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Friday 27 December 2019

My Top 5 Books of 2019

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As the end of the year and the end of the decade draws closer, it's time for my annual round-up of my top books from the past year.

I worked hard to hit my goal of reading 50 books this year but I am proud of myself for reaching my target for the first time since 2016! So, with 50 books read and ticked off my tbr this year, what were my top books of 2019?

Note: These are all books I read in 2019, not necessarily books that were published during the last year. My top five are also in no particular order.

Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

Because You'll Never Meet Me is one of those books that sat on my tbr for years without me getting around to picking it up. Luckily, 2019 was the year I finally gave it a chance - and I'm definitely glad I did! Sweet yet emotional and with a quirky twist and unique writing style, BYNMM was undoubtedly one of my stand-out fiction books of the year.

Holy Island by L.J. Ross

I tried out Kindle Unlimited during the summer and Holy Island was one of the first books I downloaded onto my e-reader. Fast-paced and intriguing, with just enough suspense and supernatural subtext to keep me turning page after page (or clicking through screen after screen), I was instantly hooked. I blitzed my way through the first four DCI Ryan Mysteries books during the summer of 2019, but I think Holy Island is still my favourite of the series - so far!

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

Nevernight was the first audiobook I've listened to in years but it was the perfect companion for the long commute home from work each day. Once I got into the story, the plot had me hooked, supported by a rich, detailed fantasy world and a great cast of characters. I'm yet to get my hands on the next book in the series, but I can't wait to continue Mia's story!

No One is Too Small To Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg

It wasn't just fiction books that contributed towards my reading total this year. Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg's speeches were undoubtedly inspirational enough to warrant a spot among my top books of the year. When it comes to the world around us, the time for change is now, and I have a great deal of admiration for Greta and her tireless campaigning. No One is Too Small to Make a Difference really is a must-read.

50 Years of Glastonbury by Malcolm Croft

I've always enjoyed Glastonbury even though I've never been lucky enough to attend the festival. I've been watching and listening to performances for years and I love the green aspect of the festival, as well. 50 Years of Glastonbury collates some of the best photographs and snippets of information about this world-famous festival into one brilliant volume which has successfully made its way into my top books of 2019.

Honourable Mentions

There are always going to be some great books that I read and enjoyed but just narrowly missed out on making the top five. However, I think that they still deserve some recognition, so here are my 2019 honourable mentions:

  • The Easter Egg by Sarah Eaglesfield
  • Tales of Old Northamptonshire by Marian Pipe
  • Puck by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes


Giveaway

As usual, I'm giving one lucky reader the chance to win their choice of book from my top five. Just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Terms and Conditions:
1. Giveaway closes on 9th January 2020 at 11.59pm (GMT)
2. The prize consists of one copy of one of the books from my top five shortlist above, as chosen by the winner
3. This giveaway is open to residents of the UK aged 18 and over
4. The winner will be randomly generated once the giveaway has ended
5. The winner will be informed by email once the giveaway has ended
6. The winner will have 72 hours to claim their prize. If the winner has not responded by this time, they will forfeit their prize and a new winner will be announced

What were your top reads of 2019? Share your favourites in the comments below!

103 comments:

  1. I'd choose Greta Thunberg's book. She's an inspirational young woman.

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  2. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas sound like my type of book

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  3. I would go with 50 years of glastonbury. Never been to the festival and never will now at my age, so its the closest I'll get.

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  4. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

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  5. Holy Island by L.J. Ross is my first choice if l am a lucky winner

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  6. I do like the supernatural so holy island

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  7. I’d really like to read Because You’ll Never Meet Me

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  8. Holy Island by L.J. Ross because the actual Holy Island is just off our coast and I loved the other DCI Ryan Mysteries

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  9. I'd pick 'No One is Too Small To Make a Difference' by Greta Thunberg

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  10. 50 years of Glastonbury
    Went twice many years ago
    May inspire me to go again

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  11. I would pick never night, it looks brill xx

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  12. Having grown up in Glastonbury in the 1970s I'd love to read the 50 years of Glastonbury

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  13. I would choose Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

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  14. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

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  15. Great choices. I'd love to read Holy Island

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  16. Because you'll never meet me by Leah Thomas

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  17. I would choose No one is to small to make A difference by Greta Thunberg.

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  18. Because you’ll never meet me looks really interesting. Would love to read it

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  19. I'd love to read Because You'll Never Meet Me! I really enjoy stories with a twist you don't see coming 🤓

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  20. Because you'll never meet me sounds like a good read!!

