Ever since reading Stephen King’s Memoir “On Writing” a few years ago, I’ve made it a goal to read daily. One can’t become a better writer, without reading. You need to study the art of story. And you can only gain perspective by reading the work of others. So every single day I read roughly 40 pages in what ever my current read is.

How I choose my books…

I try to diversify what I read, fiction, non-fiction, horror, suspense, romance, writers from different ethnicities, nationalities, socio-economic backgrounds…you get it. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t read my favorite genres. I love books by African-American woman writers because I like to see how close their experience is to my own and the different ways in which our collective story can be told.

Additionally, I pick a writer who has a large catalog of work, and try my best to read through as many of their works in a year. Last year, that writer was Walter Mosley. This year and I chose Octavia E. Butler. I only made it through her Lilith’s Brood series. But that’s not because it was shitty. Oh to the contrary, the books were amazing and I wouldn’t allow myself to speed read through them.

In 2019 I read a total of 37 books. That’s 10 more than last year. Of those 37 books, here are the ones that stood out (for better or worse).

Best Octavia Butler

Dawn

This woman is a prophet. If you read any of her series, you’ll see that she’s been predicting her future (our present) for decades. I most enjoy how she makes futuristic concepts so easily understandable.

Best Book by an International Author

Krik? Krak! By Edwidge Danticat

I love to hear stories about black women, by black women. And “Krik? Krak!” is a collection of some of the most beautifully written short stories I’ve ever read. Edwidge has a lyrical quality to her work and I found myself sucked all the way in.

Best Non-Fiction

My Brother by Jamaica Kincaid

Such a beautiful story of family, reconnection and allowing someone to die on their own terms. Jamaica Kincaid’s tale of spending time with her brother as he loses his battle with AIDS, finding a way to reconnect as adult siblings and the awful way that AIDS patients and their families were dealt with early on in the epidemic is a stirring story.

Most Surprisingly Good Book

Swing Time by Zadie Smith

I have a love/hate relationship with Zadie’s books. I find her writing to be super dense. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. But it makes for a tough read. It took me over a month to get through “White Teeth.” But when I found “Swing Time” on sale, I figured I’d give it a shot. It was still dense. But I fell in absolute love with all of the characters. They each had a multilayered story and Zadie did an amazing job making the reader care about all of them.

Most Difficult to Get Through

I’m Telling: A Novel by Karen E. Quinones Miller

I don’t read urban fiction for a reason. That reason is that often the colloquial dialogue takes me out of the story and I spend the entire book reading out loud so I can understand what is going on. In this case, the dialogue wasn’t hard to understand. It was just annoying AF. One of the characters said “and stuff” at the end of every sentence and I wanted to just die. The story overall was actually pretty good. I just wish the dialogue was better thought out. I initially vowed to never read this author again. But then I read her book “Ida B.” and really enjoyed it. So I’m just gonna look at this book as a one off.

Most Enlightening Book

The New Orleans Voodoo Handbook by Kenaz Filan

I found this book to be one of THEE most concise and informative overviews of New Orleans voodoo that I’ve ever read. It’s short but action packed with history, beliefs, and recipes for magic, spells, aromatherapy and candle work.

Best Book to be Adapted for Film or Television

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

Like eating a good meal…this book was savory, flavorful and spicy. It was sensory overload. I could taste, smell and feel every meal and sensation. The film adaptation starring Lumi Cavazos was also amazing. I wasn’t sure how anyone could bring to the imagery that I’d dreamed up. But Arau’s vision was perfect.

Funniest Book

I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual by Luvvie Ajayi

I laughed from start to finish. This collection of essays was just the fuckery I need to get me through a rough spot. Luvvie has one of the sharpest wits I know, but she’s also very intelligent, something that I think comes across clearly in this book.

Best Overall

There, There by Tommy Orange

These characters were in SO much pain and had struggled through wand with things that no one should have to deal with. But in the end there was at least a sense of redemption for a few. This book is stirring and startling. I went through so many emotions reading it and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to read this author.

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2019 Book Review