Potholders

Friday, January 3, 2020

My Year in Books 2019


It doesn't feel right to start my 2020 reading without reviewing my 2019 year in books. Overall, it was a pretty good one. Goodreads tells me that I read 77 books, but that number doesn't mean anything significant to me. In previous years I didn't set a challenge number, but I missed keeping track of how much I was reading. My goals for reading are to gain enjoyment and understanding, but those aren't reflected very well in the number of books I've read (or even how many stars I've awarded.) So now I choose a random number and get to see this random compliment from Goodreads:


I read 55 works of fiction and 22 non-fiction. Some of my more memorable books include (in no particular order):






What were your favorite books of 2019? What are you looking forward to reading this year? I'd love to hear about them!

And don't forget about Read With Us, our bloggy book club! We read Just Mercy last year and will be starting our second book, Fever, shortly. Stay tuned for the first promotional post from Carole on January 7, followed by Kym and me in subsequent weeks. We'll begin discussing the book on February 4, so I hope you'll get your copy (available from a library near you or only $1.99 for Kindle) and come Read (and discuss) With Us!

15 comments:

  1. I will be sharing my year in books next week - I wish Good Reads had an image generator from all of that info they give us on what we read.

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  2. I read SO MANY good books last year (many of them also on your list) that it's hard to pick a favorite. But I think I'd have to say . . . my favorites were The Topeka School, Lanny, Red at the Bone, The Dutch House, and The Warmth of Other Suns. I'm looking forward to seeing what you read in 2020!

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  3. I love the random compliment! You did have a good year of reading Bonny. My year wasn't great. I think I read fewer books than ever! That reading slump hit me hard. Fortunately, I think (hope?) it's over, though I'm not reading anything great right now. I am waiting on an e-mail from the library that I can pick up Fever (hard copy) and I plan to concentrate on reading some books that have been untouched on my shelves for far too long. Happy weekend!

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  4. I started the Dutch House last week, now if pesky Grant reading didn't take up all of my time!!!

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  5. The Dutch House was my number one. Loved The Great Believers too.

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  6. I love your approach to what you read and am happy to share it. The number isn't important. To me, it's only a mark of how much I've expanded my horizons by reading.

    Thanks for the tip about the Kindle version of Fever. Turns out I had a $1 credit, so I just got it for $0.99! Now I don't have to sit on the slow wait list at the library!

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  7. Thank you for the reminder about Fever! (It got lost in the shuffle of the holidays!) I also will sadly be buying this book because I have not moved at all on the wait list!

    Your reading always inspires me - many of your favorites were mine as well!

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  8. I'm almost done with Fever! The Dutch House may be #2 for me as The Heart's Invisible Furies must take the number one spot. That said...tough troubles right???

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  9. I have started Fever. I got my hold into the library as soon as you announced it. This past year, I loved The River by Peter Heller. I have really enjoyed his last 3 books. I am going to put your faves on my to read list. Thanks for this, Bonny!

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  10. Hooray. I love that the book number is not the focus here! Can't wait to hear what others think about this book

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  11. Besides the hitchhikers, you had a wonderful reading year. I'm with you, the number is less important to me. My favorites - Where the Crawdads Sing, After Emily (nonfiction), A Place in the Woods (more nonfiction), Voices in the Air (poetry) Wade in the Water (more poetry). What books will 2020 bring? So many possibilities.

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  12. What an excellent year of books and reading. I am so over the focus on quantity vs. quality - and am finding more joy in the community of shared reads than I ever thought possible. Here's to more of that in 2020!

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  13. I too am starting Dutch House - audio version- based on sooo many high endorsements. I also added both the Kindle/Audible versions of Fever (since a paper copy seems to be non-existent unless I buy and I have a few Audible credits languishing ).
    I'm with you: numbers don't matter - tho' I do like the idea of the total pages count...my stumbling block is/would be updating Good Reads...and I've been a member since inception.
    Here's to a great year of reading and sharing...
    Cheers~

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  14. I love seeing the favorites books list of 2019 from all my friends. I had to look back to see what I'd read and I have a list for you (I'm taking over your blog for the moment.) The Great Believers, Milkman, An Orchestra of Minorities, Normal People, Red at the Bone, Lanny, Nickel Boys, Olive, Again, The Dutch House, Girl, Woman, Other, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, and Trust Exercise. As an observation--summer reading wasn't as amazing as spring and autumn. I'm looking forward to sharing what we read in 2020.

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