I found it very hard to limit myself to just a few contenders in this category I read so many EXCEPTIONAL and many great contemporary reads last year, perhaps I read more in this category in 2019 than in my preferred genre, crime fiction. I didn’t tally and compare but that what if felt like to me, but they were books that were written elegantly, beautifully; evoking many emotions, started many discussions and shone the spotlight on some many social issues. So many reason to love these ( in no particular order):
Anne Brinsden
Pan Macmillan Australia
https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760784850/
Jessie Burton
Pan Macmillan Australia
Picador
ISBN: 9781509886159
The Woolgrowers Companion #2
Joy Rhoades
Penguin Random House
Bantam
ISBN: 9780143793724
The Other Half of Augusta Hope
Joanna Glen
Harper Collins Publishers Australia
The Borough Press
ISBN: 9780008314163
Felicity McLean
Harper Collins Publishers Australia
Fourth Estate
ISBN: 9781460755068
Delia Owens
Hachette Australia
Little Brown Books
ISBN: 9781472154651
Suzanne Daniel
Pan Macmillan Australia
ISBN: 9781760781712
Boy Swallows the Universe
Trent Dalton
HarperCollins Publishers Australia
ISBN: 9781460753897
***Late Entry ** I cannot believe I read this book, rated it, commented (on GoodReads) and then forgot to write my review. This was an amazing read. It blew me away. Dont you forget to add it to your TBR
If I have missed anyone I do apologise…there were so many exceptional reads in this category. I hope you find something you mind enjoy on this list.
Reading, Writing and Riesling 
I am so disappointed in myself! I started reading Boy Swallows Universe, but just couldn¹t become absorbed in it and put it aside! Since then I have read nothing but rave reviews… What did I miss? I am about to make another attempt in the hope that my moon was in the wrong cycle (or something of that kind!) at my previous attempt.
I have just read and absolutely loved In the Clearing by J,P. Pomare! Early still, I KNOW, but could be MY book of this year!!
Thank you for your always enjoyable column.
Best regards, Ann
Ann Creber Producer/Presenter of The God Life on 3MDR 41-45 Barbers Road Kalorama 3766
On 15/1/20 11:01 AM, “Reading, Writing and Riesling” wrote:
> readingwritingandriesling posted: “I found it very hard to limit myself to > just a few contenders in this category I read so many EXCEPTIONAL and many > great contemporary reads last year, perhaps I read more in this category in > 2019 than in my preferred genre, crime fiction. I didn’t tally a” >
I do hope you give it another try🙂and yes The Clearing was excellent – I read it the other night -even better than Evie
So glad you had such a good reading year, Carol. Literary fiction can offer a treasure trove, and I’m glad you found it that way this year. Lots to explore, too.
So many excellent reads this year Margot – now to formulate my Best of Crime Fiction – a few leap out –
I listened tomBoy swallows universe on audiobook – yes it was hard to get into but did pick up as the book went on. Excellent narrator!!
Good to hear Janine – glad you enjoyed
I’ve only read two of these, and if them The Van Apfel Girls Are Gone was probably my favourite. Thanks for sharing your favs.
That was a great read – such authentic voices
Great list, I’ve read three of those you selected.