Hello everyone,
Welcome to another look back on the books I have had the pleasure of reading in 2019!
For me, characters are a major factor in determining my overall thoughts on a book. I usually have to connect with one or more of the protagonists, and looking through some of my all-time favourite reads, this is a recurring theme.
When there a particular focus on the characters, and they become the driving force within the story, they often need to contain something that little extra special, and these five books stood out for me this year:
The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller
When I began planning this post, The Song Of Achilles was the first book that came to mind. It tells the story of the Trojan War, but it focuses so wholeheartedly on Patroclus and Achilles, creating a beautiful and brilliant narrative.
The Familiars by Stacey Halls
The absolute highlight of this book was the burgeoning friendship and bond between protagonist Fleetwood and the mysterious Alice, accused of being a witch. It was a joy to read, as they were both innocent yet complex characters with a surprising amount in common.
I Found You by Lisa Jewell
This one was character-driven in a slightly different, yet equally effective way. With the use of multiple POVs and two separate timelines, an intriguing mystery is gradually unravelled, but the characters are right at the centre of it.
A Different Time by Michael K. Hill
Two totally engaging characters drive an emotional and fantastical story which I thoroughly enjoyed. The concept was interesting enough on its own, but Keith and Lindsey fitted it perfectly by being easily likeable, making it very enchanting.
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
This book contains so many ideas and concepts, however they never come before the five main characters, who in the main are likeable and quite endearing. What’s more, they are an incredibly diverse bunch with different abilities and talents, so were definitely among the book’s high points.
Let’s Chat
Have you read any of these books? What were your most character-driven reads of 2019? Let me know in the comments!
Happy reading :)
Stephen Reads Books 