I am currently typing this during that weird in-between Christmas and the New Year where I don’t really know what day it is and I am totally hungover from the mass amounts of sugar I consumed during the holidays.

But this time always brings about a time of reflection. I set a goal for myself to read 50 new books in 2019, I am happy to say that I did indeed hit that goal! A couple of books were hard to get through or just not my cup of tea but a large amount of them were absolutely amazing. So here are several books that completely and totally rocked me. I am still thinking about some of these and if you were looking to spend some of your Christmas money on something...it should 100% be these books!

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 

This book. Okay, so I am sure you have seen it everywhere if you have not read it already, I know there is A LOT of hype around it which can sometimes be intimidating but it is 100% worth all of the hype. Delia Owens sets the scene of this hauntingly beautiful story in the setting of a coastal small town in North Carolina in the 1960s as we follow the life journey of a tenacious young girl named Kya. You will be put on a total roller coaster of emotions throughout this story, but it is such a beautiful one and nothing like I have ever read before. 

Circe by Madeline Miller

Intoxicating, gripping, heartbreaking, and absolutely stunning are just a couple of words I would use to describe this book. Based on the infamous character from the Odyssey Madeline Miller spins a tale about Circe that is truly epic. With unforgettable characters, a setting of otherworldly beauty, and an intimate point of view you will find it hard to put this book down. If you are a big fan of Greek mythology this book is an absolute must! 

Becoming by Michelle Obama

I truly believe I do not need to gush about this book because I am sure you have all heard by now about amazing it is. But guess what? I am going to gush anyway! Michelle Obama’s story is so empowering and inspiring. From growing up in the South Side of Chicago to becoming First Lady of The United States of America. Michelle offers an intimate look at not only her journey in the White House but also as a mother, wife, and woman of color. Her story is full of soul and substance that will teach us all to flourish despite our own circumstances. 

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Obsessed. I am truly and deeply obsessed with this series. Sisters Scarlett and Donatella Dragna go on the adventure of a lifetime by participating in the infamous “Caraval”, an exclusive invite-only game that will blur the lines of reality and fiction all set in a world rich with magic and wonder. The characters and storyline are a total dream and you will want to just consume this series within a day. If you have read this or plan to read this...please DM me on Instagram because honestly, I could gush about this series for hours and my friends are getting really sick of me talking about it. 

Let us know in the comments what your favourite books of 2019 are! 

Happy New Year!

By guest editor,
Alicia  (IG: @thebookishpuff)

About the guest editor: 

Alicia is currently the resident blogger over at The Bookish Puff and aspiring author. Raised under the southern sun she is a true eternal optimist with a deep love of history, stories, and a shameless addiction to caffeine.  When she’s not on the internet writing about books, you can find her baking up a storm in her kitchen, watching true crime documentaries, sipping on coffee while chatting with friends, or getting lost in nature. She currently lives with her boyfriend and two crazy cats in Charleston, South Carolina in the United States.