Recapping 2019 and looking ahead to 2020
Feel free to join us!
out with the OLD: 2019
Okay so last week was supposed to be all my Out with the Old, In with the New posts… except life happened and they didn’t. So I’m combining! I wanted to also link up with Books of My Heart’s list of Top 10 Books I read in 2019. The two compliment each other, so here we go.
In 2019 (aka “the old”), I actually read really well. I read for fun – lot of series binge reading – and I also read a lot of non-fiction because I had a baby on the way. I read pregnancy books and I newborn books. And honestly, my top 10 list is a pretty decent mix of the fiction and non-fiction for probably the first time in my life. I think the list was supposed to be books published in 2019 and some of them were, but I didn’t do a ton of new release reading this year, so I’m just doing my favorite reads.
- Bloody Bones by Laurell K. Hamilton
- Burnt Offereings by Laurell K. Hamilton
- Tell Your Dog Your Pregnant by Lewis Kirkham
- Educated by Tara Westover.
- Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews
- Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews
- One Bad Witch by Danielle Garret
- The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
- Summoned to the Thirteenth Grave by Darynda Jones
- Gentle Birth by Tracy Donegan
I discovered Anita Blake this year and did some binge reading (not done with the series yet though!). These were two of my favorites. What kills me is that I’ve had people suggest and even GIVE me these books for years and for some reason never tried them. Better late than never I guess!
Our first baby, our 7 year old terrier Buffy, was one of my first concerns when I found out I was pregnant. How would she adjust? I wanted her to still be a loved part of the family and I needed to know she wouldn’t hurt Dante. This book was such a great aid in preparing her and the transition has been great. She loves and protects Dante as much as we do.
This may be my FAVORITE book of 2019. It spoke to me, as I was also raised in a cult and had many experiences similar to Tara’s (though she had plenty way worse ones, too). And the book couldn’t be more perfectly title, because education is what set me free – and it was really moving to watch it do the same for her in a very similar and scary way.
Another series I binge read this year and loved… and another one I resisted for years with tons of recommendations. This one I know why I resisted, but I’m glad I got over it because I really did enjoy the series. And, unlike a lot of series that I really enjoy, I was actually really satisfied with the ending.
I’m not actually sure which of the books in this series I liked the most. I just know I really enjoyed the series and binged the hell out of it this year. I’m looking forward to reading book 7, which came out this summer but isn’t on audio yet (which is how I’m reading this series).
I discovered that I love Ruth Ware last year and she continued her her perfect 5 star rating this year with this book. I really need to go get all her books and just read them (well listen, because gah are they perfectly creeptastic narrated!). I don’t like scary, but she’s made me a fan of the psychological thriller.
This year saw the end of one of my favorite series and, while it wasn’t my favorite book in the series, I have to give it a farewell mention. I have actually met and chatted and eaten with Darynda Jones at a special charity luncheon and she is great, but she’s so quiet and reserved! It’s hard to match her to the person who writes Charley, one of my favorite fictional characters. I look forward to seeing what’s next for Darynda Jones!
Of all the birthing books I read, this was the most critical to my happy birth experience. I love the way it approaches birth not as a plan of this and this will happen, but more of a planned mindset – because that is really the only thing you can control. And since my labor and delivery was 90% not what I had wanted and planned, I’m really thankful to this book preparing my mind. It made the unplanned much more manageable.
in with the NEW: 2020
I think the “new” for 2020 will be actually blogging about what I’m reading! I know, sounds like a cop-out, but seriously 2019 was probably my worst blogging year yet. I feel that being pregnant from January to September of 2019 gives me a decent excuse, but I want 2020 to be the year of the blog lol! I think Michelle and I have started to find a good stride the last few months – some hiccups for sure, but we’re on our way back and I’m so excited to be coming back! So expect to actually know what I’m reading this year lol!
Also, you know how that list was supposed to be books published in 2019 but I didn’t have many to include? Well this year, I signed up for Linda and Brandee’s New Release Challenge and I hope to actually be able to make a list composed entirely of 2020 books next year. I may even start taking in review books again! *gasp* It’s been years since I consistently picked up review books, because it was too much pressure. Now it feels exciting again!
Besides that, I plan to keep binge reading my way through series, keep rereading, keep reading to learn and improve myself, and of course, keep loving books!
What are you looking forward to in 2020?
Thanks for stopping by to Check out my recap of 2019 and what’s to come in 2020
Have a great day and Happy Reading!
I’m so glad you are enjoying the Anita Blake series. I really enjoyed the series for quite a while. It’s been ages though since I last read one of Hamilton’s books. And you can’t go wrong with Ilona Andrews. I just love their books! Educated was good, wasn’t it? I hope you have a Happy New Year!
Anita Blake has been unexpectedly good! I’m glad I finally tried it. And yeah, Illona Andrews is pretty dependable. LOVED Educated!! So good, maybe number one for the year for me.
Happy new year!
Loved Magic Triumphs, too! 🙂
It was a great end to the series! I feel like great series tend to have disappointing endings, so I was pleasantly surprised.
Nice list. You have a long way to go with Anita. I think she’s up to almost 30. I think I read until book like 25 or something. I hope you continue to enjoy. I want to try Ruth Ware and saw this book on a couple top 10 lists. I’m going to have to give it a try. I hope you and your little one (and the rest of your family too) have a great holiday.
Nice list. I love Andrews. My list is a mix of new and old. I don’t read a lot of new releases. I focus on the old and all those books on my TBR. Hope you have a great week!
I love that there are great books on transitioning siblings and pets into the world of baby. Yay to see the Kate Andrews and Beechwood Harbor series on your list. I have sooo many series that were recommended that I still need to get busy and read.
Love your 2020 reading and blogging goals.
I love Ilona Andrews and Darynda Jones – was sorrynd of their series.Will check out the Anita Blake books. Have a wonderful holiday!
I think Ilona Andrews’ books always look fun.
Hope you have a merry Christmas Berls!!!!!!
What great choices ! I love everything Ilona Andrews and everything they write make my lists. I also enjoyed the Darynda Jones, and I’ve read the Anita Blake stories. I have Turn of the Key from the library (for the second time) and REALLY hope to listen to it this week.
Thank you for joining me! I love seeing everyone’s picks.
2019 was an awful blogging year for me too. I got a new job and a new baby, which sucked up all my reading and blogging time. I’m glad you liked Educated. That book is sitting on my TBR shelf right now.