Well, life is what happens when you are making other plans, right? Reading is what I love to do and nothing has changed. I just got away from writing my reviews out for a while. Part of my new years resolution is to get back to it. Turns out I've missed my blog.
One of my favorite things is when I help another reader connect with a book. To me, there is no better feeling in the world than connecting another person with a book they love. I was reminder of that recently and so, here I am, telling all of you about the best books I've read this year. Without further adieu and in no particular order - here they are, the top 10 of 2019.
Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway. This book takes us back to the days when tobacco companies were investing money into scientific research into the link between their product and cancer. Their reason wasn't to make their product safer? But to determine other potential causes and to come up with a pool of research that they could use in legal battles when their companies were sued. This pattern of behavior has continued on into today and the same strategies are employed to deny Global Climate Change. It's a fascinating read and life changing really. It certainly opened my eyes and I would recommend this book to anyone who is really interested in seeing what is really going on behind the curtain.
Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer. This is a YA work of fiction but let me tell you - this book is a POWERHOUSE. Brigid Kemmerer knows how to write and the relationships she creates with and among her characters are the best I've read. Bar none. Her characters are real and they face very real problems. The author doesn't tip toe around them but shows the humanity in her characters and in us all. Brigid Kemmerer is one of, possibly ten living authors whose books I will read without even reading the cover to see what it's about. She wrote a book? Yep, I'm reading it. She's that good. If you haven't read any of her fabulous books, do yourself a favor and do it. Today.
Dark Age by Pierce Brown. Oh God, I love Pierce Bown. He is another one of those authors that I was just talking about - he wrote a book? Yep. Reading it. I fell in love with Pierce Brown in 2014 when I discovered an amazing book called Red Rising. I have read every book in that series and this book was the latest - book 5. It is an emotional roller coaster ride and I loved every single thrilling minute of it - tears, anger, joy, laughter, despair and all. I can't wait of the next one.
Redeployment by Phil Kay. This book is a collection of short stories- very readable - about soldiers and their time at war in either Iraq or Afghanistan. These stories are raw and they are real. I think that every single person who has never served in the military should read them so that they can relate to some of the issues that our men and women serving our country face, especially on return home. I'm sorry that I waited so long to read this one. It isn't easy, but it is a must.
The 57 Bus by Daska Slater. I absolutely LOVED this book. It tells the story of a horrific crime that actually happened. This book is nonfiction. What I loved about it is how carefully crafted it is. Usually with a crime narrative - the reader roots for the victim and vilifies the offender. This book paints a real portrait of both individuals before getting into the criminal act that happened. In this case, you want BOTH of the characters to come out ok. It demonstrates how a person can make a bad, often harmful choice, without actually being bad. I really recommend this book.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. This was the one book this year that I found impossible to put down. To say that this work is a page turner doesn't do it justice. It is brilliantly crafted with twists and turns all along the way- a true ten ticket thrill ride. Loved every minute of it and can't wait for his next book.
The Life She was Given by Ellen Marie Wiseman. This is a very challenging story about a girl who's parents betray her. It is the story of resilience and making the most out of what you are given. I don't want to say too much about this one, because I don't want to give anything away. 5 out of 5 stars and worth the read.
Recursion by Blake Crouch. Any of you that know me in real life, or who have read my blog or twitter account, know that I love Blake Crouch. He is a writer who always challenges the boundaries of what is real, who makes you think. Recursion is probably my favorite work of his - a real mind bender. If you enjoy a good thriller, this one is a must.
And finally, last but certainly not least a fascinating book called Food Fight GMO's the the Future of the American Diet by McKay Jenkins. This book is absolutely fascinating because it goes into the history of farming, the agricultural revolution and GMO's and where we go from here. I love this book because it does a great job of presenting both the concerns and possibilities of genetically modified seed. Really worth the read.
Turns out that 2019 was a pretty good year for books. If you are interested in seeing what else I've read ( you may see I'm a pretty eclectic reader) you can check me out on goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/14750508. I promise to stick with doing my reviews after every book this year, so give me a follow and talk a walk through the literary world with me. Feel free to leave comments about your best books of 2019. I'm always looking for something good to read!
