2019 was in many ways nothing but a gigantic trash fire. Personally, it was somewhat of a roller coaster ride and led me to some more than exciting paths. Reading wise though? 2019 was one of the most epic years ever, even though I didn’t nearly read as much as I wanted to but the quality more than made up for that.
I’ll have IG stories up with all my fun statistics on the books I read (if you want those for yourself too, start using my handy spreadsheet in 2020!) but for now, the way harder part: choosing my favorites of the year. I want to list SO many books. I read such a huge amount of new favorites, so many wonderful books, both from old and new-to-me authors. I really hope 2020 continues in the same fashion.
In no particular order because I just can’t name THE favorite of the year, or top 3 or top 10, nope, I refuse.
The Worldbreaker Saga by Kameron Hurley
I had the most epic binge read with this trilogy which is now my FAVORITE. The Broken Heavens was one of the best conclusions I have ever read and I already want to reread the whole thing. SO damn good and queer AF.
The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley
Yep, another Hurley book because DAMN SHE JUST WRITES THE GOOD STUFF OKAY. (and by good stuff I mean mind-fuckery, queer AF, mind blowing, deliciously dark). This one was just so. very. clever.
A Pale Light In the Black by K.B. Wagers
Scifi/space operas usually don’t have to offer any feel-good books but that’s exactly what this one is. I can’t even put into words how much I love it and its characters. Like, I’m seriously disappointed that I can’t be friends with this space family. Also, warning: while this is a story full of hope and fun and overall positive stuff, it might (read: totally will) make you cry.
Repo Virtual by Corey J. White
Corey’s newest was exactly the scifi fun I expected it to be and I freaking loved it for it. A heist, queer characters, an AI,… what more could you want!?
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
This book/story was just gorgeous. How does she even come up with this stuff!? I’m so in love with these characters and their quest. (lots of hardcore shipping while reading this one)
Middlegame by Seanan McGuire
Not sure what was up with 2019, but there were so many very clever, though-out, like-nothing-I’ve-read-before books!? Middlegame was just mind-blowingly good and OMG do I love these precious characters and can I just please give them a hug already?
The Relentless Moon by Mary Robinette Kowal
I had the opportunity to beta-read this one and guys, prepare yourselves for this one! SO. MANY. FEELS. I read it in public. Do not recommend. The Lady Astronaut books were my most pushed ones in 2018, and you can bet I’m gonna push this one into everyone’s faces in 2020.
Velocity Weapon by Megan E. O’Keefe
Another really clever book that had the most amazing plot twist. Seriously. I had to take a minute…
Super fun space adventure and also queer.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
One of the most hyped books of 2019 and for a good reason. And-Then-There-Were-None Necromancer style. In Space. With Lesbians. Nuff said.
Empress of Forever by Max Gladstone
That cover had me thinking of Hela and expect an equally badass story and that’s exactly what I got. Lesbian in space fighting an evil tyrant? HELL YES.
Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes
This was such a fun space adventure. WITH PSYCHIC CATS! I’m not even a cat person but that was a fun twist. Also: ownvoice latinx MC!
Ancestral Night by Elizabeth Bear
Found family, tragic past, lesbian in space, pets on a spaceship, awesome AI…. there’s just so much to love in this one. I might add it wasn’t a favorite right from the start but then it made me cry and from then on it was love XD (also highly recommend the audiobook and please don’t be afraid by all the science. I didn’t get a lot of it either but it didn’t matter anyway)
Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire
This is now my favorite in the series. I’m still waiting for the book that features my favorite character’s story but this had a lot of them in it, so this was great. I also loved the cute AF f/f relationship in this one and the overall plot was so. damn. good.
The Ten Thousand Doors of January By Alix E. Harrow
Such a beautiful book! I don’t even know what to say because nothing will do it justice. I certainly loved this one to pieces.
The Place on Dalhousie by Melina Marchetta
No one, absolutely no one, makes me cry as hard as Marchetta does. Damn her for writing character that feel so damn real that I forget they aren’t. Damn her for writing such intricate relationship that have me yearning for more. Damn her for making me want to spend time with people who don’t exist.
Finna by Nino Cipri
Ex lovers having to deal with their break up by finding an old lady who got lost in an alternate reality inside the IKEA-like store they both work at!? Seriously, what’s not to love. This is one of the most fun parallel-world stories (that also tackles the topic of Capitalism) I’ve read and queer on top of it. More like this please and thank you.
Magic For Liars by Sarah Gailey
This was just such a ME book. I loved it right from the start because I just felt at home with the setting and the character. The MC is quite the flawed one and the setting a magical school but her not part of it because no magic for her, sorry!? Yep, right up my alley.
The Imperial Radch by Ann Leckie
After having this series on my TBR for what felt like ages, I finally binged the whole trilogy and LOVED it, especially the last book. I guess it was worth the wait and now I’m just highly obsessed with it for making up for the wait.
The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie
Ann Leckie’s fantasy debut and it’s just as awesome as her scifi books. She always write the weirdest (in a good way) books and this one was no exception. I mean, who else can write a book from the POV of a damn rock!?
Zero Sum Game by S.L. Huang
Cass Russell, love of my life. Her super power is MATH. How awesome is that? And her best friend a psychopath. Makes for A+ entertainment.
Die, Vol. 1: Fantasy Heartbreaker by Kieron Gillen, Stephanie Hans
I didn’t read many comics this year but this one was definitely a highlight. A diverse Jumanji meets IT on crack. Super fun, super dark, and just right up my alley.
The Vela by Yoon Ha Lee, Becky Chambers, S.L. Huang, Rivers Solomon
A unique take on the issues of worlds dying and refugees. A great space adventure with queer/diverse characters that I had lots of fun reading.
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone
I loved this one SO much. Enemies turned lovers. Told in letters. AND wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff!? Perfect.
Fortuna by Kristyn Merbeth
Look, tragedy siblings are SO my thing, and this space family is just wonderfully fucked up. This book could have been written for me. And it’s not just the characters but also the non-stop action plot that had me hella excited.
Maraia
Jan 9th, 2020I’m happy to say I’ve read and loved almost all of the ones not published in 2020! Great list. 🙂