The year is coming to a close and as always, I wait until the last minute to do a wrap up post just in case I finish another book and/or it happens to be a favorite. I may still finish another book but let’s get to it because there’s a lot to go over:
Here are my stats for 2019:
Favorites in Fiction: The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez, Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane, The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner and The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant
Favorites in Mystery: You by Caroline Kepnes, The Chestnut Man by Soren Sveistrup, The Awkward Squad by Sophie Henaff
Favorites in Other Genres: Smoke Gets in your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty, Felicity by Mary Oliver and Book Love by Debbie Tung
The Numbers:
Total books read in 2019: 73
Books by women: 66
Books by men: 7
Fiction: 24
Mystery: 33
Non-fiction: 2
Romance: 2
Short Story Collection: 2
Classic: 1
Graphic Novel: 5
Poetry Collections: 4
Books in translation: 9 (Spanish, Japanese, Swedish, Danish, German and French)
Audiobooks: 25
Challenges participated in: 1
I read 24 more books than last year and I’m sure that’s thanks to audiobooks. Even though I discovered audiobooks last year, I finally have gotten used to them and now I love them. I still prefer to listen to mysteries though. Speaking of mysteries, no surprised that I still read more mysteries than any other genre. I am somewhat surprised though by the number of books by men. I think this may be my lowest amount ever.
I took a break from most reading challenges with the exception of R.I.P. but in 2020 I’ll dip back in to a few and hopefully participate in some reading events like Women In Translation, Nonfiction November and German Literature Month. I’ll tell you more about the reading challenges in another post.
One thing I’ve noticed is that I don’t go to as many bookish events as I used to. I miss going to poetry readings, author signings and book festivals. I’m hoping this year I make time for these.
How was your reading year? Do you have reading goals for 2020?
As always thank you for stopping by and sharing in the book love with me. Wishing you all the best in 2020. Happy New Year!
Smiles,
Iliana
I know what you mean by waiting until the last minute to post your year in review! I could never get how some could post earlier – what happened to the stats when you read a few more books after the post went live? What if one of those is THE book everyone should read? Yep, my OCD wouldn’t let me.
I only read single-digit books this year, but it’s funny that I still have one book in common with you (Book Love).
I’ve just posted mine. I love reading everyone’s favourites list so I can add them to my reading list next year. Happy New Year, Iliana! 🙂
I’ve got two or three on your ‘best’ lists for reading in the future – maybe in 2020. Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2020, Iliana! I think you should make time to go to more author events. Who knows how long those will be around? Not sure that a lot of publishers are pushing those these days. I wish I lived closer to BookPeople, but I don’t want to drive into Austin at night or on a Saturday, which is when most of their events occur. Ah well. One of my goals is to get myself over to Lark and Owl for an event this year. Take care!
I will checking some of your favorites out–isn’t that how everyone gets ready for the New Year? I haven’t even had time to think about my favorites, except for The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson. I’ve read some good nonfiction this year, but so many mysteries and thrillers that choosing favorites is difficult.
I always end up reading more books by women than by men, too. 🙂
Mary Oliver’s poems are just wonderful, aren’t they? I’m with you, BTW, on making my list at the bitter end. Like what I’m going to read in the next few hours could dramatically alter the landscape? Well, who knows. Good reading to you in 2020!
I love this time of year! My TBR list grows by leaps and bounds every time I read one of this year-end summaries. I agree with you on Ask Again, Yes. Very good audiobook! I will probably listen to more on audio in 202 now that I have a bluetooth headset (love it!).
Mine is going up later tonight. It’s always fun to see what everyone’s favorites are. I like that so many of us have such different lists–at least the ones I come across. It means more books for my wish list or TBR pile. I really liked The Book of Unknown Americans, and am so glad you did too. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes is on my TBR pile. I hope you are able to go to more book events in 2020! Have a wonderful New Year, Iliana!
Ask Again, Yes is one of my favorites too. Since it’s New Years Day, it’s finally safe to compose my list, lol. Happy 2020!
What a great reading year for you! I just bought the audiobook of The Boston Girl so I’m happy to see it was one of your favorites. Happy New Year and happy reading in 2020!
Athira – I’m totally laughing! I totally get it and I think all of us bookworms are the same. Wasn’t Book Love wonderful? By the way, so great to see you blogging again!
Melody – I loved reading through your list. I haven’t read any of the ones that were your favorites but that just means more books to discover this year!
Kay – I know what you mean about BookPeople. I am not that far from it but yet still hardly ever go because of traffic woes. I hope you get to visit Lark & Owl. It’s so cute and they have a very nice selection of books. Oh and you have to eat at their cafe if you get a chance. Yummy!
Jen Mullen – It’s definitely hard to narrow down the favorites when it comes to mysteries for me too. And, yes, that is how us bookworms prepare for the New Year! 🙂
Lark – I swear it’s not a conscious decision but somehow this always happens. So weird!
BuriedinPrint – Isn’t Mary Oliver wonderful? I still have more from her to discover and I can’t wait! And, yes, even after I posted my list I was still like, what if… So funny.
Les in OR – I know I’ve already added a bunch of new books to my TBR just in a couple of days of reading end of year posts! haha… I’m hoping to branch out a bit more in my audiobooks and maybe see how I do with a nonfiction.
Literary Feline – i think your review may have been one of the ones that prompted me to read that book. Oh it was so good and just made me cry at the end. Loved seeing your list too! You had a great reading year!
Joann@Gulfside Musing – I think it’s safe! haha… That was a great read wasn’t it? Can’t wait to see all of your favorites!
Robin – Oh yay, I actually heard it too and thought it was fabulous. I hope you enjoy it a lot!
Oh, I haven’t read Felicity yet, but I am looking forward to it. You had a good year of reading! I haven’t been to a book event in quite some time either. All the ones I wanted to go to this last year were ticketed events and/or not free. A few were on days or at times I couldn’t go. How dare the organizers not keep my schedule in mind! LOL I hope you lots of excellent reading and live book events in 2020!