Top Reads of 2019 So Far | Jan-Jul

We’re now half way through 2019, where has the year gone! So I thought I would list some of the best books i’ve read so far this year! This is going to be a mammoth post, so grab a hot drink and settle in!

 

 Jog On: How Running Saved My Life by Bella Mackie

This is a fascinating book, part memoir, part self-help guide, Mackie describes her battle with anxiety and depression, and how going running helped her cope, and still helps today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Horses by Mary Oliver

I only discovered Oliver and her breath-taking poetry after her death, but it has been a wonderful discovery. Her imagery and descriptions of emotions are incredible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enchantee by Gita Trelease

I love historical YA and the French Revolution is the perfect backdrop for this novel filled with adventure, romance, glorious costumes and hot air balloons!

My review is here

 

 

 

 

 

 

Body Positive Power by Megan Jayne Crabbe

I listened to the audiobook of this book on my commute and would definitely recommend listening to it! Megan’s style of narrating is so casual and the content of the book so chatty it really does feel like a conversation with a friend. The book is filled with lots of interesting information and it did make me think about how I view my body.

 

 

 

 

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

I’ve been aware of Leigh Bardugo and Six of Crows for a long time, but I’ve never picked it up. After some gentle persuasion from my work bestie (follow her on Instagram here), I finally picked up the first one earlier this year, and honestly I’m so glad I did. Featuring some of my favourite characters ever, and some fabulous world building, this series is one of my all time favourites!

 

 

 

 

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed By Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

This is a fascinating and insightful book focussed entirely on the victims of the Ripper, and paying very little attention to the murderer and the murders themselves, instead painting a lavish and intricate portrait of each of the victims.

 

 

 

 

 

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

A second shout-out to my work bestie for recommending this series. The sequel is also in my top reads so far this year, an excellent novel that managed to break my heart and fill it with joy in equal measure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I picked this novel up entirely based on the hype it was getting online, and I’m so glad I did. The novel tells a fabulous story, charting the life of movie star Evelyn Hugo and the ups and downs of her life. I’ve never read any other novels by Reid, but I’m intrigued after reading this one.

 

 

 

 

 

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes

Feminist retellings of the myths are very popular at the moment, so when this one appeared I knew I had to have a read. A re-telling of the Trojan war focussed entirely on the women, I really enjoyed the spin Haynes put on the tale, and the separate chapters for different characters made it a quick and easy read.

My review is here

 

 

 

 

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

I love crime novels, and I definitely don’t read enough of these in YA fiction, and this one is one of the best I’ve read! Featuring an excellent collection of characters, and an intriguing and twisting murder mystery to solve, it’s a must read!

 

 

 

 

 

The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra by Helen Rappaport

I’ve been fascinated by Russia and Russian history over the past few months, and in particular the Romanovs. I listened to this audiobook, and it provides a perfect history of the Romanov sisters, in a clear and fascinating account.

 

 

 

 

 

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

This is an action-packed thriller with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing the whole way through. In this novel not only do we not know who the murderer is, we also don’t know who the victim is either!!!

My review is here

 

 

 

 

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee.

This is a rip-roaring historical YA novel set in the 18th Century. It may be 500+ pages long but I flew through it! If you want romance, adventure, and maybe a few pirates(!!!!) this is the book for you!

 

 

 

 

 

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.

Another recommendation from a work buddy, this one is a dystopian sci-fi novel set in a post-apocalyptic world, and follows a group of travelling Shakespearean actors. The writing is emotive and the characters make a fascinating collective.

 

 

 

 

 

There we have it. My favourite books that I’ve read so far this year. I can’t wait to see what gets added by the end of 2019, my best of the year list is going to be a tough decision!!!

Happy reading!

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