The Poptimist Top 10 Books for 2019

TL;DR

The Poptimist’s top reads of 2019 include “Normal People,” “Bitter Orange,” “Reproduction,” and “East Goes West” among a list of 10 favorites presented in no particular order. Although none earned five stars, many were four-and-a-half-star reads, spanning relationships, Gothic suspense, Canadian family stories, and the immigrant experience in 1930s America. Read on to discover what made each highlighted book memorable.

Transcript

Happy New Year welcome to 2020 this is my top 10 reads for 2019 now this was a tough list to put together depending on when I looked at it list could change books would be added and removed I easily could have added five additional slots to this reading list because it was such a great year of reading this year strangely there was no five-star read... Read More

Key Insights

• 📔 Many books on the list received critical acclaim but were not widely recognized in mainstream book communities, highlighting the need to promote diverse voices in literature.
• 🤪 The Giller Prize shortlist showcased the strength of Canadian literature in 2019, which often went overlooked due to the popularity of Margaret Atwood's "The Testaments."
• 🥺 Discovering lesser-known authors, such as Younghill Kang and Fatima Farheen Mirza, led to a greater appreciation for their contributions to literature.
• 😀 Books like "Happiness" and "Severance" provided hopeful perspectives on resilience and humanity, even in the face of adversity.
• 👪 "A Place for Us" tackled themes of faith, family, and cultural identity, showcasing the impressive talent of a young author.
• 👪 "Miracle Creek" exemplified the length parents would go to for their children, while also functioning as a thought-provoking courtroom drama.
• 💦 Ling Ma's "Severance" showcased how literature can reflect and comment on current social and cultural issues, in this case, exploring themes of work, consumerism, and identity during an apocalypse.

Questions & Answers

Q: What books are included in The Poptimist’s top 10 reads for 2019?

The excerpt names “Normal People” by Sally Rooney, “Bitter Orange” by Claire Fuller, “Reproduction” by Ian Williams, and “East Goes West” by Younghill Kang. The complete list contains 10 favorites presented in no particular order.

Q: Why did “Normal People” by Sally Rooney make the top 10?

The reviewer loved its portrayal of Marianne and Connell moving in and out of each other’s lives from high school through college. More than whether they ultimately become a couple, the book is about being seen and finding comfort in someone who understands you through different stages of life.

Q: Why was “Normal People” considered a polarizing read?

The reviewer says people either loved it, hated it, or resented how strongly others praised a book they found merely okay. Its story follows a boy and girl who meet in high school, date, and continue crossing paths through college.

Q: What is “Bitter Orange” by Claire Fuller about?

It follows the introverted and awkward Frances Jellico as she spends the summer at an abandoned country manor with married couple Peter and Cara. A looming threat, unsettling shadows, Cara’s instability, and cracks in the marriage are gradually revealed.

Q: Why does the reviewer recommend “Bitter Orange” as a summer read?

The reviewer describes it as a summery Gothic novel and a cozy, fun literary beach read. Its suspenseful manor-house setting and callbacks to the Brontës contribute to that atmosphere.

Q: What themes and characters define “Reproduction” by Ian Williams?

“Reproduction” explores family and nature versus nurture through an interconnected cast. Its characters include a wealthy white German man, a young woman from an unnamed Caribbean island, a tween hustler in Brampton, and a divorced Portuguese father who does not understand his children.

Q: What recognition did “Reproduction” receive in 2019?

“Reproduction” won the Giller Prize in 2019. The reviewer also praises the strength of that year’s Giller shortlist and argues that its Canadian books deserved more attention from the broader book community.

Q: Why does the reviewer believe “East Goes West” belongs in the Western canon?

The reviewer values Younghill Kang’s clear-eyed portrayal of 1930s America through immigrant experiences in major cities such as New York and San Francisco. The novel shows Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and Russian immigrants helping one another while pursuing the American Dream amid racism and xenophobia; although imperfect, the reviewer considers it important.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The list contains the top 10 favorite reads of 2019, featuring books like "Normal People" by Sally Rooney and "Bitter Orange" by Claire Fuller.

• The Giller Prize-winning book "Reproduction" by Ian Williams is highlighted for its exploration of family and nature vs. nurture.

• "East Goes West" by Younghill Kang, which should be included in the Western canon, portrays the immigrant experience in America during the 1930s.