Hi everyone!!

Almost 2 weeks into the New Year and I’m still confused with so many good books that I need to read this year. Every year I do the Goodreads reading challenge and for 2019 I’m aiming for 40 books. Add to that a few (5-10) re-reads. My TBR list keeps changing as per my mood, but these 19 books are for sure happening in 2019.

2019 TBR — Hoping to have a great reading year!

Here are 19 books that I sooo want to read in 2019. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Children of Blood and Bone – by Tomi Adeyemi

Have heard the world rave about this one all through 2018, so I thought might as well find out what the hype is all about. It is a west African story set in a fantasy world full of magic, romance, and drama!

children of blood and bone — How stunning does this look???
Source – Goodreads

Summer of Salt – by Katrina Leno

The TBR list is incomplete if there isn’t any queer romance, so here’s my share for 2019. Summer of Salt is a YA story with contemporary and magical realism flavors! Its based in a beach town and will be a perfect summer read.

Gemina – by Amie Kauffman and Jay Kristoff
Obsidio – by Amie Kauffman and Jay Kristoff

Gemina and Obsidio and books 2 and 3 in the Illuminae Files Trilogy. I read Illuminae in 2018 and absolutely loved it. Cannot wait to dive back into this sci-fi series.

best books to read in 2019 — Sci-Fi plus a lot of drama!
Image Source – acourtofcrownsandquills

A Little Life – by Hanya Yanagihara

For days when I need my heart to be shattered into a million pieces, this mighty book will come handy. A Little Life is one of the top priorities for 2019 TBR.

book blogger india — Finds a place on most of my TBRs.
Source – the travelling bibliophile

A List of Cages – by Robin Roe

I don’t know how many TBRs have seen this one. But I’m surely reading A List of Cages in 2019. It’s a super emotional and touching story on mental health and brotherhood!

The Chaos of Standing Still – by Jessica Brody

The e-book is downloaded which means this will be read soonish! It’s the perfect blend of YA and romance. A girl and a guy are stranded on an airport and their fates cross paths when their phones are exchanged. How exciting does this sound???

Radio Silence – by Alice Oseman

Radio Silence has been on my TBR since the start of 2018. It’s a contemporary story about a high school girl and one fragile moment changes her entire life. I’ve heard a lot of praise about the audiobook, so that’s what I’m probably getting.

9. Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This has been on so many people’s best books of 2018. It’s a story of an old Hollywood actress and her seven husbands! The premise seems quite interesting and it is so hyped, so I need to find out myself.

the seven husbands of evelyn hugo — So hyped up! I need to get to this one ASAP.
Source – blake and beckner

10. The Poet X – by Elizabeth Acevedo

OMG so excited to read a book that’s in verse form. I’ve heard this one’s a brilliant story and the poetry is fabulous. I’ve got my copy and planning to hear it on audiobook as well, because that’s highly recommended.

must read books in 2019 — How stunning is this cover!!
Source – latinas layendo

If you’re looking for some amazing audiobook recommendations, do check these ones out.

Starfish – by Akemi Dawn Bowman

This is going to be my next read. It is a YA story based on romance and mental health, two of my favorites. It traces the story of a girl who wants to go to art school, and I’ve heard so many good things about the story and the writing style!

A Spark of Light – by Jodi Picoult

Haven’t read something by Jodi Picoult in a couple of years and this one seems to be an emotional ride. True Jodi Picoult style where the heart and head is always in a conflict!

best audiobooks — This cover has my heart!
Source – audiobooks.com

One True Loves – by Taylor Jenkins Reid

One can never have enough love stories on their TBR and I’m surely devouring this one this summer (fingers crossed though). It’s sad, emotional, and so romantic; all that I need with a Pina colada maybe!

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Eva Lavander –by Leslye Walton

Magical realism meets lyrical prose and an abundance of pain and sorrow! This one is a beautifully written story and a lot of my favorite booktubers have raved about it, so super excited.

best magical realism books — Hello Beautiful!
Source – impressionblend.com

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing – by Hank Green

We all know and love John Green. In fact Turtles All the Way Down was one of my favorite books of 2018. So I thought it’s time to see what magic his brother weaves through his writing. This one’s a sci-fi, thriller story, and I’m always up for it.

Bird Box – by Josh Malerman

People have read it, and even seen the Netflix adaptation. But I’m clearly slacking in my reading, so Bird Box needs to be read in 2019 and shivers need to be felt!

Truly Devious – by Maureen Johnson

Truly Devious is a thriller that follows two timelines and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The booktube community went gaga over it in 20108, and I’m clearly late to this reading party. But then, better late than never.

