Best of 2019

I did not get as much reading done this year as I planned or wanted.  There was a variety of reasons, but a single result.  I reviewed 16 books this year.  The usual goal is a minimum of 24, so I fell short by a significant margin.

Nevertheless, there were a handful of books that really stood out for me.

As always, this list is only of books I read and would recommend.  That doesn’t mean I hated the ones that didn’t make the list.  These are the ones that stuck with me through the year. (In no particular order)

• New Suns – Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color – A collection of speculative fiction from non-traditional voices.  The genre is dominated by white men, this collection offers new traditions, new ideas and new storytelling styles from a wider range of writers.  Not all of the stories connected for me, but all of them impressed me. (Review)
• Elevation – speaking of old white guys, Stephen King grabbed me with this short book about a man who is losing weight while not changing his physical dimensions.  While it has become fashionable to sneer at King as a writer, I reject the criticism.  Because the man can flat out write. (Review)
• The Return of the Incredible Exploding Man by Dave Hutchinson – another great addition to my science fiction reading this year.  The idea of attaining extra abilities from a science experiment gone wrong is familiar territory but Hutchinson finds an interesting new twist to it. (Review)
• Golden State by Ben H. Winters – A post-apocalyptic novel where the nature of the apocalypse is unclear.  What is clear that the society that emerged from it is dedicated, even obsessed with the truth.  Or rather The Truth.  It’s not as shiny as you might imagine. (Review)
• American Gods by Neil Gaiman – My “wow” book of the year.  Just an amazing story told by a man who is both a wonderful writer and a brilliant storyteller.  Fresh out of prison, Shadow discovers his life is shattered in ways he never imagined.  And he acquires a new employer, who is nothing he ever imagined either. (Review)

There were three other books that I loved this year, but you need specific interests for them to connect.  For Jimmy Buffett fans, I heartily recommend “Jimmy Buffett – A Good Life All The Way” by Ryan White (review).  For military history, especially naval history, I enjoyed “Trafalgar” by Nicholas Best (review).  It’s a solid basis for studying the greatest sea battle of all time.  Finally, “Bourbon Curious” should be on the “must-read” list of anyone interested in bourbon whiskey (review).

Even with the hurdles, it was a good year for reading.  I’m looking forward to an even better 2020.

What was your favorite read of the year?  Leave the title in the comments, and a link to a review if you did one!

Peace

Jay