My Favorite Books of 2019

[@DDevilisHH]

I’m so glad you mentioned Cleopatra on this list! It was one of the first books I added to my TBR on my brand new goodreads account back in 2015. That was back when I overenthusiastically clicked “want to read” on anything that even mildly piqued my interest, and it’s just been sitting there ever since. I recently challenged myself to read the 5 oldest books on my tbr, so I picked up a used copy. Just now getting to it (and liking it way more than I thought I would!)

[@itchystitchy]

Good Talk by Mira Jacob. I don't know how to express how much I absolutely was touched by this memoir. It's the first book that has surprised my jaded book-reading self in years and helped take me out of my years-long reading slump. I felt for Mira, and lived in her shoes (as much as anyone can really live in someone else's shoes). I knew I liked memoirs, but never read anything in graphic memoir or novel form. I'm excited to read more in this "new to me" format.

[@lindsayryan2734]

You’re such a joy to listen to. There’s something about the way you describe books that makes me want to drop everything and just read!

[@bookglutton7151]

I read Amy and Isabelle last year after hearing you talk about it in a previous video. It was not a book I would ever have picked up just from reading the blurb, so I'm very glad I listened to you! Even after hearing your praise it still gave me so much more than I expected; I'm not often absorbed so quickly and completely into the lives and emotions of characters. I think you describe the experience of reading Milkman wonderfully and am glad to see it on your list, as it was definitely one of my favourites of the year. It's great to see Mrs Dalloway on there too. The Waves is my favourite Woolf novel, but Mrs Dalloway is a close second. I'm really looking forwards to reading Barchester Towers soon - I read The Warden a few months back and loved it and keep hearing great things about the rest of the series.

[@shelflife5213]

"More discussion doesn't mean better communication", thank you for articulating that. I see that this is obviously the case, and yet I'd never realized it before you put it in those words. Hopefully amazing memoirs will be a way to bridge that gap, if only slightly. Thank you for putting so much thought into this video, as always. I am forever happy to hear what you have to say. Also, I just checked out "Amy and Isabelle" from the library after hearing you speak about it earlier this year and can't wait to start it! I now also need to get "In America", like, urgently.

[@fouadenglish2010]

Yes, I too like that phrasing.

[@fouadenglish2010]

You are the blessing of KZbin. I looked forward to your selected favorites.

[@JillianClairPrice]

This is the first video I've found of you and I'm HOOKED, I love the way you speak about books, I've been looking for a channel like yours for ages

[@JasmineReads]

Yay, so great to see this video, Jennifer! Know My Name sounds like a brilliant memoir - that will be going on my tbr. Ohhh Milkman😅 One of my fiancé's favourite books of the year as well, and he has been bugging me to read it. I am going to get to it this year! Ooh A Brightness Long Ago sounds great. I also had a fantasy book make my favourites of the year (City of Brass) which was a brilliant surprise. So pleased to see Mrs Dalloway here. I also need to reread that novel. You always get me excited to try Trollope! I also love 19th century fiction, but am yet to try him.

[@ianp9086]

Thanks for all the gushing - I really enjoy your enthusiasm mixed with the incisive comments on the books. Milkman was in my top 5 this year (but I only read about 26 a year so I limit my tops list to 5!). Autumn by Ali Smith was also there. I have promised myself a reread of Mrs Dalloway this year after hearing your thoughts, and for the same reason I need to start reading Elizabeth Strout - it is so priceless when you find a booktuber whose opinions seem so in tune with ones own. I actually have Second hand Time on my shelf - it has been there since it came out but I have felt slightly intimidated by it - now I really have no excuses!

[@SarahAtHeart]

I read Lovely War based on your recommendation and it was one of my favorite books of the year. So thank you. I absolutely loved it.

[@pennPi]

2019 was a mixed bag for me. There were a number of mehs, however the books I did enjoy reading were those recommended on your channel. Although it's taken a while, I'm so happy to have found a very small group of reviewers whose taste in books resembles my own. I can't wait to read your favs, especially the non-fiction.

[@bookishsabrina]

I love how unique your list is, and the way you make me want to read all of these books I've never heard of before. Especially the Strout. I have only read Olive Kitteridge, almost a decade ago now, and it is about time I revisit her as an author, as I consider Olive Kitteridge to be among my favorite books. I also thought this was the first time I had heard about Old Baggage. It was somehow already on my Goodreads to-read shelf, but I want to get to it all the more, now :)

[@lauratisdall5699]

I loved loved loved Old Baggage. I was underwhelmed by both Olive Kitteridge and My Name Is Lucy Barton, but was persuaded to give Strout one more go and have Amy and Isabelle on my Kindle - glad to hear you liked it so much.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Such a joy watching this especially since I haven't heard you talk about many of these books before. You've made me keen to pick up more nonfiction (esp if it includes duck sex!) and finally start reading Trollope. Do you have a suggestion of what novel of his would be best to begin with? I felt the last section of Mantel's memoir wasn't as strong but the opening section and her description of childhood is brilliant. Evans' characters are so wonderful! Mrs Dalloway. 💜 And my heart burst hearing your love for In America.

[@FlyingElectra]

Yes ! A new video. Bonne année ! I have bought Milkman and Maggie and other people and still have to read them. Because of you and to find them here is really nice. I also read Elizabeth Trout ( My Name Is Lucy Barton) because you had talked about her writing and I loved it so much ! So thanks for all your reviews) and so happy that you end with another video coming up ☺️

[@jeremiahbok9028]

You're welcome, and I doubt I speak only for myself when I say I am in my very best of moods when listening to you gush. Will pick some-well, probably most of these up.

