An explanation

Does the internet need another Best Books of 2019 post? DEFINITELY NOT.

Am I doing one anyway? DEFINITELY YES.

I'm adding my voice to the cacophony already present for no other reason than it's a nice way to reflect on a year that was transformational in many ways.

In 2019, I finished grad school, checked a professional goal off the bucket list, landed my dream job, and moved across the country to my original hometown. I traveled, made new friends, formed stronger bonds with old ones, and spent more time with family than I have in years (the bonus of moving closer to home). I laughed a LOT. I cried a LOT.

But most importantly, I read a LOT.

Grad school, no matter the discipline, is a reading grind. Most of the material in my program was interesting, but I found that I didn't want to open a book for pleasure outside of school. My brain was DONE by the end of each day. So it was a welcome change when 2019 dawned and I suddenly had the gifts of time and brain capacity to read. I got my butt back onto Goodreads and set a reading goal of 26 books. One book, every two weeks. Seemed doable. But since I am me, and I am your stereotypical, annoying Type 3 on the Enneagram, I ended up clocking in at 34 books (so far - it's December 1 and I will probably read two or three more before Jan 1). This is small potatoes compared to all the book bloggers and professional readers out there (hi Danielle) but ultimately, the number is not the point.

The point is how moved I was by many of the books I read this year, and I was mostly moved in very unexpected ways. It's about how excited I am to dive into 34 more books next year. And it is also about the many meaningful connections that formed with new and old friends over books this year. We've been mailing books across the country to each other, exchanging titles over Instagram, gushing about characters and stories over iMessage, and debating the merits of certain series over others. Those conversations and connections have kept me going this year through the best and worst of times, just as much as the stories in the books have.

So, here is to a wonderful year of literature and love, and cheers to the year (and decade!) ahead. Read on, everyone! And as always, please send your best book reccos my way!