These annual reviews (in "ascending" order) are so enjoyable and I find myself adding many of your recommendations onto my Goodreads to-read list. Cheers and Happy New Year, Ardith
I loved The Sparrow and Children of God. I still think about them all the time. I’m excited to try Women of the Copper Country as I really like the author’s writing. Fingersmith was delicious, it kept me on my toes and it’s so hard to surprise me with twists.
Added Fingersmith to my library request list. Adore House of Mirth and Mansfield Park! Wharton and Austen are amongst my favourite writers. Character portrayals are breathtaking and the settings are sublime. Glad you enjoyed them so much!
OMG I'm so happy you mentioned The Sparrow!!! It's one of my all time favorite books. I recently joined BookTube, and so far I haven't seen anyone else talk about the Sparrow. I enjoyed the sequel Children of God, although the Sparrow is a lot stronger in my opinion. All lot of these books sound amazing and I'm adding them to my TBR!
Hi, Olive! I've just binged watched a bunch of your videos from the past couple months that I haven't watched, yet. And I just wanted to say hello again and that you really have a talent for summarizing the plots of books, while not saying too much or too little! You also have a way of making every book seem so exciting- granted, this is your top fiction books you read in 2019 video. I'm actually thinking of picking up Fingersmith soon. Although I'm in the middle of a few other books, I'm really in the mood to start something new and right now it's between Fingersmith and Women In Love by D.H. Lawrence; that is, if I only end up starting one!
Gods of Jade and Shadow presents mayan mythology in such a vibrant way I could not help but remembering my high school reading of the Popol Vuh. I was distracted, though, by a number of creative choices made by Moreno that seemed odd (but are undetectable unless you’re a local). Either way it was a bold and welcome attempt to introduce mayan myths worldwide. Happy new year!
If you don't mind me asking, what choices seemed odd? I live in the Rust Belt of the U.S. so I definitely didn't pick up on those elements, but I think such things would be good to know!
abookolive sure! The greatest one was the setting in 1927. At the time Mexico was undergoing the Cristero War, which is comparable to the Revolution in the level of disruption to daily life in the country. The fact is mentioned in the novel, but it is just brushed aside. It is unlikely Cassiopeia and Hun-Kame would have been able to traverse the country without encountering a sign of the conflict. Another one is the setting of the climax: the presence of a mega-resort in Baja in the 20s is unlikely as the tourism boom in Mexico started after 1945 (and in Baja much later). Those are very minor qualms, but were a couple that caught my attention.
Great list. Based on your comparison of “City of Girls “ to “Rules of Civility “ ( one of my top two favorite books ), this will be a must read for me. Thank you for listing the lipstick you are wearing which is stunning ! 💄
I have read two of these and concur with your admiration for City of Girls and Once Upon a River. The others are already on my TBR so with your recommendation I will heartily look forward to them! Thanks for this video! Happy New Year!
I just went back and watched your complete book review on Mansfield Park and it sounds like a TBR this year.!. Thank you for your insight into Fannie's character.
Happy New Year! Great list. Daisy Jones surprised me - I think my favorite audiobook this year. Once Upon though comes in a lose second. This was a fantastic reading year.
Hi Olive, love you videos! I'd like to know what's your favorite Sarah Waters, I only read Paying Guests! Loved House of Mirth, The Rules of Courtesy is in my TBR as Mansfield Park. Happy new year!
Fantastic list! Unsurprisingly, there were many on here I love as well. Hopefully, I will get to Mansfield Park in 2020. Its the only Austen I have left to read.
That's one of the things that bums me out about required reading in school - some books we're just too young to appreciate. I think it takes time & reading experience to appreciate some books. I can totally see myself hating Mansfield Park if I were younger.
Thanks for the fantastic recommendations, Olive! Your enthusiasm for these books is contagious and I now want to read every single one!
Of course! Happy to do so ❤
These annual reviews (in "ascending" order) are so enjoyable and I find myself adding many of your recommendations onto my Goodreads to-read list. Cheers and Happy New Year, Ardith
Happy New Year! 🎉
The Sparrow is also on my top ten list! I can't stop thinking about it and it's been like ten months.
'I think we forget that there is more than one way to be a strong woman'
💪
I loved The Sparrow and Children of God. I still think about them all the time. I’m excited to try Women of the Copper Country as I really like the author’s writing.
Fingersmith was delicious, it kept me on my toes and it’s so hard to surprise me with twists.
Added Fingersmith to my library request list.
Adore House of Mirth and Mansfield Park! Wharton and Austen are amongst my favourite writers. Character portrayals are breathtaking and the settings are sublime. Glad you enjoyed them so much!
Couldn't agree more about the characters & setting!
The Sparrow is one of my all time favorites. I had an intense emotional reaction to it.
I totally understand why you did - it's a really intense book.
What a great list! The Sparrow is on my reading list this year. And Daisy Jones was excellent! I hope you have another great reading year in 2020 😃
OMG I'm so happy you mentioned The Sparrow!!! It's one of my all time favorite books. I recently joined BookTube, and so far I haven't seen anyone else talk about the Sparrow. I enjoyed the sequel Children of God, although the Sparrow is a lot stronger in my opinion. All lot of these books sound amazing and I'm adding them to my TBR!
I've heard the sequel isn't quite as good, but I definitely want to give it a try here soon!
