For the first half of 2019, I was dealing with a major reading slump. That's right, I said HALF of the year, as in six months. That is wild.
Now that's not to say I didn't read during that time as I did. It just wasn't very many books, nor was it very often.
Then in July something clicked, and suddenly I could not read enough. If I didn't have a book on hand to read I felt like I was a bit lost. My slump was officially broken, and I went on to read a lot of books that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Curious what my favorite reads were in 2019? Keep reading. Majority of these books received a 5 star rating from me, but I did include a couple 4 star books as well.
Becoming by Michelle Obama was released in November 2018. I picked up my copy at the end of January, and read it in February. Honestly, it was 5 stars for me. Learning about her life, her experiences, her relationships, and her jobs was really interesting.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is:
“For every door that’s been opened to me, I’ve tried to open my door to others. And here is what I have to say, finally: Let’s invite one another in. Maybe then we can begin to fear less, to make fewer wrong assumptions, to let go of the biases and stereotypes that unnecessarily divide us. Maybe we can better embrace the ways we are the same. It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others. This, for me, is how we become.”
― Becoming
Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos is a book that I first heard about through Heather at Bookables. Heather had mentioned this book in one of her book hauls, but now for the life of me I cannot recall which one. I purchased this book in May, and read it at the end of June. Planet Earth is Blue received 4 stars from me. This book also broke my heart.
This book follows the life of Nova, who is a 12 year old who is fascinated by space, and has plans to watch the Challenger launch with her big sister Bridget. However, Nova is put into a new foster home and she isn't with her sister. She doesn't know where Bridget went. While this would be concerning to most people, it is even more so for Nova. Bridget is the only person who understands her. Bridget is the only person who knows how smart Nova is. Why is that? Nova is on the autism spectrum and is non-verbal. Planet Earth is Blue tells Nova's story; how she ended up in the various foster homes, how she came to make friends in her school, and how she ultimately finds Bridget again. Will it be in time for the launch of the Challenger? Well that remains to be seen, but we do know what Bridget promised Nova.
“No matter what, I’ll be there. I promise.”
The Upside of Falling Down by Rebekah Crane is a book that I read for The Reading Rush readathon in July. This book fulfilled the prompt of 5+ words in the title.
Did you know that Amazon has a feature called Prime Reading? Prime Reading allows you to borrow certain titles to read. Then, just like with a library, once you're finished you return it. That is how I came to find this book, and I am so thankful that I did. I ultimately gave it 5 stars on GoodReads. There are times I think it might be more of a 4 or 4.5, but I'm sticking with my original rating.
Here is the description from Amazon:
For Clementine Haas, finding herself is more than a nice idea. Ever since she woke up in an Irish hospital with complete amnesia, self-discovery has become her mission.
They tell her she’s the lone survivor of a plane crash. They tell her she’s lucky to be alive. But she doesn’t feel lucky. She feels…lost.
With the relentless Irish press bearing down on her, and a father she may not even recognize on his way from America to take her home, Clementine assumes a new identity and enlists a blue-eyed Irish stranger, Kieran O’Connell, to help her escape her forgotten life…and start a new one.
Hiding out in the sleepy town of Waterville, Ireland, Clementine discovers there’s an upside to a life that’s fallen apart. But as her lies grow, so does her affection for Kieran, and the truth about her identity becomes harder and harder to reveal, forcing Clementine to decide: Can she leave her past behind for a new love she’ll never forget?
One of the quotes that I liked is:
“That's what a dare does. It taunts you to take a different direction, to do something you never thought you could do, to jump, knowing that a million consequences could be on the other side of that dare, but that if you don't do it, you'll always wonder. And sometimes wondering is worse than consequences.”
Geekerella by Ashley Poston I had heard so many people talking about Elle and Darien that I just had to read it. Those who know me know that I am a geek at heart. So knowing that this book follows a fandom (okay more than one, but Elle is focused on hers), and they go to a conference just made it all the better. Rating wise, I gave it 5 stars.
Of course there is a love story to be found here, but it's also a story of reconnection. Elle is reconnecting with her dad, and the community that loved him. She is returning to what she grew up loving. The love story is just a bonus.
“Never give up on your dreams, and never let anyone tell you that what you love is inconsequential or useless or a waste of time. Because if you love it? If that OTP or children's card game or abridged series or YA book or animated series makes you happy? That is never a waste of time. Because in the end we're all just a bunch of weirdos standing in front of other weirdos, asking for their username.”
No I haven't read book 2, but believe me it is on my list for 2020.
Let's go from one fandom story to another.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell Oh where to even begin. Do you ever read a book and think that the author has captured you? That is how I felt with Fangirl. Cath is essentially a younger me. This book was another 5 star read.
Cath is off for her freshman year of college. The plan was to room with her twin sister, Wren. However Wren didn't want that. She wanted to give them both the opportunity to try things on their own. Cath is struggling with this. Not only is she in a new environment, but she has a roommate that she's not certain about, plus her roommates boyfriend is always in the room. Then there is the fact that Cath is big on writing fan fiction. It has earned her quite the following on fan fiction sites, and she is working on the final story for these characters. She's been in this fandom for so long that she cannot imagine not being a part of it. Which is another spot where she and Wren differ. Wren gave it all up a while ago. Can Cath survive her freshman year? Will she make any friends? Will she finally appease her professor who despises fan fiction? Can she do this on her own without Wren by her side?
