So today I’m starting a new series on my blog. I will be counting back my favorite book published in one year, starting from 2019, and going back until I run out of books I’ve read published in that year. I’ve seen a few blogs doing this, but usually it is only looking at the ten most recent years. I, however, want to go back, because I love reading classics!
But for today, I’m looking at my favorite books from 2019-2010.
2019

The Five: The Lives of Jack The Ripper’s Women by Hallie Rubenhold
Technically, 2019 still has a few months left, so I may read another book this year I might enjoy more then this one. But as of now, this is my favorite book published this year.
2018

Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Benedict
This is a fictional story about a maid to Andrew Carnegie, blending fiction and history. I will say, I was slightly disappointed with the ending, but otherwise I loved this book!
2017

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
This is a non-fiction book about the murders of a Native American family in the 1920’s and the investigation which ensued. It’s an amazing book and one I really want to reread someday.
2016

A Taste For Monsters by Matthew J. Kirby
This is a YA historical mystery about a maid taking care of the Elephant Man (real name Joseph Merrick). It also blends fiction and history, and is probably my favorite YA book of all time.
2015

The Explorer’s Guild by Kevin Costner
I mentioned this book a lot on my blog, but I love it so much! It’s such a unique book: part adventure, part comic, part classic novel, and all fun. I have never read a book like it, and hope to reread it soon!
2014

Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix
I actually didn’t read many books published in 2014 that I really loved, so this one just happens to be my favorite. I’m not a huge fan of horror, so I’m surprised this is even on my list, but it was so good!
2013

Shakespeare Saved My Life by Dr. Laura Bates
This is a nonfiction book about a woman who goes to teach Shakespeare in a high security prison, only to make friends with some hardened prisoners. It’s a beautiful book, and one of the few which truly understands the impact Shakespeare can have on the world.
2012

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Technically, this book was published in English in 2015, but since the original was published in Swedish in 2012, I’m counting it. I just read this book this year and it is such a beautiful book!
2011

The Invention of Murder by Judith Flanders
This book mostly documents the evolution of modern criminology methods and how Victorian people were fascinated by murder and death. It’s a fascinating book, but pretty hefty (over 500 pages).
2010

Writings From Ancient Egypt by Toby Wilkinson
This book translates many writings of Ancient Egypt from different dynasties, and I loved it. It gives such an interesting, detailed picture or the society and world of Egypt thousands of years ago.
So there we have it. I’ll be doing one of these posts once a month, wherever I can fit it in. Also, these are my current favorites. In a couple years, I might have read new books published in these years which might be my new favorites. So, there’s that.
Next month I will be doing the next in the series of years: 2009-2000
Have you read any of these books? Do any of them look interesting to you? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments, follow my blog for more musings and, as always,
Best wishes in your life full of adventure,
Madame Writer
Nice list. If I am not mistaken, ‘The Invention of Murder’ is in my TBR, but I’m not 100% sure.
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It’s a very interesting book. If it’s not on your TBR, I would recommend it!
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A truly compelling list. I want to read each of these. I like how a lot of your choices have a connection to reality. I have been exploring memoirs and non-fiction a lot more and these are the perfect combo of learning something and following a story that makes it hard to put down the book.
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Thank you! I’ve been getting into a lot of memoirs and non-fiction recently. They are so interesting and, as you said, close to reality.
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I have read “Ove,” but friends have told me it is a good book.
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It is a great book!
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Great list! I’ve only read Horrorstor, but there are some others on here I’d like to try, like Killers of Flower Moon.
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Horrorstor is great! And I highly recommend reading Killers of Flower Moon. It’s an interesting, but serious read.
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Nice list! Very curious about multiple titles you’ve mentioned. One of my closest friends has been urging me to read A Man Called Ove.
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A Man Called Ove is such an amazing book! I agree with your friend.
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