Best Books of 2019

It's the last day of 2019, we made it! The new decade is upon us. WHOA. ...and also kind of eh. Really, you can reflect on the last ten years at any point to recount a decade, but okay cool.

Anyways.

Below is a list of my top ten favorite books from 2019. They're not in any particular order, and they will only be ones that I read/reviewed in 2019. So even if they were published in a different year, but I read it this year, it counts. :D I'm also only numbering them to make sure I stop myself at ten... because I like books. BOOK LIFE!

Rather than recap the entire book summary, I'm going to include the book title, author, location for my book review, and why it made the list.

Pardon any formatting weirdness. Posts with multiple images tend to get cranky for no apparent reason. Kind of like a Word document. Writer struggles, very real.


 1. Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

My book review is HERE.

Why did this book make the list?

For me, there's a lot that still resonates about this story for me. I loved reading about a different culture in what feels like such an authentic voice. I loved reading about their friendship, of the unyielding acceptance of who Darius is, Sohrab's willingness to teach Darius about Iran, and Darius himself who has such an honest way of understanding what he doesn't know. How he understands how other people view the depression that he and his Dad experience, but what it means to them, and how they cope with it. It was such a great blend of culture introduction and also mental health awareness. This is a magnificent tale.




2. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

My book review is HERE.

Why did this book make the list?

World Building. So much of the world was centered around magic, books (grimoires), libraries, and well, power struggles, politics, friendships, doing what is right, and I guess kind of love? I mean, the book packs a lot into it in such a seamless way that I've probably read this book... half a dozen times? It's become one of my refresher books, a book to read all of or parts of to kind of wash out a bad book experience. I loved Elisabeth as a main character, she was fierce, courageous, and looking to solve problems. Nathaniel was also pretty okay too, he had some great character development aspects, but c'mon, Elisabeth was GREAT. I also really love the tone of this book. I simultaneously do and don't hope there's a sequel. The book ended well, but I would love to read more of the story. BOOK STRUGGLES.


 3. Small Town Hearts by Lillie Vale

My book review is HERE.

Why did this book make the list?

Because I have something to say about a really good beach book. A good beach book is something that is mostly light hearted, with minimal dramatics, has a touch of soul throughout, and leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy, whiles also restoring some faith in humanity. I think this book really knocked it out of the park, and while I did struggle with some of the more unrealistic elements of the book, I loved the overall setting, the characters, and the sense of community. It makes me want to visit Maine, again (I've been to the Bar Harbor area a couple times). I also really appreciated the romance that built between Levi and Babe since they weren't just pursuing a fling, a crush, or a one night stand, they were both looking for something more and found it. The book gave it the time and tenderness that deserves.



 4. Slay by Brittney Morris

My book review is HERE.

Why did this book make the list?

UGH, BE STILL MY HEART, I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. This is a book that I just want to carry around, huddled to my chest, and blather on about how people should just sit down and read it. Probably the number one book I've recommended to people since I've read it (well, depending on what they're interested in reading of course, but if it's anything I can remotely relate to Slay, oh you better believe I'm going to talk about it). The combination of black culture/history/experiences, paired with video games in a high school setting, makes it a much more digestible read even though it's hard. It's hard to know that white people are... well kind of dumb even when they mean well. This was a real eye opening experience as to what people experience on a daily basis, and I can only imagine to a worse degree. Heart breaking, but a necessary story to read.



 6. Fire & Heist by Sarah Beth Durst

My book review is HERE.

Why did this book make the list?

Partly because I feel like I don't give enough credit or praise when I come across a legitimately GOOD dragon book. A dragon book that takes all the lore of dragons, looks at it in a different manner, and explains it in a way that doesn't assume the reader just knows everything there is to know because you know, it's about dragons and everyone knows about dragons. I mean, I do unabashedly love it for many reasons, but one of the main things that sticks with me, is how it's a coming of age story that unfolds with such grace and kind of humility. Taking a very factual stance on Sky's predicament while also catering to the magical aspects of it, the home world, and just kind of how much dragons have had to overcome to exist with the humans. It was just a very good, and well rounded story. Here's hoping for a book 2!



 7. The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

My book review is HERE.

Why did this book make the list?

Somehow, they had a cast of five narrators telling the story from very unique perspectives while managing to not lose any critical parts of the story. Making sure the reader is included every step of the way, but also leaving an air of mystery about enough elements that it never grows dull by any length of the imagination. It kind of felt like a magical heist book but with better characters, action scenes, and world building than I've ever encountered before. The story did start at kind of a low simmer, but it weaved such an intricate story that I couldn't put the book down for a moment. Also one I've reread a couple times. I also have it sitting prominently on my bookshelf as it makes me smile a lot. I'm really hoping it becomes a series.




