2019 Book Holiday Gift Guide

I love reading. I’ve always got a book in tow and my to read list has over 800 books on it! Below I’m sharing the 14 best books I’ve read this year as my holiday book gift guide!

Catch and Kill, by Ronan Farrow – You’ll have to remind yourself that you’re reading a true story and not a spy novel as you turn the pages of this book. Farrow’s relentless reporting gives hope to women and men who believe that money, power and connections are the only things that matter.
My Lovely Wife, by Samantha Downing – Fun, quick, and with an air of ‘Mr & Mrs Smith’, I loved this cat and mouse murder novel. You’ll be wondering who’s good, who’s bad, and find yourself *maybe* rooting for the “bad guy”.
The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides – If you’re a reader of the blog than you’ll recall I read this book within 24 hours. Literally one sitting. The Silent Patient keeps you guessing, wondering, who is at fault, until the very last page.
The Beautiful, by Renee Ahdieh – This book surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. I’m not much for vampire fiction, but something about this book intrigued me. From the moment I started reading it the beautiful writing painted incredible pictures in my mind, and I found myself quickly reading, wondering what happens next. I can’t wait for the second book in the series and can’t recommend escaping in this book enough.
Becoming, by Michelle Obama – Inspiring, well-written, and insightful, Michelle Obama’s story continues to introduce us to the fierce First Lady we came to know and love while in the White House. The woman next to President Obama is a formidable force that will inspire any women to reach for their dreams.
A Stranger on the Beach, by Michelle Campbell – I learned two important things reading this book. The first list that I loved it – such a great thriller that paints a vivid picture, and I need to make sure to read more Michelle Campbell books in 2020.
The Paris Diversion, by Chris Pavone – Pavone’s thrilling novels are some of my favorites, and waiting for his next book to come out can feel painstakingly long. However when the second book in Pavone’s Kate Moore series came out it was as good as I hoped it would be after the wait. An international spy thriller that will keep you excitingly moving from country-to-country, I do recommend you read the first in the series, The Expats, but you can easily jump into the series with this second book.
Verity, by Colleen Hoover – Let’s get something important out of the way: this book is not suitable for young readers nor the faint of heart. A little crazy, a little dirty, it’s a guilty pleasure book that was another one I read within 24 hours!
Ninth House, by Leigh Bardugo – I had this book on my radar before it was one of the books in the Book of the Month Club. When I saw it pop up as an option for BOTM, I knew it was going to be good. Set at Yale, it dives into the secret houses that have said to have Presidents, CEO’s and celebrities as members, and pairs it with the supernatural in a thriller that you won’t be able to put down.
An Anonymous Girl, by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen – Have you ever felt like you’re being watched simply by reading a book? An Anonymous Girl will leave you both studying people and looking over your shoulder. Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen are a duo that never disappoint!
Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, by J.K. Rowling – Okay let’s be honest – this wasn’t my first time reading this book. But I did want to reread the Harry Potter series, and though this year only saw me getting through the first book, it was worth it. Whether you’ve never read the series or want to reread it, you can’t go wrong with this book as your own or as a gift.
All the Beautiful Lies, by Peter Swanson – I adore Peter Swanson books. They’re an easier read but pull you in and leave you wondering until the very end. All the Beautiful Lies is no exception.
What You Did, by Claire McGowen – A random Kindle download, I added this book to my Kindle before my trip to Europe in October. It didn’t take me long to get sucked in, and it was the perfect read for the train. It’s one of the few books that kept me wondering who was guilty and who wasn’t up until the last few pages, which is not easy as I tend to guess the endings of thrillers more often than not!
Before She Knew Him, by Peter Swanson – Swanson made my list twice and for good reason. His thrillers are always fun and easy reads!

I already have a stack of books ready to go for 2020, and I’ll be sharing those with you as we get closer to the new year. Until then, I’d love to know what books made their way onto your list of favorites for 2019!