My 2019 Bookshelf (in Review)

Before forging ahead into 2020, I thought I’d take a moment to reflect on the past year and, more specifically, all of the great books I read in 2019.

I’d recommend almost everything that hit my bookshelf last year, but most notably, The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin – a delightfully fresh and creative fantasy trilogy. The first book, The Fifth Season, ranks as my favorite read of the year. Jemisin’s bold approach to narrative, provocative themes, and amazing world building kept me turning pages deep into the night and my attention didn’t waver throughout the three volume set. Each book of the trilogy won the Hugo Award, individually, giving Jemisin the honor for three consecutive years.

Jemisin is one of five black authors that I enjoyed reading during 2019. Black Leopard, Red Wolf by James Marlon thrilled me with its unique narrative style and deeply mystical storytelling–another highlight of the year. I also enjoyed Nnedi Okorafor’s Binti, an excellent sci-fi novella that explores the theme of otherness and the tension between tradition and innovation.

Michelle Obama’s excellent Becoming was one of four non-fiction reads for me this year. As was Prince’s sadly abbreviated memoir, The Beautiful Ones. In other non-fiction, I highly recommend White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo to anyone and everyone. I also enjoyed Ursula K. Le Guin’s reflections on aging, and writing, in the new millennium, No Time To Spare: Reflections On What Matters.

A bit late to the game, I also read the first three books of The Expanse series by James S. A. Corey. With the SyFy/Amazon Prime television series of the same name, this is shaping up to be one of my all time favorite sci-fi franchises.

Scroll down to see the complete list from my 2019 bedside shelf, listed in chronological order and with my Goodreads ratings. I hope this inspires you to pick up at least one of these excellent book!

Support your local independent bookseller! If you can’t visit a nearby brick-and-mortar bookstore, order online from their website or from one these fine establishments–

Third Place Books

Powell’s

IndieBound

What did you read last year? What should I put on my shelf for next year?

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Coming Next Week: Look for my new short story– Borders–releasing to Kindle on February 4th!

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My 2019 Bookshelf: