Top Ten Tuesday | Books I Loved in 2019

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, where book bloggers are invited to share their top ten lists centered on a certain theme.

This week’s theme was our favorite books we read in 2019! I shared my top ten reads of the year earlier this month on Twitter under the tag #LibFaves19 (which asks librarians & library workers to share their top ten reads, one each day, from 12/9 to 12/18), so instead of sharing the same books here, I’m sharing ten more books that I loved this year!

Here’s ten books I loved in 2019:

1. The Revolution of Birdie Randolph by Brandy Colbert: Brandy is forever one of my favorite authors, and this one didn’t disappoint! I love how sensitively she handled addiction and complicated family dynamics.

2. These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling: This one had total Buffy vibes, which I’m so here for! Queer witches will always be one of my fave things to read about and I can’t wait for the follow-up novel This Coven Won’t Break.

3. Pet by Akwaeke Emezi: This debut totally lived up to the hype! I was amazed at how much Akwaeke Emezi was able to accomplish in such a short novel. I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it!

4. Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali: I loved S.K.’s debut, Saints and Misfits, and her sophomore novel was just as loveable! This YA contemporary romance about two Muslim teens (one recently diagnosed with MS) has already been well-loved by teens at my library.

5. This Time Will Be Different by Misa Sugiura: Okay, first of all, this cover is truly stunning! This book tackled intergenerational trauma, and a Japanese-American family still reeling from the aftermath of internment. This has been one of the most checked-out YA books at my library this year!

6. We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia: While I’m not normally a fantasy reader, I absolutely loved this one! The audiobook was excellent, and I adored the f/f love story between two girls of color. I’m counting down the days until the second novel!

7. I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest: Another gorgeous cover with an even more beautiful story! This one is all about rebelling, road trips, dance, and identity. Such a fun yet meaningful read!

8. Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi: Another one of the most-checked out YA books at my library this year! I’m so glad this book exists, and I love that each story in it is incredibly unique.

9. Gravemaidens by Kelly Coon: Again, I’m not normally a fantasy reader, but I’m totally serious when I say I couldn’t put this one down! Gravemaidens is such a unique exploration of sisterhood, identity, love, and death. (Plus, Kelly is an absolute gem!). You’ll definitely want to have the follow-up novel on your radar in 2020!

10. Girls on the Verge by Sharon Biggs Waller: This YA contemporary totally deserved more hype! This is a perfect road trip story all about girls supporting girls, and reproductive justice. I’ll be recommending this one again and again at my library for years to come.

Tell me all about your favorite books you read in 2019!