Reader Favorites – Steph N’s Best Books of 2019 List

This is Steph’s second “Best Of” list with us (here’s her first one from last year ➔ Steph N’s Best Books of 2018 List) and I’m so happy she’s back! Lots of new-to-me books on here, plus a few that are my absolute favorites too. I like her book-taste. 😉

We’ll dig in, in just a moment, ’cause first, I want to post a few of her highlights over the last year…

Doing the Pick for Me challenge got some of those hard to read books off my TBR!

I’ve been very much library book reading, and more contemporary fiction which makes for some long waits sometimes on books!

I got a Kindle Fire for free through work and it’s weird to see book covers in color. So used to my Paperwhite!

I have two of those rattlesnake plants, also just learned they are also called a prayer plant. The first one funny enough I bought at Publix, the second off of Etsy. They are pretty low maint.

Superhero and samples from beauty/subscription boxes are all I use.

Sephoras subscription box. It’s 10 or 15 a month and then you try out different things. I used to get it but dropped it after I was drowning in stufff!

I have been using a Maybelline eyebrow pencil that twists up. It’s in a pink package. I love it, the tip is angled rather than a point.

I DO subscribe to Dermstore for skincare and LOVE IT and will never drop it. It is always a great value. Dermstore: (some previous boxes)

Ready for her BEST OF 2019 List?

Steph N: This year (so far) I have read 88 books, about 30 less than last year. But I think overall I read better quality books. I shifted more to reading more about relationship driven plots, more thrillers and some older ones that I just got around to reading. Want to give a shout out to my local library. I read many of those 88 thanks to them.

These are the books that I five starred this year. I was tight with that fifth star. Looking back through my reads, I marked 35 4 stars so I am adding some honerable mentions at the bottom. Which yes, over 10. But who can’t use more book recommendations?

Got my Fifth Star:

Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah

An emotional and heartwarming story of three people teaching each other lessons on acceptance, love and loss.

Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta

Boy on the run from people that want to kill him. A thriller that grabbed me.

 

The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

This book was so touching to me. A Romcom with heart.  And it included a dog named Stuntman Mike.

When We Believed in Mermaids: A Novel by Barbara O’Neal

Deeply descriptive writing about a relationship between two sisters. Deals with trigger point topics so read with caution if needed. Other reviews point it to be a love it or hate it kind of book.

Things You Save in a Fire: A Novel by Katherine Center

I discovered this author this year and saw this book hyped up over on Instagram for weeks. I never thought it would live up to that hype but it did. Every other book I have read by her has been wonderful as well.

I five starred two Taylor Jenkins Reid books back to back. Why did I wait so long to read them?

• After I Do: A Novel
• One True Loves: A Novel

Both are about love and marriage and the struggles that come with that union.

Allie and Bea: A Novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde

I almost put this book down right away. It starts off with something that just ANGERS me so much. But I read it. And I loved it. And I’m sure I cried.

Swear on This Life: A Novel by Renee Carlino

Another one that I just got around to reading. I recommend you do as well if you are part of the few percent like me that had not yet.

Evvie Drake Starts Over: A Novel by Linda Holmes

Life can be hard and knock you down. This is a story about two people working through it.

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

The words in this book made me love it.

Daisy Jones & The Six: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I expected to hate this book because of the writing style but NOPE.

…It was worth the few weeks wait. 5 star read for me! It was written so differently, like an interview. I first started reading it and I saw that and I was like, ut oh but was pretty quicky drawn into the story.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

This deeply descriptive book made me feel like I was right in the bayou. This book was capital T Terrific.  Part suspense, part romance, all captivating.

…I would have given Where the Crawdads Sing 6 stars if I could. I fell in love with the book.

I’m from the south and can totally see “back in the day” a young girl going through and surviving what she did.

All Your Perfects: A Novel by Colleen Hoover

This made my cry. Marmie cry.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

Is there anyone that hasn’t read this yet? LUCKY! Go read it! NOW!

…Verity is unputdownable! Bit of a suspense though.

My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren

My first book by Christina Lauren that made me tear through the rest of the offerings.

An Exaltation of Larks (Venery Book 1) by Suanne Laqueur

Read finally thanks to “pick for me” on Good Reads. My first 5 star of the year.

SUPER FOUR STARS!!

• The Giver of Stars: A Novel by Jojo Moyes
• The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood
• Ask Again, Yes: A Novel by Mary Beth Keane
• The Flatshare: A Novel by Beth O’Leary
• Fix Her Up: A Novel by Tessa Bailey
• Unbreakable by Emma Scott
• Once Upon a River: A Novel by Diane Setterfield
• A Five-Minute Life by Emma Scott
• I Found You: A Novel by Lisa Jewell
• Meet Cute by Helena Hunting
• That Guy by Kim Jones

Thanks for sharing! I’ve been less active on the blog and good reads thanks to work and life but I’m always checking in looking at the new releases and looking for recommendations!

Like StephN’s book taste? Check out more of her favorites lists:

• Reader Favorites – Steph N’s Best Books of 2018 List
• Reader Favorites – Steph N’s Best Books of 2019 List
• Reader Favorites – Steph N’s Best Books of 2020 List

➔➔➔  Looking for more of our favorite recommendations? Browse our “Ultimate Favorites Lists” here. Are you in the mood for a certain kind of story? Browse our favorite “genre/trope categories” here and our reader favorites lists too.