My Favourite Books of 2019

[@EricKarlAnderson]

So great to see you, Helene, and wonderful to hear about your favourites from last year! Michelle Obama's memoir is SO inspiring and uplifting! Like you, I was so delighted by how excellent her writing is. And you've reminded me I need to read A Ladder to the Sky as I enjoy a couple of Boyne's novels so much - and my interest is so perked by your anology of the thrill of it being like a horror movie. Reid's novel is one I've wanted to get to as well and you do make it sound unique. How do you feel about the film of Gone with the Wind compared to the book? I've not read the novel but have seen the movie countless times.

[@helenejeppesen2133]

Eric Karl Anderson With me it’s the opposite: I’ve now read “Gone with the Wind” twice but only seen the film once. I did enjoy the film and feel like it’s a good adaptation, but I much more prefer the book 🙂 Take care, Eric, and stay safe!

[@nonisnest9718]

I was so happy to hear that you loved Forever Amber. I have never heard anyone speak of it but I read and loved it so many years ago. Time to find my copy and reread it!

[@sarahs2951]

I’m sooo glad you’re back. Your videos help with my anxiety so much.

[@randallwyrick6785]

What a treat to see a video from you again. You’ve been really missed! I liked Daisy Jones as well and really like what I’ve read by John Boyne. Also, you totally sold me on Lone Star. I hope to find an English version soon. Welcome back, Helene! I know you needed to take a break, but I selfishly hope you post again soon.

[@andrewbrendan1579]

What a pleasure to see new videos from you, Helene! It's so good to have you back.---I've read two from your list: "Gone With the Wind" (twice) and my great-grandmother's 1944 copy of "Forever Amber" and enjoyed them both. I think you might enjoy "The Wind Done Gone" by Alice Randall, the post-Civil War diary of a young woman named Cynara who is the former slave half-sister of Scarlett O'Hara. The book is called a parody which I think maybe for legal or copyright issues but it's really an excellent work of historical fiction.---I'm curious about "Daisy Jones..." because of being done as interviews. I once read a review of the play "Our Town" and the critic said, "Self-awareness comes through monologue". In my own writing I've found my best fiction work to be short stories written in the form of letters or as monologues. I just let the character talk and the story is revealed to me as well as to the reader. I'm mainly taking dictation!

[@DramaLlama2310]

I'm really enjoying your videos, so thanks. And now that we are on lockdown in South Africa I enjoy them more than ever! 🌺

[@triplee3reads827]

I’ve missed your videos so much and I’m so happy you have made this hard time a little bit better! So many good books!

[@GraceAn3]

I am also glad you made the video. I have read three of the books you mentioned. Gone with the Wind is my favorite ever. First read it as a teenager many years ago and have reread it a few times. Forever Amber was a book I read as an adult when I really just needed to transport myself to a different place. It worked beautifully because I was thoroughly immersed in the story. I agree with what you said about Becoming. I expected a good book but I was surprised at just how wonderfully it was written. I hope the Danish books become available in English because I would very much enjoy reading the books you mentioned.

[@pinkcatreads]

Thank you for another video! We all miss you so much! ♥️ I recently read the Daisy Jones & The Six and I loved it! A five star read 😊 I also plan to read A Ladder to the Sky and A Little Life. I have a feeling I will love these books too! Looking towards to your new videos! 😉💕

[@amusicalbookworm]

Thank you for blessing us with another video! I have Pachinko sitting on my shelf... I have been intimidated by it as well. Glad to hear you loved it!

[@muhlenstedt]

You are completely right, just reading when you really want and not feeling any pressure because of the youtube chanel or goodreads goals. This pressure results that you risk to lose the joy of reading.Have a safe and peaceful time, thank you for this awesome video.

[@mariannepatterson2684]

Another video from you...makes me very happy. I have Pachinko on my TBR list but haven't picked it up yet due to it's chunky size, but you've pushed me to pick it up soon. I wish I could read Danish because Lone Star sounds like a great read (I can speak Danish but can't read it very well...born in Copenhagen but moved to Canada when I was two and never learned to read or write Danish). Both are beautiful countries. Take care and post when and if you feel like it...we'll all be here waiting!

[@nilulal545]

So good to hear your voice!! 61 is still very impressive number and i think its always great to read at a pace where u get to enjoy. Pachinko, Becoming, A little life,This is how it always is, (Gone with the wind i picked with one of your book recommendations long time ago,Which Was an Awesome suggestion) all books were really well written n such delightful reads n emotions invested!! So happy to see thats in your top 13! N thanks for sharing 😊

[@sidekicka7x]

I am so enjoying seeing you talking about books again 💛 With the state of our world, I've found myself getting wrapped up in books even more than usual. Which I'm loving. Happy reading!

