My favourite books of 2019

What a brilliant year for books it has been, so many great titles by lots of new debuts and established authors.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the publicists that have sent books and for the invites to join blog tours and tour organisers – there’s so many of you to name – I know I’ll miss some people out if I try to name names, so as not to offend I will just leave it at that. Twitter friends, some of whom I have managed to meet in person this year and can now call real friends.

I’ve read a few books this year, more than some, not as many as others, but I have been happy with what I’ve read. Maybe one or two storyline-wise were a bit farfetched, but they worked within the plot and I appreciate all the hard work that goes into producing a book. I don’t know how many for sure I have read, as I have had blog tours and read for pleasure, well all reading is for pleasure, but I have read via both physical book format and kindle, so it’s sometimes hard to keep track. Easy to see a stack of books, less easy on a kindle to record this.

But there are three books that have stayed with me and have to be my 3 outstanding books of 2019. Every book I’ve read has been good, if not great, not one DNF and this makes me happy.

  My Review of The Puppet Show – M.w. Craven – Little Brown

Phew – what an absolute scorcher of a book. This one sends you spinning into a fiery frenzy, never to be extinguished. Theres have been two bodies already, burnt, alive in Stone cirlces. But when a member of the Serious Crime Analyst Section (SCAS) team finds the name of they’re suspended colleague Washington Poe, carved into the charred remains of the third burnt body it means sending DI Stephanie Flynn to find Poe and warn him of their findings. But to tell him he has to return to work from his extended leave. Poe finds himself paired with the socially inept but highly intelligent (and fantastic) Tilly Bradshaw.  Cue Poe, Flynn, Bradshaw, and Reid all hunting for the aptly named ‘Immolation Man’ who’s kidnapping, torturing and then killing Men by setting them on fire, alive. Death by fire. Leaving no clues as to who, or why.

M.W. Craven is hot property alright and long may it continue.

He has since followed up The Puppet Show with Black Summer, which is equally as brilliant, I can not get enough of Poe & Tilly.

Book 3 in the Washington Poe Series – The Curator is out 4th June 2020

My Review of Blood Orange – Harriet Tyce – Headline Books

Where do I start? this book has it all, its sublime, juicy, compelling storyline and characters who get under your skin make this book even more superb than it already is. 
Alsion is a barrister on the edge, she wants the city life of after-work drinks and the single life. However, her husband Carl and beloved daughter Matilda, mean she can’t have either of those things and not feel guilt and regret. But is she the bad Mother she thinks she is? She’s doing her best, but is her best good enough, is she better as a Barrister? Is Carl the better option or should she be tempted elsewhere? 
The story storms ahead, and consumes the reader and keeps you guessing. It’s just excellent, I honestly can’t rate this book any higher. Deserves all the ‘hype’ its getting, it’s truly magnificent. 

I thought I had it sussed, but no. I was really excited about this book, having read some amazing reviews. I got to go to a Bloggers night in Bath, run by Headline publicists, got my copy and met Harriet Tyce – every bit as eloquent and articulate as I expected her to be – she is, after all, an ex-barrister herself.

Blood Orange has since been published in paperback and has just been selected for as a Richard and Judy Book Club Pick.

Harriet’s new book – Lies You Told is out June 2020

My Review of Daisy Jones and The Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid – Hutchinson

I absolutely love this book! You need to read this!!!! 

The characters, storyline, the way its been written as an oral history, amazing. 

Daisy is a gifted but overlooked teenager in LA. She wants the fame & fortune, but has always been given everything on a plate and getting the attention is easy, but from the right people – how does she do that? 

Billy and his friends have a band, The Six – they are good, really good. And on the way to hitting it big, with a few stumbles along the way, based in the ’70s sex and drugs seem to be the main hurdles to overcome – Billy heads off to rehab when The Sixes tour ends and his wife gives birth. 

Daisy scores it big and gets a record deal- Runner Records – also the home of The Six – a co-lab happens and that’s it Stardom beckons. 

The high & lows occur, and they all remember a different story, I adore the characters, I raced through this book, but didn’t want it to end – I miss them now, they are my friends Daisy & Billy – I want more! 

I went to TJR’s book signing in Bath and she is AWESOME – Such a talent! 

I have now been and bought Taylor’s previous book The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – which I am now enjoying too

A selection of some of the other books I’ve enjoyed reading this year – in no particular order

Take It Back – Kia Abdullah – HQ Stories, Sleep – C.L. Taylor – Avon Nothing Important Happened Today – Will Carver – Orenda Books, Deep Dirty Truth – Steph Broadbibb – Orenda Books

Black Summer – M.W. Craven – Little Brown, The Killer In Me – Olivia Kiernan – Quercus, Little Darlings – Melanie Golding – HQ Stories, The Hunting Party – Lucy Foley – Harper Collins

Violet – SJI Holiday – Orenda Books, Ask Again, Yes – Mary Beth Keane Michael Joesph, No Way Out – Cara Hunter – Penguin Random House, The Doll Factory – Elizabeth McNeal – Picador

The Chain – Adrian McKinty – Orion, The Taking of Annie Thorne – C.J. Tudor – Michael Joseph, She Lies In Wait – Gytha Lodge Michael Joseph, The Familiars – Stacey Hall – Zaffre, The Giver of Stars – Jojo Moyes – Michael Joepsh, Those People – Louise Candlish – Simon & Schuster, Haverscroft – S.A. Harris – Salt Publishing, Red Snow – Will Dean – Point Blank

What am I looking forward to in 2020….

So, so so many excellent books to chose from already, I cant wait for them all to be published – Roll on 2020 and your beautiful books.

These are just a few that I am looking forward too, there are so many to chose, from many great publishers.

Penguin Random Hosue, Viper Books, Orenda Books, Quercus, HQ Stories, Tinder Press, Michael Joesph, Orion Books, Zaffre.

I wish you all a good Christmas and happy and healthy 2020 and Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog. There’s been some excellent reviews and blogs I’ve enjoyed reading, keep up the great work bloggers, putting the word out there and spreading the #BookLove, peace.

@penguinrandom @ViperBooks @OrendaBooks @QuercusBooks @HQStories @TinderPress @MichaelJBooks @orionbooks @ZaffreBooks @simonschusterUK @saltpublishing @picadorbooks @headlinepg @PtBlankBks @HutchinsonBooks

@annecater @Tr4cyF3n0n