My 2019 In Review

Let me start by wishing you all a very happy new year and I hope those of you that celebrate had a great Christmas.

I left writing this review, and picking my top books of 2019, until the very end of the year because I was still reading and didn't want to miss anything! I'm going to talk a bit about my year, the books that made the biggest impression on me and my booky resolutions for the year to come.

2019 was an up and down year for me. I began the year struggling with tiredness, but in January  started a job which I absolutely love, working with people who have a dual impairment in vision and hearing. Unfortunately, my tiredness worsened and I experienced one or two other physical symptoms which led to a short stay in hospital in June. It transpired that all these symptoms were linked to poor mental health. My anxiety has risen, confidence has fallen, and I haven't yet been well enough to return to work. However, recovery is underway and the plan is to return to work in February, which is brilliant.

All of this has affected my reading and reviewing, although books have often been my refuge. I didn't read as much as I'd  have liked to but finished 102 published books, with the 103rd running over into this new year. I also read an as yet unpublished book which is going to do brilliantly. However, not all of them have appeared on the blog and my Goodreads list only shows a fraction of them. So

Booky resolution No 1: Write my review as soon as I finish the book, and copy it straight across to Goodreads and Amazon (if it's after publication day). Also to resolve an ongoing issue with Amazon regarding some reviews. 

During the year, I had the opportunity to take part in the blog tours for some really fantastic books. I am hugely grateful to all the tour organisers who invited me to be involved. I enjoyed every single one, but did find they took a lot of time and I was neglecting my own books. So

Booky resolution No 2: Say yes to fewer blog tours and read some of my own books (and those sent to me by lovely authors as I'm way behind with those too).

I'm not hugely optimistic about keeping this one. I decided not to take on any tours for December and January. Whilst I took a full blogging break in December, I am signed up for 5 tours in January, plus a Bookstagram one! 😂 But we'll see...

Despite my health difficulties, I did get to Bute Noir in August, my first time at the small crime writing festival held on the beautiful Isle of Bute. The sun shone for us, and I had a great time. I wrote a wee piece about it here. At the end of September, as is now tradition, I headed to Stirling for the always fantastic Bloody Scotland. I am very thankful for the friends who supported me at these events.

Booky resolution No 3: Try to get to at least one other new book festival, finances permitting.

Finally in this wee bit, a shout out to all my awesome fellow book bloggers. My wee blog is a tiny fish in a big pond, and the only reason it gets as many views as it does is because other bloggers are kind enough to share my reviews on social media, primarily Twitter, for which I'm hugely grateful. I try to reciprocate, but I'm not terribly organised, so

Booky resolution No 4: Be a better, more organised, more supportive member of the blogging community.



My Top Books of 2019

So that was my 2019 in brief, and my aims for this new year (which also include better planning ahead and a wee overhaul of the blog). But what about the books I read over the last twelve months? I was so lucky to read some outstanding ones during the year. I've picked sixteen that really stood out for me, but could easily have added another ten or so. However, these are the ones that made the cut, listed in the order I reviewed them. You can read my original reviews by clicking on the book titles.

I almost started and ended my year with Matt Wesolowski. His debut, Six Stories, published by Orenda Books, was my third read of the year, whilst Beast, the fourth in the Six Stories series is my 19/20 crossover read. All three of his books that I finished could easily be on this list, but I have picked Six Stories, because I hadn't read anything like it before. For those that don't know, it's written as a podcast - so original. You can also see my reviews for Hydra and Changeling (probably my favourite of the three, but it's a close call).

'I have never before read a book quite like this one. The podcast presentation is genius. I totally felt that I was listening to it rather than reading the words on the page. As a genre debut, this is phenomenal. It's well paced, intelligent, absorbing, beautifully written, atmospheric, dark and creepy as anything.'


If Only I Could Tell You by Hannah Beckerman, published by Orion, was a February read. A change from my usual diet of crime, this was a beautiful, emotional family drama about five strong women.

'I read this from beginning to end in one sitting, staying up way, way too late! It's an exquisitely written book. The feelings of all the women involved, but particularly Audrey and Jess, are beautifully described.'


