Favourite Books I Read in 2019
My blog is still a mess so not all the reviews I’ve posted this year are books I read this year so if you’re wondering why not all the books I’ve given glowing reviews to are on this list, that’s probably why. Here’s my list and summary of my favourites out of all the books I read for the first time in 2019, in no particular order:
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan – I pitch this series as what Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them should’ve been. It’s an adult fantasy series about a woman who’s a naturalist living in a world that’s similar to Victorian England, only there are dragons. And she makes it her job to study them. Each book covers a different adventure she goes on to study dragons, sometimes in the mountains, in rainforests, at sea… I’ve only read the first two in this series so far but I’m eager for more
Lessons From a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles – contemporary hard-hitting young adult book about a girl and her childhood best friend. The main character experienced child on child sexual abuse and it’s only as she gets older that she begins to realise how much it’s affected her and she starts putting together some things about her friend that she couldn’t put together as a child. It discusses very difficult topics (check the warnings if you need to because there’s a lot here) in an accessible way with the main characters feeling very realistic and incredibly flawed
How Not To Be a Boy by Robert Webb – autobiography of a British comedian/actor that’s a combination of his life story plus his thoughts on toxic masculinity and how both men and women can benefit from feminism. Also talks about grief, abuse, unhealthy coping mechanisms, his bisexuality, and how much of a dick he used to be. Very funny, witty, insightful, nuanced, and, at times, sad (it finishes on a happy note though). Highly highly recommend the audiobook – it’s the author reading it and his voice is absolutely fantastic. I’m so glad I gave this book a shot on a whim because it’s one that stays with you
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend – 1st in a middle-grade fantasy series that’s also widely enjoyed by adults. It’s about a girl who discovers a magical world and has to compete in various trials to be accepted into an elite society. Very fun and imaginative and whimsical but its reception probably suffers from the inevitable comparisons to Harry Potter (though saying that, it is the series that comes the closest to the magical feeling of the early HP books)
Down Among the Sticks and Stones by Seanan McGuire – Book #2 in the Wayward Children series. This one’s about the twins Jack and Jill who go through a door and find themselves in a fantasy land that’s like a cross between the worlds of Frankenstein and Dracula. Love the complicated sibling dynamics in this one and the darkness of the world they’re in. It reads like a dark fairy tale with their relationship at the heart of it and feels like a bridge between YA and adult fiction
Captive Prince trilogy by C. S. Pacat – Slow burn adult political fantasy M/M enemies to friends to lovers about two princes. One of them was betrayed and was given to the other prince for use as a pleasure slave. Laurent isn’t interested in using Damon like that but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t treat him terribly to start with (and not without good reason). Advise checking the warnings for this one since the 1st book in particular has a lot
Nevernight by Jay Kristoff – Adult fantasy series about a girl who’s sworn vengeance on those that wronged her family and joins an elite assassin training school. Lots of violence, action, complicated relationships, and subtle magic. Also has a snarky talking shadow cat companion. Overall pretty dark but there are bits of humour throughout. Phenomenal plot climax. The writing style is highly stylised which can put some people off though


