So many great books on this list! :) And hoorah for Mansfield Park!
Fantastic video. My TBR just expanded and in so excited!
Hi, Olive! I've just binged watched a bunch of your videos from the past couple months that I haven't watched, yet. And I just wanted to say hello again and that you really have a talent for summarizing the plots of books, while not saying too much or too little! You also have a way of making every book seem so exciting- granted, this is your top fiction books you read in 2019 video. I'm actually thinking of picking up Fingersmith soon. Although I'm in the middle of a few other books, I'm really in the mood to start something new and right now it's between Fingersmith and Women In Love by D.H. Lawrence; that is, if I only end up starting one!
Hey Bailee - it's so nice to heard from you! I hope you end up enjoying Fingersmith - such a wild ride, that book is.
I picked up Gods of Jade and Shadow after watching your review of it, and it turned out to be one of my favorites of the year too!! Happy New Year! xx
That makes me so happy! Such a wonderful book.
Oh yay Mansfield Park, it's one of my absolute favorites! And I have Once Upon a River waiting on my shelf, looking forward to reading it!
Huzzah for _The House of Mirth_ Lilly Barth is an amazing character. This book is in my top 10 as well.
Gods of Jade and Shadow presents mayan mythology in such a vibrant way I could not help but remembering my high school reading of the Popol Vuh. I was distracted, though, by a number of creative choices made by Moreno that seemed odd (but are undetectable unless you’re a local). Either way it was a bold and welcome attempt to introduce mayan myths worldwide. Happy new year!
If you don't mind me asking, what choices seemed odd? I live in the Rust Belt of the U.S. so I definitely didn't pick up on those elements, but I think such things would be good to know!
abookolive sure! The greatest one was the setting in 1927. At the time Mexico was undergoing the Cristero War, which is comparable to the Revolution in the level of disruption to daily life in the country. The fact is mentioned in the novel, but it is just brushed aside. It is unlikely Cassiopeia and Hun-Kame would have been able to traverse the country without encountering a sign of the conflict.
Another one is the setting of the climax: the presence of a mega-resort in Baja in the 20s is unlikely as the tourism boom in Mexico started after 1945 (and in Baja much later).
Those are very minor qualms, but were a couple that caught my attention.
I never understood the hate Mansfield Park gets! I’ve always really enjoyed it and Fanny Price! Great list 🤗
I'll add The Sparrow to the neverending TBR after this.
Great list. Based on your comparison of “City of Girls “ to “Rules of Civility “ ( one of my top two favorite books ), this will be a must read for me. Thank you for listing the lipstick you are wearing which is stunning ! 💄
I have read two of these and concur with your admiration for City of Girls and Once Upon a River. The others are already on my TBR so with your recommendation I will heartily look forward to them! Thanks for this video! Happy New Year!
Fantastic!! Thank you! I just added a few to my TBR, Happy New Year!
Yay!! Happy New Year! 🎉
I'm so happy you enjoyed City of Girls! It's among my 2019 favourites too!
I just went back and watched your complete book review on Mansfield Park and it sounds like a TBR this year.!. Thank you for your insight into Fannie's character.
Happy New Year! Great list. Daisy Jones surprised me - I think my favorite audiobook this year. Once Upon though comes in a lose second. This was a fantastic reading year.
I think you have convinced me to give Edith Wharton’s works and Mansfield Park a try. Thanks for the recommendations!
Hi Olive, love you videos! I'd like to know what's your favorite Sarah Waters, I only read Paying Guests! Loved House of Mirth, The Rules of Courtesy is in my TBR as Mansfield Park. Happy new year!
Affinity is my favorite!
Some of these sounded amazing, think I'm definitely going to give The Body Lies and Fingersmith a go! :D
Fantastic list! Unsurprisingly, there were many on here I love as well. Hopefully, I will get to Mansfield Park in 2020. Its the only Austen I have left to read.
Happy New Year and thank you for your amazing videos!
Happy New Year! My pleasure ❤
This was an excellent list! Really want to check out a lot of these books!
Thanks for reviews - I will add most of these to my tbr!
Mansfield Park is on my list for this year! I’m really excited now.
I DREADED reading Mansfield Park. I tried to read it 10 years ago and was not into it. But I read it this year too and I really really enjoyed it!
That's one of the things that bums me out about required reading in school - some books we're just too young to appreciate. I think it takes time & reading experience to appreciate some books. I can totally see myself hating Mansfield Park if I were younger.
Happy New Year!! Thanks for all of the awesome vids and recommendations in 2019! ☺️
Happy New Year! 😊
Happy New Year 🥳 Olive👋📚☘️🤩
Happy New Year!! ❤
Happy New Year and thank you for a stellar year of videos.
aah I've been meaning to read The House of Mirth and Mansfield Park for so long!
Happy Near Year to you🤗
Happy New Year! 🎉
I so love Mansfield Park. It's my favourite Jane Austen. I think Fanny Price is misjudged by too many readers. Being humble is not being weak.
100% agree.
I loved Mansfield Park sooo much 😊
It's the best!! ❤
Have you read "Germinal" by Zola? It's been my FAVORITE book since 2000.
"A diet of sex, drugs, and rock&roll tends not to result in minty fresh breath." To true.
MANSFIELD PARK!!!!!!!
Yessssssss!