Check It Out: Favorite books from 2019 are all natural wonders

A new year is knocking at the door, which means it’s time for a “best of” review.

When I have so many great titles cross my desk during the year, it can be hard to choose my favorites. But ’tis the season for annual lists and reviews, so I’ll join along with 10 library books that engaged, tickled and charmed me.

Not surprisingly, four of the titles are picture books because I find this format to be just as enjoyable for adults as for children. I’m so glad the adult-me and the inner-child-me are such good companions when it comes to reading.

As far as themes go, you will notice a strong preference for books about animals. In the list below you’ll find dogs, beavers, lambs, kittens, goats and ravens (even a pterodactyl), and since we’re talking about the natural world, you’ll also find seashells and vegetables. In fact, there is only one title that has nothing to do with nature — “The Little Book of Lost Words” — although I can report that “love apple” means tomato, and a “grimalkin” is a cat, so there you go: every book in the list is a natural wonder.