Bron’s 6 Favourite Books of 2019 (So Far)!

When I sat down to pick my 6 favourite reads of 2019 (so far) I thought that it would be easy… how wrong I was. There have been so many incredible books released this year and I’ve only read a fraction of them.

From Thomas Taylor to Jennifer Donnelly, here are 6 books that have been released in 2019 that I’ve read and absolutely loved.

Malamander

by Thomas Taylor

This is just the kind of fun-filled adventure I’ve been craving lately! Thomas Taylor really delivered with his new book Malamander – this is a rich, creative, and engaging story that was really, really hard to put down. The story follows Herbert Lemon, a young boy who is the Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel. Herbie is used to returning lost things to their rightful owners – shoes, suitcases, money – but one night a strange young girl turns up at his window claiming she is lost… and needs to be found!

Read my full review here and buy a copy of Malamander here.

We Hunt the Flame

by Hafsah Faizal:

Passionate, powerful and poignant, with a rich and luscious setting inspired by ancient Arabia to boot, We Hunt the Flame is a killer read and definitely one you won’t forget anytime soon. I had super high expectations going into We Hunt the Flame because of all the amazing reviews I’ve seen around for this book. I’m so glad to report that this incredible debut novel by Hafsah Faizal did not disappoint! It was really hard to put down and, when I had to (life, sigh), I found my mind wandering back to the zumra (aka the gang) and their adventures.

Read my full review here and buy a copy of We Hunt the Flame here.

Stepsister

by Jennifer Donnelly

This is Cinderella with a twist… because it’s not even about everyone’s favourite rags-to-riches princess. It’s about one of the ugly stepsisters. What I loved most about this book is how Donnelly approaches the idea that good people do bad things. Isabelle is one of Cinderella’s two stepsisters. Isabelle is a strikingly real person. She is a girl who sometimes buries her true self due to external pressures – her mother, society, sexism. Stepsister is dark, honest, confronting, and enchanting. For anyone who has ever wanted something more from life, or from themselves, this story will ring true for you, as it did with me!

Read my full review here and buy a copy of Stepsister here.

A Thousand Ships

by Natalie Haynes

I love the concept of this book – which is exactly why I picked it up in the first place. We all know the story of Troy. The battle fought and the lives lost. The famous men who fought bravely before perishing and the woman who inspired so much death. Natalie Haynes’ A Thousand Ships is a heavy read, but it is also a beautiful one. Somehow Haynes managed to make reading about the death, depression, and devastation of all these women a poetic experience. This book is undeniable. It will open your eyes to the aftermath of this legendary war, shedding light on all the fallout, horror and torment that has been shrouded behind the shadow of a wooden horse.

Read my full review here and buy a copy of A Thousand Ships here.

Dev1at3

by Jay Kristoff

Dev1at3 is the second instalment in Jay Kristoff’s series, following the soul-crushing, mind-boggling events of the first book, Lifel1k3. I had been itching to get my hands on Dev1at3, to know what happened to Eve, Lemon Fresh, Cricket, and the rest of the gang – the goodies and the baddies alike! Get ready for something spectacular – Dev1at3 is full to the brim with that mad storm of emotions that only Jay Kristoff knows how to deliver.

Read my full review here and buy a copy of Dev1at3 here.

Enchantée

by Gita Trelease

Bienvenue à Paris! But not just any Paris – this is a strange and wondrous time. Paris 1789. Twisted streets and twisted minds. The court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette… and the bejewelled playthings inside this illustrious palace. Enchantée revolves strongly around love – love for one’s family, love for oneself, and love for strangers. Our protagonist is seventeen-year-old Camille who, after the death of her parents, takes up the role of carer and peace-keeper to her remaining family: sweet and sickly Sophie, and volatile and abusive Alain. I completely and utterly fell into this world created by author Gita Trelease. Enchantée is one of the most enchanting reads of 2019 and I dare you not to fall in love with it.

Read my full review here and buy a copy of Enchantée here.

So there you have it – my favourite reads of 2019 (so far). Let me know what yours are in the comments!

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About the Contributor

Bronwyn Eley

Before entering the exciting world of books, Bronwyn served in the Royal Australian Air Force, travelled extensively and worked (still does!) as a barista on the weekends. Books are her true passion. Bronwyn's debut fantasy novel Relic is coming out in 2019 with indie publishing house Talem Press. They are to publish her entire trilogy called The Relic Trilogy. In her spare time, Bronwyn writes, reads and enjoys keeping fit (which she undoes by eating loads of chocolate) with Martial Arts and personal training. She can't answer what her favourite book is but she has a soft spot for Peter Pan (J.M Barrie), Outlander (Diana Gabaldon), Stardust (Neil Gaiman), The Illuminae Files (Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman) and Six of Crows (Leigh Bardugo). Fantasy, sci-fi and YA make up the majority of her bookshelves.

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