Here are a few quotes that make me smile (and I relate to them):
“You’ve read the books?”
“I’ve seen the movies.”Cath rolled her eyes so hard, it hurt. (Actually.) (Maybe because she was still on the edge of tears. On the edge, period.) “So you haven’t read the books.”“I’m not really a book person.”“That might be the most idiotic thing you’ve ever said to me”
“Because I'm the kind of girl who fantasizes about being trapped in a library overnight.”
"There are other people on the Internet. It's awesome. You get all the benefits of 'other people' without the body odor and the eye contact.”
10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston was just adorable. I seriously want to be a part of this family. Not only are they a close knit group, but they also are a riot. They know how to have fun. Nonna is a gem, and Sophie is blessed to have her in her life.
It's Christmastime. Sophie's sister is pregnant, and on bed rest. Therefore Mom and Dad are headed to see her, and help Margot out as much as possible. Meanwhile Sophie is headed to Nonna's house for time with the family. Except she'd rather be at home with her boyfriend Griffin. She even delays her trip by a few hours so she can have extra time with Griffin. That backfires though, and they end up breaking up. Sophie arrives at Nonna's house heartbroken, and that sparks an idea for Nonna. That plan? 10 blind dates, set up by various family members. These blind dates are going to take place over the next two weeks. Sophie goes into these dates knowing next to nothing. Each day the person who set up the date will write down the time of the date, as well as a little description of the event. Let's just say some dates go great, and others not so much.
I legit was laughing out loud at times. I simply adored this book, and gave it 4 stars. I will not give any quotes from the book but prepare yourself for hundred hands Harold. 😂
Last but certainly not least are these three books by Aven Ellis. Now keep in mind that each of the books mentioned is part of a series. So really, you'll want to start with book one and work your way up. If you're anything like me, you'll be sucked into the Aven-verse in no time. Oh and these three books all received 5 stars from me.
Holly is my favorite character that Aven has created. Not only is she from Minnesota, but she loves books, planners, and planner stickers. Add on the fact that she has social anxiety, and well we could be sisters.
"Holly knows her unrequited crush on the partying hockey player is ridiculous. There’s no way Matt would be attracted to a woman who prefers nights in watching TV or reading books when he’s known for his frequent bar hops and fast lifestyle. Obviously he would never see her as anything other than his teammate’s little sister.
Yet Holly is drawn to the other side of Matt—the man she knows has always been thoughtful and easy to talk to whenever she’s been alone with him. It is this Matt that fueled the crush Holly has on him. And she knows it will always be just that—a secret crush.
Or will it?
Because when Matt helps Holly through a crisis, her heart begins to believe that there might be feelings on his part, too. After a night of hard partying puts Matt in jeopardy with the Dallas Demons, can Holly be the one to save him? And when Matt admits he sees her as more than Nate Johansson’s sister, will it put both of them on thin ice?" (description from Amazon)
"Princess Elizabeth “Liz” of York isn’t interested in a fairy tale life. Determined to use her elite platform to champion children’s causes, she’d much rather raise awareness than find her prince. If only she could stop picturing one certain gardener with vivid hazel eyes…
When the relentless paparazzi invade her space, Liz’s crush comes to her rescue and steals her heart. Tossing aside centuries of tradition for something real, she takes Roman’s calloused hand and braces for the backlash. But after her progressive approach ruffles, more than a few feathers, one member of the monarchy vows to keep the princess locked in her stylish but decidedly ivory tower.
Can Liz break through her birthright to find a powerful kind of love?" (description from Amazon)
Outscored (Rinkside in the Rockies #3)
This book will have you becoming a bit obsessed with gnomes. Oh wait, maybe that's just me.
"When seasonal stylist Whitney Green heads to a Denver flea market to find gnomes for a client’s upcoming party, she thinks she has hit the jackpot when she discovers a slew of them.
Little does she know that gnomes aren’t going to be the only thing she picks up that Saturday.
When fate throws Whitney and hockey superstar Gavin Tremblay together, she finds herself questioning her policy of staying on the bench when it comes to romance. She came to the Rockies to escape the pain of a broken heart. Not to date. Especially when she knows she is due to return to Seattle in four months and she can’t figure out what went wrong in her last relationship ...
The captain isn’t looking for love, either. Battered and bruised by not only a broken romance but a devastating leg injury, he’s focused on getting his game back. The last time he trusted his heart it gutted him. He refuses to go down that path again.
But the chemistry between Gavin and Whitney is too hot to deny and falling in love is the only option. However, when personal fears come to the surface and cause problems between them, can a relationship prevail? Or will defense outscore offense in this game of love?" (description from Amazon)
What books did you read this year that fell into the 5 star category? What book was so memorable that you're still thinking about it today? I'd love to hear your recommendations.
