I know I am late to the party here in all possible senses. I have wanted to do these lists ever since I began reading for knowledge (2012) and this specific list since I closed 2019 with the best-ever reading record in my life so far (28 books). So, here goes a list of all the books I read in 2019 along with a short description of how I feel about them. The descriptions are based on my notes that I scribbled after finishing the books.
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - Finished it in 5 minutes. I can't say I totally agree with the message (that unconditional love is the only love), but still amazing. (B+)
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari - Brilliantly written and eye-opening, especially about anthropology. (A-)
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - A classic story and one that I feel every reader should read at least once. (C+)
It's Normal! by Mahinder Watsa - Sex ed basics for the ignorant. A book that every Indian couple should read, ideally together. My go-to gift to newly marrieds. (B-)
Educated by Tara Westover - Devastating, powerful, and mind-blowing account that seems too good to be true. A great reaffirmation to the power of education. (A-)
Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell - One of my all-time favourites, this still remains a great account on poverty. (A-)
The Crow Eaters by Bapsi Sidhwa - A mix of history and comedy, this one introduced me to Sidhwa and her powerful writing about Parsis. (B-)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - Absolutely stunning horror book that also gives you a lot to chew on about mortality and friendship. (A-)
Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson - A disappointing read that attempts and fails to trace the English language. Probably Bryson's worst. (D+)
The Road by Cormac McCarthy - Another dystopian novel I picked up due to all the buzz but a bit too repetitive and inconsequential for me. (C+)
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite - Fresh crime novel that kept me engaging till the last page. (A-)
Lanny by Max Porter - Rubbish. (D+)
The Wall by John Lanchester - A good reading experience but a weak dystopian novel. (B-)
Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli - Pretentious nonsense. (D+)
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead - Ordinary crime story discussing spine-tingling racism in backward America. (B-)
Exhalation by Ted Chiang - Wonderful short stories about ethics, human nature, and futuristic tech. A very good read. (A-)
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller - Second time reading and still hilarious yet massively sexist (which is my only problem with the book). (A-)
How To by Randall Munroe - A great follow-up to What If?, one of my most favourite books of all time, this one kept me gelled to my Kindle for hours. (A-)
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - Charming, best book I read in 2019. (A+)
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - Another fabulous dystopian novel that is worth a read every few years. (A-)
The Heat and Dust Project by Devapriya Roy and Saurav Jha - Cringeworthy travelogue written by writers who behave like cheap gram influencers. (D+)
Landline by Rainbow Rowell - Confirms my dislike towards romantic stories. A gimmick. (D+)
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - Close contender for the best book I read in 2019 just because of the 13-point virtue table that needs a bit of update and is ready for use even today. (A)
Normal People by Sally Rooney - Reminded me of my own relationships. A very good book on millennial romance. (B)
Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl - A solid account about her life as a gourmet magazine publisher. Makes me want to apply to Conde Nast. (B-)
Pure by Andrew Miller - One of the best grippy horror books I have ever read. A fantastic story. (A)
The Vegetarian by Han Kang - Mind-numbing perfection. (A+)
Ending this quickly so that I can get back to reading and create a list for 2020 as early as January. TN.
