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Books I read in 2019 that you should read during self-isolation

March 21, 2020 | by thesundaystories

Every year I set myself the reading challenge on Goodreads and I continue to set the bar low, anywhere between 10 and 15 books because I’ve been known to go months without reading a single book and then perhaps 1 month where i’ll read about 5 books – apparently I read the same way I drink, in a ‘go hard or go home’ fashion.

I managed to get through about thirty books in 2019 but I would say half of those were absolute rubbish and a few more were re-reads. It was definitely the year of quantity, not quality.

I’ve listed some of the books I enjoyed below because I have a feeling, in this current situation, people might be reading a lot more.

A Man Called ove, Frederick Backman

I downloaded this book years ago and got about 20% through before giving up, then I found myself without something to read while on holiday and decided to give the book a go again. It did not disappoint. I absolutely loved a Man Called Ove. It’s wholesome, meaningful, full of inspiration and good warm feelings. A perfect book to read during a time when everything feels uncertain and a bit scary.

Everything I know About Love, Dolly Alderton

I’ve already reviewed this book on the blog but I honestly can’t recommend it enough to every woman out there. It is full of witty anecdotes and dark truths about navigating your 20’s as a single woman.

The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern

A really unique story about a life-long competition between two magicians, their latest contestants and how their lives intertwine with the mysterious circus that arrives without warning.

Vicious, V.E. Schwab, Vengeful, V.E. Schwab

Victor and Eli started out as two intelligent and curious college room mates, their obsession with pushing the boundaries of life and near-death experiences results in the breakdown of their friendships and their lives.

I really enjoyed the premise of this story, the way there seems to be a real scientific reason for supernatural events and the repercussions of those events. I enjoyed Vicious much more enjoyable but that’s no surprise, I’m getting real sick of reading more than one book about the same story.

Far From the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy

I’m including this novel in the list for one reason and one reason only. Truthfully, I only read classics like this for conversation purposes, to be able to say i’ve read them. If, you’re like me, I’d recommend adding Far From to your repertoire. But it’s a boring and long book.

The Dark Days Club, Alison Goodman

Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Jane Austen, if there was one book that would entice me, this is going to be it.
Goodman sticks very closely to the confines of a woman’s abilities within the 19th century so I found myself incredibly frustrated at times but, other than that, it was fairly enjoyable book to read.

My Sister the Serial Killer, Oyinkan Braithwaite

I’ve already written a review on this and I know the book has been on many best sellers lists so I doubt I need to provide any more encouragement here. This book is an easy and quick read and I bet you won’t have read anything like it before.

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, Stuart Turton

The first book I read in 2019 and perhaps my favourite of the whole year. A man finds himself in an unknown place, unable to leave until he figures out the death of a woman he doesn’t know. Every day he wakes up in the body of a different guest on exactly the same day again. Unique, exciting and I had absolutely no idea how it was going to end.

I wouldn’t say 2019 was an excellent year for me in terms of reading material but there were some real gems amongst the pile. For 2020 i’ve given myself a goal not to worry so much about ploughing through as many books as I can and reading some real quality novels. I look forward to having many more to recommend for 2021.

Other books I read in 2019 that would be worth a read:
Vox, Christina Dalcher
The Silent Companions, Laura Purcell
How to Stop Time, Matt Haig
A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
Every day, David Levithan

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Leave a Comment / Filled Under: Books & Film, Self Isolation Ideas

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Hey
I’m Apryl
Cultivating a peaceful life living in Hertfordshire and working in London,
Lover of aesthetically pleasing social media, neutral colours, reading, city breaks, beach trips, animals, day trips, nights in and other things that excite people who are nearly 30.

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Two books. Two poorly written reviews. CMBYN is a Two books. Two poorly written reviews.

CMBYN is a beautifully written account of 17 year old Elio falling in love with 24 year old Oliver during a summer in Italy at his (Elio’s) parents villa. I loved everything about this book; the intensity, the vulnerability, the intimacy, even the moments of discomfort. It was the escape I desperately needed from a devastating start to 2021. 

On Earth is a letter from a son to a mother, it moves from stories of his childhood to knowledge of his mother’s past in Vietnam, creating an explanation for the nuances and intricate details of their family’s life. Full disclosure; I probably didn’t appreciate the story as much as I could have, or should have. Perhaps I’d had too much purple prose by this point but it is a beautifully written and terribly sad story. A quote that has stuck with me;

‘The truth is we don’t have to die if we don’t feel like it.

Just kidding.’
What can be said in New Year rhymes, That's not be What can be said in New Year rhymes,
That's not been said a thousand times?

The new years come, the old years go,
We know we dream, we dream we know.

We rise up laughing with the light,
We lie down weeping with the night.

We hug the world until it stings,
We curse it then and sigh for wings.

We live, we love, we woo, we wed,
We wreathe our brides, we sheet our dead.

We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,
And that's the burden of the year.
-
Ella Wheeler Wilcox, “The Year” (1910)
Sorry for the spam today, I haven’t touched this Sorry for the spam today, I haven’t touched this account in a week or so and I had the sudden urge to update it today 🙃.
I rushed to finish An American Marriage today as my last book of the year, tomorrow I plan to write up my end of year round-up of books for my blog (which has been severely neglected for months). I’m really happy with the vast majority of books I’ve read this year and my aim next year is again, not to worry about quantity, but aim for quality.
Behind AAM are the beginning of my TBR pile for 2021, any there that you’ve read?
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#booksandtea #anamericanmarriage #callmebyyourname #silversparrow #onearthwerebrieflygorgeous
Yeah experiencing Christmas with children is proba Yeah experiencing Christmas with children is probably cool and all but have you ever watched a pupper open presents? 
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Another throwback to 2 days before Christmas and a Another throwback to 2 days before Christmas and an eerily quiet but kind of magical city centre ❤️ everything was shut and it made my mum emotional, but I preferred it.
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#christmasinlondon #christmaslights #christmas #christmas2020 #londonlife #london #londoncity #christmasdecor #festivevibes #festiveseason
Throwback to a quiet Christmas table on Christmas Throwback to a quiet Christmas table on Christmas Eve ❤️🎄
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#christmas #christmaseve #christmas2020 #christmastree #christmastablesetting #christmastable #christmasdecor #quietchristmas #festive #festivevibes #tbt #blogger #cosy #cosyhome #cosystyle

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