The Chronicles of St Mary's series by Jodi Taylor. I had never heard of them but I found them all on audiobook. They are so good and funny, audiobooks are hilariously read. Most British time travel books I could imagine, amazing.
The most surprising book I've read was The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. I adore that book. Oh, and Illuminae. Holy everything, what a ride that book was.
My most surprising book this year was actually Jane Eyre, actually 😄 I never enjoyed reading classics and I had picked up Jane Eyre three times before and every time I got bored at one point... But now I finally finished it as an audiobook and...it was so good?!
BeautywithEmilyFox no offence dear Emily, the whole snow-globe joke might have been funny the very first time, but it has gotten so cringey now. Sorry!
I guess "no offense" is the new version of "Not to be rude". Oh well, maybe they're just jealous Snow Globe Emily looks better in festive headbands they they do.
the most surprising one for me this year was actually a reread, I've read the Hobbit before and didn't really like it, it was ok like 3 Stars, but I wanted to continue reading all the other books Tolkien released so I started rereading Hobbit (and still plan on rereading lord of the Rings but have not picked it up yet) and I enjoyed it a solid 5 Star worth this time, I was really surprised how much I enjoyed it. So I am actually really excited to reread Lord of the Rings now because I think I will like them more now too
By far the most surprising thing I read was "The short 2nd life of Bree Tanner" because....well, it's a Twilight short novella. 😂 BUT DUUUDE, give that story to a more skilled writer, make it a full-length book and you practically have a badass vampire thriller.
The Priory of the Orange tree has the best cover hands down this year. I haven't read it yet, but it's in my bedside stack, judging me. My most surprising was a toss up between the Winners trilogy and Halo Kilo 5 trilogy. I loved both series, but I guess the Halo one. Snarky pompus AI always are a winner.
Hey Em!! I just wanted to let you know that the BoneSeason series by Samantha Shannon is actually adult, and it's really really good. It has a Victorian Setting with a sci fi twist, and has a clairvoyant ranking system too!!
I thought I had seen The Bone Season on Emily's shelves in the past. Could be wrong or she may have decluttered it. 🤔 I just bought the first two volumes of The Bone Season but I have yet to reas them.
I didn't realize "The Ballad of Black Tom" was a sort of companion book/retelling of a Lovecraft short story until I read a Lovecraft compilation for Spooktober, and was like "hmmm... why does this feel familiar...oooohhh". Good on Victor for making a black POV retelling. I can also recommend "Lovecraft Country" if one is into Lovecraftian horror but not the rampant racism of Lovecraft.
If you love magic books, please read The Bartimaeus Trilogy and Belgariad series! Both are solid magic books, not much romance, but with snarky and lovely characters 😊
the most surprising for me was actually a reread! it was The Hunger Games series. I kind of reread it for a laugh, not expecting it to hold up, I loved it when I first read it when I was 13 but I didn't expect to enjoy it so much as a 20 year old but man. I totally did. I think I appreciated different things about it the second time around, but yeah I flew through it and had a blast
The same thing happened to me! I was so surprised when I finished the series in two days. It's not that I thought I'd hate it, but I didn't expect to like it so much either.
I LOVED In An Absent Dream - you are right, it is the best of the 4! An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is one of my fave books and I cannot wait for the sequel! I NEED MORE!!!
I have to give An Absolutely Remarkable Thing another chance then, I started reading it but couldn't really get into it... but now I know you liked it I have more motivation to try again :P
My most surprising was Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. I don’t usually like YA fantasy but this was amazing! You look gorgeous today in red btw :D
Poet X, Perky, and City of Brass were my biggest surprises of the year. I did not anticipate enjoying them as much as I did. Poetry, RomCom and Fantasy... has some surprising winners this year
I just realized that you look like a fair skinned Cher. Maybe it’s the bangs (which I love) but I understand the love hate or hate hate relationship with them. I feel the same way about mine!
I have yet to read Priory but Samantha Shannon's The Bone Season series is SO. GOOD. It doesn't really feel like a YA novel, it's quite brutal and dark. The main character is one of the strongest I've read, and the world is SO unique. And NO ROMANCE!!!! It's amazing, I highly recommend
I was intrigued by The Priory of the Orange Tree but as soon as you said the big anticipated battle was disappointing I got GOT s8 flashbacks and now I dont want to read it anymore 😂
That's basically what it was. You get this amazing universe and the whole book is about the Big Bad and the war to end all wars and then it's done in like 5 pages and you are left wondering what was the point of the other 800+ pages.
I would say it’s still worth the read tbh! Yeah the ending wasn’t the best part of the book, but I enjoyed everything else so much that I wasn’t really disappointed if that makes sense!
