My Favorite Books of 2019

*this not a list of books that were released in 2019, just a list of books I read in 2019*

My favorite contemporary YA this year was undoubtedly LOVE AND GELATO by Jenna Evans Welch. It's one of those books I enjoyed so much it's hard to articulate any words for it beyond "UGH" and shoving it into your hands. It's sweet and heartfelt, emotional but feel good, and it's set in ITALY. Clean, fluffy romance based on friendship, and a heartwarming theme of figuring out who you are even in the wake of unexpected change♥

SPINNING STARLIGHT by R.C. Lewis is a super fun sci-fi retelling of Hans Christian Anderson's "The Wild Swans". I love scifi, but I'm not big on "we must fight this war or the universe will be destroyed". This book is an example of the kind of science fiction I love: futuristic, shiny technology, high stakes but not world ending, a bit emotional, and a lot of fun. I love the relationship Liddi has with her brothers, and the way we get to know them through her imagining their commentary all the time. There's just enough of everything: just enough scary, just enough romance, just enough happily ever after.

UNEARTHED by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner is another great YA Scifi! This book was seriously so FUN. Archaeology in SPACE, y'all. A sassy girl out to buy her freedom and a clever boy out to solve a mystery navigate an ancient alien ruin on a far off planet, while avoiding bounty hunters and other scavengers. There's something around every corner, and you never know exactly who to trust (but you sure know who you WANT to trust). You won't get bored with this one!

THE GOOD THIEVES by Katherine Rundell. Okay, let me just shout this: KATHERINE RUNDELL WRITES AMAZING BOOKS. I fell in love at first line with her book ROOFTOPPERS, and The Good Thieves was no different. Rundell's writing style is lyrical, the atmosphere always cast in the most perfectly whimsical way, and she writes about brave girls who aren't afraid of mud. I don't know why you'd never any more reason than that to pick up any one of her books, but just in case you do: The Good Thieves is set in 1920s New York, and contains a girl who picks pockets, a boy who flies on trapeze, and a boy who tames animals, who help our lovely heroine break into a castle to steal back something stolen from her grandfather. You're sold now, right?

THE VANDERBEEKERS OF 141ST STREET by Karina Van Glaser is a story about the most lovable family you'll ever know working together to save their home. When their grumpy, shut in landlord and upstairs neighbor refuses to renew their lease, the clever Vanderbeeker kids work together to find ways to melt his icy heart. I love stories about strong sibling relationships, and this is one of the best. The Vanderbeeker kids don't always agree, but they always love and respect each other. They each have a distinct personality, and we get a glimpse into the minds, interests, and challenges of each of them over the course of this really excellently written novel.

EMMA AND ELIZABETH by Ann Mychal is a novel based on the unfinished manuscript of Jane Austen's The Watsons. This book well written in the style of Austen without feeling like a mimicry, and the story was as entertaining, witty, and romantic as it should be. The characters were wholly lovable, and the difficulties and misunderstandings to be overcome made the story interesting and the happily ever afters satisfying, without ever becoming too frustrating. Really, just an excellently written Austenesque novel.

MANSFIELD PARK by Jane Austen. No matter what anyone says, I love this book. Fanny Price may not have the sharp tongue of Elizabeth Bennet or mischief of Emma Woodhouse, but Fanny has a mind that loves to learn, an introverted nature I can totally relate to, and strong moral convictions she isn't willing to compromise. I love that each of Austen's characters have a distinct personality, no two are the same, and Fanny Price is no exception. She may not be everyone's heroine, but I love her. Now if only we could get a good mini series adaptation...

MANSFIELD PARK REVISITED by Joan Aiken. Taking place after the events of Mansfield Park, this sequel focuses on Fanny's younger sister, the more forthright and outgoing Susan Price. I'm a bit picky about my Austen spin-offs, but I loved this book because it didn't touch very much at all on the characters I already loved, only expanded ones that I didn't see much of in the original, with the exception of the Crawfords, who I think were written pretty true to character (if a little too redeemed, for my taste).

THE HUMMINGBIRD DAGGER by Cindy Anstey. Are we even surprised that this lovely authoress has written another intriguing and romantic historical novel? A Victorian mystery, clean romance, and just LOOK at that amazing cover art! The story inside is just as good, promise.

Until next time!

Chelsea B↠Kang Daeun