8. Song of the Abyss by Makiia Lucier

My book review is HERE.

Why did this book make the list?

I know I'm probably sounding like a broken record at this point, but the world building. It is a second book of sorts, maybe more of a companion novel to another book, but I think you could easily pick up this book without having to have read the first one. That being said, the first one is also a superb book, but I liked this one better since it dealt more with the mechanisms of Cartography and how the Cartographers career works within this world. There was also a greater introduction of more magical elements and creatures that exist within the world. The main character, Reyna, was also a shining example of overcoming barriers to accomplish dreams while possessing a great sense of self, determination, cleverness, and strength. What a knockout of a book.



 9. Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

My book review is HERE.

Why did this book make the list?

I mean, I don't read scary stories usually, but this scary story was compelling enough to make it onto my best books of the year list. I think that says enough in itself. But really the thing that lingers with me most about this book is the imagery. Not the world building per say, but just the small moments of the scare crows reaching under the trees to try to get the kids, or when they're hiding in the house and they have to escape. The way the book was written almost had a mesmerizing lyrical value to it at times, and that was what stuck with me the most. I could still very easily give a book talk on this without having to review the inside flap, it stuck with me much that; almost a year after reading it. I also admire how the book seemed to take something normal and harmless... but turn it creepy. Like shivers down the spine not murder-y creepy. Like scarecrows, corn fields, and school trips to the local farm.




10. The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross

My book review is HERE.

Why did this book make the list?

You may have noticed at this point that most of the books I've picked out have amazing world building, strong female characters, and a plot I adore. This is the first book in hopefully a series, but I read the second book and loved it, and I'm looking forward to book three. I also struggle with books set in a more medieval, alternate earth setting due to the internal confusion of what social norms were carried over. However, due to the clear language, presentation, character development, and emotional investment this book garners that I just want to read book 3. I did get a bit spooked when book 2 split into two narrators, but it turned okay, so I'm okay with it, but still retain a healthy amount of skepticism for other books' shenanigans.



Honorable mentions: THE TOLL and THE QUEEN OF NOTHING. They didn't make this list because they're book three in a series and it just feels weird to me to call out a book three. I loved them both dearly, but, if you weren't invested in book 1 and 2, it's kind of too late for book three then.

Happy reading! I hope more wonderful books cross your path and mine this coming year.

Look Both Ways

Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds

Still love Jason Reynolds. This book takes ten kids lives and gave their stories a place to exist, while also showing how they're involved with each other's lives. What kind of impact they have.

An amazon summary, "This story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen. They were all too busy—

Talking about boogers.Stealing pocket change.Skateboarding.Wiping out.Braving up.Executing complicated handshakes.Planning an escape.Making jokes.Lotioning up.Finding comfort.But mostly, too busy walking home.
Jason Reynolds conjures ten tales (one per block) about what happens after the dismissal bell rings, and brilliantly weaves them into one wickedly funny, piercingly poignant look at the detours we face on the walk home, and in life." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE

I'm actually going to take a note from the amazon summary and give kind of a generic summary since this is really a group of short, interconnected stories. I would argue that one of the main points of the book is, that you never really know what someone else is going through unless you kind of walk a day in their shoes. I think it also makes great points about you never know how you impact someone else, you never know how your story fits with their story.

I also like how unique each story is, and how sometimes it's not just about one kid (like stealing pocket change). I also think it kind of starts out soft, a kid with a more easily understood story, before it leads to things that are a little harder to understand, things that are a little harder to talk about. I also liked the recurring theme about school buses, it kind of helped tie each story that much closer together.

These were great, great stories.

Happy reading!

Ghost

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

I love books by Jason Reynolds. I've reviewed some other ones, but I didn't know he wrote a series about track. This is book one. Do I need to say anything else? No? Okay cool.

An amazon summary, "Ghost. Lu. Patina. Sunny. Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. But they are also four kids chosen for an elite middle school track team—a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other, but to themselves.

Running. That’s all Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But Ghost has been running for the wrong reasons—it all started with running away from his father, who, when Ghost was a very little boy, chased him and his mother through their apartment, then down the street, with a loaded gun, aiming to kill. Since then, Ghost has been the one causing problems—and running away from them—until he meets Coach, an ex-Olympic Medalist who sees something in Ghost: crazy natural talent. If Ghost can stay on track, literally and figuratively, he could be the best sprinter in the city. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed, or will his past finally catch up to him?" AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE

Castle is avoiding his home. He wanders around the neighborhood, visiting familiar landmarks and people, and dreams of becoming a basketball player. He doesn't want to be home without his mother. Castle and his mom watch romantic movies at night, where Castle falls asleep on a pile of blankets in the living room, and his mom sleeps on the couch. They haven't slept in their own bedrooms since Castle's father tried to shoot them one night. They ran down to Mr. Charles' store as fast as they could, and they hid in the storeroom until his father was taken away.

