My Top Books of 2019 for Women to Read

If you are in a book slump or just need a new recommendation, I’ve got you covered! I didn’t think I could narrow all 68 books I read in 2019 down to a Top 3, but I did it!

These three books are very different. But they had a few things in common. Each of these books had me on the edge of my seat, turning pages, unable to stop reading.

And each of these books have strong female characters. Some of whom I loved and wanted to hug, some of whom I struggled with because of how deeply flawed they were, some had my fluctuating between the two.

But without further adieu:

My 3 Top Books of 2019

#3 – Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

Sometimes a book has tons of hype, but doesn’t quite live up to it. That is not so with Ask Again, Yes. This book lived up to every ounce of hype.

Beautiful, epic family story. The twists and turns were so big, but the emotions and the reactions showed a natural progression of exactly how families relate to each other. Even though the surprising tragedy (literally I gasped at the incident) has never happened to me or anyone I know, I felt like the author and the story was describing feelings I have had a family and parenthood and marriage. I could just feel how devastated they were every misunderstanding and every moment of brokenness. And yet the longing of family remaining ever strong.

#2 – The Bright Unknown by Elizabeth Byler Younts

Some books you hold close to your chest as you sit in the resolution of the last pages. This was that book. With The Bright Unknown, Elizabeth Byler Younts positions herself alongside Lisa Wingate and Kristin Hannah. And if you know me as a reader, you know that Kristin Hannah is my favorite. So that is saying a lot.

The haunting story of Brighton Friedrich and the Riverside Home shows the most difficult parts of humanity and past decisions made, but brings us the hope of humanity as well. The young girl, Brighton, was born in an insane asylum and raised among the patients, including her mother. But Brighton doesn’t belong there. Neither do many of the asylum’s inhabitants—having been locked away by their parents or family members for things that were far short of insanity. Brighton finds the bright places where she lives but also witnesses the darkest moments. And Younts takes us along the heart-breaking journey as Brighton watches her world torn apart and her own heart torn as to whether to escape or to stay with her mother.

What a powerful story of love, forgiveness, hope, and not forgetting the past but learning from it and allowing it to make us stronger.

Last but not least…..

#1 – An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

I read this book in January of 2019, and it has stuck with me the entire year. I haven’t been able to shake it, so clearly it deserves the coveted #1 spot for top book read in 2019!

After I finished reading it, I spent the afternoon relaying to one of my nonreader friends the entire plot. She was literally on the edge of her seat, eating her salad like it was popcorn in a movie theater, gasping at just the right moments and putting off a bathroom break so that I could finish. That’s how good this book is. Every page was just like that. Me reading with my eyes wide open, waiting for a gotcha moment. I could practically hear the ominous movie soundtrack throughout.

The back and forth between Jessica Farris and Dr. Shields is perfect. The character development is perfect. The trail of breadcrumbs is perfect.

I’m not a scary movie or horror book kind of girl. Creepy books creep me out too much. But this was just the right amount of suspense to keep me going and loving it.

I can never pick just one favorite….can you?

What book was your top read of 2019? Comment below, I’d love to know!