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From thrillers to mysteries to how-to guides - end 2019 with the best books published this year.
By Emily Francos — Written on Dec 04, 2019
Gosh, who doesn't love that new book smell? I know it's becoming a thing of the past because everything is becoming more and more digitalized, but there is nothing like opening a new book that you just bought from the bookstore.
So, if you only buy ebooks on your ereader now, there is a similar feeling. Like OMG I just bought a new book, YAY!! But it's not the same as holding a new book in your hands.
But that's okay! It's the world we live in now, and its wonderful that we have so many new ways to take in art and information.
There are books being published daily that we are completely oblivious to, if they don't hit the charts or appear in the news. Sometimes the greatest books are in the bestsellers category or new release category. Sometimes however, we need to take a closer look at books that fall under the radar. We should give the books that don't get categorized a chance.
And thanks to technology, we have access to new publications that come from around the world. What an awesome time to be alive!
You sometimes have to do some deep searching to find the book that you cannot put down. But once you do, you gobble up all the others by that author super quickly because you just cannot get enough. I know, I've been there, and my bank account has taken a hit because of it. But it's worth it in the long run because you have found something you enjoy reading.
If you find a way to relax and chill while letting the stresses of the day unwind in books, then go for it. Don't be ashamed for what you like to read in your spare time because everyone needs an outlet to help wind down after a long day.
So, from one book nerd to another, here are the best books published in 2019 that you need to catch up on in the new year!
1. The Testaments: The Sequel to The Handmaid's Tale — Margaret Atwood
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The wait is over! Come find out what happens to Offred and where she is taken at the end of The Handmaid's Tale.
2. Whisper Network: A Novel — Chandler Baker
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What's a workday without a horrible male boss who treats his female coworkers really bad? And wait, he's going to be CEO... Four women gang together to make sure that upper-management finally hears what they have to say. As it says, "If only you had listened to us, none of this would have happened" (page 1).
3. Fifty Things That Aren't My Fault: Essays from the Grown-up Years — Cathy Guisewite
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Cathy Guisewite writes about being a woman in "the panini generation." Follow her wit in this collection of essays discussing big transitions in life and changes, as well as deaths. She discusses aging, aging children, and aging parents. Overall, Guisewise takes a humorous approach to discussing the mundane aspects of life, while also tackling the question of "What happens next?"
4. The Lost Girls of Paris — Pam Jenoff
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This novel tells the tale of a group of female spies during World War II. This story remarkably shows the courage and friendship of these three women, Grace Healey, Eleanor Trigg, and Marie. Inspired by true events, the author tells an incredible story about these three brave women and the courage, strength, bravery, heroics, and sisterhood that they had even during the hardest of times.
5. Stay & Don't Get Murdered: : The Definitive How-To Guide — Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark
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Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark have created a highly anticipated novel. They explore the struggles that surround eating disorders, depression, and addiction. They bring to light some of their deepest fears and their biggest mistakes, and how their experiences influenced their lives. Also, they focus on advocating for your self and stress the value of someone's own personal safety.
6. Own Your Self: The Surprising Path Beyond Depression, Anxiety, and Fatigue to Reclaiming Your Authenticity, Vitality, and Freedom — Kelly Brogan, MD
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In her novel, Kelly Brogan brings to light a different, more radical alternative to medications to treat psychological problems and how you can reclaim your self and your health. The Goodread's synopsis says it all:
"For years, we've been telling ourselves that our difficult feelings-sadness, rage, shame, intensity, worry-are somehow "not okay." And, all too often, we've relied on the promise of pharmaceuticals to tamp them down. The fact is, though, that these feelings are a vital part of our experience. They are real. ... Holistic psychiatrist Kelly Brogan, M.D., author of A Mind of Your Own, shows us that we don't have to medicate our mental, emotional, and physical pain away-that the best way out is through ... Our experiences, Dr. Brogan argues, aren't problems or pathologies; they reflect what we need to accept, acknowledge, and transform in order to truly become who we are. Own Your Self is a journey of healing, and also something more: a journey of coming home to ourselves. "
7. City of Girls: A Novel — Elizabeth Gilbert
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This novel is not for the faint of heart. Be advised that there is mature content explored in this novel. Elizabeth Gilbert tells a tale of a woman who discovers that to be a good person, you don't necessarily have to be an all-around good girl.
The story is based in New York in the 1940's on a theater staging of a love story. This tale is told from an older woman's perspective as she reflects on her past regrets and pleasures. This novel explores the themes of promiscuity, the makings of true love, and female sexuality.
8. The Mister — E L James
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Like her famous trilogy, Fifty Shades of Grey, this newest E.L. James novel contains mature content. Bringing her next passionate romantic tale to the table, James sets the story in London in 2019 and follows the story of Maxim Trevelyan. He is an aristocrat, has a lot of money, and great looks, while also keeping his bed warm with many women.
He then inherits his family fortune, wealth, estate, and noble title without being prepared for such responsibilities.
He fights the desire for a woman, Alessia Demachi, who recently arrived in London, who has a troubled past. Can he protect her from what she is running from and will they fall in love? Or will his own secrets ruin any possibility of a future together?
9. Fix Her Up: A Novel — Tessa Bailey
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This romantic comedy by Tesa Bailey meant for mature audiences, Fix Her Up explores a young woman's life and her trials to remake herself to get out in the dating field. Georgette Castle works at her family run home renovation company, but she loves throwing parties and children more. She starts to make changes in her life to become more womanly.
According to the synopsis on Goodreads, the main character discovers that "Living her best life means facing the truth: Georgie hasn’t been on a date since, well, ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot , that’s for sure. Maybe if people think she’s having a steamy love affair, they’ll acknowledge she’s not just the “little sister” who paints faces for a living. And who better to help demolish that image than the resident sports star and tabloid favorite ... Travis Ford?"
10. I'm Telling the Truth, but I'm Lying: Essays —Bassey Ikpi
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Bassey Ikpi gives an extremely personal collection of essays that tell the story of her Nigerian-American roots and her experiences with anxiety and Bipolar II disorder.
Bassey Ikpi is a mental health advocate. Since her diagnosis, she has spent years upon years looking at how mental health is "inextricably intertwined with every facet of ourself and our lives."
Emily Francos is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.
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