#booksof2019

[contre-qui]

Book 17 of 2019: The Magdalen Girls

The Magdalen Girls by V.S. Alexander

In 1960s Dublin, families have sent their "troublesome" daughters to a strict reformation-based convent to work in a laundry in hopes of saving their lives and souls. Teagan is there because she caused impure thoughts in a new young priest at her church, causing her parents to think she was taking untoward actions and corrupting a man of Christ. Nora tried to run away with her boyfriend to escape her family and living conditions. Both of them now find themselves stripped of their names, lives, and dignity. As they are dehumanized and worked to the bone, they wonder how women of God could think this would bring them to the light and struggle to be individuals in this life of anonymity. They find solace in the favored Lea, who seems to have done no wrong and spends her days in a dreamy world where she claims to see Jesus surrounded by young children in a corner of the yard. Teagan and Nora come to know her better, and in turn Lea helps them understand life. After a few failed rebellion (and escape) attempts, heavy truths come to light following tragedy and unexpected situations.

I really enjoyed this novel. It was a pretty quick read, and it wasn't as dark as it sounds. It was heavy enough to be dramatic, but not overly-drawn out or overdone. The descriptions of punishments for the girls were intense but not frightening and the girls in the novel were compelling and realistic. This novel explores the relationship between religion and punishment and there are a few huge plot twists at the end that you absolutely will never see coming.

Trigger warnings for religion, punishment, pregnancy, character death/injury, fire, family conflict/drama/secrets, smoking, and abuse of power by authority figures.

My final opinion: A quick, but introspective, read.

[bennsam]

If you’re planning on giving your kids a tablet, iPad or Kindle, then why not load it up with #freebooks #hockeywars 1-4 are free on #amazon for the next 3 days! #hockeybooks #booksabouthockey #hockey #icehockey #ebook #kindle #booksforkids #booksof2019 #kidsbooks #childrensbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/B6dGWBFAPwp/?igshid=1jaepqobvffqm

[meanjanine]

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix aka, Harry Potter and the Case of Undiagnosed PTSD. 37/54 😥 #currentlyreading #bookoftheweek #bookofthemonth #booksof2019 #readingchallenge #readmore #readwomen #goodreads #jkrowling #harrypotter #harrypotterandtheorderofthephoenix https://www.instagram.com/p/B2KglsVlqXR/?igshid=ptfx4nyjs8x2

[0nce-upon-a-tome]

In 2019, I had the incredible honour of reading a dear friend’s debut novel and it easily became one of the most wonderful stories I have ever read and one of the best books I’ve read this year. It’s a tale of strength and beauty and imagination and was a remarkable reminder of the power of storytelling. Seeing myself in the characters and experiencing my culture through the magically created universe and inspiring fantasy elements and the gloriously scrumptious food was such an emotional experience for me. I’ve read it numerous times since it’s release and I shall cherish this for as long as I’m a living, breathing human coffee bean. ❤️ . . . . @nafizaaz #bookstagram #diversebooks #ownvoices #weneeddiversebooks #yafantasybooks #booksof2019 #bestbooksof2019 #youngadultbooks #youngadultfiction #beautifulbooks #bibliophilelife #bookworm #muslimshelfspace #bookphoto #booktography #bookaholic #bookish #booklover #booknerd #newbooks #bookgram #booklr #fantasybooks https://www.instagram.com/p/B6oqDVpgsmG/?igshid=1qwcmx004dxih

[pawswithprose]

My #top9of2019 because right now books are a little ray of sunshine in a dismal world. #books #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookish #book #bookstagrammer #booksofinstagram #booksof2019 #2019 #booklover #reader #readersofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookobsession #bookshark #bookworm https://www.instagram.com/p/B5_V3JjgcKJ/?igshid=19kar9gxerkfj

[hobbiesovercoffee]

Time to start this anticipated read 💜 #thegildedwolves #roshanichokshi #booksof2019 #ebook #bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BuAP-zKnkyf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5zpoby2wklhy

[thebookishaustin]

All photos were retrieved from the respective publishers’ websites

Hey everyone! I decided to try something new for my first post of 2019 to get pumped for the upcoming year. However, I didn’t want it to be just about me, so I asked my book club friends to share ONE (some had difficulties with this restraint) 2019 title they were looking forward to reading. Here’s what made the 2019 Anticipation List!

Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus

Release: January 28, 2019

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Picked by Sam because “I was really happy with her first mystery novel. It’s something I really enjoyed more than I expected and my students loved it. I very rarely find mystery novels that keep me interested for long but she does a good job of layering lots of different mysteries into her plot.”

Famous in a Small Town by Emma Mills

Release: January 15, 2019

Publisher: Henry Holt

Picked by Kimberly because “Emma Mills writes characters that feel like friends - you can’t help but love them. I loved Foolish Hearts, but This Adventure Ends has held the spot of my favorite book since page 7.”

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Release: January 29, 2019

Publisher: Imprint

I picked this one because I have a major author crush on Leigh Bardugo. I fell in love with Six of Crows and then went back to read her Grisha trilogy. When I found out she was writing a duology about the snarky, sneaky Sturmhond I may have shivered with anitici...pation!

Bloom by Kevin Panetta & Savanna Ganucheau (Ill.)

Release: February 12, 2019

Publisher: First Second

I picked Bloom because I have a soft spot in my heart for graphic novels and gay love stories. The whole premise sounds incredibly adorable and I’ll probably cry from happiness.

Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner

Release: February 26, 2019

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers

I picked this book because I fell in love with Zentner’s writing in The Serpent King. Zentner has such a talent with writing complex relationships and growth in his characters. I’m excited to see how that plays out in this novel.

Heroine by Mindy McGinnis

Release: March 12, 2019

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

I picked this book because McGinnis writes such dark novels and I sometimes need to feed that part of myself. She usually gets deep into the emotional stress and choices of her characters that leave me feeling anxious and nervous for them - and I kind of like that about her writing.

Dig by A.S. King

Release: March 26, 2019

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers

Picked by Angel because “I simply love just about anything from this author...so I’m going to sign on again. A.S. [King] rips my heart out every time and I’m willing to do it every time.”

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare & Wesley Chu

Release: April 2, 2019

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s UK

Picked by Nathan because “Magnus & Alec! Do I need to say more? A whole book of Magnus and Alec! Yes please!”

The Raven’s Tale by Cat Winters

Release: April 16, 2019

Publisher: Amulet Books

Picked by Dana because “I’m a sucker for anything Poe.”

[mademoiselle-luz]

The first instalment of my favorite serie !!! #mademoiselleluzreads #waywardchildren #waywardchildrenseries #everyheartadoorway #seananmcguire #mybooks #books #booksof2019 #bookdepository #torbooks (à Toulouse, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAIioeMgV_x/?igshid=1f6rvmonkfjch

[mypineappledreams]

Book 3 of 2019: Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh . . “Neel, ever the obedient son, had allowed the language to wither in his head, yet, unbeknownst to him, it had been kept alive - and it was only now, in listening to Deeti's songs, that he recognized that the secret source of its nourishment was music: he had always had a great love of dadras, chaitis, barahmasas, horis, kajris - songs such as Deeti was singing. Listening to her now, he knew why Bhojpuri was the language of this music: because of all the tongues spoken between the Ganges and the Indus, there was none that was its equal in the expression of the nuances of love, longing, and separation - of the plight of those who leave and those who stay at home.” . .

[pamaruis]

The Dead Ladies Project, Jessa Crispin, 2015

Este fue el primer libro que leí en 2019. Estaba en la playa y lo devoré. Doblé casi todas sus páginas aunque no fuera del todo mío. Este libro me recordó mi intención de viajar, de irme lejos y perderme, sola, con un computador y libros qué leer.

El libro está compuesto por capítulos. Cada uno es sobre un personaje que vivió en una de las ciudades de Europa que Crispín visita. Así, el libro se construye como una autobiografía/biografía de viajes. No había leído un libro parecido, por lo que me enganchó fuertemente.

La traducción de Elvira Herrera Fontalba parece hecha a toda carrera, con errores de sintaxis, o de tipeo, donde la traducción se ve como una costura imperfecta. Este último puede deberse no a la traducción pero a la línea de producción del libro en Alpha Decay.