I was interested in the Priory of the Orange Tree, but I prefer listening to big books on Audible rather than reading the text, and I checked out the sample. Sadly the narrator is just not for me at all. So I dunno when/if I'm going to get to this book.
An absolutely remarkable thing was definitely the most surprising to me this year because it wasn't what it seemed to be, and I went into it with a lot of scepticism, but I'm happy I picked it up . cant wait for the sequel
Hi Emily, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Years Eve ☺️ I always enjoy listening to your opinions a lot and your videos make me wanna pick up a book, however deep I‘m in a reading slump! Hope you’re doing good 😁 Holiday greetings from Germany xx
Ok this is random but I wonder if you would enjoy the Lady Julia Grey series... there’s a romance in it but it is NOT instalove. I love that series so much.
Hi Emily! Did you find An Absolutely Remarcable Thing a challenging book to read in English? I'm Spanish but I try to read in English (I've read The Humans, One of us is Lying, Harry Potter, all Gillian Flynn books...). Do you think this book would be an easy read? Thank you! 😊
Hello! My mother tongue is Finnish and I read An Absolutely Remarkable Thing last year in English and I didn't find it particularly hard. There's not a lot of science, this book is more focused on the social media aspect (and how social media gives you power and how it can affect you), so there's lots of social media vocabulary. Hope this helps :D
My most surprising was Skyward by Brandon Sanderson and An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green. I’m not really into sci-fi but I loved those books . Can’t wait to get Starsight! Also, you always have the best end of the year wrap up videos and I’m so excited to see what you post for the rest of the month!!! 😊😊
Omg I'm so happy to hear it! I never hear anyone mention that book on booktube! If you like it, you should also check out The Sparrow, both will be in my "best of 2019" :D
BookswithEmilyFox that’s so funny! I just got The Sparrow from the library. I remembered you had mentioned it on your channel a while ago and I picked up yesterday! I really like the “first contact with aliens” trope now!
I’m so happy to see Kate Atkinson’s life after life in here! I read her new book Big Sky recently and it’s brilliant. Definitely don’t read the book after life after life, the brother is boring as fuck! A very melancholic, depressing read!
@@BookswithEmilyFox ten years ago (give it or take) a girl I used to know took her very well written and developed fanfic offline because she was going to try and turn it into a book. I lost contact with her so I don't know what happened to the project but the story was amazing, with aliens attacking the Earth and then suddenly dragons appearing to defend the planet. And there was something very special with those dragons. I loved it so much and I know it could turn into an amazing fantasy book. I just know. It had secrets, battles and everything a good story needs.
My two most surprising were Version Control by Dexter Palmer and Reverie by Ryan La Sala. I think you would like Version Control for sure, and Reverie was a lot of gay fun but I’m not sure if you’d enjoy it or not.
What are the most surprising books you've read in 2019? :D
The Chronicles of St Mary's series by Jodi Taylor. I had never heard of them but I found them all on audiobook. They are so good and funny, audiobooks are hilariously read. Most British time travel books I could imagine, amazing.
The most surprising book I've read was The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. I adore that book. Oh, and Illuminae. Holy everything, what a ride that book was.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is one of my most surprising books of this year too! Also, wonder by R.J. Palacio and On The Come Up by Angie Thomas
Paperbacks from Hell blew me away !
My most surprising book this year was actually Jane Eyre, actually 😄 I never enjoyed reading classics and I had picked up Jane Eyre three times before and every time I got bored at one point... But now I finally finished it as an audiobook and...it was so good?!
What's not surprising is how SnowGlobe Emily is rocking that headband...
BeautywithEmilyFox no offence dear Emily, the whole snow-globe joke might have been funny the very first time, but it has gotten so cringey now. Sorry!
Personally I am living for your evil judgey twin. If it makes you happy and is fun for you, Em, do continue!
Offense taken
I guess "no offense" is the new version of "Not to be rude". Oh well, maybe they're just jealous Snow Globe Emily looks better in festive headbands they they do.
@@starrynikki Agree one hundred percent. Why would you even say anything like this.
Yes I hate instant love stories, I’m like why? That’s not love, that’s attraction!
the most surprising one for me this year was actually a reread, I've read the Hobbit before and didn't really like it, it was ok like 3 Stars, but I wanted to continue reading all the other books Tolkien released so I started rereading Hobbit (and still plan on rereading lord of the Rings but have not picked it up yet) and I enjoyed it a solid 5 Star worth this time, I was really surprised how much I enjoyed it. So I am actually really excited to reread Lord of the Rings now because I think I will like them more now too
By far the most surprising thing I read was "The short 2nd life of Bree Tanner" because....well, it's a Twilight short novella. 😂 BUT DUUUDE, give that story to a more skilled writer, make it a full-length book and you practically have a badass vampire thriller.
