev
I also read City of Girls this past year and liked it pretty well. I will have to check out a couple of your other top 5 that sound intriguing and then take a look at your Pinterest board. I always love to find new recommendations for books to read.
I do use Good Reads (sometimes), but usually just to mark books that I want to read so I can check my library for them or get them via inter-library loan. I also mark ones I’ve read (if I remember). Unless I particularly love or hate a book, I only mark it with stars. You don’t have to write any reviews if you don’t want to do so. I use it more as a tool just for me since I don’t make use of the social aspect of it (adding friends etc.) If that works for others, that is great; it just isn’t for me. That being said, I don’t think I have actually did anything on Good Reads for 2019 so it is very hit and miss for me.
Kate
Melly, you are an inspiration! Thank you for showing that in spite of a busy lifestyle, young kids and your amazing sewing tutorials you can still find time to read. Well done! My aim is 26 books this year. .. Am starting low in order not to set myself up for failure! If I finish my list I might look into yours.
Happy New Year.
Kate
Susannah Cox
You have no idea how much I love getting your weekly email filled with tips and patterns….and then to find out that you are an avid reader too! I want to be friends! I am a self avowed book-aholic….I am constantly reading a book (or searching for a new one.) I LOVED Daisy Jones (I listened to it as I drove back and forth to a quilting retreat last April.) I find that listening to books while I sew is a great way to enjoy 2 of my favorite pastimes!
Several books that I have read in the last year and loved: The Institute by Stephen King—-I thought it was fantastic. One For the Crow, One For the Blackbird. The Great Alone. The Girl Who Drank the Moon. The Discovery of Witches is an all-time favorite and when the latest book came out last year, I reread (and relistened) to them all. I am a huge fan of YA…I will have to check out your pick.
Happy New Year and thank you for all that you do!