Por lo demás, es un libro muy interesante ya que propone una lectura vital de la literatura y de los espacios geográficos habitados por escritores y escritoras. Todo en el mundo es un texto.

Pongo el enlace de la editorial para que lo chismoseen: http://www.alphadecay.org/libro/el-complot-de-las-damas-muertas/

[contre-qui]

Book 21 of 2019: This Side of Paradise

This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Damn I love me some F. Scott Fitzgerald. I don't know that I enjoyed this one quite as much as The Great Gatsby but it was still a good read for sure. The style is really interesting, as it switches from narrative into a play format halfway through the novel. Fitzgerald's prose is, as always, what gets me the most, but the plotline was interesting as well. This Side of Paradise follows the young adult life of Amory Blaine, a Princeton boy with grand ideas about life, philosophy, religion, relationships, and his own future. He sees everything as romantic and beautiful, and his progression and development throughout the novel is fascinating. Amory has to examine his own morality and personality in the years leading up to and directly following World War I.

Honestly Amory was kind of an asshole but I really liked him anyways. He reminded me of a friend I used to have, in that he thought he was superior to everyone and was just so aesthetic and intelligent and philosophical all the time. Comparing This Side of Paradise to The Great Gatsby is really interesting because they take place roughly in the same time (Great Gatsby is a little later than Paradise) but they cover really different issues, especially considering Amory's age. I guess he's a little younger than Nick or Gatsby but they had the potential to be really similar characters and as much as they seem like they are on person they really aren't that similar at all.

Overall, I enjoyed this one pretty well and I'm glad I read more Fitzgerald.

Trigger warnings for drinking, relationships, mentions of war, and mentions of religion.

My final opinion: A different take on the 1920s of Gatsby's world.

[charmstrongbooks]

Check out this photo of my beautiful publisher, Michelle from Central Avenue Publishing! She’s just reminded me that today is the one year anniversary of the release of ROAM!! #yabooks #novel19s #bookstagram #bookshelf #yabookstagram #booksof2019 #Repost @centavepub with @get_repost ・・・ Today marks the first anniversary of Roam by C.H. Armstrong. I remain very proud to have published this fantastic YA novel about one family’s struggle with homelessness. It was one of our bestselling titles for 2019. Post a pic of your copy (print or ebook) and tag us @centavepub to celebrate! https://www.instagram.com/p/B8MRbBSA304/?igshid=14o31le7y2wzn

[librarynoire]

#GirlWomanOther #BernardineEvaristo #book #books #bookcover #bookstoread #booksof2019 #toread #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #read #reading #readers #readersofinstagram #ilovebooks #ilovereading #booksarelife #booksaremagic #readingismagic #bookaddiction #blackwomenread #thelibraryisopen #bookblogger #bibliophile #goodreads #keepreading #bookworm #booklover #librarybook #booklove https://www.instagram.com/p/B6QjCV3nF_D/?igshid=1muzq2ahokppi

[marinagraphy-blog]

Dear Jane has been selected as Kirkus’ Best Books of 2019. Feeling proud and elated and hoping more readers enjoy the message that books can save us. #kirkus #satisfying #indieauthor #indiebooks #booksof2019 #bestbooksof2019 #janeeyrederivative #janeeyre #charlottebronte #adoption #powerofbooks #booksaveslife https://www.instagram.com/p/B6LU3XkhGi1/?igshid=1h0fnuz7rad8j

[ufuomaee]

#TheAtheist is now available on @Bambooks, #Kobobooks, #Nook and many more #ebook retailers and libraries around the world, courtesy of the #SmashwordsPremiumCatalogue! #NewRelease #BooksByUfuomaee #ChristianFiction #FantasyFiction #BooksOf2019 https://www.instagram.com/p/B52hOrUFRax/?igshid=2s927mdrb5xa

[hobbiesovercoffee]

Late to this party, better late than never, right? #thecruelprince #hollyblack #booksof2019 #bookstagram #picturesofbooks #thisisishypedupimabitscared https://www.instagram.com/p/BshU3d7nR27/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=198ofilpqpdox