Best Books of 2019
Reading felt slower this year though I still managed to hit my GoodReads reading goal of 30 books. I set the same goal for this year and for the first half to eight months, I’m going to be focused on reading all the books I currently own without buying any more. (We’ll see how that goes.) Below is listed my nine favorite books I read this year (in no particular order).
1. The Black Wolves of Boston by Wen Spencer This book blew me away. I just randomly picked it up in Powell’s City of Books at the end of 2018 because it sounded interesting and had some of my favorite themes; werewolves, vampires and found family. Maybe it was because I had no expectations that I found it so amazing, but it was possibly my favorite book I read last year. (It also had illustrations which is something I miss in books.)
2. Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston This book brought the genre of YA to a whole other level with this fluffy, angsty contemporary about the First son of the President falling in love with the prince of England. This book literally had no flaws and every time I think about it, I want to reread it. If you check out no other books on this list, read this one.
3. Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare A great conclusion to another great series. Cassie Clare did a great job of finishing everyone’s stories (except a few for a future series) and switching between everyone’s POVs. TDA is probably my favorite Shadowhunters series after TMI and I can’t wait for the Wicked Powers.
4. Ravensong by T.J. Klune Second book in the Green Creek series featuring a pack of gay werewolves. This good was focused on my favorite character, Gordon (gay witch). Some heartbreaking flashbacks and some epic battles took place and I can’t wait to jump into the third book real soon.
5. Great Goddesses by Nikita Gill I picked up a few poetry books this year, but this one was by far my favorite. I’m weak for mythology (Greek, in this case) especially with modern twists.
6. Undertow by Brooklyn Ray The second book in the Port Lewis Witches series. I got the paperback combined copy of this one and the first story which I read last year. Undertow was almost better than the first one. I really enjoyed seeing from Liam’s POV and seeing his and Ryder’s relationship grow. I think the third story is available on eBook, but I might wait for the next combined physical copy.
7. Fence vol. 2 & 3 by C.S. Pacat Each volume of this graphic novel gets better and better. Seeing the development between the characters and the story is amazing. Vol. 4 is coming out in June.
8. Running with Lions by Julian Winters Finally! Another gay sports novel! A lot less angsty than AFTG, but enjoyable and heart-pulling all the same. A good enemies-to-friends story that is beautifully written.
9. To Drink Coffee with a Ghost by Amanda Lovelace Lastly, another poetry book. The first book I read by the author though I am planning to pick up her other books. Her poetry is beautiful and painful, making you smile and cry all at once like any good poem should.
Happy reading!