2019 Year-End Book Review

Here are the best and the rest of the books I read in 2019! It was a good reading year.

Top 10 Fiction

Next Year in Havana – Chanel Cleeton I learned so much from this novel about a Cuban-American woman who travels to Havana to scatter her beloved grandmother’s ashes.

Love Saves the Day – Gwen Cooper Stick with me here: This is a story about love, loss, and gentrification in New York City from the perspective of a cat. It’s surprisingly deep and moving.

Vivian Apple at the End of the World – Katie Coyle A post-Rapture YA road trip novel in which those Left Behind decide to go get some answers. Recommended for both exvangelicals and fans of The Leftovers (I’m still in season 1). This book also has one of my favorite covers of the decade.

The Newlyweds – Nell Freudenberger A character-driven novel about an arranged marriage that hits on some universal truths about marriage and family.

City of Girls – Elizabeth Gilbert This book really is a gem. It’s about a young woman moving to NYC in 1940 to live with her aunt, who owns a rundown theater. I originally gave it 4 stars because parts of the plot are so painful, but upon more reflection bumped it to 5.

Rules for Visiting – Jessica Francis Kane A semi-reclusive gardener uses a month’s leave from work to attempt to rekindle old friendships. I loved all the plant talk (and illustrations).

Severance – Ling Ma A zombie apocalypse story from an immigrant perspective. I think it’s the only book of the year that I finished in one evening.

Save the Date – Morgan Matson A madcap wedding-gone-wrong YA, involving a comic strip CLEARLY based on For Better or For Worse, which contributed to my enjoyment.

All the Names They Used for God – Anjali Sachdeva A compelling and diverse short story collection. One is about women taken by Boko Haram.

♥ Light from Other Stars – Erika Swyler ♥ My favorite fiction of 2019. This novel has everything: Florida, the 80s, space travel, weird science, a child genius protagonist, families who really love each other but are bad at expressing it, a vibe that’s sort of Contact meets Stranger Things.

Top 10 Nonfiction

Miracles and Other Reasonable Things: A Story of Unlearning and Relearning God – Sarah Bessey Sarah’s latest is centered around her recovery from a serious car crash, but there’s a lot more to it than that. It’s beautiful.

I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness – Austin Channing Brown Austin spoke at my church this fall as part of our Rabbit Hole lecture series, and I read this book with one of my book clubs. Her message is desperately needed.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass – Frederick Douglass I can’t believe it took me so long to read this. My mind was blown by how relevant Douglass’s words still are today, and my heart was broken by his story and the many stories that it represents.

How the Bible Actually Works: In Which I Explain How An Ancient, Ambiguous, and Diverse Book Leads Us to Wisdom Rather Than Answers — and Why That’s Great News – Peter Enns Surprise, Pete Enns was another Rabbit Hole speaker at my church this year! His refreshing, low-pressure approach has made me want to engage with the Bible again.

The Most Beautiful Thing I’ve Seen: Opening Your Eyes to Wonder – Lisa Gungor Lisa’s memoir is a little fanciful at times, but very honest and relatable.

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle – Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski A must-read scientific explanation of the distinct burnout and stress that modern women experience, and what we can do about it.

Becoming – Michelle Obama An inspiring and entertaining memoir from the former First Lady.

Very Married: Field Notes on Love and Fidelity – Katherine Willis Pershey I read this in January, so I’ll just quote the Goodreads review from author Eric Clapp: “Any book that can pull together quotes from the Gospels, Brene Brown, and Mindy Kaling while making beautiful points about the joy and insanity of marriage and life together is well worth the time to read.”

♥ I Miss You When I Blink: Essays – Mary Laura Philpott ♥ My favorite nonfiction of 2019. Just read it.

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption – Bryan Stevenson An important true story of wrongfully accused prisoners and deep injustices. I haven’t seen the new movie yet, but it’s on my list.

OTHER FICTION
1. The Wrap-Up List – Steven Arntson
2. Red Rising – Pierce Brown
3. Designer You – Sarahlyn Bruck
4. Queen of Air and Darkness (The Dark Artifices, #3) – Cassandra Clare
5. Until We Meet Again – Renee Collins
6. One & Only – Viv Daniels
7. Sweet & Wild – Viv Daniels
8. Once and for All – Sarah Dessen
9. The Wedding Date – Jasmine Guillory
10. Royal Holiday – Jasmine Guillory
11. Bloodline (Star Wars) – Claudia Gray
12. The Friend Zone – Abby Jimenez
13. Paws and Effect (A Magical Cats Mystery, #8) – Sofie Kelly
14. Valencia and Valentine – Suzy Krause
15. The Unhoneymooners – Christina Lauren
16. Marilla of Green Gables – Sarah McCoy
17. Just for Clicks – Kara McDowell
18. The Final Six – Alexandra Monir
19. The Blue Castle – L.M. Montgomery (reread)
20. Anne’s House of Dreams – L.M. Montgomery (reread)
21. Rilla of Ingleside – L.M. Montgomery (reread)
22. Only Human – Sylvain Neuvel
23. All the Good Parts – Loretta Nyhan
24. I’m Fine and Neither Are You – Camille Pagán
25. Wilder Girls – Rory Power
26. One True Loves – Taylor Jenkins Reid
27. Juliet Takes a Breath – Gabby Rivera
28. Wayward Son – Rainbow Rowell
29. More Than Words – Jill Santopolo
30. Frankenstein – Mary Shelley (reread)
31. Fame Adjacent – Sarah Skilton
32. Windfall – Jennifer E. Smith

OTHER NONFICTION
1. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone – Brené Brown
2. The Friendship of Women: The Hidden Tradition of the Bible – Joan D. Chittister
3. Marriage, a History: From Obedience to Intimacy or How Love Conquered Marriage – Stephanie Coontz
4. Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men – Caroline Criado-Pérez
5. Spiritual Misfit: A Memoir of Uneasy Faith – Michelle DeRusha
6. The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of September 11, 2001 – Garrett M. Graff
7. The Vagina Bible – Dr. Jennifer Gunter
8. The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity – Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
9. I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations – Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth A. Silvers
10. A Practical Wedding: Creative Ideas for Planning a Beautiful, Affordable, and Meaningful Celebration – Meg Keene
11. Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage – Madeleine L’Engle (reread)
12. Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy – Anne Lamott
13. The Dance of Intimacy: A Woman’s Guide to Courageous Acts of Change in Key Relationships – Harriet Lerner
14. Girl Squads: 20 Female Friendships That Changed History – Sam Maggs
15. All the Lives I Want: Essays About My Best Friends Who Happen to Be Famous Strangers – Alana Massey
16. The Wondering Years: How Pop Culture Helped Me Answer Life’s Biggest Questions – Knox McCoy
17. On Being 40(ish) – Lindsey Mead, ed.
18. I’ll Be There for You: The One about Friends – Kelsey Miller
19. Millenneagram: The Enneagram Guide for Discovering Your Truest, Baddest Self – Hannah Paasch
20. How to Be Married: What I Learned from Real Women on Five Continents about Building a Happy Marriage – Jo Piazza
21. The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships – Suzanne Stabile
22. Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff – Dana K. White
23. My Friend Anna: The True Story of a Fake Heiress by Rachel DeLoache Williams
24. Wearing God: Clothing, Laughter, Fire, and Other Overlooked Ways of Meeting God – Lauren F. Winner

2019 BOOK TOTAL: 76