Stuff I Read in 2019

#2019readinglist #writing #author #reviews #bookreviews #jonathanmaberry #graemecameron #danielwilson #mikecarey #blakecrouch #thomcarnell #robertdickinson #austingrossman #chrispavone

Yesterday, I went over the books I read in 2018. The list was quite abbreviated due to some life stuff going on, but there’s a solid list of recommendations that you can check out here.

Last year was much smoother, and I read through nearly twice as many books with a wider range. I’ve noticed over the last couple of years a heavy sci-fi bent in my reading lists, and this year is no different. For the fourth year in a row, the best read in my list is a sci-fi novel (Blake Crouch’s Recursion, but it was quite close). I tried to get through my list alphabetically this year, but that didn’t always happen in order. Anyway, without further ado, here’s a quick overview of my 2019 review list.

Deep Silence by Jonathan Maberry

“The Joe Ledger series has been around for the last decade, and ten books in, it’s almost become its own subgenre. With Deep Silence, the tenth entry in the series, Jonathan Maberry follows the same, tried and true formula: bad guy unearths or invents some forbidden, ancient or evil tech Ledger’s team comes face-to-face with it, the US government maintains distance, Echo Team suffers a casualty or two, but they win. The series has lasted ten years and ten novels with this formula, to the point where Deep Silence is wildly self-referential; this year’s threat is a combination of two threats from previous books in the series.

I have heard rumblings that this is the final entry in the series, and if so, Deep Silence is a fitting goodbye. Yes, the tenth entry in the Joe Ledger series is more of the same. But if the “same” is awesome, who am I to complain?”

Pros: Solid action, cool villains, callbacks to previous novels in the series.

Cons: Basically the same as several of the other entries, and whatever happened to Cobbler the Cat?

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Normal by Graeme Cameron

“Normal had me from the very beginning, with a chill-inducing account of a serial killer stalking his prey. From there, Cameron expertly turned up the tension throughout the book, balancing a compelling romance with Rachel, a developing case of Stockholm Syndrome with Erica, and some truly awful crimes and thoughts from the narrator. It’s rare when the protagonist isn’t the hero of the story, even rarer when that feat is pulled off well. One thing you wouldn’t expect is the humor. It was dry and British, and I loved every second of it. There were several moments, inappropriate ones at that, portrayed in a humorous light. Some were laugh-out-loud funny. Cameron never goes for the cheap laughs—nothing gross or overtly sexual—instead working within the comedy of errors that befall our narrator as these two women dominate his life.

Normal is a well-told story that is at times appalling, funny, even touching. I highly recommend it.”

Pros: Surprising humor, well-told, quick read.

Cons: Serial feels increasingly amateurish.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson

“Daniel H. Wilson’s 2011 best-seller, Robopocalypse, is a meaty, inventive sci-fi war story that feels like the prequel to every dystopian robotic uprising story ever told (such as The Matrix or The Terminator—and in the best possible ways) and looks to continue the trend where the best books I read in a year are sci-fi novels.

Robopocalypse is a gripping read from page one. Its structure can draw you in for hours at a time, and with its compelling hook, well-defined characters, and nuanced commentary on what it means to be human (or even alive), it’s a read you won’t

regret.”

Pros: Compelling story, engaging structure, poignant commentary on life and humanity

Cons: Some characters disappear for the endgame.

Rating: 5 of 5 stars.

The Boy on the Bridge by M.R. Carey

“The Boy on the Bridge exists in a strange place that is unique for prequels. It trades on the popularity of the other work, and that restricts its ability to stand on its own. But if you’re a completionist who must have everything related to a series, or if you haven’t yet read The Girl with All the Gifts, I can recommend this to you confidently. You won’t be disappointed.”

Pros: Fun read, Easter eggs aplenty, strong characters

Cons: Feels like a retread.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars.

Fellside by M.R. Carey

“Fellside is a triumph in that any of its plots could have supported a full-length novel. M.R. Carey marries them together almost seamlessly, and while it’s a hefty novel, it never overstays its welcome. It’s never predictable and is far from boring. Definitely worth checking out.”

Pros: Multiple layers of compelling plot; strong female lead and villain

Cons: A little hokey at the end.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Someone Like Me by M.R. Carey

“M.R. Carey continues to show his formidable talents in Something Like Me and has now done original and inventive takes on zombies, haunted houses, and possession stories. He has vaulted onto my list of authors whose name ensures an enjoyable read, and I can’t recommend him enough.”

