Welcome back! It’s time for Part 2 of my analysis of Goodreads’ Eight Beloved Books from Each of the Past 10 Years! In the first part, I explored the books that defined 2014-2018. 2014 was the year I moved to Canada and I liked reliving many of the firsts in those years. It was fascinating to see how many of those books have become pop culture staples through TV and film adaptations, as well as to reflect on how they shaped my own reading journey.
Now, it’s time to dive into 2019-2023. This is a particularly special period because 2019 is the year I started Armed with A Book! These years have not only transformed my reading habits but also deepened my awareness of patterns in what I read, from beloved bestsellers to lesser-known gems. Ariel and I started buddy reading in 2019 and she continues to be an important influence in the books I choose. As I look at the stories that captured readers’ imaginations in these recent years, I can’t help but think about how my blogging journey intertwines with them. I am excited to share what I have uncovered. Let’s begin!
Books Published in 2019
2019 was a remarkable year for diverse and thought-provoking reads. It was the year Alex Michaelides’ gripping thriller, The Silent Patient, was released. I still see Ocean Vuong’s poetic exploration of identity in On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous on bookstagram once in a while. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s nostalgic dive into the world of 1970s rock with Daisy Jones & The Six has been adopted into a TV series. Kiley Reid’s Such a Fun Age sparked conversations about privilege and race, while Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue charmed readers with its queer romance in a royal setting and is available to watch as a movie. Other books of note from Goodreads are Fredrik Backman’s Anxious People (translated, contemporary mystery) and Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House (adult fantasy). I like that Malcolm Gladwell’s Talking to Strangers is also featured on this list. It explores how we misjudge others.
Of the eight, I read two in 2020: Such a Fun Age was a buddy read with Ariel while Red, White & Royal Blue was a buddy read with some bookstagramers. Looking at the top 200, I found two noteworthy books from 2019: Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men is an amazing non-fiction about women and data that I highly recommend and do not miss any chance to highlight (latest mention: International Women’s Day 2024). Last year, I listened to the audiobook of This Is How You Lose the Time War and it remains one of my favroite books. This science fantasy romance is evocative and Taylor Swift’s The Great War always takes me back to it.
On my TBR from this year, there is On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous.
Books Published in 2020
Goodreads highlights a variety of genres and themes in its selection for 2020. There are alternate lives to explore (The Midnight Library), timeless love (The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue) and books (Beach Read). Thought-provoking literature this year included Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half about identity and racial passing across generations. On the mystery side, there are both YA (The Inheritance Games) and adult (Piranesi) options. Sarah J. Maas released House of Earth and Blood, the first book in the Crescent City series. Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet brought Shakespeare’s family to life in a poignant historical fiction.
The only book I have read from this list is The Inheritance Games. It became such a popular series over the years! Browsing the top 200, I loved seeing Daughter of No Worlds, an indie fantasy series that I am hope to return to in 2025. I started the series earlier this year.
From the TBR side, I hope to make time for The Midnight Library some day. This year also marked the release of The Bone Shard Daughter, the first book in a series that Ariel loves and I plan to read.
Books Published in 2021
2021 offered a diverse collection of stories and genres. There was sci-fi adventures (Project Hail Mary), family drama (Malibu Rising), romance (Seven Days in June), historical fictions (The Four Winds, The Lincoln Highway) and meditations on grief and death (Crying in H Mart, Under the Whispering Door). A fantasy highlight were Anthony Doerr’s Cloud Cuckoo Land that spans over centuries.
We have finally arrived at a year from whose eight highlighted titles I have read nothing. My TBR does feature Cloud Cuckoo Land but none of the other titles, though I have definitely heard good things about many of them.
I have read more from the top 200. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Buckman stands out, a thought-provoking read about approaching life. It adds something refreshing to the productivity self-help genre. One I haven’t read yet is Great Circle. I am neutral to flying but love reading about aviators.