The Priory of the Orange tree has the best cover hands down this year. I haven't read it yet, but it's in my bedside stack, judging me. My most surprising was a toss up between the Winners trilogy and Halo Kilo 5 trilogy. I loved both series, but I guess the Halo one. Snarky pompus AI always are a winner.
Totally agree i bought it upon release and still havent gotten around to it but i just loved the cover so much.
When the first thing you do in the morning is watching emily half asleep
The Convenience Store Woman was probably my most surprising read. I really liked that one!!!
I want to read that one so bad.
Hey Em!! I just wanted to let you know that the BoneSeason series by Samantha Shannon is actually adult, and it's really really good. It has a Victorian Setting with a sci fi twist, and has a clairvoyant ranking system too!!
Arikara Stone it’s actually set about 100 years in the future!
I thought I had seen The Bone Season on Emily's shelves in the past. Could be wrong or she may have decluttered it. 🤔
I just bought the first two volumes of The Bone Season but I have yet to reas them.
Oh happy to hear my first impressions were totally wrong! I have the first book on my shelf and now I'm excited to get to it!
I didn't realize "The Ballad of Black Tom" was a sort of companion book/retelling of a Lovecraft short story until I read a Lovecraft compilation for Spooktober, and was like "hmmm... why does this feel familiar...oooohhh". Good on Victor for making a black POV retelling.
I can also recommend "Lovecraft Country" if one is into Lovecraftian horror but not the rampant racism of Lovecraft.
Omg I seen the bronze horseman in the background and almost had a heart attach. My favorite book of all time 🤗❤️
This is really convincing me to pick up The Last Time I Lied. It sounds so good.
Galactic Reader it’s really good
You totally should, it’s suuuper good!! Worth the hype
If you love magic books, please read The Bartimaeus Trilogy and Belgariad series! Both are solid magic books, not much romance, but with snarky and lovely characters 😊
the most surprising for me was actually a reread! it was The Hunger Games series. I kind of reread it for a laugh, not expecting it to hold up, I loved it when I first read it when I was 13 but I didn't expect to enjoy it so much as a 20 year old but man. I totally did. I think I appreciated different things about it the second time around, but yeah I flew through it and had a blast
The same thing happened to me! I was so surprised when I finished the series in two days. It's not that I thought I'd hate it, but I didn't expect to like it so much either.
I LOVED In An Absent Dream - you are right, it is the best of the 4!
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is one of my fave books and I cannot wait for the sequel! I NEED MORE!!!
I have to give An Absolutely Remarkable Thing another chance then, I started reading it but couldn't really get into it... but now I know you liked it I have more motivation to try again :P
ivymuse audiobook for it is great
My absolute favorite book this year was Skyward by Brandon Sanderson 💕
My most surprising was Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. I don’t usually like YA fantasy but this was amazing!
You look gorgeous today in red btw :D
I always look forward to this series! Can’t wait for the other videos 💚
I read The Last Time I Lied because of your review and it was honestly that best decision ever! THAT ENDING THOUGH!! 🙆🏻♀️
Poet X, Perky, and City of Brass were my biggest surprises of the year. I did not anticipate enjoying them as much as I did. Poetry, RomCom and Fantasy... has some surprising winners this year
AART was a big surprise for me too!
I just realized that you look like a fair skinned Cher. Maybe it’s the bangs (which I love) but I understand the love hate or hate hate relationship with them. I feel the same way about mine!
I have yet to read Priory but Samantha Shannon's The Bone Season series is SO. GOOD. It doesn't really feel like a YA novel, it's quite brutal and dark. The main character is one of the strongest I've read, and the world is SO unique. And NO ROMANCE!!!! It's amazing, I highly recommend
I was intrigued by The Priory of the Orange Tree but as soon as you said the big anticipated battle was disappointing I got GOT s8 flashbacks and now I dont want to read it anymore 😂
That's basically what it was. You get this amazing universe and the whole book is about the Big Bad and the war to end all wars and then it's done in like 5 pages and you are left wondering what was the point of the other 800+ pages.
I would say it’s still worth the read tbh! Yeah the ending wasn’t the best part of the book, but I enjoyed everything else so much that I wasn’t really disappointed if that makes sense!
I was interested in the Priory of the Orange Tree, but I prefer listening to big books on Audible rather than reading the text, and I checked out the sample.
Sadly the narrator is just not for me at all. So I dunno when/if I'm going to get to this book.
An absolutely remarkable thing was definitely the most surprising to me this year because it wasn't what it seemed to be, and I went into it with a lot of scepticism, but I'm happy I picked it up . cant wait for the sequel
I think a lot of use were pleasantly surprised by it!