Pros: Strong female leads, inventive hook, strong primary antagonist

Cons: A touch hokey in some parts.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recursion by Blake Crouch

“Recursion is an intense read that is tough to put down once you get going. Make sure you clear your schedule. Blake Crouch’s style lends to reading large chunks at a clip—I devoured it in four, 80-page sessions at an hour apiece—but so much happens within this twisting tale that it doesn’t hurt to take notes. The characters are clearly defined and relatable, and every choice they make seems reasonable in the situation. You can resonate emotionally with Barry and Helena during their various struggles, and you can even understand the motivations of the antagonist, Marcus Slade. It’s a tightly spun narrative about how power can corrupt, and how things can get out of control with even the best of intentions.

And because I have to give a negative aspect of the book, the downside is that the story is a small bit derivative. The central conceit is reminiscent of a particular 2004 movie starring Ashton Kutcher, and while Recursion does the trick better by several orders of magnitude (with higher stakes and a better-told story), it’s worth noting that if you’ve seen the aforementioned film, you’ve got a vague idea of how at least 2/3 of the story will go down. However, I happened to like that movie, so its similarities don’t bother me nearly as much.

Recursion is a beast of a sci-fi thriller that takes your mind on a rollercoaster and makes you think hard. Give yourself a day or two after you’re done to recover because this one will linger with you for a bit.”

Pros: Mind-bending, compelling thriller with leads that are easy to invest in and is addictively readable.

Cons: Central plotline has been done before.

Rating: 5 of 5 stars.

No Flesh Shall Be Spared: Don’t Look Back by Thom Carnell

“Cleese is still as magnetic an antihero as ever, and we watch his character develop further as he starts to get the past the grief of losing friends and loved ones (despite constant reminders of that loss) and becomes capable of caring about people again. That development is impressive to watch, and he becomes more of a complete character than an outlet for violent rage. Carnell’s storytelling takes on a cinematic quality, especially in the prologue, and his gift for capturing violence in motion is on full display here. You can absolutely visualize every move our intrepid heroes make. However, the narrative—direct and simple in most stages of the book—gets overtly technical in spots, such as where he details specifics of certain Filipino fighting styles, referencing move sets and drills by name. If you know what he’s talking about, there’s a level of appreciation for when something like Heaven’s Six is mentioned. If you don’t, you might get a bit lost as the lack of context could make you not quite as aware of how that influences movement. Carnell’s style is also very conversational, and parts of the story read like you’re hearing it at a bar secondhand. For my tastes, that style works very well in a story where you’re trying to pack as much action as possible in 300 pages, but I can see how some people might find it off-putting.

Overall, the second chapter of Thom Carnell’s epic zombie saga gives all the thrills of a summer blockbuster and tees up the final part of the trilogy. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the ride.”

Pros: Cool setup, solid storytelling, and strong commentary; Great action sequences mixed in with shocking story moments and compelling twists; Likeable hero and detestable villains.

Cons: Blood-and-guts violence isn’t for everyone; Some fight scenes are slowed down by very technical descriptions.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Tourist by Robert Dickinson

“Where The Tourist fails for me is in the finer details of the plot. It’s framed as a mystery, and while it accomplishes all the basic beats of one, it seems to do it in an unnecessarily convoluted manner. The dual narrative left me scratching my head. It wasn’t badly written on its own but wasn’t strong enough to escape the time-travel gimmick.

For what it’s worth, I’m writing this after I was told that The Tourist is better on a second readthrough like The Usual Suspects is better after subsequent viewings. Unfortunately, I’ll never know. I didn’t find it nearly compelling enough to warrant a second go-round; it took me three tries to get through it the first time.”

Pros: Unique take on time travel, great social observation and commentary.

Cons: Plot is confusing, some characters are flat.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.

Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman

“Soon I Will Be Invincible is a lovingly crafted homage to the world of costumed heroes and villains and is sure to entertain fans of comic books and the movies based on them. While most of the cast are underserved in their development, the action trucks along thanks to the strength of its super-genius villain and a couple of heroic outsiders.”

Pros: Fun, comic book-style romp, fast pacing, quick read.

Cons: Light on character development for the secondary cast.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars.

The Paris Diversion by Chris Pavone

“With slick action, a fast pace, and a tense and compelling plot, The Paris Diversion is a thoroughly entertaining read that rewards fans by resolving leftover plots and dangling a few Easter eggs. Chris Pavone lays a bold claim as king of the espionage-thriller mountain.”

Pros: Well-paced, well-plotted, action-packed balancing act, pulled off with style

Cons: Definitely need to read The Expats first.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars