Happy New Year, bookdragons! It’s that time again—the time for chatting about all the things we read in 2019! Most bookdragons I’ve met are curious creatures, always poking their noses into others’ bookshelves and looking for more reads to add to their hoard. So I’m happy to oblige.
Buckle up, because I have 45 books to roll out for you, along with mini reviews (yay!) and geeky readerly stats!
(Rolling out books? What are they, cookie dough?)
January
A Time to Die // Nadine Brandes
marvellous reread // time running out // the good kind of dystopian // finding purpose // made me think // walls and wilderness and trains // 5 stars
Mark of the Thief // Jennifer A. Nielsen
audiobook // Roman mythology // a thief & a griffin // conspiracy // fast-paced // a wee bit short on character motivations // 4 stars
February
A Time to Speak // Nadine Brandes
I wish I’d known Parvin five years ago // Solomon Hawke stole my heart // courage // everything hurts // hope burning in the darkness // 5 stars
A Time to Rise // Nadine Brandes
freezing cold and dogsleds // more Solomon // wow, the teenaged girl isn’t the only one responsible for saving the world // a dystopian that actually ends with hope and contentment // 5 stars
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire // J.K. Rowling
long but so charming // takes a darker turn // brings a wider view of the wizarding world // Harry gets a backbone // everything pulls together in the end for SO MANY PLOT TWISTS // 5 stars
The Evaporation of Sofi Snow // Mary Weber
futuristic sci-fi // broken, bruised characters // games // human trafficking // heart-wrenching cliffhanger ending // 5 stars
March
Reclaiming Shilo Snow // Mary Weber
ice planet // the same guts as book 1 // heart-pounding twists // truly motivating finale // choosing goodness over rightness // 5 stars
Songkeeper // Gillian Bronte Adams
journeys and misadventures // exploring Leira // plunged into the darker heart of the conflict // didn’t pull me in as much as I’d hoped // 4 stars
April
Conflict Resolution // Daniel Dana
nonfiction // read for college // short and practical // relevant to all of life (because conflict is everywhere) // how to create win-win situations // 4 stars
The Scent of Her Soul // B. Allen Davis
speculative twist on real-life human trafficking // dad trying to rescue daughter // horrifying but very well handled // “every girl needs a hero” // 5 stars
Sky in the Deep // Adrienne Young
Vikings // bloody battles // the power of family // punchy prose and crisp setting // Halvard is precious // a few unnecessary make-out scenes // 4.5 stars
Sentinel // Jamie Foley
a mash-up of genres // magic academy and superpowers // siblings // snark // a tad confusing at times // 4 stars
The Sword in the Stars (1st edition) // Wayne Thomas Batson
reread // former assassin in a rich fantasy world // the stirrings of war // prophecy // epic Shepherds // THAT ENDING // 4 stars
May
The Errant King (1st edition) // Wayne Thomas Batson
reread// young king who doesn’t want to be king // decline of faith // monstrous dragon // story was slow to gain traction // devastating ending, though // 3.5 stars
The Progeny // Tosca Lee
hooked from page one // memory loss // Europe // fantastic love interest // deep characters // masquerade raves // codes and riddles // I NEED BOOK 2 // 5 stars
June
Accelerant // Ronie Kendig
great concept and huge world // bitterly cold mountain tunnels // bogged down by too-large cast // I shipped the side couple more than the main couple // 3.5 stars
To Best the Boys // Mary Weber
super relatable protagonist // not about feminism in the way you might suspect (aka it was really good) // light fantasy setting // cool labyrinth // Lute! // nearly cried // 5 stars
Ash and Quill // Rachel Caine
atmospheric and clever // historical fantasy // Philadelphia under siege // desperation // love the camaraderie // not a fan of some relationship stuff // 4.5 stars
Romanov // Nadine Brandes
magical historical fiction // strength in the face of tragedy // compassion // sibling relationships // heartbreaking // 5 stars
The Shadow Queen // C.J. Redwine
action-packed Snow White retelling // fun cast and sweet romance // kick-butt heroine // dragon shape-shifters // cool magic system // 4.5 stars
Iron-Man: The Gauntlet // Eoin Colfer
captured Tony Stark’s voice // showdowns with the Mandarin // Ireland // lots of humor and one-liners // fast read // 4 stars
