For the past seven years, I’ve posted an annual top ten (or seven, or nine) books of the ones I read that year. And while this blog has been dormant for awhile, I couldn’t bring myself to end that tradition. The pull of stats and lists is simply too strong to resist!
If you frequently seek out book suggestions from friends, or love to have a to-read pile on your nightstand or in your Kindle, this list of my top books of the year may be helpful. It’s subjective, of course – I often find I disagree with the experts on must-reads.
I choose my favorites based on the books I’ve read this year, but those books aren’t necessarily published in 2018. I rely on the GoodReads website to track my books, and it provides a year-end look at my reading activity.
I challenged myself to read 55 books, and I surpassed that goal. I read 36 books and listened to 23, for a grand total of 59 books.
As always, I rate every book from one to five stars, and my average is consistently 3 stars. I am a tough rater, so a rating of three stars is a good book that I would recommend. I’m picky about giving four stars, and downright stingy giving out five stars. This year, my ratings fell like this:
0 five-star books
18 four-star books
32 three-star books
8 two-star books
0 one-star books
I rated more books as four-star than I typically do, although no book earned five stars. Sometimes when I look back on my ratings I change my mind, so what follows are, in no particular order, my favorite nine books of those four-star reads.
The Institute by Stephen King
Most definitely not horror, but a suspenseful and engrossing novel about a shady institution where children with special gifts are held against their will. The audio version was terrific, but King’s writing is so good I almost wish I had read it instead.
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
From their first meeting in 1970s to present day, this multigenerational story of Marilyn, David, and their four adult daughters is a gorgeous exploration of marriage, family and sisterhood that affected me more deeply than I expected.
The Murmur of Bees by Sofía Segovia
Opening in Mexico circa 1915, orphan Simonopio is taken in by the wealthy Morales family. While the content is completely different, the feel of this novel reminded me of A Prayer for Owen Meany. An exquisite novel translated from Spanish; the audio version is superb.
The Storyteller’s Secret by Sejal Bedani
Indian-American Java hopes to find solace in the country of her heritage when she travels to her mother’s childhood upon her grandfather’s death. I listened, but I recommend reading instead. My full review is here.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb
An insider’s look into therapy, from the point of view of a therapist. One of eight nonfiction books I read this year. Actually I listened – you can’t go wrong either way. My full review is here.
American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road by Nick Bolton
Another nonfiction read, and the story of the 26-year-old guy who created the Silk Road, a Dark Web site peddling illegal drugs (and eventually more). DON’T google anything until you’ve finished the book, unless you’re a fan of spoilers.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
What happened the night Alicia’s husband died, and why hasn’t she spoken since then? An engrossing, easy read with some twists that surprised me. My full review is here.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Reid Jenkins
Former Hollywood star tells her life story to a memoir writer, complete with glitz, scandals, love, and heartbreak. Thoroughly enjoyable read; my full review is here.
Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain
In 2018, an artist is commissioned with restoring a mural created in 1940 by a woman who subsequently disappeared. While the reader knows there is some connection between the two, it is an entertaining ride getting to the reveal.
*****
May your 2020 be filled with great books!
I always love your recommendations and I read a few on your list already! I’m actually currently reading “Know My Name” because a friend recommended it. Although the content is extremely difficult I think it’s so important to read, and it helps that Chanel Miller is an amazing writer!! Thanks again and happy reading in 2020 my friend…
Happy reading to you too, Allie! I’m going to add “Know My Name” to my to-read list…I see Chanel narrates the audio version, so I may opt for that.
I’ve only read a few of those. I’m glad because I always get good reading ideas from you.
I’m glad, Nina – I always get good ones from you too!
Thanks for this! I always appreciate your recommendations. Good for you on getting so much reading done this year! Keep it up (and keep telling us about your favorites!)
I actually read 60 books this year, but one wasn’t on Goodreads yet…;)
I just downloaded the first three on your list because you always have such great recommendations. I’ve seen a few people post on FB about The Murmur of Bees, and was hesitant because Secret Life Of Bees is one of my favorite books ever ever ever, and I wondered if I was intrigued just because “Bees” is in the title. Weird, I know but well, there it is. I’ll have to let you know. 😉 Thanks for the recommendations and Happy Last Days of 2019, friend! 🙂
I get what you mean about bees – I actually had the same thought! But it’s totally different. Happy New Year to you Kristi!
THANK YOU for your awesome list and reviews, Dana! I ordered many of these books at my library and can’t wait to listen to them!! 🙂 HAPPY NEW YEAR, my friend!
Happy new year to you too Chris!!
I really enjoyed Maybe You Should Talk to Someone!
Good, right? Happy new year!
Always love your book lists! (Even though your 59 puts my 15-ish to shame!) I read the Silent Patient & loved it. Evelyn Hugo is on my list for 2020. I also love Diane Chamberlain, but haven’t heard of this one. (Dream Daughter by her is on my 2020 list). Hope you are doing well! Really miss all my blog buddies! 🙂
I miss you too, Lisa. I see your photos on FB and can’t believe how your girls have grown! Btw, the Diane Chamberlain book was an advanced copy – it doesn’t come out until later this year, so you have plenty of time to read Dream Daughter first.
I happen to be reading The Silent Patient. But also at the point that I need to start over because I’ve been distracted. I know it’s a good book so I want to make sure I didn’t miss anything important. I’m just at the point that the young therapist is meeting the patient for the first time. So it’s not too much to backtrack. I also downloaded The Murmur of Bees thanks to your comment on Beth’s post, so that’s next. And I’m tickled that The Institute is on your list. I just finished that this month. Several times while listening I wanted to stop and buy the Kindle version because it was so good and I wanted to speed read but I stuck with the audio. Currently missing the kids 😉
Thanks for the post. I’ll make a note of the other books up there that I haven’t read.
I had to backtrack Silent Patient too – but once you get into it you won’t want to put it down! The Institute was a great listen, right? I speed up the narration but sometimes it’s still slower than I’d like, but I try to stick with the format I start with.
Always love this post! Thanks for a couple I haven’t read but we’re on my list ..I will move to the top!
I’m looking forward to your January book club pick – it’s been on my list! Here’s to a 2020 filled with books and friendship xoxo
As usual, we read (and enjoyed) many of the same books this year! I look forward to reading Big Lies in a Small Town – hadn’t heard of that one. Wishing you and your family a happy 2020, dear Dana xx
Nicki – so good to hear from you! Wishing you and yours a happy new year as well, my friend.
I am not proud to say it, but I totally fell off the book wagon for the second portion of the year. I am not sure what happened, but I want to blame Audible (which I tried out this past year), as I just couldn’t focus on audiobooks for some reason. Then, I just gave up altogether. But I signed back up for BOTM for the last two months of the year. I read both my books of the month just fine having the physical book. So, I think I am going to continue with BOTM, as well as try to use my iPad again to read digital copies for the New Year. No more audiobooks though as much I wanted them to work for me they just didn’t. But thanks for sharing your tops for 2019 and The Sven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was a favorite of mine, as well, even having read much less this year. Happy 2020 now!! 🙂
Some years are better than others for reading, that’s for sure. Glad you seem to be getting your groove back! I listened to more books than ever before, but that’s because I listen as I walk the dogs, and often when I’m cooking or folding laundry as well. Happy 2020 you to too, Janine!
Hey Janine,
We fall off one way or another (blogging and reading blogs for me). I wish I could do it all and of course I’ll give it my best shot starting off a new year. I miss you guys!
I miss you guys too! I’d like to get back to things in the new year as well, Kenya.