So, while Castle is avoiding home, he happens to witness the practice of a track team called the Defenders. Castle sees one of the kids acting like he's fastest, but Castle knows he can run faster. He crashes their practice and proves himself to be fast. The Coach drafts him for the team on some stipulations, like not having altercations at school, and Castle, aka self nicknamed Ghost, is part of the Defenders.

That's enough summary.

I love how real this book felt. The struggles that Castle prevents which he was experiencing, and the new ones he goes through with all the ups and downs, it felt like Castle was telling me his story. I loved reading about his character growth, learning about the other characters, and also, kind of experiencing his culture. The story had a lot of hard subject matter, but it was made easier to read due to how Castle talked about it.

I'm not going to make this a recommended book though, because I think it could have been a bit longer to capture more of Castle's story. I know there are more books in the series, and we'd probably find out more through those books, but I would have liked to have more of just Castle's story.

This was a shorter book, so I'm not going to talk too much about it since I don't want to ruin anything. The characters were well done, I loved Coach, I loved Patina, and I could see how easy it would be read more books in this series. I'll probably save them for a rainy day though.

Happy reading!

Amber Dusk

Amber Dusk by Lyra Selene

I'm kind of frustrated with this book. I almost gave up on it after the first few chapters of this willfully ignorant Sylvie who is like, I MUST JOIN THE COURT, I WILL FINALLY BELONG as if she was expecting some sort of Disney ending. But I kept reading, so here we are with a book review instead of an unreadable review. I'm just mad at the whiny, "I'm something MORE than everyone else and this ONE place within the kingdom is where I should go to BELONG. Screw all these other people who have taken care of me or who have warned me."

Hmph.

I also got my hands on an advanced reader's copy even though I think book 2 is about to published sometime soon, but undoubtedly there will be some differences between the version I read and the published edition.

An amazon summary, "Sylvie has always known she deserves more. Out in the permanent twilight of the Dusklands, her guardians called her power to create illusions a curse. But Sylvie knows it gives her a place in Coeur d'Or, the palais of the Amber Empress and her highborn legacies.

So Sylvie sets off toward the Amber City, a glittering jewel under a sun that never sets, to take what is hers.
But her hope for a better life is quickly dimmed. The empress invites her in only as part of a wicked wager among her powerful courtiers. Sylvie must assume a new name, Mirage, and begin to navigate secretive social circles and deadly games of intrigue in order to claim her spot. Soon it becomes apparent that nothing is as it appears and no one, including her cruel yet captivating sponsor, Sunder, will answer her questions. As Mirage strives to seize what should be her rightful place, she'll have to consider whether it is worth the price she must pay." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE

Slyvie has fled the convent of nuns to run across the continent where the moon doesn't shine but the sun always does. On her run across the continent, she's actually traveling with a caravan. The caravan leader's son was like, "heyyyyyyy, come with us because I'm cool, and you seem like you can't fend for yourself and I admire your spirit." And Slyvie was like, "Cool! I'm still going to leave you though once we reach the crazy people." So now we've got too many freaking chapters of them wandering around in this like dessert-ish landscape, I'm not really sure, it doesn't matter because I hated all of those chapters, they felt like they lasted forever.

So they get to court. Who cares. About everything before. Seriously. NO.

Anyways. They get to court. It turns out that Slyvie's powers aren't out of place (oh yeah, she has some kind of like illusion generation ability, plus she has an amulet from who knows where, she's an orphan). The court is full of interesting powers and of course court intrigue. So it turns out the Queen is kind of crazy and is like, "Yeah, you can be part of my court, but this other courtesan is going to train you how to be at court in a short amount of time. Hints of evilllllllllll"

So Slyvie is like, "Whoa second thoughts! ....Alright, I'm over it. Time to learn court and my powers! But some of these people seem evil to you?" Then she kind of wanders around, learns some stuff about court, then actually learns some stuff about court, and I'm done with this summary.

So, I hated that I had to get through the boring part of the book to get to the good part of the book, since the boring part of the book didn't really do enough of what it was probably meant to (show the actual destitute, awful condition of the country). But it didn't really. It was like, "look at this caravan. Yeah people are sad. ...moving on. Did you know we're going to the capital?"

