What I Read in 2019

It’s safe to say that I did not complete my goal of reading 35 books this year. I clocked in at about 15. The only time I really devoted to reading was while traveling through South Africa on those long bus rides. But upon returning home, I got back into the habit of working late into the night. I was inspired to pick up some new books after speaking at the Decatur Book Festival.

I purchased a lot of books from Goodreads deals and BookBub and tried to branch out in terms of the type of books I was reading. If you want to keep up with what else I’m reading, or what’s on my to-read list, be sure to follow me on Goodreads.

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Comics and Graphic Novels

The Walking Dead Vol. 31: The Rotten Core, Robert Kirkman

In this volume, Rick and the gang come up against Pamela, the governor of the Commonwealth, in hopes of making a better world for them all. But it ends with a shocking conclusion.

The Walking Dead Vol. 32: Rest in Peace, Robert Kirkman

This comic is the final in the series, released as a surprise. It jumps forward in time, showing various characters in their lives post-Rick. It wasn’t entirely satisfying, but it would be hard to wrap up so many storylines.

Memoirs and Non-Fiction

Born a Crime, Trevor Noah

I read the memoir of the host of The Daily Show about his upbringing in South Africa while traveling through the country. It was an incredible story about being a mixed-race child during Apartheid. He tells it with the wit and humor you’d expect as well as heaviness from some of the tragic events.

Dead Girls: Essays on Surviving an American Obsession, Alice Bolin

I bought this book of essays in Memphis about America’s obsession with true crime. Some essays were cultural criticism and others were more personal. I especially liked the sections on pop culture and the dark side of LA. 

Sex Object, Jessica Valenti

Valenti is a great writer and has been covering women’s issues for years. In this memoir, she talks about how women are treated through the events of her life like being groped on the subway and later becoming a mother.

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things, Jenny Lawson

I actually won a copy of this book on Goodreads by the longtime blogger “The Bloggess” Jenny Lawson. She’s been very public about her struggles with mental illness, which is so refreshing. She has funny chapters on her love of taxidermy and her relationship with her husband.

Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered: The Definitive How-To Guide, Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

As a good Murderino, I preordered the book by the podcast hosts and read it in a matter of days upon it coming out. I loved the dual memoir that was laid out into themed chapters named for their well-known catchphrases.

Ten Years a Nomad: A Traveler’s Journey Home, Matthew Kepnes

I’ve known Matt for a while and have read his other books but Ten Years a Nomad is his first memoir. I was glad to read Matt’s experiences as a traveler, which felt very similar to my own. I’ve known Matt for almost a decade as a confident travel expert so it’s fun to learn that he has insecurities and anxieties like everyone else.

What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding, Kristin Newman

After discussing this book for a while, my friend purchased it and had it sent to my house so I had no choice but to read it. I’m so glad I did because it’s a clever, witty book about a single woman’s travels over the course of a few years. Her experiences really resonated with me, especially the mishaps.

Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free, Linda Kay Klein

This book came recommended to me as someone who also grew up in the Purity movement. I’ll admit that it was slow to start for me and was tough to read at times because of the abuses of power that took place in so many churches and communities. But it was a good book overall.

Self-Help

It’s Just a F*cking Date, Greg Behrendt and Amirra Ruotola

A friend recommended this book at the beginning of the year when I was feeling apathetic about dating. It was very similar to He’s Just Not That Into You but had some good information for someone like me that overthinks everything. I will admit that it didn’t necessarily translate well in the Kindle version but is probably better in paperback.

Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life, Emily Nagoski

Another recommended book, this one could stand to be read by just about everyone. It focuses on female sexuality with real science about how our bodies are all different and what works for one person might not for another. I did find there to be too many metaphors to keep track of.

True Crime

Evil Has a Name: The Untold Story of the Golden State Killer Investigation, Paul Holes

I used a free Audible download for this highly praised story on the Golden State Killer by one of the investigators. It’s more like a podcast, featuring the voices of the people who lived through that time, which was helpful but didn’t feel like a book. It’s very intense, probably more than any other podcast I’ve listened to on the story.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer, Michelle MacNamara

I was lucky enough to check out the e-book from my local library. The book was written by Michelle McNamara about her research on the Golden State Killer, published after her sudden death. She shows such care with the stories of the victims, something that isn’t a given with true crime. I tore through it in days.

Fiction

Magnetic Girl, Jessica Handler

I won a signed copy of this novel by another Georgia author from the Decatur Book Festival. It’s a fictional story about a real girl living in rural Georgia that has magnetic “abilities” and showcases them to paying customers.

What did you read in 2019?