Lucky in Love // Kasie West
clean, adorable romance // how winning the lottery goes wrong // snappy dialogue // the zoo // Seth is the sweetest // 5 stars
Wonders Never Cease // Tim Downs
told from antagonist’s perspective (what a scumbag) // manipulating actress in a coma // fabricating angel stories // some humor // encourages questions // 4.5 stars
July
Red Rising // Pierce Brown
adult sci-fi // The Hunger Games meets the fall of Rome… but in space // brutal consequences // big character growth // the rumblings of a revolution // thought-provoking // 4 stars
Strange the Dreamer // Laini Taylor
I fell in love // Lazlo Strange! // enchanting prose // the mysteries of Weep // godspawn // rich symbolism // just about perfect // that ending broke me // 5 stars
August
The Fantastic and the Wondrous // Shaina Merrick
sweet little collection of short stories // various fantastical genres // fast read // 3 stars
Sword in the Stars (2nd edition) // Wayne Thomas Batson
about the same as the 1st edition // minor changes // 4 stars
By Darkness Hid // Jill Williamson
lots of realistic medieval awesomeness // Achan really grew on me // fantasy kingdoms // light and darkness // fun worldbuilding and adventures // 4 stars
The Ocean at the End of the Lane // Neil Gaiman
lovely prose // childlike perspective of grief // spitfire Lettie Hempstock // the kitten! // terror and betrayal // magical // 5 stars
September
The Way of Shadows // Brent Weeks
grimdark adult fantasy // assassins // plot twists // justice and mercy // Ranger’s Apprentice on steroids // tragic backstory // conflicted feels // a small glimmer of hope // 3.5 stars
The Hunters // John Flanagan
classic Flanagan humor // suspense // chase scenes with ships // pirates and revenge // 4 stars
An Enchantment of Ravens // Margaret Rogerson
loved! // human artist and a fae prince // autumn // dangerous fair folk // gorgeous writing // what it means to be human, to create, and to love // 5 stars
October
Rise of the Wolf // Jennifer A. Nielsen
audiobook // more Roman mythology // characters improved // Praetor war // unicorn // chariot races // twisty ending // 4 stars
Children of Blood and Bone // Tomi Adeyemi
cool African-inspired fantasy setting // clans with powers // social justice sermon // overhyped // a lot of tropes // 2.5 stars
The Complete 101 Collection: What Every Leader Should Know // John Maxwell
nonfiction // took me three years to read // redefining leadership attitude // teamwork and attitude // practical advice // 4.5 stars
Rebirth: Havok Season One // various authors
anthology of flash fiction // so many awesome stories // I’m in it! and so are friends! // 4 stars
November
The Scorpio Races // Maggie Stiefvater
reread // loved every bit of it again // slowburn romance // man-eating horses // so much life and magic and heartache // 5 stars
December
The Story Peddler // Lindsay Franklin
reread // cozy fantasy // fun characters // the power of creativity // in love with Mor // 4.5 stars
The Story Raider // Lindsay Franklin
higher stakes // sailing in search of a cure // political unrest // messy relationships // thrilling adventure // 4.5 stars
A Christian’s Carol // Wayne Thomas Batson
audiobook // modern-day Dickens retelling // heartwarming and chilling // thought-provoking // 5 stars
Muse of Nightmares // Laini Taylor
gorgeous writing again // intense second half // disaster // mercy // can monsters be saved? // too much on-screen sexual content // 4 stars
Wanted: A Superhero to Save the World // Bryan Davis
middle-grade superhero adventure // siblings // full of heart // puns // 4 stars
Defy the Stars // Claudia Gray
this is why I love YA // soldier and cyborg in space // slowburn romance // what it means to be human // awesome pacing // faith plays a role // high stakes // 5 stars
Ark Angel // Anthony Horowitz
Alex Rider is back // crazy stunts and near-death experiences // spying // multibillionaire building a hotel in space // 4 stars
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life // Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
nonfiction // very timely // people-pleasing ain’t godly // marking the lines between what is and isn’t yours // 5 stars
Top Ten
In no particular order (because picking my ten favorites is impossible enough), here are my top reads this year!