A new book from a favourite author was a March treat. Thunder Bay by Douglas Skelton is his first book with new publisher, Polygon, and it's fab. Set on the fictional Scottish island of Stoirm, it focuses on journalist Rebecca Connolly and her investigation into a death on the island fifteen years earlier. When I read it, it had a beautiful purple cover, but it now has a brand new look ready for the publication of the follow up, The Blood is Still, in March.

'This is a story of secrets and lies, and the danger that both can bring. It's about finding the truth, whatever consequences that might bring. It's beautifully written, descriptive and atmospheric. The pacing is perfect, and the conclusion unexpected.'


April was a great month for cracking review reads. First of my picks from the month is The Passengers by John Marrs, published by Del Rey/Penguin Random House. Set in a near future where automatic driverless cars have been introduced, it's genuinely scary.

'It's original and brave and more than a little frightening, set in a plausible future, touching on the advance of technology, the power of social media and mob rule. But it's very human and emotional too and shows how little we need to know about people before we make judgements on them.'


Savage Games by Peter Boland (Adrenalin Books) is the second in the series featuring retired soldier John Savage. What starts out as a simple favour for an old friend's son soon turns into something much darker. You can also read my review of the next in the series, Savage Children, which came out last year as well.

'It's exciting, gripping and dark. Violent and shocking in places. But it's very human, with plenty of emotion. Basically, I loved everything about this book!'

Next up from my picks is No Man's Land by Neil Broadfoot (published by Constable). This is the first in a new series set in Stirling featuring Irish former soldier Connor Fraser.

'Connor Fraser is a new hero, reminiscent of Reacher or Bourne. No Man's Land is fast paced and filled with believable characters who remind us that we don't always know who to trust. It's tense action packed and exciting. And bloody. Very bloody.  I loved it!'


A change of direction for my next choice. Our Life in a Day by Jamie Fewery (Orion) is a love story about Tom and Esme, who are about to celebrate ten years together.

'It's a 'real'  love story, in that it feels very believable, between two flawed individuals. Beautifully written, with all the moments, good and bad, described with delicacy and emotion. In fact, this is a book full of heart. An accomplished debut.'


My last pick from April (told you it was a bumper month!) is the latest from one of my favourite authors, Mason Cross, writing here as MJ Cross. What She Saw Last Night, published by Orion, is his first standalone after five Carter Blake novels, and opens with a murder on the Caledonian Sleeper.

'I raced through it in a day. It's a character driven thriller, with a hugely believable and relatable protagonist and strong supporting players. An unusual and cracking story line. An absolute winner from MJ Cross.'


Breakers is written by Doug Johnstone and was published by Orenda Books in May. It tells the story of Tyler, a young housebreaker from one of the roughest parts of Edinburgh.

'Breakers is violent, bleak, brutal, and sad, but also tender, hopeful, beautiful and full of heart. I went through an emotional rollercoaster reading it. The writing is taut - not a word is wasted. It's pacy with plenty of action But, for me, this is the tale of a young man in an impossibly difficult situation trying to do the right thing for those he loves.'



My Silent Daughter by Emma Robinson was published by Bookoutre in August. I reviewed it as part of the blog tour, when it was called Where I Found You. Three year old Ruby isn't speaking, and mum Sara just doesn't know what to do. Husband Mike is useless and her mother-in-law just interferes, but the two women are forced to bond.

'For me, this book is about recognising that we are all unique. It's about sometimes reshaping our ideas for the future. It's about celebrating the small things. And it's about family, friends and asking for help. It's not soppy, gushy or preachy, but an accessible, relatable tale of love, friendship, acceptance and hope.'


In The Silence is the debut novel from MR Mackenzie (Bloodhound Books) and features criminology lecturer Dr Anna Scavolini. On her first night back in Glasgow after ten years away, Anna comes across an old friend stabbed and dying in a Glasgow park.

'I really liked Mackenzie's style of writing - he has a real way with words. In The Silence is a cracking read and a great debut. It's brilliant to see a strong woman, two actually, taking centre stage. Mackenzie has taken an issue which is often featured in crime novels but covered it in a fresh way and with style.'


