This post contains affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.
I must say, 2019 was not my best reading year, but also not my worst. My goal was 12 books for the year, and I fell a bit short by only finishing 9. In my defense, I am The Best at starting books and not finishing, so the list would be longer if I included those. I’m also going to use the college excuse, for the first few months I was finishing my last semester of college which didn’t leave much time for reading.
I’m pretty all over the place genre-wise, because I’m still trying to figure out my favorite genres now that I’m an adult. I enjoy sci-fi and self-help books and I tend to gravitate toward those, but I still want to explore some other genres and see what sticks. My last disclaimer is that none of these books have ratings since I read them before I decided to start rating books. With that being said, I liked everything I read this year and I don’t have anything super negative to say about any of them.
Here are the 9 books I finished in 2019:
Fiction – Standalone
S is for Space by Ray Bradbury
A lovely collection of old-school sci-fi short stories. A little anti-feminism one might say, but that’s par for the course for books written around that time. My other frustration was that a few of the stories ended right when things were getting good. They could’ve easily become standalone novels if Bradbury had taken them further, especially Come into My Cellar and The Million-Year Picnic.
Foe by Iain Reid
I bought Foe at the beginning of 2019 and it ended up being the last book I read this year. The descriptions made it out to be much scarier than it actually was, which held me back from reading it for a while. More of a paranoia trip than jump-out-at-you scary, but creepy nonetheless. I enjoyed the pacing and the ending a lot. I just wish it included more of Hen’s thoughts, and I would’ve loved to get more from her character.
Dig by A. S. King
Dig was my introduction to A. S. King. After hearing my favorite booktuber, Books and Lala, rave about it I wanted to give it a try. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the weirdness, and satisfied by all the weirdness coming together at the end. Some excellent commentary on class, privilege, and the effect that our parents have on us growing up.
Fiction – Series
2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
This was the only re-read of the year for me, I think I read this originally in middle school. I remember liking it then, and I liked it again now. It’s a classic book, and I loved the stories from both timelines. If I had to guess, it was this book that introduced me to space stories and sci-fi in general, and for that it holds a special place in my heart.
2010: Odyssey Two by Arthur C. Clarke
Middle school me did not know there was a second (or third or fourth!) book in the series, so this was my first time reading it. I loved all of the planning aspects and the last minute flight decisions. Any mention of my favorite character, Dave Bowman, had me smiling to myself. I also watched the movie for this one, which strayed a bit from the books but was still fun to watch.
2061: Odyssey Three by Arthur C. Clarke
Arguably the slowest of the series, but I still loved it. Everything about Europa and its geography and creatures made me wish that it was somewhere I could visit. The ending left me gasping and yet again cheering at the appearance of my old fave, Dave Bowman. 3001, the final installment of the Odyssey series, is sitting on my shelf and I can’t wait to see how it ends. I will definitely be reading in the new year.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
I never thought I’d read anything by Hank Green since I haven’t had any interest in him before, but I’m so glad I picked this one up. The commentary on fame, specifically viral internet fame, was insightful and the plot itself kept me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait for the sequel to be released in June, I’ll be getting my hands on that as soon as possible. Technically, this is part of a duology, and the second book is set to release summer 2020.
Non-Fiction
Power vs Force by David R. Hawkins
A little out there, but I enjoyed it. This book explores kinesiological testing as a way to determine the relative truth of any statement. It also goes into detail about the various levels of consciousness and the behaviors and energy associated with each one. I would recommend for anyone looking to ‘raise their frequency’ and improve their lives.
My Squirrel Days by Ellie Kemper
The first celebrity autobiography I’ve read. Seeing as I loved Ellie Kemper on both The Office and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, I thought it was a good place to start. I giggled along with her through many of the stories, especially the ones detailing her childhood embarrassing moments. A great light-hearted quick read, perfect for a vacation or when you’re looking for a laugh.
Honorable Mention
Broke Millennial by Erin Lowry
I only got about 3/4 through this one, but it absolutely deserves to be featured. I could write a whole separate post about this book and how it helped me this year. After graduating from college, I was hit with the realization that I knew nothing about personal finance. Broke Millennial was the guiding light that helped me make some informed decisions. It’s a slower read, particularly if you take the time to implement the tips and ideas that she presents. A must-read for any young adult who feels scared of their finances due to a lack of knowledge.
And that’s it! Those are the nine books I finished in 2019. I’m looking forward to an even better reading year in 2020.
Let me know if you’ve read any of these books, or comment your favorite book you read in 2019!
Leave a Reply