- Strange the Dreamer // Laini Taylor
- An Enchantment of Ravens // Margaret Rogerson
- The Progeny // Tosca Lee
- The Scorpio Races // Maggie Stiefvater
- To Best the Boys // Mary Weber
- Out of Time trilogy // Nadine Brandes
- Shilo Snow duology // Mary Weber
- The Scent of Her Soul // Bryan Davis
- Romanov // Nadine Brandes
- Defy the Stars // Claudia Gray
Shhh, lumping series together as one book can’t be considered cheating…
Reading Stats
Total books read: 45
Pages read: 16,709
Shortest book: The Fantastic and the Wondrous (106 pages)
Longest book: The Way of Shadows (645 pages)
Genres of 2019
This was, once again, a year of fantasy. No surprise there. But I did read more thrillers and sci-fi than usual… and only half as much nonfic as last year. 😛
My audiobook listening dropped from 10 last year to 3 this year, sadly.
Mostly new books this year!
And last, but not least, I loved most of what I read. (Average 4.4 stars!)
Authors of 2019
Most-Read Authors:
- Nadine Brandes (4 books)
- Wayne Thomas Batson (4 books)
- Mary Weber (3 books)
Favorite New-to-Me Authors Discovered in 2019:
- Margaret Rogerson
- Laini Taylor
- Kasie West
- Claudia Gray
- Neil Gaiman
- Pierce Brown
Most Anticipated Books of 2020
I’m probably missing some, but here are the ones that come to mind…
- Cry of the Raven // Morgan Busse // February 2020
- Chosen Ones // Veronica Roth // April 2020
- Sword and Pen // Rachel Caine // May 2020
- The Story Hunter // Lindsay Franklin // May 2020
- Let the Ghosts Speak // Bryan Davis // June 2020
- Winter, White and Wicked // Shannon Dittemore // fall 2020
- Dust // Kara Swanson
- Fable // Adrienne Young
- an unannounced book by a dear friend of mine!
Curious about books I’ve read in the more distant past? I did this same kind of post for the Books of 2018 and Books of 2017. 🙂
OH YAY! I looooove these posts! We have such similar book tastes, I always love to see what you’ve read and liked. (Even if it does make my TBR skyrocket. ;P)
This looks like it was SUCH a good reading year. That’s great you enjoyed most of what you read! Huzzah for the Time to Die trilogy and Sofi Snow duology! *heart eyes* Love those so, so much. And Romanov and To Best the Boys are ones I’m hoping to read this year. They’re just sitting on my shelves, tantalizing me. Hopefully I can find time for them! An Enchantment of Ravens, too, is on my list of “things I hope to read soon”. It was one of my Christmas presents and I’m sooo excited!
Thank you for sharing all this delicious bookishness with us! I hope 2020 proves to be a just as good or even better year of reading! 😀
Aw, that makes me happy to hear! We are totally brain twins when it comes to a lot of books, haha! (And sorrynotsorry about your TBR. xD)
You know, it really was. <3 Looking back, there were actually SO many new favorites this year. I can't wait for you to read Romanov, To Best the Boys, and An Enchantment of Ravens!!! Saw your Instagram post about your TBR and YESSSS. 😀 AEoR makes a wonderful Christmas present, by the way!
Same to YOU, Christine! Here's to all the fantastical books we'll read this year.
Yes, it’s true, Bookwyrms love looking at other Bookwyrm’s reading lists (and adding more to the already towering TBR).
Some of these book mentioned are ones I’ve been interested in for some time– especially the Out of Time trilogy.
2019 was an excellent year for reading! I was able to return to some favourite children’s books, discover new ones, and explore fascinating history. I think I might have overloaded a bit, though. I plan to slow down a bit this year.
