If the headlines are to be believed, 2019 was a year of bold names in books.
Literature’s most impressive heavyweights dropped new titles at an impressive rate.
Highly-anticipated sequels finally came to fruition.
Oh, and we finally found out what happens to Baby Nicole.
We rank them from best to worst.
It delivered, topping theNew York Timesbest-seller list and getting scooped up by Hulu for a companion adaptation.
EW critics David Canfield and Leah Greenblatt weigh what worked and what didn’t.
David:
The debate around Susan Choi’sTrust Exerciseseems to focus on intent.
I’d argue yes.
She offers something to argue about, complex and prescient.
That’s worth treasuring.
Vs.
Leah: I love a twist!
And yes, Choi writes hers way better than most.
THE BOOK CLUB BONANZA
Literary-loving celebs transformed publishing in 2019, one book at a time.
Just ask Etaf Rum or Delia Owens or Lara Prescott.
Moguls like Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey have been doing this for years.
made it this year’s No.
1 best-selling fiction title.
(Her 2017 selectionLittle Fires Everywherehits the screen in a starry Hulu adaptation in 2020.)
Then there’s 2019’s true game-changer: Jenna Bush Hager.
Look to fresh, new voices.
