10 Books I Loved in 2019 (in the order I read them)
1. Daughter of the Siren Queen
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars
This is the last half of a two part series. Alosa is the sober, female version of Jack Sparrow. I could not get enough of her! She’s also reluctantly falling for Riden, the smoothest talker on land or sea. Seriously, it’s a super fun series.
“I may not have been born in the sea, but I was born to rule it. I am the daughter of the siren queen.” – Tricia Levenseller, Daughter of the Siren Queen
2. Seeing Miss Heartstone by Nichole Van
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
My Rating: 5 Stars
Just a delightful historical romance, if you like Jane Austen, you’ll like this one. It features a strong female protagonist, the perfect amount of angst, swoon-worthy gentleman. I honestly can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this one. You could definitely read this one in a day or two just as a feel good story.
“She had never considered how revolutions began, but she supposed that most did start with a single person in a quiet room pondering how life should be.” – Nichole Van, Seeing Miss Heartstone
3. Suffering the Scot by Nichole Van
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
My Rating: 5 Stars
The most adorable historical romance from the first meeting to the epilogue. Andrew and Jane are a match made in heaven. I would describe their relationship as “idiots to lovers” considering they take the longest to realize how perfect they are for each other.
“Wasn’t this a woman’s lot in life? Her world could be tumbling down around her, but a proper lady would sit and calmly stitch poppies and butterflies despite the chaos. Embroidery, in moments like this, was not nearly violent enough for Jane’s taste.” – Nichole Van, Suffering the Scot
4. Finale by Stephanie Garber
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
My rating: 4 Stars
This was the final installment of the Caraval series. I enjoyed all of them. It’s a fantastical vibrant world that gave me Alice in Wonderland vibes. To be honest, the only reason I gave this last one four stars was because a lot happened for one book. I truly loved it.
“Fear was a poison that people mistook as protection. Making choices to stay safe could be just as treacherous.” – Stephanie Garber, Finale
5. The Body Reader by Anne Frasier
Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Crime
This series was so good! I felt like someone turned Criminal Minds into novels. This first one in particular really got me hooked. Jude and her story was so unique to me. I’d never read anything like it before, and I found it to be very deep and introspective for a mystery novel.
“I wonder why we always feel disdain for our old selves…We should feel thankful. We should appreciate the people we used to be rather than being ashamed of them.” – Anne Frasier, The Body Reader
6. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
Genre: Historical Fiction
My Rating: 5 Stars
I recommend this book to everyone. This was such a cool story, blending fact and fiction expertly. I was researching blue people and pack horse librarians for days after I read this one. Not to mention, it made me cry! (I am not a crier, y’all.) It was a story that stuck with me for several days after I finished.
“I never understood why other people thought my color, any color, needed fixing.” – Kim Michele Richardson, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
7. The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars
This is a precursor to Practical Magic. A backstory for Franny and Jet. It was a little more slow moving than I usually like, but the way she mixed real historical events with a magical world kept me turning pages. It’s not an overly upbeat story, but it does have its own charm.
“Life is a mystery, and it should be so, for the sorrow that accompanies being human and the choices one will have to make are a burden, too heavy for most to know before their time comes.” – Alice Hoffman, The Rules of Magic
8. The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith
Genre: Paranormal/Historical Fiction
My Rating: 4 Stars
I found this book so charming. From the first chapter to the last, Luanne G. Smith’s style paints a vivid and beautiful picture in your mind. I gave it four stars because I wish a couple of the characters had been better developed and I felt the ending was abrupt. But good news: a sequel is set to release this summer!
“We put names to the unexplained. Cast it as something to either fear or worship. And yet just because a thing can’t be seen doesn’t mean it isn’t real.” – Luanne G. Smith, The Vine Witch
9. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
My Rating: 5 Stars
Y’all, this book was such a unique experience for me. It was so sweet and so strong. I am still just impressed with this couple who endured one of the most horrific events in history and came out on the other side with a sweet love story as their legacy. Reading about how something awful could produce something beautiful was good for me.
“How can someone do this to another human being? He wonders if for the rest of his life, be it short or long, he will be defined by this moment, this irregular number: 32407.” – Heather Morris, The Tattooist of Auschwitz
10. Red Winter Trilogy by Annette Marie
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars
This trilogy was a surprise favorite for me. I read it based on a Goodreads recommendation. It’s based around Japanese Mythology, which I thought would be confusing for me, but Annette Marie did a fantastic job of explaining and storytelling at the same time. She wrote some lovable heroes and some great complicated villains. I was sad to finish the last book!
“Actions change our course, influence our futures, but intentions define us, empower us. Without intent, we are nothing.” – Annette Marie, Red Winter
Krystle Goodman is a crazy cat lady, who loves to drink exorbitant amounts of coffee, and read a shocking amount of books. She lives in Benton with her husband Josh, her son Roman, and their two cats Roxanne and Abby. When she isn’t reading, you’ll find her cooking, painting, or watching true crime shows. Watch for Krystle’s book reviews every other Friday. Send fanmail to: [email protected]
See more of Krystle’s reviews at www.mysaline.com/krystle.