Books I read in 2019

As a child, I was always a voracious reader. My idea of fun was to loan animal books from the library and create fact booklets; something I took a great deal of pride in, despite unwittingly realising I was essentially studying for fun. These days, I spend just as much time watching YouTube or Netflix as I do tucking into a good book, but seeing myself goals has helped me to really indulge in this past time that is such a great way to unwind. With baby #1 on the way, I’ve set myself the goal of making it through 12 books this year, but I got through a good 20+ books in 2019. So I thought today I’d unpack all the books I read in 2019, and share a brief overview of my thoughts.

Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
I can’t quite recall what book I started the year with, but I figured here is a good a place as any. This is one I quickly snagged from Luke’s bedside table when he was done with it, having enjoyed the Netflix series so much. The first season of the TV series mirrors the plot of the book, but with all things, I found myself enjoying the written version more. You’re able to fully immerse yourself into their world through Morgan’s writing, which really rounded out the storyline in a way that can’t be captured on screen.

The Sun and her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
Poetry has never been a strong interest of mine, but I decided to buy some of Kaur’s work after hearing such wonderful things. Her prose is beautiful, insightful, deep and meaningful. A perfect way to dip your toe into poetry, plus I loved that I could read this in short bursts.

Becoming by Michelle Obama
I couldn’t help but add Becoming to my reading list for 2019. An effortless read, it gave a deeper insight into Michelle’s experience throughout the campaign and time in the White House. Luke and I both met working in Politics, so naturally, I enjoyed getting her perspective as a bystander. I loved learning about her upbringing, and how this shaped her, as well as the funny anecdotes littered throughout about Obama and their relationship.

The Dangers of Truffle Hunting by Sunni Overend
Of all the books I read in 2019, this is the one I’d describe as the McDonalds of novels. It got the job done, but it was a little trashy. The premise follows the life of a female photographer, whose family owns a vineyard in South Australia. She’s engaged to a designer who is hot property, but something about her life as it is feels… lacking. It was an easy read with a rather predictable ending, but I did appreciate that there were a couple of twists I didn’t see coming. The kind of book that is easy to chew through while sitting by a pool on vacation.

Mindful Money by Canna Campbell
The past few years, my interest in saving for my future, and investing wisely has piqued dramatically. In part, it was down to stumbling across Canna’s YT channel, while looking for inspiration to pay off and close my credit cards. I’ve found her recommendations and advice invaluable over the years, and Mindful Money was no different. It’s an extension of her first book – The $1000 Project – and explores the different ways that you can invest, and prioritise saving for your future. As well as how to manifest more money. Canna’s advice is straightforward and to the point, and always helps to stoke the fire and keep me on track with my savings goals!

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
A few years ago I read one of the most harrowing books I’ve laid my hands on; Auschwitz by Miklos Nyiszli. I don’t often cry while reading, but Miklos’s experience had me in tears. And often. So it was with some trepidation that I approached Morris’s historical novel, which was based on the experience of Ludvig Solokov. Intertwined with the sheer atrocities that occurred daily at the concentration camp was a story of courage and hope. Despite knowing that there were historical inaccuracies littered throughout, I felt it gave a good picture of the conditions and reality of life in a concentration camp.

Everything Store: Jeff Bezos & the Age of Amazon by Brad Stone
Amazon is one of those retail giants that I’ve always been fascinated by; particularly given the scale and frequency with which Americans buy from the site. Touted the Everything Store, it’s grown from an online bookseller into a retailer that sells almost everything under the sun. It was fascinating to learn about Bezos’s journey to building and growing the business, which was driven by a clear vision which I would argue he’s successfully achieved. As a biographical piece, this felt well-balanced; it gave a historical overview and celebrated the successes and positive attributes of the company’s founder, while never once shying away from the negative or hard parts of Bezos’s personality.

The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr
Another recommendation from a friend, this was one of the heavier topics I chose to read in 2019. The book is backed by scientific data and evidence, and points to how our brains have evolved and changed over time with advances in technology. In particular, it highlights how the memory centres of our brain are impacted.

Normal People by Sally Rooney
Of all the books I read in 2019, Rooney’s second novel is the hardest to describe. Her writing is addictive to read, and despite the lack of any substantive plot, I found myself devouring this book over three days. It’s focused on the relationship of a young man and woman. They weave in and out of each other’s lives, seemingly linked by a bond they formed as teens. The saying “there’s two sides to every story” immediately came to mind when reading it. Misunderstandings and a lack of effective communication are common themes, which have large impacts over the lifespan of their relationship. Surprisingly this turned out to be one of my favourite books of the year, and now I’m making my way through Rooney’s debut novel, Conversations with Friends.

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Another favourite from the year was The Testaments, Atwood’s follow up to The Handmaid’s Tale (which has been adapted for TV). I loved her approach; focusing 20-30 years after Gilead was formed, it tells the story of the present from three different perspectives. Hints throughout made some elements of the book feel predictable, but it tied up the story neatly and effectively. If you enjoy the series, or loved the first book, then this is a must read!

Why Social Media is Ruining Your Life by Katherine Ormerod
It’s safe to say that as part of my job, I spend a lot more time on social media than I’d like. Don’t get me wrong, I love being able to connect with so many of you (and truly value our relationships), but it isn’t without its downfalls. It’s spurred on consumerism, creates a picture of a perfect life, and can raise feelings of inadequacy as a result. I’ve been following Katherine for some time, so wanted to support her work as a journalist, but was also curious to get her take on social media. If you spend as much time as I do online, chances are you’ll be well across all the main points of this book.

Rise & Resist: How to Change the World by Clare Press
I tend to mention Clare Press fairly frequently in my YT videos. I’m not ashamed to say that I have a total girl crush on her. Clare’s podcast has helped to shape and form a lot of my views surrounding how and why I buy. She’s had incredible access over the last few years to some of the main players in the industry, and I think she has a balanced approach. She’s a lover of fashion, unabashedly, but has implemented change in her own habits in a way that is meaningful and considered. Rise & Resist is a look at activism, and how we can use our words, actions, and our wallets to enact change. A brilliant read, and incredibly inspiring.

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
One of the last books I read in 2019 was Shoe Dog, written by co-founder of Nike, Phil Knight. I find it so fascinating to read about the minds behind some of the world’s most known brands, and I found Phil’s straight to the point way of writing enjoyable to read; almost like being told a story by a good friend. It follows his journey from before the idea for Nike even formed, as he shares the struggles and triumphs of building what is quite possibly one of the most recognisable brands in the world.

Feminists Don’t Wear Pink and other lies by Scarlett Curtis
My final read of 2019 was Feminists Don’t Wear Pink. This book features a series of essays from women with varyingly different social and cultural backgrounds, on what Feminism means to them. As someone who has long identified as a feminist, I really loved the idea of seeing that typical stereotype of the word being broken down. While this did provide me with some viewpoints and insights that I hadn’t been exposed to previously, it didn’t add as much to the conversation as I’d anticipated.

I have a tendency to share books with friends and family when I’m done with them, so I have a feeling I may have missed a few out, but that’s a pretty good overview of all the books I read in 2019.

I’m currently making my way between two books, and plan to focus on listening to audiobooks more after baby arrives. Any recommendations from your reading list would be welcomed in the comments! x