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Favorite Five Books of 2019 So Far
Wow, I can’t believe the year is almost halfway over already, where has the time gone? With that in mind, I thought it would be good to take a look back over the books I’ve read so far this year and see what favorites stand out for 2019. Right now I’m going to be talking about those published this year only, when I do my mid-year recap later in the month I’ll be sure to talk about all of my favorites.
Without further ado, here are my favorites!
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A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C. A. Fletcher
This book is so good! It’s a really engaging story about someone going to find their kidnapped dog and bring them back home years after an apocalypse and humanity is on the brink of extinction. Sounds dire, and this does have its sad moments (I may have cried a few times reading it) but…strangely enough this is a book that embodies hope. This also had a huge amount of emotional content and I was able to be write there with the main character on their journey. I’ll save the rest of my thoughts for my review. 😉 READ THIS BOOK!
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The Kingdom of Copper by S. A. Chakraborty
This sequel really stepped up it’s game. I mean, I loved the first book too, but this sequel felt damn near perfect to me. So much going on, so many twists and turns, so much crazy character development. I was on the edge of my seat for the last hour of reading this one, at least. Never had such an exciting time reading a book before or said ‘whaaaaaaaat!!!’ so many times while reading either. If you haven’t had a chance to dive into this series yet, I highly recommend it.
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The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson
How to describe this book? Well, historical fantasy / magical realism? What a treat. The main characters are forced to flee from the Spainish Inquisition and their journey becomes increasingly strange throughout. This book had a ton of symbolism and metaphor through fantastic elements which is something I love. I love books that make me wonder what the heck they meant! I don’t know if this is a book everyone will love, but I sure did and I think it’s worth checking out. The prose in this was especially lovely.
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The Wicked King by Holly Black
This is another sequel that was highly engaging and left me on the edge of my seat. In a lot of ways, the tension here and the ‘what’s going to happen next’ elements were very similar to The Kingdom of Copper, despite being very different books. I loved the characters, and the pace here was amazing. Everything I want in a sequel. I can’t wait for the third book (soon!).
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A Magical Inheritance by Krista D. Ball
This is a book I’d been waiting forever for. Or it seemed like it. At least a year anyway. I had super high expectations and it didn’t disappoint. Austen-esque dialogue and sharp social observations? Check. Witty banter? Check. Feminism? Check. Fantasy of Manners? Check. Sorting of large amounts of books? Check. Women’s friendships? Check. Really, I am this books target audience. But if you enjoy any or all of the above, I definitely recommend giving this one a go.
Well, it’s been a great year in reading so far, and these are a few of my favorites. Hopefully will have my full mid-year update out soon. Have you read any of these? What have been some of your top reads for books released this year? Leave a note in the comments, I’d love to chat!
Way Too Fantasy 
I’ve just bought A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World. Looking forward to it.
Hope you enjoy!
Thanks 🙂
I love this list! A Boy and his Dog is also one of my favorites of the year so far😊
I really loved it, didn’t think I would but then I did. 🙂
I’m always so nervous about second books, but you’re right, Kingdom of Copper and Wicked King DELIVERED. I was supposed to go to a concert the night I finished Kingdom of Copper, but I was so wrapped up in reading it that I ended up late for the concert because I couldn’t stop. It was a wild ride.
Haha, yes it was definitely a wild ride. I was listening to it on audio while I was working and my coworkers thought I was crazy. 🤣
A Boy and His Dog was so good! I didn’t love City of Brass as much as I’d hoped so I’ve been hesitant to check out The Kingdom of Copper, but you make me really want to read it anyway! I stll really need to check out The Bird King also.
Every little quibble I had with City of Brass was gone from the second book and all the excitement I liked from the ending of the first one was amplified in the sequel. It was a huge win for me.
A Boy and His Dog was amazing, such a great read
Hope you enjoy The Bird King!
Love The Wicked King! So excited we get book 3 in November instead if January 😍🤗
Yes! I just found out the other day that it’s coming out this fall. I’m already super hyped about it lol. 🙂
My favorite 2019 release I think is SEVEN BLADES IN BLACK, but SORCERY OF THORNS would lose by like .05%. I’ve had a LOT of great backlist reads so far…i think it’s a 3 way tie between FOUNDRYSIDE, JADE CITY, and SIX OF CROWS.
I don’t have a ton of backlist books this year because I’ve been trying to stay current with new releases Haha, losing battle either way. But my favorite backlist so far is The Last Sun. I really need to check out Sorcery of Thorns!
You have made me VERY interested in bumping up THE LAST SUN on my TBR…..
It’s really really really fun. If you like Urban Fantasy with a twist and queer romances….there ya go. I’m sad I didn’t reader it sooner but also excited I don’t have to wait too long for the sequel.
I’ve only read The Wicked King out of all of these so obviously the rest are going on my TBR…
The Wicked King was great, wasn’t it? Hope you enjoy the others if you get to them!
Yesss it really was! And thank you💜
Had to add A Magical Inheritance to my TBR.
My favorite fantasy novel of the year so far is probably Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend. I enjoyed that book so much!
Hope you enjoy!
I’ll have to check that one out. 🙂
Love this list! I’ve been a bit hesitant about picking up The Bird King because I saw a couple of reviews that were eh, but you make me want to try it. 😀 And one of my favourites this year is The Wolf in the Whale! I’m pretty sure I told you this before, but I’m 100% sure it’s a book that you’ll LOVE. I mean, the romance is so thoroughly written and sweet and just…SO GOOD.
The Bird King is definitely a book that I don’t think will be for everyone, but I really loved it. I do want to read that one at some point! I just need to find time to squeeze it in.
Lovely list. I’ve read two of these and have another one waiting to pick up – so I should probably just add the other two as well!
That crashing noise?? Was it my tbr toppling over or simply my husband slamming the door as he walks out in despair at the thought of me buying more books when I have about a million already! hehehe – I need help, I can’t resist.
Lynn 😀
Hahaha, yes, I know exactly what you mean. My husband complains good naturedly and then turns around and indulges me by encouraging me to buy even more books though. O.O lol
a boy with his dog and the bird king both sound so good!! And wicked king definitely kept me on the edge of my seat too!! Can’t wait for the finale as well 😀
I’m so excited about the finale! Later this year, aaaaah!
Definitely recommend A Boy and His Dog. The Bird King was one that really resonated with me but I think it’s one of those books that not everyone will love. But you might! 🙂
The Wicked King was awesome! I can’t wait for the 3rd one either 😀
Yep, definitely excited for that one.