[@Liz86000]

Thank you ! As always, it’s wonderful to hear your thoughts and you gave me so many ideas of great books I had never heard of before. So thank you again !

[@judybrown1624]

I've had Amy and Isabelle on my shelf for ages, but have been afraid her debut would disappoint. It's going on the top of my TBR now.

[@MyBookishEmpire]

Jennifer, this was a delightful video that gave me many suggestions to read this year! I think I will finally try Woolf this year on your recommendation. However, I ardently disagree with you on The Evolution of Beauty, as a recent graduate with a degree in biology Prum's writing felt convoluted, awkwardly full of adjectives, and overall sloppy for conveying a scientific theory. Although I will acquiesce that the book does illuminate some fascinating facts about avian mate choice and behavior. Your description of the book almost convinced me to read it, until I realized that I had, a true talent of yours is selling books to people.

[@traceymills1628]

Elizabeth Strout is one of my favourite authors. Her writing is divine. I, however, haven’t read Amy and Isobel which I will now order. Happy reading for 2020. May you find many more gems.

[@Anamesque]

Also, loved the idea of presenting all of your favourite books in a video. Please continue doing this.

[@thefrancophilereader8943]

Mrs. Dalloway is incredible! I've read it so many times. Woolf is able to convey something through her experimental style that she would not be able to in a traditional narrative.

[@alaiarotaecheciarreta570]

I heard you talk about Sontag’s book and ran to the library to pick it up!

[@annie-mz9956]

Your year in review has been on of the top reviews I’ve listened to in this New Year. Please continue your reviews and hope you have a lovely year of reading!

[@Meimisaki2001]

I just thrifted Amy and Isabelle. Excited.

[@nikkivenable3700]

I wait every year for this! I’m currently reading The Gustav Sonata based on your love of it! My wallet will suffer because I’ll want many of these. It’s a good problem, for sure.

[@Anamesque]

Loved all the recommendations. I'll definitely try to read Old Baggage this year. Its description just creates this picture in my mind that it's going to be great.

[@browngirlreading]

Excellent list! Great to see you back. Happy New Year! I'm interested in Lovely War, In America, and Amy & Isabelle. I really loved Milkman! I think the audiobook made me love it. I'm not sure I would have gotten into it with just the physical copy.

[@SixMinutesForMe]

Good Talk and Know My Name were brilliant weren’t they 🥰 You’ve also reassured me about Maggie Brown - I have this on my shelf and will bump it up after hearing you sing it’s praise. So many wonderful reads, thanks for this great video 🙏

[@MatthewSciarappa]

❤️💕❤️💕

[@bookish.bulletin]

What a great list of books! Very nice summaries too :) really glad I found your channel!

[@wronggeometry]

What I think about these books: Jen made me want to read them all. You're the best.

[@jackreillygillic]

I’ve been looking forward to this video. A true pleasure with more a few additions to my TBR. Many thanks!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

If you loved Old Baggage ( like me) look for A Crooked Heart by the same author. Happy New Year 🥳☘️🤩👋📚 I now want to know about books that didn’t make the list.

[@samantha.irenes]

The Evolution of Beauty was so good, and made me glad I was not born a duck lol. I love Virginia Woolf. I recently read The Waves by her and the title is so apt because that's now reading it feels, like you're being carried on a wave that's pulling you out and then crashing you onto shore. I'd highly recommend that one. Homegirl was gifted.

[@lyddie465]

2019 was a bad reading year for me so i am very excited to see your choices

[@SunriseFireberry]

Some other books by Guy Gavriel Kay have more magic in 'em than 'Brightness', however slight. Which titles of his backlist do you plan to read first?

[@KayAmpersand]

I felt the same about Mrs Dalloway which I only ventured after reading Cunningham's The Hours. Being older at the time helped me appreciate the book more too, I think. I have never read Trollope - what's the place to start? And yes to Amy and Isabelle! I still cannot believe this is her debut - what a wonderful book!

[@KendraWinchester]

I am so happy happy to see MRS DALLOWAY on your list. 😍 And Mantel’s memoir is high up on my list. It’s been recommended to me so many times!

[@chiming_]

I just clicked each one of your links above to watch l/rewatch your favourite reads of the previous three years. When I heard you reviewed My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, just a short review but my heart ached and I knew I need to buy this book right away. I am also wondering if you feel the same way to these books, today. Possibly not.

[@null6955]

let me like your video! lool thank you for the recommendations. you sold me on each book!

[@M_SC]

im going to try to read non fiction books this year. aside from memoirs, i usually don't.

[@northoftheequator2094]

Cadillac Desert didn't get onto the list. I thought it might. Bought a copy recently after watching your video.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Ok, so now I have to read Amy and Isabelle and Giving Up the Ghost!

[@megreads824]

The university I attended had a HUGE population of ducks and...let's just say...I've seen it all and it is FREAKY, LOL. Edited to add: I read Mrs. Dalloway at aforementioned university and OH MAN, is it amazing! It broke my idea of what literature was wide open.

[@andrew-isac]

U should set a studio up , u r a pro when it comes to book reviews

[@EvesBookNook]

Did I hear that right? "I'm still a ho for the 19th century." 😂

[@rastaman39]

Smart and hot 😍🔥