As the year draws to a close, there’s no better time to reflect on this year’s best and worst reads. 2019 has been a year of less reading than I would’ve liked and certainly less than what I aimed for. I’m still hoping to bump up my numbers before the new year but also trying to just enjoy the book I’m currently reading without adding unnecessary pressure on myself.
The Misses of 2019
I’d say I enjoyed most of the books I read this year, but, as always, there were a few that weren’t my cup of tea. I gave many books a somewhat indifferent 3-star rating, but only two were rated lower than that. I’ll be including some of my least favorite and most disappointing 3-star books as well.
Paper Princess
by Erin Watt
This book was a very quick, very awful read. I gave it only 1 star. Read my full review here.
Fortuna Sworn
by K.J. Sutton
This book was kindly sent to me by the author and while I thought it had great potential, it ended up not being to my taste. I rated it 2 stars. My full review.
The Kiss of Deception
by Mary E. Pearson
This is a 3-star rating but one of the worst ones of the year. It wasn’t an awful book, just completely ordinary, unexciting, and full of tropes. Read my full review here.
King of Scars 
by Leigh Bardugo
As a 3-star read, King of Scars was not one of the worst books of the year but it might be the most disappointing. I had high expectations as a fan of Bardugo’s and was not pleased with what the book did. Read my full review here.
A Discovery of Witches
by Deborah Harkness
Expectations played a role in A Discovery of Witches being another very disappointing read of 2019. My expectations weren’t incredibly high, I just thought this book would be something different. I gave this book 2 stars. My review.
Must Reads Hits of 2019
The Scarlet Letter
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
This was the first book I read this year and I absolutely loved it. It’s on every list of classic novels people should read in a lifetime that I’ve seen and I wholeheartedly agree. Read my full review here.
Lilac Girls
by Martha Hall Kelly
Lilac Girls is a fantastic WWII historical fiction novel that gives an emotional account of the war from three women’s POV. Read my full review here.
Strange the Dreamer
and
Muse of Nightmares
by Laini Taylor
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This duology is such an inventive, unique YA fantasy with evocative and gripping writing. I fell headfirst into Taylor’s world and didn’t want to leave. Read my reviews for these books here and here.
A Secret History of Witches
by Louisa Morgan
I enjoy books about witches and read a handful of them this year, but A Secret History of Witches was by far the best. It was not at all what I’d expected, being a much quieter, sprawling tale that wasn’t structured at all like a normal novel. It covered five generations of witches and their subtle and varying magic and lives. It was well written—though a bit too formulaic in structure—and had a focus on mother-daughter relationships that I enjoyed. Read my full review here.
Once Upon a River
by Diane Setterfield
I’ve talked about Once Upon a River a lot since reading it this spring because it’s absolutely one of the best books I’ve read this year. Read my full review here.
The Folk of the Air Trilogy
by Holly Black
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I’m sure The Wicked King and The Queen of Nothing are making many people’s best of 2019 lists, but I read the whole trilogy this year and loved it, just like everyone else. Definitely a must read for YA fantasy readers. My reviews: The Cruel Prince, The Wicked King, The Queen of Nothing.
Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott
This book was an absolute joy to read. While it is slower, as classics tend to be, I loved every moment of it and can’t recommend it enough. My review.
Ninth House
by Leigh Bardugo
This was Bardugo’s second book release of 2019 and the one I enjoyed the most. It was nearly everything I wanted it to be and one of my favorite books I read this year. Read my review here.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde
Do I talk about Oscar Wilde enough? Maybe, but probably not. 2019’s read of Dorian Gray was actually a reread after about six years since my first read. It’s one of my favorite classic novels and I enjoyed it even more in this second time around. I didn’t write a review for it, but it’s a must read for everyone. Even if classic novels aren’t your thing, give this book a chance. The story is unexpected and unlike any other I’ve read and Wilde’s writing is so engaging.
The Diviners
by Libba Bray
This is a book I’m in the middle of rereading currently. I’m considering it a must read because it’s a fantastic, fun story with so much personality and intrigue. I don’t see this series spoken about enough. There are currently three books out and a fourth coming soon. I haven’t even finished this reread, but The Diviners is already one of my most enjoyable reads of 2019.
What are your best and worst reads of 2019? Let me know in the comments!
And since this is the last post until 2020, I hope you all have a lovely New Year’s Eve!
Thanks for reading,
Madison
I definitely want to read some of your favourites next year. The top three on my TBR though, that I definitely want to get read in 2020 are Queen Of Nothing (I can’t believe bi haven’t read that one yet!), The Diviners & some of Diane Setterfields books. Oh and Strange The Dreamer – I definitely need to get that duology read this year. I hope you had a wonderful new year and that 2020 is fantastic for you.