2019 is not a bad year to me, at least in books and reading-wise. Let's see, I'd read a total of 113 books - 68 English books and 45 Chinese books. Most of the latter consist of urban legends fiction by Ling Jing (笭菁) and I'm so glad to have discovered her books. As for English books, I'd read/discovered a few great ones as well. As cliché as this sounds, each book is different and special in its own way; thus my top ten reads are mostly based on how "unputdownable" and how they made me feel after closing the book. Without further ado, here's my top ten list in alphabetical order by the authors' last name (titles are linked to reviews).
- No Exit by Taylor Adams
- White Chrysanthemum by Mary Lynn Bracht
- My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
- The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
- The Impossible Girl by Lydia Kang
- The Rumour by Lesley Kara
- The Hunger by Alma Katsu
- How We Disappeared by Jing-Jing Lee
- Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik
- Deadland by William Shaw
Honorable Mention:
Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer
I rarely read non-fiction, but I've to say the above book was such a pleasure to read and I've learnt so much from it. Do yourself a favour and go read this book! Trust me, you'll benefit from reading this.
Onto another topic, I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank my friends on Instagram for following and liking my pictures. Here's a collation of my top nine pictures which have received the most "likes" in 2019. Are you on Instagram? We can be friends there . . . Look for my IG handle: melody_lee
Last but not least, since today is the last day of 2019, I'd like to wish you a very Happy New Year and here's hoping for more great reads in 2020!
© 2019 Melody's Reading Corner (https://mel-reading-corner.blogspot.sg/), All Rights Reserved. If you are reading this post from other site(s), please take note that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
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I read 2 from your tops of 2019 list and liked them but they didn't make my list. Happy new Year to you.
I liked The Family Upstairs, The Impossible Girl, and have Deadland on my list since I've liked the first two novels by Shaw. I also truly enjoyed Dreyer's English--so much so, that after reading it on my Kindle, a ordered a copy for my shelves! Happy New Year, Melody!
No Exit and My Sister, The Serial Killer almost made my list, too. But I had to be ruthless to keep my list at ten. Thanks for all the buddy reads this year, Melody. They're always so much fun. :D And I'll see you in 2020.
Melody, lovely pictures! I can see why they were popular. I'm not on Instagram - can't do one more social thing. Ha! Great list of favorites though I've not read a single one of them. I own a couple and have a few more on my list to try. We'll see what 2020 brings. Happy New Year to your and your family!
I really want to read Dreyer's English. I need to get myself a copy! How We Disappeared was among my favorites as well. Such a wonderful book. And I am glad to see The Impossible Girl made your list. I really enjoyed that one when I read it the year before. I need to read White Chrysanthemum. I keep hearing such good things about it.
I love your photos. I haven't been able to get the hang of instagram and so do not spend much time there, I'm afraid.
I hope you have a wonderful New Year, Melody!
What a fun post. Love to see your favorites list and looking forward to more books and photos! Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!
Diane - I'll have to check out your favourites list. Happy new year, Diane!
Jenclair - I agree that Dreyer's English is a keeper! Happy new year to you too, Jenclair!
Lark - I'm definitely looking forward to our buddy reads this year, Lark! :D
Kay - I'll be curious of your thoughts if you do read them! Happy new year to you and your family too! :)
Wendy - Like How We Disappeared, White Chrysanthemum is another book which will evoke our emotions. I'll be curious of your thoughts if you do read it, Wendy. I hope you've a wonderful new year too!
Iliana - Thanks, Iliana! Wishing you and your husband a very Happy new year too!
You had a great reading year! Happy New Year! I want to read My Sister, The Serial Killer.
Naida - I hope you'll enjoy reading My Sister, The Serial Killer if you get to it, Naida!