2019 has come to an end and many of our Nerd Daily contributors have written incredible reviews about both new and old books! We’ve asked our contributors to tell us a little bit about their favourite 2019 book release they read and we love their picks!
Read on to discover what our contributors read this year and tell us in the comments if you have also read them!
The Book of X by Sarah Rose Etter
Etter’s debut novel is one of the most visceral, mind-bending reading experiences I’ve had in a very long time. Since reading it in May, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this book! The story follows Cassie, a girl who is born with her stomach twisted into a knot, from her childhood living with her family on a meat farm (yes, you read that correctly – a quarry where they mine meat) through her adult years out on her own trying to navigate her way through the world. Etter’s blurring of surreal elements with real life experiences works tremendously well as both symbolism and commentary on issues including body image, beauty, acceptance, and expected roles. The emotional impact of Cassie’s loneliness, sadness, and pain have stuck with me and it is this immersive reading experience that made me choose The Book of X as my favourite book of 2019! – Beth Mowbray
Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
This royal LGBTQ+ romance is everything you could ever want and more. Casey McQuiston’s humourous writing mixed with her storytelling and the heavy rom-com vibes of this book provide such a delightful read! Loved every second of this book! – Julia Fleur
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
A standout in the YA trend of fairytale retellings! Inspired by Beauty and the Beast but not slavishly beholden to it, the author puts an original spin on this well-known story by connecting the fairytale land to our modern day world. Harper is a well-rounded heroine who is courageous, compassionate, and happens to have cerebral palsy. I love the diversity with a differently-abled protagonist as well as LGBT rep in the supporting cast! The horrifying twist on the curse afflicting Prince Rhen, the ‘Beast’, adds suspense and tension in the background behind the slow-burn romance. Incredibly well-written and thrilling, if you haven’t already read this, it needs to be at the top of your TBR! – Annie Deo
Call Down The Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater
I have been waiting for this one for years! Ronan Lynch is back and my heart is full of love. After finding the Welsh King, the Raven Boys split up to follow their plans. While Gansey and Blue are off on a road trip, Adam starts college. Now eight hours apart, Ronan lives in his family home now and is working on his relationship with his brothers. But after a secret organisation found out what Ronan can do, danger is after his family once more. – Isabella Stocka
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
In this much-awaited and thrilling conclusion to The Folk of the Air trilogy, we follow our favourite exiled Queen, Jude Duarte, as she makes her way back into Elfhame. In true Holly Black fashion, the finale was full of twists and turns that made you constantly question what was going to happen next. In the end, The Queen of Nothing perfectly wraps up the series and answers all of our burning questions. Now that all three books are out, you can binge the series in its entirety without waiting months on end for the next book. (Seriously, the cliffhangers at the end of The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King are the definition of torture). – Gabby Gamez
Rayne and Delilah’s Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner
A story about two best friends facing life-changing decisions while hosting a TV show that does not have a big audience but a big heart. Rayne and Delilah are the friends you wish you had in your life, a power house of encouragement and girl power wrapped in the bodies of two girls who love to talk nonsense about everything from pancakes to boys. From falling head-over-heels for the single most adorable love interest, to the tears you’ll cry when one of the girls will meet the dad that abandoned her, there’s just a whole lot of laughter and tears to be shed while reading this.