I love that both Emilies have great hair/fringe in this video.
Hi Emily, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Years Eve ☺️ I always enjoy listening to your opinions a lot and your videos make me wanna pick up a book, however deep I‘m in a reading slump!
Hope you’re doing good 😁
Holiday greetings from Germany xx
I was just watching your book haul video when i got a notification of a new video from you!! Best timing
Ok this is random but I wonder if you would enjoy the Lady Julia Grey series... there’s a romance in it but it is NOT instalove. I love that series so much.
Can you do a spoilery deep dive of Riley sagars books and your thoughts for those of us that have read all 3
Hi Emily! Did you find An Absolutely Remarcable Thing a challenging book to read in English? I'm Spanish but I try to read in English (I've read The Humans, One of us is Lying, Harry Potter, all Gillian Flynn books...). Do you think this book would be an easy read? Thank you! 😊
Hello! My mother tongue is Finnish and I read An Absolutely Remarkable Thing last year in English and I didn't find it particularly hard. There's not a lot of science, this book is more focused on the social media aspect (and how social media gives you power and how it can affect you), so there's lots of social media vocabulary. Hope this helps :D
Ooooh I loved Priory too! Such a great list!
My most surprising was Skyward by Brandon Sanderson and An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green. I’m not really into sci-fi but I loved those books . Can’t wait to get Starsight! Also, you always have the best end of the year wrap up videos and I’m so excited to see what you post for the rest of the month!!! 😊😊
Very happy you're coming to the dark side.... :P
BookswithEmilyFox yes I’m slowly moving to the dark side. I’m actually in the middle of Spin right now and I’m loving it.
Omg I'm so happy to hear it! I never hear anyone mention that book on booktube! If you like it, you should also check out The Sparrow, both will be in my "best of 2019" :D
BookswithEmilyFox that’s so funny! I just got The Sparrow from the library. I remembered you had mentioned it on your channel a while ago and I picked up yesterday! I really like the “first contact with aliens” trope now!
Ooo I think you should pick up the novella Alice Payne Arrives. It is an interesting time travel / historical fiction / reliving plot
Yay the end of the year series are beginning!! ❤✌
The most surprising read of this year for me, was Skyward by Brandon Sanderson and The Toll by Neal Shusterman!
I WAS SOOO EXCITED!
Id love your opinion of The Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman!
Interesting how many of these are shorts/novellas!
I’m so happy to see Kate Atkinson’s life after life in here! I read her new book Big Sky recently and it’s brilliant. Definitely don’t read the book after life after life, the brother is boring as fuck! A very melancholic, depressing read!
YES!!! I love these!!!!
Awesome recs!
For me it was The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw and The Wonder by Emma Donoghue❤❤ they were amazing!¡!¡
Would be nice if you could recommend some books for the winter season
The last time I lied is definitely the best of Sager's work. Lock every door sucked sn cant remember the third!!!
Em, do you know any fantasy book that has dragons and aliens in it?
Whoa, that will be really cool!
I don't think it's a thing... maybe it should lol
@@BookswithEmilyFox ten years ago (give it or take) a girl I used to know took her very well written and developed fanfic offline because she was going to try and turn it into a book. I lost contact with her so I don't know what happened to the project but the story was amazing, with aliens attacking the Earth and then suddenly dragons appearing to defend the planet. And there was something very special with those dragons. I loved it so much and I know it could turn into an amazing fantasy book. I just know. It had secrets, battles and everything a good story needs.
everytime you pronounce thriller “triller” i gain a year on my life
If you love first contact stories, try The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell.
I did this year actually! It's going to be in a different video in this series ;)
Great. I look forward to seeing your video!
It's not strange that Lovecraft inspired a lot of people, colored or not, I mean his scholar and the man who represents his work the most is Indian.
Have you made a sci fi rec?
I have a Beginner's Guide where I recommend some based on other genre you might like already!
ua-cam.com/video/l8UPAUkQIPI/v-deo.html
My two most surprising were Version Control by Dexter Palmer and Reverie by Ryan La Sala.
I think you would like Version Control for sure, and Reverie was a lot of gay fun but I’m not sure if you’d enjoy it or not.
Is Reverie surprising in a good way or bad way?
dobliviate I liked it. I thought it was going to be really terrible and it was actually pretty good, especially the villain.
@@greymyers4087 I'm glad that you liked it. I would pick up that book soon, hopefully I would enjoy it.
I’ve never heard of bound but it sounds cool!
For me it was The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw and The Wonder by Emma Donoghue❤❤ they were amazing!¡!¡