Books Published in 2022
This is the year I started paying more attention to book awards! Ariel and I even did a post on the nominees and winners of Goodreads Choice Awards 2022. The article of beloved books highlights friendship (Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Remarkably Bright Creatures), grief (I’m Glad My Mom Died), an amazing historical fiction debut and eventual TV series (Lessons in Chemistry), an alternate historical fantasy about language and translation (Babel), suspense (The Housemaid) and romance (Book Lovers). Demon Copperhead went on to become the co-recipient of 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
The three books I read from this year blew me away. I still think about Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and am hoping someone will gift me a copy at Christmas. Lessons in Chemistry is a thought-provoking story about one woman who preserves inspite of everything. Another great TV series that was as good as the book. Babel: An Arcane History is a masterpiece of historical fantasy and it let me ponder the art of translation to my heart’s content.
2023 is also the year Sea of Tranquility came out! A time-travel story that I want to reread. It was so good!
From the highlights, Remarkably Bright Creatures is on my TBR. Noteworthy from the top 200 is I Fell in Love With Hope by Lancali, an indie title I want to pick up sometime.
Books Published in 2023
The highlights from 2023 are a mix of heart-wrenching family dramas to thrilling mysteries and vibrant fantasy. Ann Napolitano’s Hello Beautiful is a standout familial tale often compared to classics like Little Women. Yellowface saw R. F. Kuang step out of the Fantasy genre into literary/suspense and it was brilliant. Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing captivating readers with its dragon-riding adventure and sparking immense buzz in the bookish community. Definitely one of the most hyped books of the year and continues to be today. Another fantasy of note was Divine Rivals. Popular mystery titles include The Only One Left and None of This Is True. Contemporary titles were Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake and Britney Spears’ memoir The Woman in Me.
Of the eight, I have read and adored Hello Beautiful and Yellowface in 2023 itself. Hello Beautiful is a familial tale that I will always be rereading. Yellowface was such an uncomfortable page turner that I have been on the lookout for more publishing and author centred stories since. From the extended 200 list, I read The Creative Act: A Way of Being twice in a month.
This is the year, The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, first book in the Library Trilogy came out. It is on my TBR.
Top Eight vs Overall Reading
2014-2018 were my university years. My reading was guided more by availability and what was popular at the time. In contrast, 2019-2023 saw a lot more time for myself as I started working and embarked on starting Armed with A Book. Social settings and life changes have definitely affected the number.
This brings up two thoughts:
- How I discover books has changed drastically: Pre-2019, my reading was shaped by what I could find in bookstores. As a book blogger, once I gained access to titles in advance, I am better able to reach for what I want to read rather than following trends or seeing what catches my eye at the store.
- The joy of seeing my favorites become beloved by others: What I also notice is how much I adored the books that are highlighted in the years since I became a book blogger. What I read was amazing and turns out, other people liked it too. As an advanced reviewer (though I rarely read or share my thoughts in advance), it is very nice to see titles that I picked without knowing how they will be received become beloved by not just me.
Looking back at these years, it’s clear how my personal journey and my blogging journey are intertwined. From the firsts of 2014 to the intentional choices of 2023, this exploration has been a chance to appreciate not just the books but also how they’ve shaped me as a reader and a blogger.
Final Reflections and Invitations
My reading habits steer me away from some popular titles and authors and swing me straight into the backlist of others.
Are there authors or books you adore and were surprised I have never read? From these past 10 years, what should I make sure I read – and why?
It’s also fascinating to think about the legacy of these books. What makes a book continue to be talked about 5 years, a decade from its release? It is hard to say. I wonder how many of these titles will still be read in 2034. Maybe I will revisit this list and find out.
One thing is certain: my journey as a reader and a blogger has deepened my appreciation for the stories that shape us and the conversations they spark. Buddy reading regularly with Ariel has enriched my reading experience and allowed me to ponder stories in new ways.
Thank you for joining me on this exploration of beloved books from the past decade—I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and recommendations!
About TBR Tales
Dive into the world of TBR Tales, where the journey through the to-be-read pile becomes a rich narrative of literary exploration. Join me as I navigate the pages of books, reflecting on the joys, challenges, and unexpected treasures found along the way. From rediscovering old favorites to embracing new genres, TBR Tales is a celebration of the reader’s life. Sign up for the TBR Tales Exclusive Mailing List and get an email from me when a new post is available each month! Thank you for reading. 🙂
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