5 Books That Flew Under the Radar

We all have them…neverending, tall-as-skyscrapers TBR piles. And if you’re anything like me, you are intentional about reading every.single.one.of.them, but somehow moods and life and library holds have a way of prioritizing some reads over others.

Here are 5 books that I’d encourage your to read sooner than later. They were some of my favorite books of the year, and didn’t get the hype they deserved (in my opinion).

What books would you add to this list?

Finding Dorothy by: Elizabeth Letts (Ballantine) – Pub Date: Febraury 12, 2019

If I had to pick on book that I wish would have gotten a lot more noteriety, it would definitely be this one!

This is historical fiction at its finest – a sweet, whimsical, {mostly} happy story that had my heart from the first page. Alternating between 1939 in Hollywood, California and the late 1800s throughout the US’s midwest, this is the story behind the massive book, and eventual movie, hit The Wizard of Oz.

I remember growing up and loving the movie {minus the #flyingmonkeys 😳}. It was so fun to go “behind the scenes” to see the inspiration behind that childhood memory.

If you’re looking for a change of pace from all the WWII historical fiction books – and something a little less depressing – give this one a try. It’s truly magical and will give you all the feel-good vibes!

After the Flood by: Kassandra Montag (William Morrow) – Pub Date: September 3, 2019

This book was unlike anything I’ve read before. Set in a futuristic time where the world is flooded, survival is the most important thing on everyone’s minds. I loved the writing, and the way Montag tackled some complicated issues. There are underlying themes of motherhood, grief, survival, and hope. I caught myself wondering how I would react in the same situations (and basically I’ve determined that I’m not cut out to live in these dystopian worlds). One of the most memorable reads this year, I still catch myself thinking about it often.

If You Want to Make God Laugh by: Bianca Marais (Putnam) – Pub Date: July 16, 2019

In case you haven’t realized it yet, I LOVED this book. I mention it every single chance I get (Best Books of 2019…so far! #halfwaytopten, 5 Books I’m Thankful For, Book Flights Vol. 1)…and now that we’ve reached the end of the year, it still remains one of my favorite books of the year!

Following three separate ladies with very different experiences, their lives become intertwined in the most beautiful and compassionate way. Set in the 1990s in post-apartaid South Africa, this book explores themes of racism, motherhood, the AIDS epidemic, and family.

Cantoras by: Carolina De Robertis (Knopf) – Pub Date: September 3, 2019

This is the book that I can’t get out of my head! I continue to find my mind wandering back to the beach town that five queer woman create to find their place in the world. The book is set in Uruguay during the 1970s under severe government dictatorship, and it is also illegal to be a homosexual. And that’s where the magic of the story comes in – these woman feel lost and alone, but they find their chosen families in each other. They give each other a place in the world to just BE…something that’s vitally important to all of us.

The Editor by: Steven Rowley (Putnam) – Pub Date: April 2, 2019

I don’t really know what it was about this book that I loved so much, but I truly enjoyed reading it. The main character is a writer and the book is largely about his journey to publishing his book. His editor, none other than Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy O’Nassis herself, added so much to the book and I loved getting to learn more about her life after President Kennedy was assassinated.