The Kiss Quotient – by Helen Hoang

After a lot of heavy reading, when you need a fluffy and emotional YA, this will be greatly helpful. I’ve heard nothing but praise for The Kiss Quotient and cannot wait to experience it myself.

book blog India — It’s always a good time for a steamy romance.
Source – booksfortheliving

Salt to the Sea – by Ruta Sepetys

Lately I’ve been drawn to historical fiction a lot, so this seems to be a perfect pick. It’s a story based around World War II and I need not know more!

Let me know what are the top 3 books on your 2019 TBR in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading!

Hi y’all! Hope you’re having a great Sunday.

Today I’m bringing you another book post. I’m not a big sci-fi fan, but then there are some temptations that you just cannot resist. I saw this one book – Illuminae (mentioned below) repeatedly over booktube and wanted to know what the hype is all about. So that’s how I started to delve into the genre and it’s been pretty good until now.

indian book blogger — Sci-Fi/ Magical Realism Book Recommendations…

But since I didn’t have enough sci-fi recommendations, I’m adding a few magical realism ones to make the list more interesting and diverse.

Here are my top 6 Sci-Fi/ Magical Realism book recommendations

1.Illuminae – by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

This is the first book in the Illuminae Files Trilogy! Told in a unique format of intercepts, coded messages, interviews, military files, emails Illuminae is one helluva of a ride. The year is 2575, two rival mega-companies are at war about the planet, Kady and Ezra have just had a break-up and are now on opposing spaceships to sort out all the mess! But things get a lot more messier.

Illuminae book review — Such a fab read this was!

For some people the format might not work, it isn’t the traditional novel format. But that’s the beauty which makes this series so special. If you want an action packed sci-fi that’s not heavy on scientific stuff, then this is what you should be reading.

2. After Dark – by Haruki Murakami

Cannot say anything more about Murakami books that hasn’t been said before. This one is magical realism mixed with drama and metaphysics. Talks about shenanigans of Tokyo during the witching hours between midnight and before dawn.

Let me admit, this one was the most difficult read out of the list. I need to re-read it to decipher it fully, because you cannot read Murakami books just once.

3. The Astonishing Colour of After – by Emily X.R. Pan

If you want to read a tale that’s woven with threads of culture and heart wrenching emotions, The Astonishing Colour of After is something you’ll love. It is a story of Leigh, a young girl who’s mother dies and she starts believing that her mother has turned into a bird. The bird takes Leigh to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time. She explores her culture, roots, and heritage.

It is such a stunning and poignant story about loss of a loved one, grief, and connecting with yourself. Read it for a beautiful experience and relive the fairy tale nostalgia. Be ready to cry…lots!

4. The Loneliest Girl in the Universe – Lauren James

If you’re looking for a dark, action packed, yet easy to read sci-fi, my recommendation would be The Loneliest Girl in the Universe.

sci fi books for beginners — Don’t go by the petty cover, this gets a lot darker.

Romy Silvers is the only surviving crew member on a spaceship travelling to another planet. She’s connected to earth and talks to her therapists and team through email which takes months to transmit. Then one day she finds out about this other spaceship launched from earth with a boy named J, and things just escalate from there. It is not a cliché love story; things get messier and bloodier, so beware.

5. Dark Matter – by Blake Crouch

Dark Matter is a story of Jason Dessen who’s abducted by strangers and taken to an all new world. A world where his wife isn’t his wife, he is not just a physics professor but a scientist who has achieved brilliance in a project. He struggles to find answers in this world and why he’s been brought here.

best sci-fi books — For the lovers of a dark twisted sci-fi book.
Image Source – philly voice

I’ll say don’t start your Sci-Fi journey with Dark Matter, because it’s way too scientific and technical which may be a bummer for some. The concept is futuristic almost like watching an action movie, but the overly scientific parts are kinda difficult to understand.

6. Landline – by Rainbow Rowell

For all those who’re too comfortable reading YA, yet want to jazz up your reading Landline is a great pick. It is a magical realism story that reads a lot like a whimsical romantic contemporary.

magical realism book recommendations — You’re never too old for a fluffy contemporary.

Before going have a look at the PMS book recommendations.

If you’ve read any of these or have any beginner friendly recommendations for sci-fi or magical realism, do share them in the comments below!

Until next time, happy reading.

See you tomorrow….

best magical realism books

2019 TBR: 19 Books I want to read this year

Here are 19 books that I sooo want to read in 2019. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Blogtober Day 7: Sci-Fi/ Magical Realism Book Recommendations