A Year in Reviews: 2019

On the 20^th January 2019 I posted my first review. It was of Gwyneth Lewis’ Advantages of the Older Man. It remains my most viewed review, and I hope to kick this year off in a similar fashion. I want to be able to grow. I wish every book had been as good that, but we didn’t even get that luxury with the second book of the year.

            This post will be like my very first post on this blog; it’s a look at the books I’ve read throughout the year, but having my reviews helps me to far better remember the highs and the lows of my reads in 2019. 

A Year in Reviews: 2019

1.      Advantages of the Older Man by Gwyneth Lewis

2.      The Day of the Locust by Nathaniel West

3.      I am Legend by Richard Matheson

4.      Miss Marple: A Christmas Tragedy by Agatha Christie

5.      Sur by Ursula K. Le Guin

6.      Thin Air by Michelle Paver

7.      The Prague Coup by Jean-Luc Fromental

8.      Stones to Abbigale by Onision

9.      In a Dark Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

10.  Ship It by Britta Lundin

11.  The Havocs by Jacob Polley

12.  The Hammers Vault by Marcus Hearn

13.  This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay

14.  Ravina, the Witch? by Junko Mizuno

15.  Hilda and the Bird Parade by Luke Pearson

16.  Shotgun Arcana by R.S Belcher

17.  Poems by Iain Banks and Ken MacLeod

18.  Hilda and the Stone Forest by Luke Pearson

19.  Brocko n’ Frens by Sajan Rai

20.  The Scream by Sajan Rai

21.  Stardust by Neil Gaiman

22.  Baby at the Beach Café by Lucy Diamond

23.  Mutants and Monsters by Oliver Ho

24.  Red Dwarf: Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor

25.  Cat Person by Kristen Roupenian

26.  Peach by Emma Glass

27.  Red Dwarf: Better Than Life by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor

28.  Spider Gwen: Most Wanted? By Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez

29.  How to Talk to Girls at Parties by Neil Gaiman, Fabio Moon, and Gabriel Ba

30.  Illustrated Haiku by Sajan Rai

31.  Sir, Butler and Boy AKA Gay Butlers in a Cream Tea by Tab Kimpton

32.  Minority Monsters by Tab Kimpton

33.  Storm by Tab Kimpton

34.  Trial and Error by Anthony Berkeley

35.  Disorder in the Court by Charles M. Seville

36.  Perfect Sound Whatever by James Acaster

37.  Sam Kills Christmas by Thomas ‘Tomska’ Ridgewell and Eddie Bowley

38.  The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

39.  Shades of A by Tab Kimpton

40.  Art is Dead by Thomas ‘Tomska’ Ridgewell

41.  Moby Dick by Herman Melville

42.  Eve of Man by Tom and Giovanna Fletcher

43.  Coraline by Neil Gaiman

44.  Paddington by Michael Bond

45.  Rainbow Magic: Ruby the Red Fairy by Daisy Meadows

46.  Rainbow Magic: Izzy the Indigo Fairy by Daisy Meadows

47.  Asterix the Gaul by Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo

48.  A Christmas Hope by Anne Perry

49.  Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Sir Terry Pratchett

50.  Glaring Through Oblivion by Serj Tankien

51.  The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee

I think I’ll stick with an aim for 50 books, but if I get more, then I’ll be happy with that. I know some people do the 100-book challenge, but doing the reviews and my uni work on top of that might be a little too much.

Autumn’s Top 10 Reads of 2019

10.  Advantages of the Older Man by Gwyneth Lewis

This was my first review, and therefore holds a really special place in my heart. Even though it was nearly a year ago that I read it, I still think about it a fair amount, and I definitely can’t see Dylan Thomas without thinking of Lewis’ brilliant version of him.

9.  Trial and Error by Anthony Berkeley

While this wasn’t the easiest book for me to read, it was hugely enjoyable. It wasn’t easy due to the language being of a time I don’t usually read. The plot was so good, and each twist and turn were perfectly executed. I’d certainly like to find more by the author, but I’m not sure anything else would have quite as good a hook as a man trying to prove that he’s a murderer.

    

     

8.    Eve of Man by Tom and Giovanna Fletcher

I wasn’t sure what I’d think about this book, but the concept seemed interesting. I was so glad I received this recommendation. I was gripped from the start, and I can’t wait for the second part coming later this year. I owe about as much to the audio narrators as I do to the authors. They were so fantastic, and I hope they’re chosen to do the narration for the second part.

      7.      In a Dark Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

I remember being so hooked on this while listening to it. Every opportunity I got, I had it playing. It was an utterly fantastic, and I must find more work by her. The use of time jumps, and memory revelation was fantastic. I hope there’s more of her work on Audible. If not, I’ll have to find some physical books.

     

                                         

6.      This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay

Of all the books I’ve read this year, it’s this one that stuck with me the most. The way that the NHS is being treated brings me back to thoughts of this book. It’s not just this kind of upsetting aspects. I also think of the de-gloving incident a lot. I think it’s more accurate to say that I’m haunted by that incident.

      

   

5.      Hilda and The Bird Parade by Luke Pearson

This book made me fall in love with this series. I need to buy some copies of the books that aren’t available at my home library. They’re all so much fun, and the sense of adventure has me enthralled.

      4.      Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Sir Terry Pratchett

This book reminded me that I need to read more of Pratchett’s work. I only have Colour of Magic, but my dad has every one of his novels, so I have plenty to go at. Good Omens gave me so much joy. I’m sure I’ll find myself reading it again.

      3.      Coraline by Neil Gaiman

This book was something that I immediately fell in love with. It was so much more than I expected. I loved the film as a kid, and this book was so much more than its adaptation. The horror is grotesque, and it will certainly stick with me for a long time to come.

      2.      The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee

I adored every second of this book, even when it was frustrating or upsetting. Every part of it was superb, and I can’t wait to delve into more of Lee’s work. I love Monty despite his many, many flaws.

      1.      Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Honestly, I owe so much to the fact I read this book. It really got me back into enjoying reading. Before I was reading because I knew I had a certain number of books to read a month. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy many of the books, but this one really sparked something in me. I owe so much to Neil Gaiman for really giving me a love for reading that I haven’t had in such a long time.

Honourable Mentions

There were a few books that left their mark but didn’t quite make the top ten.

•          Red Dwarf: Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers and Red Dwarf: Better Than Life by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor

I really wish there were more from this series on Audible. I loved these books, and I’ll certainly listen to them again.

•          Shades of A by Tab Kimpton

This is a book that I meant to read for a fair amount of time, and I was not disappointed. It’s a beautiful book. I’m so glad I finally bought and read it.

•          Perfect Sound Whatever by James Acaster

This is definitely the nerdiest book I read (or rather listened to) all year. It certainly isn’t a book for everyone, but I thought it was utterly wonderful.

Dishonourable Mentions

There were books that I read this year that felt truly disastrous, and I feel I must compile the worst of the year as much as the best.

•          The Day of the Locust by Nathaniel West

This was only the second book I read this year, so it did rather put a dampener on things. It’s all sorts of offensive, and I know the time it was written, but that doesn’t mean I have to completely overlook things like that.

•          Stones to Abbigale by Onision

I don’t even have to tell any of you why this is awful. Sorry to any the flatmates who had this read to them

•          Ship It by Britta Lundin

Another apology to my flatmates for this one.

•          Moby Dick by Herman Melville

I used to really like whales.

So, here’s to another year of reading and reviews. I can’t wait to see what 2020 brings.