[@lameshahale2990]

Ohhhh Helene!!! I have missed you oh so much. I haven’t read any physical books this year, I’ve only listened to a few audiobooks 😩😩😩 (I prefer physical books) Hearing you talk about your favorites has always given me a push to read what you share. I see a few that I will look into TODAY! Thank you so much 😊 I read Pachinko when it was first released & I loved it too

[@phoenixjones660]

The Heart's Invisible Furies and Graham Norton's The Keeper were on my ❤️ list. Thank you Helene, you have reminded me to read Gone With The Wind - plenty of time to escape into this one! You really surprised me reading the Nevernight Trilogy 😲 Keep well and 😊 both you and Zeus🐱

[@crystall31cl]

I love hearing you talk about your favorite books and I love seeing you vlog your day when doing your reading vlogs. I’ve missed your video’s I’m glad your back with more video’s. I started Gone With The Wind a while ago but haven’t finished it yet I really need to finish it. I own the movie but have only seen it once .

[@CafeCynthia]

Loved this video! Thanks. I'm currently reading Forever Amber, I was thinking of putting it down, but now I'll definitely continue with it!

[@MsOldmelody]

Your videos always brings a smile on my face. Stay safe and be happy.

[@joannoriol6444]

So glad you and Your sweet kitty are back, please stay. 😍

[@bbygh0ul]

So glad to see another video from you! 🥰

[@karenkoutsoumbaris6308]

So nice to see you Helene, I’ve missed you! We are living in difficult times so this was a joy, hope all is welll in your family!

[@Europa1749]

I loved Forever Amber. I read it when I was a teenager and have never forgotten it.

[@cynthibook]

Great selection ! :) Thank your for the videos. It’s a positive thing in my day. :)

[@armandord3364]

My favorite book in 2019 was The heart's invisible furies and I read it because it was one of your favorites during 2018, so I will have to read more of your favs, perhaps I find some new others favorites, best regards from Mexico

[@chaingangritesh]

Where had u been???? I've missed your videos 😔😔😔😔😔 loved ur book reviews n ur voice.

[@helenejeppesen2133]

I was on a long-needed break, but the Corona virus has brought me back on Booktube :)

[@chaingangritesh]

@@helenejeppesen2133 what sort of break that you stopped filming yourself 😐. I hope nothing as serious as such.

[@oblomovtheunknown]

I really enjoyed listening to your selection. I lived in Denmark for a number of years and know of the Danish writers, indeed I saw them on several tv programmes, ones that now have been sadly cut. I taught Gone with the Wind to an American group of students at UEA, it was chosen by a young woman who loved that book and also The Great Gatsby. She liked the latter because it reminded her of her boyfriend's house! I have read thousands and thousands of books, I wonder what would be your five books for a desert island?

[@gemalorette7599]

We missed you so much. A big huge from Spain. Please Go on...we are living very hard moments 🙏

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Helene! So good to see your face! I really enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six as well! I've had Forever Amber on my radar forever, so I'm really excited to hear that you loved it!

[@helenejeppesen2133]

Katie, it's so nice to hear from you!!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Helene Jeppesen Gone With the Wind was ALSO one of my favorites from last year! Scarlett is detestable, but that book was wonderful.

[@carrieod1380]

I’m so happy to see you!!

[@wordsofclover]

I'm so glad you are making videos again. A silver lining in the Covid-19 cloud for sure. I loved Becoming as well - if you ever wanted to read something similar I recommend Everybody Matters by Mary Robinson, who was the first female president of Ireland and then she became the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights - and now she is a climate change activist! I'm currently reading The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne and I'm loving it! I think John Boyne likes to exaggerate some things in his novels XD

[@nicolesquires141]

Great to see you back!!

[@keenasartorio4884]

I'm glad your posting again🤣💙

[@OMGGitsCAROL]

❤️🥰❤️

[@Rose-pz8es]

Miss your video....

[@michaelramirez4162]

You are so classy and beautiful

[@ankithamattam6567]

Watching your new videos pop in my feed makes me realise how much I have missed your videos and had gotten used to not hearing from you.. bittersweet I feel.

[@sandramiksawrites]

I want to read all of these! All the memoirs 😍😍📚🤓

[@carly885]

I just finished a little life but I have mixed feelings on it, I loved the characters but felt that's a bit exploitative in a way. I loved your video ☺️

[@ms.reader9799]

I love to see books I don't know on people's lists!

[@Vanessa-Lucia]

What happened with all of your books!? Your bookshelf looks so empty... did you do an unhaul? Kind regards

[@leahsarah275]

Hej Helena, jeg har altid nydt at se dine video og var mega glad at vide at du også elskede Ladder to the Sky. Synes også det var god. Jeg vil så gerne anbefale at du også læser John Boyne's The Heart's Invisible Furies, hvilken er min yndlings ;)

[@sagishpreman7644]

Am here for your voice...