The second six months: my favourite books of 2019. Part two

Monday, December 9, 2019 Permalink

For several years now I’ve done an annual wrap-up post of the (new release) novels I’ve enjoyed most that year.

For the past couple of years I’ve actually done a ‘first half of the year’ post though usually skip over the ‘second half of the year’ post and go straight to the grand final… bypassing the semi finals completely.

Well not this year. Not only did I write my ‘fave novels released in the first half of 2019‘ post, but I’m following it up with those I’ve enjoyed most in the second half of the year.

The link to my review is in the title of each and they’re in no particular order.

There Was Still Love by Favel Parrett

This book places Parrett firmly in ‘my favourite writers’ category. Her writing is so stunning it made me cry. On the second page. Set in Prague and Melbourne it’s about family, love, regret and resilience.

There Was Still Love by Favel Parrett

 

The Confession by Jessie Burton

This book is about an author and her muse and what comes after. It unfolds in two timeframes and is beautifully written. It’s also kind-of a novel within a novel.

The Confession by Jessie Burton

 

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

This (for me) was less about the ‘who’ part of the whodunnit or even the ‘why’; but the fact McKinty imagined such a clever (and horrible obvs) series of crimes.

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

 

The Institute by Stephen King

I loved almost everything about this book. Except the end, which was just a little too fantastic(al) for me. I adored King’s writing and characters however and really hope to meet some of the latter again.

The Institute by Stephen King

 

The Wife and the Widow by Christian White

I missed White’s much-acclaimed first book so made a point of borrowing this one from a friend and I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, I hadn’t been so shocked by a midway twist since Clare McIntosh’s I Let You Go.

The Wife and the Widow by Christian White

 

The Perfect Wife by JP Delaney

This is the third excellent stand-alone novel by Anthony Capella (Delaney) and an incredibly twisty tale centred around a kinda creepy and intriguing idea.

The Perfect Wife by JP Delaney

 

Good Girl Bad Girl by Michael Robotham 

This book introduces new characters (and a series presumably) and I particularly loved psychologist Cyrus and ‘patient’ Evie. Weirdly Cyrus and Evie outshine the novel’s plot(s) big time and I can’t wait to learn more about their backstories.

Good Girl Bad Girl by Michael Robotham

If you’re counting you may have noted I’ve only included seven, rather than eight to match the first half of the year post. It’s mainly because I couldn’t narrow down the final inclusion. So, big props to Ben Hobson’s Snake Island, Heather Rose’s Bruny,  Sarah Bailey’s Where The Dead Go  and Emma Viskic’s Darkness for Light.

Stay tuned for the grand final next week… which will whittle these two lists down into just a handful. I’ve mentioned before, I’m not an ‘every child gets a prize’ kinda person so my ‘faves for the year’ usually only include five or six.

If you want to check out my ‘best of listings from recent years’ you can find them below.

2014  |  2015  |  2016  |  2017  |  2018

What do you think should make my ‘best of’ for the year?
(Or do you hate lists like this? I must admit a part of me cringes at our / my compulsion to rate and rank things!) 

16 Comments
  • Sam Colden
    December 9, 2019

    I haven’t read any of these but I’m going to add some of them to my 2020 “To Read” list because it’s good to have something to look forward to!

    • Debbish
      December 9, 2019

      I’ve already got a stack of electronic books to read and review next year… but have missed a few I’d have probably enjoyed this year I suspect!

  • Lydia C. Lee
    December 9, 2019

    I like these lists. I think I’ll do the same but I actually think my reading may have stalled since my last list so it may not be much of a list…

    • Debbish
      December 9, 2019

      My reading’s been more sporadic this year. I’ve had entire weeks (or more) when I’ve not read; then other weeks when I’ve read a book almost every night!

  • Laurie
    December 9, 2019

    Thanks for these good recommendations. I always love to read book “best of” lists. I have been reading non-fiction lately and need some good fiction books for a change. I will check these out.

    • Debbish
      December 10, 2019

      I’m the opposite Laurie… I never read non-fiction! I hope you find something you like.

  • Debbie from Deb's World
    December 10, 2019

    These sound like great books to read Deb, so many thanks for the recommendations. I’ll add them to my books to read list. I’m especially keen to read the Christian White book as I enjoyed his earlier one.Looking forward to your next post 🙂 #lifethisweek

    • Debbish
      December 10, 2019

      I haven’t read his earlier book but heard him speak and intended to but then discovered it features snakes…. *shudder*

  • Sydney Shop Girl
    December 10, 2019

    Yes!! ‘The Wife and the Widow’ was a highlight for me too. Must investigate the Steven King you mentioned.

    SSG xxx

    • Debbish
      December 10, 2019

      I loved most of the Stephen King… the end was a bit outlandish for me. But I’m hoping he writes more books featuring one or two fo the characters we meet in it.

  • Natalie
    December 12, 2019

    Thanks for this list, Deb. I’ll see if I can borrow them from my library. I look forward to your grand final.

    • Debbish
      December 12, 2019

      I fast-tracked the grandfinals Natalie so it’s now live!

  • Denyse Whelan
    December 12, 2019

    You put a lot of thought and energy into your reviewing and I am sure fans of these books and others are very grateful. Thanks for linking up for the almost last Life This Week in 2019…not even the penultimate though…Here’s next week’s optional prompt 50/51 Share Your Snaps #10 16/12/19 Hope to see you there. Denyse.

    • Debbish
      December 13, 2019

      The reviewing bit takes forever Denyse. There are a couple of books I’m intending to just review on Goodreads in coming weeks and I’m looking forward to that!

  • Sanch @ Sanch Writes
    December 17, 2019

    Favel Parrett’s book is definitely in my top 5 for the year. I just read The Wife and the Widow and was pretty amazed by that. Just in the process of writing my top 7 books for the year

    • Debbish
      December 19, 2019

      Yes, adored There Was Still Love and loved the twist in The Wife and the Widow!

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