Monday, July 29, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday | Freebie Time: Five Star Reads of 2019 (So Far)



Welcome to another Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week is a freebie, which means we can do whatever topic we want. I am choosing to show off the really excellent books I have read so far in 2019.

I started the year with some pretty heavy topics - racial, gender, and social inequality, abortion rights, rape, politics, and patriotism - you know, the usual. That continued for much of the first part of the year.

I also read some books that will surprise people because fiction is SO not my thing. And given the fact that some of those managed to get five stars also...it is kind of a big deal.

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As I put together this post, I realized I have read a lot of really amazing books so far. I think this is more five stars in seven months than I have had in some years total. I have also read A TON of books though. Not counting the Magic Tree House ones that I am reading with my daughter, I am already over 200 books for the year. So, I think this is a good thing that I have had SO MANY awesome reads and the year isn't even over yet.

Have you read any of these? Are any on your TBR? Leave a link to your TTT also and I will be sure to visit.

24 comments:

  1. You always have a lot of thought provoking non fiction but glad you found some fiction this year too! I kinda want to read Dragon Teeth. And of course Two Can Keep A Secret. :)

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    1. Dragon Teeth is really good. It's not Jurassic Park, but it is now tied for second place with Timeline on my Crichton list. I really enjoyed it.

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  2. I'm very slowly reading Becoming. It's excellent!

    My TTT.

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  3. I've read the Crichton book, as well as one of your 9/11 books...but not that one. Most of my political books tend to be about foreign policy.

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    1. What did you think of Dragon Teeth? I really liked it a lot - it is now my second fave, tied with timeline. Naturally, Jurassic Park will always be first, no matter how many more manuscripts his estate releases.

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  4. Looks like you've had a really awesome reading year! I can't wait to read Becoming. I just bought the book today and I'm looking forward to when it arrives :D

    My TTT post

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    1. I have, truly! I think God knew it would be a tough end of the school year (I am a teacher, and it was), so He sent plenty of good reads my way to help me out. I hope you enjoy Becoming as much as I did. Michelle Obama is such a remarkable woman.

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  5. Two Can Keep A Secret is on my list. You are having a great year in reading!

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    1. It is SO GOOD! I read One of Us is Lying and knew that even though it is not my normal fare, I will read everything McManus writes. I can't wait for the OOUIL sequel!!

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  6. Wow, you did hit some heavy topics, but important ones, too. I really want to read Becoming, but I'm thinking I might grab that on audio since I believe she narrates it.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!

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    1. I've had to take a break from those topics for a while now, but you are right in that they are so important and impact our society right now, every minute, every second.

      I believe Mrs. Obama does too, it will be even more powerful in her own voice. Such a great book.

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  7. That's definitely not light reading material! I don't often read non-fiction so it'll be no surprise I haven't read any of these (including the fiction ones!)

    Well done on reaching 200 books already! That's an amazing amount of books.

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    1. Thanks! Reading is my refuge when life is tough (I am a teacher of students identified as emotionally disturbed, so life was tough a lot this past school year). Plus, when my daughter has to be at her father's house, pretty much all I do is read and blog - takes my mind off her having to be gone, and marginally distracts me for a little while.

      One fiction book that did not make the list due to being a 4-star read is the Au Pair, which I also really liked. But I definitely recommend any of these fiction titles (and non-fiction for that matter, because that's my thing) but Dead Queens Club was also SO SO GOOD. It is truly the best Tudor fiction I have ever read in terms of staying 100% true to what we factually know about the period. I loved it.

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  8. What an amazing year's reading so far!
    I think most of my books have been fiction, but there's several here enticing me to take a closer look

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    1. I have been book-blessed, that is for sure! If you read any of these titles, I look forward to discussing them with you!!

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  9. I so want to read THUG! I saw the movie and bawled!
    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

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    1. I cried enough reading the book, I do not think I could watch the movie. It hit especially close to home for me because so many of my students are African-American boys, identified as being emotionally disturbed/behaviorally disordered. My paraprofessionals and I have talked to them so many times about what to do if stopped by an officer, practically all but begging them to just be quiet and do what they're told, be calm, keep your hands visible, all the things I ams ure their parents have told them a million times as well. It is a hard book to read, but an important book and I wish it was required reading for everyone.

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  10. I loved The Hate U Give. I was pleased all out of proportion with Becoming. 200 books so far? Wow!!!

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    1. Same, it was so good, but it was tough and I cried a lot. Becoming is SO GOOD too!
      Counting all the chapter books Eleanor and I have read together, I am actually at 265!

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  11. Great picks! I LOVED so many of these books myself--The Hate U Give, Dead Queens Club, Becoming, Parkland--and a good majority of the others you listed are on my TBR for the rest of the year, so now I'm even more hyped to give them a go in the future. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. GOOD!!! I do not find a lot of other non-fiction readers so let's talk about them when you've got them read! The Hate U Give is so, so good. And I was really happily surprised by DQC, it was so true to what we factually know about the Tudors, I loved it and could not put it down. Happy Reading :)

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  12. Already over 200 books this year?! You're a freaking super star! And I love a lot of the content that you read about. I'm not much of a nonfiction person except if I need to (it makes me feel like I'm doing homework or something) but I may have to try some of these.

    -Leelynn @ Sometimes Leelynn Reads

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    1. Thank you! Reading is my destresser (I am a special education teacher, there's a lot of stress!), so I plow through a lot of books during the school year in every spare moment - mainly when my daughter is with her dad on certain days. I'd love to know if you try any of these in the future, and what you think. Happy Reading!

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