So let’s start with the obligatory “I can’t believe it’s the end of the year already!” thing. Done? Ok. I love taking the time to look back over my reading year and buzz over all the feels as I think about the stories I’ve loved and pick out my favourite books of 2019. So, I read 79 books in total which is 28,423 pages across the year! My average rating was 3.9 stars which I think is pretty good actually.
To save this post from being suuuuper long I’ve decided to wrap up just my top reads of the year. These are the ones that just ticked every box for me, the ones I thoroughly enjoyed, however they weren’t all necessarily 5 stars. You know how sometimes a book can maybe be a 4 star read but it’s just a favourite? And sometimes you finish a book like “wow that was amazing, 5/5 stars!” but it still doesn’t beat the ones at the top of your list? Yeah well that’s what has happened here!
I’m also not going to count re-reads in this list because really you don’t need to read about how I read SJM’s books for like the fifth time… Anyway that’s enough of me rambling. Let’s get into my favourite books of 2019!

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
My first favourite read of 2019 was by the Queen that is Leigh Bardugo. Yes I was very behind the times with reading this but ohmygosh I loved it! The overall experience of reading this was just amazing – I listened to the audiobook as well as reading the physical copy. Listening to these characters and this story really felt like home to me; I actually feel this way about most of Leigh’s books, and having said that I really feel that it is time for a re-read. I NEED more from this world and I am so excited for the Shadow and Bone Netflix show!
Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor
Next up is a book for which I think I wrote the longest ever review on my blog. I mean seriously, it was huge. Instead of rehashing it all now because you can read it here, I’ll just say that Muse of Nightmares was full of mesmerising and lyrical prose, a truly beautiful book that had me unable to stop turning the pages. I was hooked and basically Lazlo and Sarai are a dream… no pun intended.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Ok so I really should pick up YA thrillers more often, because I loved this! This book had me guessing and plotting right up to the very end. Although my boyfriend had no idea what the book was about, every time something shocked me I just had to share it with him! Following a teenager attempting to solve a murder in her hometown, this book had me hooked. While it wasn’t the perfect book, it’s one where the memory of reading it remains vivid in my mind. I’ll definitely be picking up more from this author.
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
Another book I was extremely late to the party with. All of my pals had read and fallen in love with this story and I actually finished it on the train to YALC, many pairs of eyes watching me soak in the last few pages to gauge my reaction. This atmospheric read with lush storytelling sucked me in from the very first pages, and now I can’t wait to read the sequel.
A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2019 and let me tell you that it did not disappoint. It featured everything I was looking for and my only complaint is that because I very luckily received an advanced copy, I’ve got even longer to wait for the next book! You can read my full review to see how much I loved it here.
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
Another of my most anticipated reads of the year and my most recent favourite. I am so sad that this series has come to an end but oh my what an ending this was! I kid you not that actual screams took place as I read this book and the WhatsApp group was flooded with messages as we all read it around the same time. Obviously I cannot say much because this is the third book and I don’t want to spoil anything, but you NEED these books and Jude and Cardan in your life!
Wow looks like I have a type right?
Another year over, another wrap up of my favourite books of 2019. I always struggle writing about why I love books so much, I find it way easier to write about why I didn’t like a book. Just please know that I loved these books and I implore you to read them!
What were your fave books of 2019?
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Oooh yes, some excellent books there!
I loved Girls of Paper & Fire and A Curse So Dark And Lonely too.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk
Wow, all of these are on my TBR! I clearly need to get moving on that haha. I haven’t heard anyone else talk about A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – I’m glad to hear you loved it! I’m super excited to pick it up. Glad you had a great year!
There are so many excellent books on this list! I hope you had a lovely year!
Getting to experience the end of gopaf with you was grand!! Some great books here
I won’t lie I was slightly intimidated by y’all and your expectations