I binge read Johanna Gustawsson's three Roy and Castells books (Orenda Books) in September  in preparation for a blog tour. Again, all three could have been included here, but I have gone with the third book, Blood Song translated by David Warriner as it was the one with which I had the biggest emotional connection. Set in present day London and Sweden, and Spain in 1938 during the Civil War, it centres around the murder of a wealthy family. You can also read my reviews of Block 46 and Keeper, the first two books in the series.

'The story is intelligent and complex, the two timelines are eventually wound together, and I read the book almost in one sitting, I was so hooked. Beautifully written, I didn't predict the ending at all, and there was one particular moment that was a complete shock. I felt this was the case that touched Emily and Alexis the most - it certainly affected me the most.'


Action and adventure next. Marah Chase and the Conqueror's Tomb by Jay Stringer, and published by Pegasus Books in July, but I didn't manage to review it until October. Disgraced archaeologist Marah is given a chance to redeem herself by MI6, but to do so she must undertake a dangerous mission.

'It's an adrenaline filled story from beginning to end, with moments of genuine peril, when my heart was in my mouth. And there are some epic, and varied, chase scenes! I loved every minute of this read - it's loads of action packed fun. A great, imaginative story, brilliantly written.'


November was another bumper month for strong books. Nothing Important Happened Today by Will Carver and published by Orenda Books opens with nine strangers simultaneously jumping to their deaths from a London Bridge. They are part of The People of Choice.

'This was unlike any other book I've ever read. It's not an easy read but totally worth it when it all comes together. It makes you uncomfortable, and it's hard to say it was enjoyable as such. But it is absolutely unforgettable. It gets your head in a spin. It challenges you. It challenges your apathy. How you relate to the world around you and how much you miss. It has harsh, but relevant, things to say about social media. It's also really, really clever. And unique.'


Oi! by Snowball (UK Book Publishing) is the only non fiction book on my list. A harrowing, personal story of abuse within the British childcare system in the 60s, 70s and 80s, this was definitely my hardest read of the year, but the most impactful. It's the book I talk about more than any other on the list.

'Oi is a difficult read that took me a while to finish but it's a story that needs to be heard. It has been written with an adult take on childhood memories of hugely traumatic events, but what shines through is Snowball's refusal to bow down or be silenced, and his strong sense of right and wrong. It will stay with me for a long time. It was a privilege to read it.'


And the subject of my last review of the year makes the list, as it's yet another unique book. Stephen Watt's Fairy Rock (published by Red Squirrel Press) is the first crime novel to be written entirely in verse! It tells the stories of four young people growing up in the Bridgeton area of Glasgow which is rule by a vicious, violent crime family.

'These poems are raw and dark. So dark. But there is such a beauty to the writing that they are a joy to read. This is poetry at its most raw, visceral and beautiful. The whole concept of a novel entirely in verse is original and brilliant, and Stephen Watt totally delivers.'


So there you have it. Sixteen books that made an impact on me in 2019. There were lots more that I read which were brilliant, and too many that I didn't get around to reading, but there is always this year! I haven't been organised enough to look too far ahead into this new year, but I'm looking forward to finishing Matt Wesolowski's Beast, which is out in paperback in February. Out this month is A Dark Matter, the start of a new trilogy from Doug Johnstone. As already mentioned, March sees the release of Douglas Skelton's The Blood is Still, and the new one from Mason Cross, Hunted, should be out in April. And I know there will be a ton of other great books for us to choose from through the year.


Finally, I know this is a book post, but just before I go I want to mention My Top Film of 2019. A buddy movie with real warmth and heart, The Peanut Butter Falcon was made on a small budget and had a limited release in the autumn. It's coming out on DVD in the UK in March and I think it might be available on Amazon Prime in due course. I laughed, I cried and I celebrated as I watched the film, and have raved about it ever since to anyone who will listen!

'It's quirky and  heartwarming. Please see this beautiful movie, however you can. You will be a better person for it. It's a film about friendship, love, hope, redemption, challenging disabilities and the family we choose. And wrestling.'

A big thank you to all the publishers, authors, blog tour organisers and bloggers I have worked with for your support, and often patience, over the last twelve months. And the hugest thank you to the people who cared for me, encouraged me and picked me up when I was down - you know who you are - I couldn't have done it without you. Here's to a happier, healthier 2020!