It's a little on the early side for me to do any year end favorites, as I must take into account every book I read until the last hours of December 31st. But I have a great opportunity to give away a free audiobook from the only place to purchase your audiobooks: Libro.fm! I normally would get audiobooks from the library, but I find that I am often scrambling to finish listening before the due date (Becoming) or they’re just not available for lending (Sounds Like Titanic). BOTH are on my best of 2019 list. If you haven’t heard of Libro.fm, definitely check them out for your audiobook purchases - you can choose to support your local bookstore or ALL affiliated independent bookstores (and not that big box retailer we shall not name). You can always use this referral link of mine for three book credits at $14.99, which is basically a 3 for 1 deal, or use code BORN2READ at checkout. And in the meantime, go comment on the picture below on my Instagram by Friday 12/13 for a chance to win a free book!
When it comes to audiobooks, I can safely say that I am on my last one of the year. I do most of my listening while alone in the car or alone at home gettin' stuff done. That's not gonna happen over winter break. I decided to make this list a short one, as audiobooks are about 20% of my total reading. I'm on track to read more than 90 books this year, and 20 have been on audio. Since I read so few, I put a lot of thought into what I'm going to read, and definitely get rid of any that don't work for me within the first ten minutes! So I'd like to think these are QUALITY recs.
As I'm looking over this list I'm seeing a theme... With the exception of the great David Sedaris, they are all women to be reckoned with - not surprising in 2019.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
I mean. What else can be said about how fantastic this book was?? She is such an inspirational human, and her storytelling ability just made her that much more so. (Original review here.)
Calypso by David Sedaris
I would say that you cannot go wrong with a David Sedaris audiobook, but I was a little gun shy of picking up Calypso because Theft by Finding Diaries was a total aberration for me and I abandoned it after giving it a whole hour! This was much more of the Sedaris I love: full of hilarity and heart. (Original review here.)
Sounds Like Titanic by Jessica Chiccehitto Hindman
This was probably the biggest surprise hit for me this year. I feel like more people should be talking about this woman and this book - it's BANANAS and also, she is really impressive. (Original review here.)
The Witches are Coming by Lindy West
Lindy West is a favorite writer of mine (see also Shrill) and I loved her hilarious hot takes on all the things, as well as her messages of hope and strength. (Original review here.)
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
I am only halfway through Chanel Miller's memoir and I can for sure say that it is the one book above all these mentioned that I would recommend, and shove into people's hands if I could. Listening to the harrowing account of a sexual assault victim, the realities of our broken justice system and misogynistic culture, was really hard to stomach. But her story is so important, not just because she was Brock Turner's victim, but because clearly the process is equally terrible and unjust for most sexual assault victims. It is eye opening and hopefully encourages activism and change. Not to mention the fact that her writing is beautiful - I'm not sure if I've ever come across so many brilliant and evocative uses of metaphor. Her comics are also so engaging and I can't wait to see what this amazingly talented woman's future holds.