Those sneaky TBR piles… they can’t help but grow. Not that we truly hate them for it, though. XD
Oooh, yay! I hope you enjoy those. They really made me think, especially the first book.
That’s fantastic to hear! Good old favorites, new reads, history… ahh, sounds marvelous. And there’s nothing wrong with slowing down to savor them a bit more this year. Quality over quantity, right?
I love this poooost! All of the books and stats and thingsss!
Goblet of Fire! Songkeeper! Sentinel! By Darkness Hid! Story Peddler/Raider! Superhero to Save the World (I just got the third one and need to read it)! Ocean at the End of the Lane spooked me out but it was sooo gorgeous. AND LETTIE. Rebirth which has you and Christine in it! 😀
I started The Shadow Queen but it had to go back to the library before Realm Makers and I hadn’t finished, and due to life plot twists I can’t get books from there right now sooo I don’t know when I’ll get to finish it. D: But my favorite character died, sooo. XDDDD
I also started The Scorpio Races during NaNo which was A BAD IDEA because I had no reading time. XD I will have to get back into it sometime when I have time but it’s sooo intriguing so far.
Okay but just wait for Song of Leira because it gets super epic. O_O So does Arbiter. XD And To Darkness Fled… Apparently my favorites in these series are the ones that are next for you. XD
I really need to read Sword in the Stars, An Enchantment of Ravens, and (apparently) Boundaries!
I’m SO EXCITED for Cry of the Raven! And Dust! And thingsss!
And I adore those pie-charts. O_O
Thank you for shariiiing!
Thank youuuu! So glad you enjoyed. Part of me always wonders if anyone really cares about the stats besides myself. XD
SO MANY GREAT BOOKS. <3 <3 <3 I have a copy of Hertz to be a Hero, but not book 3 yet... need to remedy that. And yeah, Ocean at the End of the Lane *was* pretty spooky (especially the hole in the foot, ugh), but LETTIE DARLING. *heart eyes* (And aw, Rebirth!)
Nooooo, that's unfortunate! I know exactly who your favorite character is, then. Sadness. But I hope you manage to untwist those life plot twists that are keeping you from the library. o.o
AHAHAHA. I AM SO PLEASED YOU STARTED. It's such a November book to me, but it could totally be read in October too. (Or really anytime, I'm just being silly.) Hope you enjoy the rest of it whenever you get to it.
Yay! I was about to say "lots of book 2s"... but then realized Song of Leira is book 3. >.< Sequels, we'll just say sequels, then. Looking forward to all of them! Yes, YES, AND Y E S. 😉 Me tooooo! *cries with happiness* Thanks, Deborah! You always make me smile. 😀
We read several of the same books in 2019! And I’m about to read the Progeny! 😀 And now I need to add The Ocean at the End of the Lane to my reading list because I want to read more Neil Gaiman after loving Norse Gods!
Woohoo for being booktwins! *rubs hands together* I think you’ll LOVE The Progeny. Can’t wait to see what you think of it! The Ocean at the End of the Lane was my first Gaiman read. I’ll have to look up Norse Gods!
I need to read the Out of Time trilogy so so bad. And The Story Peddler, they’ve been on my TBR list sense the beginning of the year, but they aren’t at my library I’m super close to just ordering them XD
Sword of the Stars/The Errant King were soo so good, Alistair is probably one of my favorite characters ever XD
Yes yes yes, I recommend both of those! 😀 Silly library, though. *glares* Are you able to request that they get those books in? If not… they’re worth ordering. 😉
Alistair is EPIC and I love him so much! XD
Wayne Thomas Batson did a Christmas Carol retelling? o.o I need to look into this!! Wow. I’m both scared and intrigued (I LOOOVE the original).
And I’m love with Mor too. Ain’t we all. =D <3
He did! I haven’t actually read the original (#oops), but his was a really good modern day retelling.
“Ain’t we all.” Truer words have never been spoken. XD
So many books! You definitely read more than me. XD
But hey, it’s not about the quantity of books, but the quality! (She says as she tries not to compare herself to those who read hundreds… xD)
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