Top 5 reads for 2019 (so far) and my Top 5 most anticipated! (Updated)
Top 5 Reads:
As February comes to a close, I am pleased that there were a good 5 books that I’d really rate as quality (rated below in order read — because why not).
*** Updated *** As November (and 2019) comes to a close, I thought I’d check in to see how I went with those on the ‘To Be Read’ pile:
Americanah — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Female, Nigeria)
Plot: Two young Nigerians. One boy, one girl. Girl goes to America, boy to the UK. What it means to be Black, what it means to be Nigerian.
Why so good: I seem to have a thing for Nigerian fiction, and I find the stories from there fascinating. This was also a tome of a book (nearly 500 pages) — so was able to really get stuck into it.
Recommended Reading State: A perfect holiday read, lots to get through and not too depressing.
Lethal White — Robert Galbraith (Female (!), UK)
Plot: Best in class detective novel, the fourth from the alter ego of JK Rowling. A grown man thinks he’s witnessed a crime back in his childhood, and detective Cormoran Strike and his partner Robin get to the bottom of it; albeit through a number of twists and turns.
Why so good: A was never a fan of detective novels until I started this series. Simple.
Recommended Reading State: Another essential holiday read clocking in with 650 pages. With a myriad of characters and plot twists, you’ll want some good stretches of time to absorb.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine— Gail Honeyman (Female, UK Scotland)
Plot: Eleanor Oliphant is a bit of an outcast, but one with a dark and quite sad side. Without ruining too much of the fun, this novel sees Eleanor find both her self and a bit of love along the way.
Why so good: Do you ever read a book you want to hug? After ploughing through some pretty heavy tomes already this year, some with more than a few horrible parts, this was some light relief, even with the dark twists.
Recommended Reading State: This was our Book Club’s kick-off novel for 2019. Perfect for a group reading session or anytime you want an optimistic lift.
The Lives of Tao —Wesley Chu (Male, Taiwan)
Plot: This is sci-fi; but not as you know it. With an out of shape IT nerd hero is suddenly invaded by an alien and pulled into a centuries-old war — this has got everything. Sci-Fi, Thriller, lots of killing, and a decent amount of humour.
Why so good: I read this one as part of the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge where the task was to read something ‘Alternate History’. I would never have come across this if not for the recommendation and fell in love with Chu’s depreciating and often satirical take on the genre.
Recommended Reading State: Don’t want to think too much? Need something else besides Netflix?
The Poet X — Elizabeth Acevedo (Female, USA)
Plot: Young teen girl in Harlem New York. Looking for love, looking for the meaning of life, looking for a way out of her family. Finds it through Slam Poetry.
Why so good: Caveat here — not sure this really counts as one of my top reads — but such a left-field book from my usual reads that I thought I’d add it in. First up — its Young Adult, which I usually steer clear of (especially after the state I finished The Fault in Our Stars). Secondly, it’s written in a Slam Poetry style, which I initially dismissed as lame, but it seemed to work. It was sweet, authentic and a little different.
Recommended Reading State: Got a Young Adult in the house? Get them to read, super keen to hear what they think.
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Top 5 Most Anticipated:
And what’s better than having read 5 awesome books this year — another 5 to really look forward to reading. Here’s what I’ve rated as my“most anticipated” reads for the year (so far).
Transparent City — Ondjaki (Angola, Male)
What hooked me in? I heard about this novel in the Words Without Borders Anticipated Reads back in April 2018.
Those who know about my ambition to read beyond the US and Europe will appreciate my instant attraction to an Angolan writer.
Updated Verdict? The only one on the list I didn’t read — so just purchased for $11AUD in the Kindle store. Perfect.
Black Leopard, Red Wolf — Marlon James (Jamaica, Male)
What hooked me in? James’ last book ‘A Brief History of Seven Killings’ while challenging in its patios and character layering, quickly rose to become my top read in 2016. Now he’s back again with another heavy volume that has been described as an African Game of Thrones / Sci Fi Thriller. Can’t say I’ve read many of those! Coupled with the fact that new copies have been spamming my Instagram feed — I’m waiting to dive in. (Think I’ll wait for the April Holidays!)
Verdict? Woah — what a wild read! Not for those looking for a light read, as James once again layers complex plots over intricate characters, and narrated via flashbacks and non-chronological events. But if you’re up for the challenge it’s worth getting immersed in this African fantasy.
An Orchestra of Minorities — Chigozie Obioma (Nigeria, Male)
What hooked me in? Ever since reading the classic ‘Things Fall Apart’ — I’ve had a bit of a cult following for Nigerian novels. No surprise I liked Americanah! I fell in love with Obioma’s previous novel The Fisherman, so I only needed to hear that he had a new book for it to be added to the Must Read pile.
Verdict? OK THIS COULD EASILY BE IN MY TOP 10 FOR 2019. Even better than his debut ‘The Fishermen’. Starting with a poor chicken farmer in Nigeria, and then a move to Cypress, the beauty in this book is the beautiful characters and narrative, all circling around the fabulous hero of the book Chinoso. Highly recommended for a great Christmas present / holiday read.
The Night Tiger — Yangsze Choo (Malaysia, Female)
What hooked me in? Obviously the Malaysian heritage. Then Goodreads names it one of their most anticipated books of 2019. There are also men who turn into Dragons!
Verdict? A really wonderful read; particularly the Malaysian Colonial setting, which (after several years in Singapore) was very familiar. While the men who turned into dragons wasn’t central to the book, the clever mystery, and the missing finger were. Even without any ties to Malaysia, this should be a lovely read for many.
The Testaments — Margaret Atwood (Canada, Female)
Offred is coming — September 2019. Need I say more?
Verdict? Praise Be — it wasn’t terrible.