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  21. Holy Island by L J Ross as I am dying to read this series

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  22. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

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  23. I'd love to win Holy Island, as this sounds like the book I'd enjoy most.

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  24. 50 Years of Glastonbury by Malcolm Croft

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  25. I would pick Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

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  26. Nevernight looks just up my alley!! xx

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  27. No One is Too Small To Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg

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  28. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas jumps out at me.

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  29. Nevernight sounds good to me!

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  30. I'd love to read Greta's book. I have so much admiration for her.

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  31. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas This is the second good review of this book I've read recently so its already on my want to read in 2020 list :)

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  32. Like mysteries so Holy Island for me please x

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  33. Nevernight by Jay kristoff would be my choice.

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  34. I would choose 50 Years of Glastonbury by Malcolm Croft because it sounds like an interesting read

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  35. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas sounds great!

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  36. because you will never meet me

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  37. I wpuld choose 50 years of Glastonbury as it would be a perfect gift for someone.

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  38. I'd love to read Holy Island by L.J. Ross

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  39. I'd like to read No One is Too Small To Make a Difference, it sounds amazing.

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  40. I would choose Greta Thunberg's 'No one is too small to make a difference'. My teenage son would love to read this too.

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  41. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

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  42. I would love to read Holy Island by L.J. Ross - I've not read any from this author

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  43. I've already bought Greta's book for my daughter so second choice would be Glastonbury

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  44. Nevernight is completely up my street so I would be choosing that one.

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  45. I'd choose Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas. It sounds intriguing.

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  46. I'd choose 50 years of Glastonbury. I have been a few times, but not recently and my adult children have also been so it would be a great talking point

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  47. Thank you so much for the chance - I think I'd pick Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas :)
    Megan S.

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  48. 'Because you'll never meet me' please. :)

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  49. I'd choose No One is Too Small To Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg for my sons. She's such an inspiration!

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  50. I'd chose Greta Thunbergs book because I love factual reading and she is really inspirational!

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  51. I'd choose Holy Island by L.J. Ross.

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  52. I would have to be 50 Years of Glastonbury by Malcolm Croft because I have never been so I would be a great read for as I really want to go sometime.

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  53. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

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  54. I'd choose Nevernight, it sounds interesting

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  55. I think the 50 years of Glastonbury sounds intriguing, I ve never been due to illness but I follow every year and it's on my bucket list to go one year

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  56. Hard decision but HOLY ISLAND please. Thanks for the chance.

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  57. Because you'll never meet me - sounds fantastic!

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  58. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas please

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  59. Because You'll Never Meet Me

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  60. I'd pick Greta Thunberg's book to share with my daughters.

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  61. I would choose 50 Years of Glastonbury by Malcolm Croft - love Glastonbury so this would be great to read. Thank you very much and Happy New Year!

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  62. Having never been to Glastonbury, but my husband did I think we’d both enjoy 50 years of Glastonbury but for different reasons so I’d choose that

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  63. Because you'll never meet me

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  64. Hello, If I was lucky enough to win then I would choose 'Because You'll Never Meet Me' by Leah Thomas as it looks like an interesting read.

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  65. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

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  66. I really like the sound of Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

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  67. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

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  68. I love Glastonbury - so 50 Years of Glastonbury by Malcolm Croft is something I'd like to read.

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  69. Holy Island - my type of novel

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  70. I would choose 50 Years of Glastonbury

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  71. Holy Island sounds like my sort of read.

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  72. Tough decision but I like the sounds of Nevernight!

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  73. Fab choice, think it would have to be Holy Island

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  74. Because your'll never meet me, it looks like a great read.

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  75. Holy Island is my choice, thanks for the chance

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  76. Because youll never meet me

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  77. I am such an avid reader and have set myself a book challenge this year! I would love to read Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas.

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  78. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas would be my choice

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  79. I'd choose Because You Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas , I enjoy a bit of quirkiness....

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  80. I would love the 50 years of Glastonbury book. I didn't get tickets this year but have been lucky enough to go four times and would like to re-live the memories.

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  81. I think i would have to pick No One is Too Small To Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg

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  82. Because You'll Never Meet Me sounds really intriguing

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  83. I'd choose Because You'll Never Meet Me, it sounds like my kind of book.

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  84. I'd choose the audio book Nevernight by Jay Kristoff, thanks for a great giveaway

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  85. No One is Too Small To Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg

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  86. I would choose Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

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  87. Because You’ll Never Meet Me

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  88. Because You'll Never Meet Me sounds good. I'd love to read this!

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  89. No-one is too small to make a difference would be my top choice please.

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  90. Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

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  91. Holy Island

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  92. Because you'll never meet me by Leah Thomas please.

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