The Best Books of 2019

As the year draws to a close, let’s take a look at what Salt Lake City was reading in 2019! Then, we’ll share some of our Library staff’s favorite books of the year.

Here are the most checked out books of 2019:

Top Adult Fiction

1. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
2. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
4. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
5. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Top Adult Non-Fiction

1. Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
2. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
3. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
4. Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
5. Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance

Top eBooks

1. Becoming by Michelle Obama
2. Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
3. Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
5. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Top Teen Books

1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Divergent by Veronica Roth
3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
4. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
5. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Top Children’s Books

1. Elephant and Piggie Series by Mo Willems
2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown by Jeff Kinney
3. The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul by Jeff Kinney

Those were your most popular books. Now, here are some of The City Library staff’s favorite books published in 2019:

Recursion by Blake Crouch (Adult Fiction)

“I love anything with time travel, and this did not disappoint. The concept is great, the storytelling is fantastic and it really makes you think about what make us exist.” — Zelda, Main Library

“I loved the profound themes, thought-provoking and philosophical meditation on time, loss, memory, grief, love and our human condition!” — Chanelle, Main Library

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Adult Fiction)

“One of my favorite reads this year! I actually listened to the audio version and found myself looking for any opportunity to listen in and escape to the 70s with the characters.” — DeAnna, Marmalade Branch

“Taylor Jenkins Reid weaves the this rich and heartbreaking tapestry of humble musicians, huge egos, and mad talent, of shame, and hope, and redemption. It’s so worth the ride.” — Stephanie, Day-Riverside Branch

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (Adult Fiction)

“I loved the Handmaid’s Tale, and was excited to read this sequel. Seeing Aunt Lydia as a woman who has to subvert herself in order to survive totally changed the perspective I had of her previously. And, the extraordinary way she works to pull down the Gileadian regime from the inside is fascinating.” — Tania, Anderson-Foothill Branch

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb (Adult Non-fiction)

“I just keep thinking about this book. I loved the introspection and inspiration that came from hearing Lori’s experiences as a therapist and as a patient. Let’s all just be compassionate humans who acknowledge that we all have baggage and experiences that have shaped our lives and let’s appreciate those who are supportive and understanding as we sort things out.” — Heather, Sprague Branch

Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe (Graphic Novel, Autobiography)

“It’s a really good portrait of someone living outside of the gender binary. Really informative and important for those experiencing any level of gender dysphoria or just generally questioning gender norms, as well as for people who have not experienced this but are wanting to learn or understand what someone might be going through. It was such a wonderful, insightful read!” — Nancy, Day-Riverside Branch

Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker (Teen Fiction)

“I love the personification of the animals, and was truly horrified by some of the things in the book — Beatrix Potter makes a cameo. I so relate to the two misfit foxes who become BFFs. It’s a fight for their lives and they fight more than one kind of monster. This book made me laugh and cry. I’d recommend it to Middle Schoolers and older.” — Yoli, Marmalade Branch

An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People by Jean Mendoza and Debbie Reese, adapted from Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz (Teen Non-fiction)

“An important book that tells the history of the Indigenous people in America and their resistance and persistence in the face of colonialism. It challenges the reader to think critically about ideologies such as Manifest Destiny, and shows the many ways that Indigenous people have shaped our national identity.” — Stephanie, Main Library/Sprague Branch

Champions of Change: 25 Women Who Made History by Naomi Watkins, and Katherine Kitterman, illustrated by Brooke Smart (Children’s/Young Adult Non-Fiction)

“Highlights women from the West (several with Utah roots) who were influential in the fight for suffrage.” — Sarah, Day-Riverside Branch

“While technically a “children’s” book, this slim volume should be read by every Utahn. Each entry has a charming portrait of the individual with clear information on why each woman is memorable and inspiring.” — Cherie, Main Library

The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill (Children’s Graphic Novel)

“This sequel to The Tea Dragon Society is just as beautiful, gentle, and calming as the original. Make yourself a cup of tea and spend as much time as possible enjoying the illustrations, you deserve it.” — Meagan, Sweet Branch