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[PatG]

If you could just pick one book you've read (so far) this year to label as your best read of 2019, what would it be?

[MrsCee]

Dalton’s “Boy Swallows Universe”.

[RocktonResident]

Can  I pick two?

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
The French Photographer by Natasha Lester

I'm currently reading The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott and I think that might be making the list of my best books of 2019.

[barrington]

MrsCee, on 20 November 2019 - 08:31 PM, said:

Dalton’s “Boy Swallows Universe”.

This

[fraidycat]

Everything that Michael Robotham has written.  I read it all this year so i say take your pick. Particularly anything with the Joe o'loughlin  character.  FREAKING AMAZING!!!

[Hands Up]

The Lost Man by Jane Harper

Also read The Dry and Forces of Nature by same author which were both good.

Edited by Hands Up, 20 November 2019 - 09:37 PM.

[Quick hedgehog]

Gravity is the Thing, Jaclyn Moriarty.

Admitedly I listened to the audiobook rather than reading it, which probably helped. It was engrossing.

[cvbn]

Quick hedgehog, on 20 November 2019 - 09:40 PM, said:

Gravity is the Thing, Jaclyn Moriarty.

Admitedly I listened to the audiobook rather than reading it, which probably helped. It was engrossing.

Does she write children's books too? My daughter wrote to her and she wrote the loveliest letter back

[ImperatorFuriosa]

Priory of the Orange Tree.

[Quick hedgehog]

Quote

Does she write children's books too?

Yes, I have a feeling this was her first adult novel.

[FoxinSocks]

Shepherd’s Hut by Tim Winton
A darn good adventure all round, with enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.
And I’ll second Boy Swallows Universe... I loved it! I’m now reading Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe, and have been surprised that I’m absolutely fascinated.

[#notallcats]

Ignore me, just book marking for suggestions

[FiveAus]

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes.

[born.a.girl]

I loved Jane Harper's The Lost Man, too.


It was hard to imagine how she could do so well again after her first.



The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet was fabulous, once I got into it.  Just wish I'd known we were going to be soon going to Japan before I read it.



Was trying to read 'Boy Swallows Universe' in a rush (book group) and in fits and starts, so didn't get into it. Waiting for it again at the library.  Good to hear so many loved it.

ETA: whoops, sorry you said one.

Edited by born.a.girl, 21 November 2019 - 02:31 PM.

[Tyfle Hour]

The Overstory by Richard Powers.Loved it!
I'm still going with Boy swallows Universe.  So many people recommended it, but maybe it was overhyped to me, as I'm not loving like I thought I would.

[Lucrezia Borgia]

Richard Fidler’s “Ghost Empire”

Mary Beard’s SPQR - A History of Ancient Rome

am reading Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner which i’m really enjoying.

and like PP’s i too loved Jane Hapers The Dry and The Lost Man. i recently finished Scrublands by Chris Hammer...along a similar vein...but  not as good....

[Crombek]

Boy Swallows Universe. Hands down

[marple]

A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY - M T EDVARDSSON

i was given this for my birthday the other day. Really good. Fabulous. Intriguing. Absolutely loved it. Scandi crime.

edit - slightly funny that i saw the title then showed it around and my oldest said "mum really we've never been normal" hehe. Great book though.Devoured it in hours

Edited by marple, 21 November 2019 - 06:17 PM.

[Acidulous Osprey]

I am wondering how on earth they are going to stage Boy Swallows Universe?  I've got tickets and really hope the violence is toned down a tad.  I did love the book.

[Jane Jetson]

Oh boy. Tricky.

Tossup between a handful of them: Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver; Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers by Sady Doyle; The Hate Race by Maxine Beneba Clarke; or Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism by Kristen R Ghodsee.

I'm still only partway through Mona Eltahawy's latest so that'll no doubt be up there too unless the second two thirds don't live up to the first, which I very much doubt.

Also I read Playing Beatie Bow and Laurinda again and they're up there, though I'm not counting rereads.

[ceeshell]

MrsCee, on 20 November 2019 - 08:31 PM, said:

Dalton’s “Boy Swallows Universe”.

This.
And Lanny by Max Porter

[just roses]

Here’s my top five:

1. My Name is Why - Lemn Sissay
2. Boy Swallows Universe - Trent Dalton
3. One Hundred Years of Dirt - Rick Moreton
4. Dark Emu - Bruce Pascoe
5. Troll Hunting - Ginger Gorman

[Chaotic Pogo]

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Sometimes understanding how people really tick is more interesting than any novel.

[BeAwesome]

MrsCee, on 20 November 2019 - 08:31 PM, said:

Dalton’s “Boy Swallows Universe”.

I've started this about 4 times and haven't been able to get into it.

My favourite is Daisy Jones and the Six.

Runner up would be YA Book 'On the Come Up'.

Biggest disappointment was Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty.

fraidycat, on 20 November 2019 - 09:28 PM, said:

Everything that Michael Robotham has written.  I read it all this year so i say take your pick. Particularly anything with the Joe o'loughlin  character.  FREAKING AMAZING!!!

I've read the first 6 in the series and still loving them.

[Lucrezia Borgia]

BeAwesome, on 21 November 2019 - 06:55 PM, said:

I've started this about 4 times and haven't been able to get into it.

yeh me too....it just can’t hold my attention, so many people recommended it to me but i dunno....

kind of like the Slap....i think i’m the only person who didn’t love it. mind you..he’s written another book - called Damascus - that looks really intriguing, i’m tempted....