My original reading goal for 2019 was 50 books or just about one a week. However, three months into the year I realized that my schedule and routines would not allow time to complete that goal. I adjusted my goal and hoped to read 26 books by year end.
I met that goal, but I did experience a few reading slumps by forcing myself to continue books I was not enjoying. Funny thing is that I ended up DNFing every one of those books. Essentially, I stubbornly tried to finish books I did not enjoy and still did not finish them.
However, I found myself reading quite a few dynamic books worth mentioning in 2019.
Top Reads of 2019
This work of fiction is based on the true story of a boys home located in North Florida in which children were mistreated and forgotten. Whitehead centers the internal conflict of the main character around words from a speech by Martin Luther King Jr. and takes the reader on quite a journey. Of the works I have read by Whitehead, The Nickel Boys is my favorite.
Heavy is very aptly named as the subjects in this work may be triggering for some. Furthermore I would recommend reading this book in sections for the purpose of processing. The writing is excellent and the audiobook, narrated by Laymon, is well paced. and the emotion within the storylines are conveyed through the feeling behind the narration. It takes quite a bit of courage to offer others such an intimate look into not only his entire life story, but the failures, secrets, and lowest points along the way. The resulting work is phenomenal and worth all of your time.
3. Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-Spires
At the top of the year, I read this delightful short story collection. The opening story is the strongest, but the collection of stories as a whole is very entertaining. The level of petty expressed in the opening story could only have been written by a black woman, and I am here for it. I am not a big short story reader, but this collection has me experience serious FOMO.
4. A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
Through the lens of multiple characters, we learn how depression and addiction of one family member affects an entire family. Mirza is able to fully immerse the reader in the story of a single character, shutting the reader off from the viewpoint, thoughts, and feelings of other characters. Then giving more information with the next viewpoint, causing me the reader to experience the rollercoaster ride that addiction takes a family through. I have read many stories from multiple-viewpoints, but few do so as well as Mirza.
5. Atomic Habits by James Clear
I have read several books on habits to learn how I can better incorporate the habits I desire into my daily life. Most rehash the same information with maybe a few new ideas. In Atomic Habits, Clear manages to create a refreshing spin on an old ideas with research based conclusions and behavior based solutions. If you are hoping to build new habits or get rid of old habits in 2020, you need this book.
I gave more books four stars this year than in 2018, so the bar for five was high. In 2020 I plan to re-read quite a few books, but I am still looking forward to a few new releases of 2020.
What new releases are on your radar for 2020?