Some of the powers were kind of cool, but the explanation behind powers was so weak. It wasn't really making sense, maybe it'll be explained in book 2. Or they don't care.

I'm just bitter. I liked it. I liked it overall. I'm just so bitter about the first part of the book. So bitter.

The middle of the book was so good, but the ending was like......repeat of the first part, in the sense of like bitter about it, but it was bad for different reasons, REASONS I AM ALSO BITTER ABOUT IT.

So I won't read book 2. Hopefully. In case it lures me in, I'm sorry in advance. Sometimes I can't help it.

....happy reading.

This Was Our Pact

This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews

This is a graphic novel, large comic book, thing. Whatever you want to call it. A novel with images.

I just yeah, here's an amazon summary, "It's the night of the annual Autumn Equinox Festival, when the town gathers to float paper lanterns down the river. Legend has it that after drifting out of sight, they'll soar off to the Milky Way and turn into brilliant stars, but could that actually be true? This year, Ben and his classmates are determined to find out where those lanterns really go, and to ensure success in their mission, they've made a pact with two simple rules: No one turns for home. No one looks back.

The plan is to follow the river on their bikes for as long as it takes to learn the truth, but it isn't long before the pact is broken by all except for Ben, and (much to Ben's disappointment) Nathaniel, the one kid who just doesn't seem to fit in.
Together, Nathaniel and Ben will travel farther than anyone has ever gone, down a winding road full of magic, wonder, and unexpected friendship*.
*And a talking bear." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE

This is a coming of age story that kind of deals with bullying, but also kind of like how to maintain an enthusiasm or zest for life? I mean... I don't know. Let me summarize.

A group of kids attend their town's lantern festival where they set lanterns with fish painted on them down the river. This year, their determined to follow the lanterns to see where they actually go. They set out as a group, they start winding down the path on their bikes, and the 'nerd' shows up to join them. They don't wait for him to catch up, they keep pushing on... until one by one they start dropping off at different points except for the 'nerd' and Ben.

Then, the world gets all magical and it becomes a weird guessing game of is this real, or is this an allegory? The boys venture beyond the point where their parents warned them not to, and they meet up with a fishbear. There's a very clear way that Ben reacts, and there's a very clear but very different way that Nathaniel reacts (the nerd). The fishbear has a different reason to be out there, and asks for their story, which reveals the town folklore behind the lantern festival.

That's enough summary.

I kind of don't like this book a bit. I wanted it to teach some sort of lesson besides the value of 'real friendship' but like that real friendship is basically Ben being a jerk to Nathaniel the entire story, and then Nathaniel having sympathy for him to a point even after Ben freaks out, and then they're like friends anyways?! So are you trying to teach people that it's cool to pursue a friendship with an abusive person?!? >_> It really left an unsettling taste in my mouth through the story to see Nathaniel constantly looked down upon by Ben. The entire story. Like, legit Ben was going to ditch Nathaniel to a witch of sorts to go home but "found it within himself" to save the nerd. Like, SCREW YOU BEN. You wouldn't have even been on this adventure at all if it weren't for Nathaniel making the best of each scenario and pushing you to follow what you want.

Where is the book about what a HEALTHY friendship looks like? Why couldn't that have been an integral part of the story and then whisk us off through the series of allegories and different beings with different ways of operating/looking at the world with different priorities.

This book could have been so much better if it wanted to show people a better way to be. Screw Ben, screw his lack of compassion and bravery when facing down the criticisms of the other kids. Ben should not be rewarded for being a part of that at all. It makes me mad.

I think this also speaks to a larger theme of society on some levels. Like giving this weird acceptance/making it okay that if at one point you were a piece of crap human being, but now you're reluctantly trying to be less of a piece of crap, you get all the gold stars. No, if you were crap, you understand you were crap, you apologize to the people you hurt, you make it right, and that's how you become less of a piece of crap. IT'S HARD. It's not supposed to be easy; the biggest things worth doing are often the hardest.

People matter, people deserve to be treated well, people deserve care, people deserve compassion, and they shouldn't have to break down other ridiculous barriers to earn it.

So you know what? Thanks Nathaniel for finding it in your heart to forgive Ben enough to continue to go on an adventure with him. But Ben, work to make up for your past transgressions. A promise of never doing it again is not something that can undo past harm since a promise can always be broken. But beware of toxic people who would sooner treat you like dirt to make sure they could fit in with the other people. Don't let yourself become broken Nathaniel.

....end rant. I clearly disliked this book, but you know, the art was pretty gorgeous. The uses of different shades of blue were dynamic and enhanced so much of the story.

.......I could have just used a way much better message.

Happy reading. :|