As 2019 draws to a close I thought it would be fun to offer up my top books that I read in 2019. As I looked over my Goodreads list I realize that I read a lot of different types of books and I have favorites in a lot of different categories which is kind of interesting. A great many books are recommended to me, some are gifted to me for review purposes and a lot I just find on my own. Whatever the case I try to be honest when I do leave a review and not be swayed by how I got the book. Here is a list of some of my favorite books that I read in 2019 in no particular order.

I have loved Tommy Tomlinson’s writing for years and thoroughly enjoy his podcasts as well. This book is well written and gives a great insight into his weight loss journey and I just really enjoy his writing and his stories. The Elephant in the Room is a great book about his journey.

I have several favorite Southern authors now and Pat Conroy is at the very top of the list. I absolutely love his writing and after our trip to the Pat Conroy Literary Center I am on a quest to read all of his books. South of Broad is a pretty massive book but one that was well written in true descriptive Pat Conroy style. I loved it.

If you have read anything on social media that i have ever shared it would most likely be something written by this Southern favorite – Sean Dietrich. He is the most amazing human being ever. Seriously. He is kind and compassionate and THE most amazing writer. I have shared a story about him here. This novel, Stars of Alabama, is a really great example of the range and depth of his writing. While his podcasts and majority of his previous books have been short essays about life experiences this novel is so much more. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read a nice story with heart.

Sometimes the best books are the ones that have difficult to read stories. Such is the case with Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. Without giving too much of the story away suffice it to say this book opened my eyes to the scandal that actually occurred during the late 1930’s and on in Tennessee regarding adoptions. I was shocked to read this book based on true life and was left with a lot of questions as to how this could happen. Definitely a book that is difficult to put down once you start reading it.

The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jefferies was my cup of tea, so to speak. The story is set in Ceylon and follows the story of Gwendolyn and her husband Laurence who owns a tea plantation and who also has some deep dark secrets that emerge from his past. Great story and really interesting to someone who loves all things tea.

This book. I LOVED it. Not sure if it is my top book of the year but it was really one of those books that I could not put down. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek was perfect. The Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project was put in place by President Roosevelt and this book chronicles the adventures of one group of women in Troublesome Creek that were part of the project. Great writing, great characters and all in all a wonderful book.

Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite modern authors and this book was one of my book club selections for the year. Set in remote Alaska The Great Alone is a book about perseverance, new beginnings, passion and grit. This was a great book for discussion and I loved the Alaskan backdrop.

Another one of my favorite authors, Jess Lourey, wrote a really great book inspired by true life occurrences in her own Minnesota home town. Unspeakable Things is a treat for the reader. One by one local boys go missing and when they return they return changed. Talk around town spreads and yet no one really knows the entire story. A truly engaging story with amazing writing this is one that will please most every reader.

Idaho by Emily Ruskovich is a debut novel that I saw recommenced on a television show. I immediately bought a copy and was so glad I had.
I was not sure if I could handle reading this book— the dementia storyline is tough to read but I absolutely loved this book. I read it on a flight and was happy I could read it all in one day. What a beautifully written story with characters that are so well developed that they feel like old friends. Definitely one of my best reads this year.

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim is a another debut novel that proves that this author has what it takes to weave a captivating story. A story about parents and children and the extent that loved ones will go to protect and provide for each other makes this novel one that is a page turner. Just when I thought I had it all figured out I realized I didn’t have a clue. If you like books with unexpected twists and turns this one might be for you.

As I write this post I have read 131 books and I hope to finish at least one more before the end of the year. I have had a great year of reading and am looking forward to more great reading in 2020. Let me know in the comments what book you read this year that was your favorite so I can add it to my list to read. Each and every comment made on the blog means a 50 cent donation to Comments for a Cause – The Haven.