Witty, upbeat and filled with healthy relationships and the conflicts that arise when you grow up but don’t want to grow apart, this is Zentner’s strongest work to date. The best description I can give you is that it makes me feel the way I do when I binge Gilmore Girls and that is the highest compliment I can think of. – Mimi Koehler
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
An incredible heist story featuring a diverse cast, a historical setting, and a lot of suspense. This book has everything I look for in a YA fantasy. Chokshi uses her beautiful writing to comment on social issues but also provide a story that you won’t forget! – Julia Fleur
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
Girl Power. Dystopian vibes. Creepy. Guessing games. Plot twists. This story had it all and kept me up all night with just my kindle for light. I was constantly swiping the pages wanting to see what happened next. Oooooh and that ending!? It’s already been picked up for a film, directed by Elizabeth Banks. I can’t wait to see how it will all look when it hits the big screen. – Sarah C
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Inspired by Mayan mythology and set in 1920s Mexico, this is a wonderfully unique story featuring an intelligent self-assured heroine who unwittingly releases a death god from imprisonment and is swept up in an epic quest! The writing is lush and beautifully vivid, bringing the old-timey setting to life in full colour and chaos, then submerging the reader in the ominous gloom of the Mayan underworld. If you’re a fan of the ‘powerful immortal & bold independent human girl’ dynamic, this is utter perfection and will ruin you for all other takes on that trope! – Annie Deo
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
Elisabeth Scrivener is a child of the library. Left on the doorstep of the Great Library of Summershall as a baby, she was raised among the magical grimoires lining the shelves. As she grows up, all she wants is to become a Warden of the library. But that dream is ripped from her when one night she in accused of wrongfully tampering with a grimoire, causing it’s malefic. She has no one to turn to but Nathaniel Thorn, a sorcerer Elisabeth knows to be evil. But are sorcerers as evil as she was taught to believe? There are so many aspects to fall in love with, but two main ones are the characters and the atmosphere. The world Margaret Rogerson has created is incredibly interesting and atmospheric. Secondly, the characters are all unique in their own ways and you will in love with every single one. This is one stand-alone you won’t want to miss out on. – Gabby Gamez
Heartstopper, Vol 2 by Alice Oseman
Utterly adorable, even more so than the first volume. You will most definitely die in a puddle of feels while reading it, and believe me when I say that you will be so enthralled that you will read the whole thing in one sit. Alice Oseman’s drawing style is soft and impossibly cute — the perfect match for Nick and Charlie’s relationship. I can’t wait for the next volume! – Ankara
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Erin Morgenstern’s highly anticipated second book is an exquisitely written ode to stories, storytelling and storytellers. Multi-layered and multi-linear, its stories nested like a set of Matryoshka dolls, with different narrative threads weaving in and out, proving that all stories are different and that all stories are ultimately the same story, and packed to the brim with old-school fairy-tale symbolism; symbols, as the book reminds us, being interpretive not definitive, meaning that everyone can take away something different. The icing on the bee (or key, or sword, or heart, or crown, or indeed owl) shaped cake are all the little references to other works (be they literature, film, game etc) sprinkled throughout and one of the joys of re-reading will be trying to spot them all. The Starless Sea is a gorgeous book that builds on the magic of The Night Circus and even manages to exceed it. What’s the best way of surviving down the Rabbit Hole? “Become a rabbit.” – Carolyn Percy
Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
There is nothing better than falling in love with a new genre. And this book made it easy to fall into a deep historical romance binging hole. The lack of wit and banter in this book is nonexistent. When you don’t stop smiling the entire time you read a book you know you have found the one. What is even better is when you realise that the author has written multiple series that all intertwine perfectly (one of which is being made into a Netflix series) . Julia Quinn will not disappoint to make you laugh and tug on heart strings. – Emma Knight
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
In 2380 Tyler Jones, the star cadet of Aurora Academy, is meant to have his pick of the recruits to join his squad. But when he ventures out on an unsanctioned rescue mission he ends up missing his chance and ends up with the recruits no one else wanted. That isn’t even the worst of it Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he rescued, is not from this time and is completely out of her depth. The added pressure of a brewing intergalactic war does nothing to help Tyler’s mood. In true Kaufman and Kristoff style, this book is an adventure packed, witty and hilarious and they have created the most lovable band of misfits the galaxy has ever seen. – Ellie King
The Toll by Neal Shusterman
The Toll has cemented itself as one of the strongest and smartest conclusions in recent years. Shusterman’s trilogy is a masterpiece of clever world-building, dynamic characters and a universe which challenges the moral perception of life and death. This series will resonate with readers for years to come and serves as documentation of the turbulent time in which it was published. From a rising dictatorship to the mass branding of large communities, The Toll, even in all of its embroidered and bejewelled glory, is far too close to home and serves as a worrying reminder at the state our world currently finds itself in. – Tom Hitchen
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
This was an exciting finding as I’ve never labelled myself as a reader of epic fantasy before. This isn’t just a book, it’s a whole lively experience. Wang’s Japanese inspired fantasy was remarkable from start to finish. With rich worldbuilding, multiple strong plots, and deeply-explored characters, it’s a rare gem that you don’t want to miss. – Vinny MS
Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavours by Sonali Dev
A classic retelling with your favourite characters in a modern day setting done right. Very similar to Bride and Prejudice (if you have not seen it go now and let your mind be blown) but with a dash more food and a pinch of current realism that paints DJ and Trisha’s trials and triumphs perfectly in a new contemporary fashion. Even though I knew what would happen next it was still thought provoking and heart clenchingly amazing. A book that I would happily reread and highly recommend to everyone. – Emma Knight
