Top ten lists - favorite books read in 2019

[NancyJ, Moderator]

It's that time of the year again. Review all the books you read this year (regardless of publication date) and pick your favorites.

1) Make a list of up to ten favorite books you read this year, ranked or unranked. If this was a light reading year, you can list just 1 or more. If this was a heavy reading year, clearly identify the top 10. You can add lists of the 'next ten' or honorable mentions below.

We will take these lists and create a top 10 or 20 list representing all GAR members.

2) Optional. Where there any that you really hated? List 1-5 books that you wouldn't recommend to others.


3) Discussion - Where there any surprises? (Books you didn't expect to like, but did.)

Tell us more about your absolute favorites. Did you write reviews? Provide links, or summaries here.

Which ones do you most highly recommend to others?

[Jacinta]

This is a great idea, Nancy! Maybe it will help me choose my book list for 2020. :)

My top 10:

1. Lincoln in the Bardo
2. Olive Kitteridge
3. The Nightingale
4. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
5. Calypso
6. Golden Child
7. My Cousin Rachel
8. The Remains of the Day
9. Jazz
10. The Gifted School

Books I Hated (in no particular order):

1. Heart of Darkness
2. Convenience Store Woman
3. Less
4. My Year of Rest and Relaxation

*Lincoln in the Bardo and Olive Kitteridge were by far the best books I've read this year. I highly recommend them! I loved Lincoln so much that I listened to the audiobook in the same year (it has an amazing cast and is a completely worthwhile second experience). I can't wait to read Olive, Again in 2020 (or sooner - list may be updated!). :)

[Ella]

OK, I'm going to do your exercise, Nancy, but here's another bunch of talking I did about 2019 reading at another group: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

As for my top 10 of 2019, I need to take a look at my list... I shall return.

[NancyJ, Moderator]

Jacinta wrote: "This is a great idea, Nancy! Maybe it will help me choose my book list for 2020. :)

My top 10:

1. Lincoln in the Bardo
2. Olive Kitteridge
3. [book:The Nightingale|..."

Great list Jacinta!

I loved Olive, Again. I reread a few chapters of Olive Kitteridge while reading it, and I think both books will be worth rereading some day.

Do you recommend starting Lincoln in print or audio?

I started the post, but it will take me some time to make my lists. This was a great reading year for me.

[Ella]

I just reread Olive Kitteridge b/c my sister is giving me Olive Again for the Christmas. (I had simply planned on borrowing it from the library.) I still love Olive so much, and I'm excited to see what happens in this next installment.

[NancyJ, Moderator]

Ella wrote: "OK, I'm going to do your exercise, Nancy, but here's another bunch of talking I did about 2019 reading at another group: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/......"

That's a great post Ella! I often pick books based on your reviews, even though I can only aspire to your appreciation of modern literature (such as Booker nominees). I found a few more to add to my wish list. Thanks.

[Jacinta]

NancyJ wrote: "Jacinta wrote: "This is a great idea, Nancy! Maybe it will help me choose my book list for 2020. :)

My top 10:

1. Lincoln in the Bardo
2. Olive Kitteridge
3. [book:..."

I think I would recommend reading the print version first. The unique formatting and style are like nothing I've ever seen before, and you won't quite get that from the audiobook. After reading the print, though, the audiobook is like listening to a play - I really loved it.

[Jacinta]

Ella wrote: "I just reread Olive Kitteridge b/c my sister is giving me Olive Again for the Christmas. (I had simply planned on borrowing it from the library.) I still love Olive so much, and I'm excited to see ..."

I can't wait to revisit Olive! :)

[Chris]

I actually read a lot of wonderful books this year and most were older. Narrowing it to ten was hard but this is what I decided on:
1. Man's Search for Meaning
2. The Pillars of the Earth
3. The Secret Life of Bees
4. The Picture of Dorian Gray
5. The Bean Trees
6. 1984
7. The Girl Before
8. Caleb's Crossing
9. The Daughters of Mars
10. The Wife by Alafair Burke

I hated : I'm thinking of Ending Things

And I was most disappointed in Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich. It got such wonderful reviews. I couldn't find the love!

[Ella]

Chris wrote: "I hated : I'm thinking of Ending Things"

Yanno - I gave that one away this year, and I recall distinctly wondering why I purchased it. Turns out, it got really good reviews, and I don't get it b/c I also was not a huge fan.

[Colleen]

Top 10:

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
The Nix
The Lowland
Where the Crawdads Sing
The Art of Fielding
Colombiano
The Shadow of the Wind
Every Note Played
The Alice Network
Everything I Never Told You

Least favorites:
Black Water
The Demolished Man
I Am the Messenger

[Kelly]

My Top 10:

Provinces of Night
Desperation Road
Florida
Where the Crawdads Sing
When All Is Said
Americanah
Another Country
The Man Who Saw Everything
Olive, Again
Agnes Browne Trilogy Boxed Set: The Mammy, The Chisellers, The Granny

Books I did not care for:

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
The Institute
The Testaments
Chances Are...
Bridge of Clay

Books that surprised me:
I'm Thinking of Ending Things
Normal People
Reservoir 13

I absolutely loved the Agnes Browne series. I read the trilogy and the stand-alone The Young Wan

[Ella]

Kelly wrote: "My Top 10:"

Great lists. While I may disagree on a couple, it seems we read a lot of the same books. I do not know the Agnes Brown series, but I'm about to find out.

[Kelly]

I hope you enjoy Olive Again. Elizabeth Strout is my favorite! The Agnes Browne series surprised me. I laughed and cried. My favorite kind of book!

[Linda]

I've read some stinkers this year.
Here are the ones I've liked, so far.








I also started the year with a couple of Tana French novels that I liked kinda/sorta.