Favourite Books of 2019

Going over the list of books I have read throughout the year is always an interesting reflection, filled with books I loved, liked, did not finish, and ones I can barely remember reading. That last one is always amusing, where I need a few moments to recall a story or key plot points that for whatever reason just did not stick with me. For this past year, I can’t say there are many books that I absolutely adored and that would warrant a top ten or even a top five list. So I picked just the ones that I loved reading, could not put down, and would happily read again.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid 

Daisy Jones & The Six had me hooked right from the beginning. So much so that I read it in one day, glued to each page and absorbed in the story of Daisy and the famous band. Raised by wealthy parents who paid little to no attention to her, Daisy was on her own from a young age and spent her time in bars and clubs she wasn’t old enough to be in. While a life of drugs and sex was thrilling for a time, her dream was to sing her songs and to truly be seen. While her voice and electric presence began to be noticed, a band called The Six was on the rise, gaining popularity and fame. When the opportunity for a collaboration presents itself there is no mistaking the onstage chemistry between Daisy and Billy, the lead singer of The Six. After that there is no turning back, and a legend is born.

Circe by Madeline Miller

In her own take on the greek myth, Madeline Miller gives us the story of Circe. The sorceress and daughter of Helios, the god of the sun, is most known for the role she played in the famous tale of Odysseus. But this story is all her own. Born without the look and voice of a goddess, she is ignored, taunted, and isolated by her siblings and family as a whole. Slowly over time, Circe discovers her own power and talent with witchcraft. When she casts a dark spell and her true nature comes to light, she is banished to an island where she is to spend her life in exile. Over the years she develops her skills of witchcraft and many gods and mortals pass the shores of her island. What unfolds is the story of Circe, one that is uniquely her own.

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

In a small town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth “Evvie” Drake rarely leaves her house. Everyone in town, including her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and she doesn’t correct them.

In New York, Dean Tenney, former major-league pitcher and Andy’s childhood friend, is struggling with a case of the “yips”: he can’t throw straight anymore, and he can’t figure out why. An invitation from Andy to stay in Maine for a few months seems like the perfect chance to hit the reset button.

When Dean moves into an apartment at the back of Evvie’s house, the two make a deal: Dean won’t ask about Evvie’s late husband, and Evvie won’t ask about Dean’s baseball career. Rules, though, have a funny way of being broken—and what starts as an unexpected friendship soon turns into something more.

But before they can find out what might lie ahead, they’ll have to wrestle a few demons: the bonds they’ve broken, the plans they’ve changed, and the secrets they’ve kept. They’ll need a lot of help, but in life, as in baseball, there’s always a chance—right up until the last out. (Goodreads)

The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

Tiffy and Leon share an apartment. Tiffy and Leon have never met.

After a bad breakup, Tiffy Moore needs a place to live. Fast. And cheap. But the apartments in her budget have her wondering if astonishingly colored mold on the walls counts as art.

Desperation makes her open minded, so she answers an ad for a flatshare. Leon, a night shift worker, will take the apartment during the day, and Tiffy can have it nights and weekends. He’ll only ever be there when she’s at the office. In fact, they’ll never even have to meet.

Tiffy and Leon start writing each other notes – first about what day is garbage day, and politely establishing what leftovers are up for grabs, and the evergreen question of whether the toilet seat should stay up or down. Even though they are opposites, they soon become friends. And then maybe more.

But falling in love with your roommate is probably a terrible idea…especially if you’ve never met. (Goodreads)

And that is a wrap for 2019! I am excited for all the books that 2020 will bring, old and new. 🙂 

Happy reading, and a happy new year!

xo