2019 was a reading slump for me when it came to reading non-graphic books. This has been a trend the past few years. I used to read a lot at my past job because there were long breaks, but though I am way more happy at my current job and with my life overall, I still haven't quite gotten into a reading rhythm. When do you read? I read 87 books in 2019, but most of them were comics, graphic novels, and picture books. I had set my 2018 Goodreads Reading Challenge to 50, which I accomplished and more. I'm going to set my 2020 Reading Challenge at 50 again, knowing I'll probably be reading a lot of graphic novels again. In this post, I'll list my top (non-graphic) books I read in 2019. I've made a separate post for my favorite of the many comics and graphic novels I read: TOP COMICS OF 2019. All of my top books this year are sequels or companion novels. I'm hoping to read more new novels in 2020. And I'm already starting that out by reading Reverie by Ryan La Sala. Below you will find the TOP FOUR books that I read in 2019. Click on the titles or cover pictures for links to my reviews!
*I received this book as an eARC from Katherine Tegen Books via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue Title:The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy Author: Mackenzi Lee Release Date: October 2, 2018 Synopsis:A year after an accidentally whirlwind grand tour with her brother Monty, Felicity Montague has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science. But then a window of opportunity opens—a doctor she idolizes is marrying an old friend of hers in Germany. Felicity believes if she could meet this man he could change her future, but she has no money of her own to make the trip. Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid. In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that leads them from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic.
Review: Mackenzi Lee's books are soooooo good. I've loved her writing ever since This Monstrous Thing. This is the companion novel to The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue focusing on Felicity, Monty's sister. Lee's books usually take me longer to read. This book came out back in October and I only just finished it. I think it takes me longer because her style of adventure stories have many highs and lows in the energy and pacing instead of a simpler story. Lee does such a great job of writing personal moments between the characters. Such wonderful details. There's a lot to take in in every chapter. And I love it! This is a historical fiction, but just like Gentleman's Guide there are some fantastical elements. I think the best analogue is something like Indiana Jones. I would never think of Indian Jones as a fantasy story, but maybe it is? The 1700s were a time when there were still unknowns to the Western world. I really enjoy how Lee writes the 1700s through a modern lens. Felicity is on the asexual spectrum. It's great to see queer rep in a time period you usually only get cis straight white male stories. The characters from Gentleman's Guide return. The focus is on Felicity, but all the other main characters are featured to some degree. Plus we get a lot of new characters! And PIRATES! The tension comes from differences in perspectives and priorities between the characters. I really enjoyed when "good characters" come at odds with each other. I obviously give this book a 5/5. If you haven't read any of Mackenzi Lee's books, you need to read her stuff! I'd suggest starting with Gentleman's Guide. I look forward to reading more of Lee's writing in the future. --PAUL
*I received this book as an eARC from Katherine Tegen Books and Harper Collins via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review; I read an annotated arc I received in a giveaway from the author*
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads Title:The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue Author: Mackenzi Lee Recent Release Date: June 27, 2017 My REVIEW of This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee Synopsis:Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men. But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy. Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.
Review: This book is such a fun adventure with so much heart! I was lucky enough to win an annotated copy from the author in a giveaway which made it an even more thrilling read. It was like I was being walked through the book with fun little side comments and colorful drawings of marine mammals shouting "gaaaaaaaaayyyyy" as well as details into the author's process. This book takes place in the 1700s, but it is written with a modern eye. Much research was done into the settings and era, but there's an awareness that feels very now. The book is essentially a rich queer man's romp around Europe with his best friend and nerdy sister that goes horribly wrong. But horribly wrong in so many wonderfully outrageous escapades. I'm talking stolen artifacts, surprisingly nice pirates, and more than a handful of beautiful cities. The working title of the book was "The Big Gay European Road Trip Novel" and that's what it wonderfully is!
The book is told from Monty's POV and the author absolutely nails the voice. It is infuriating in the best way possible when Monty doesn't catch something or interprets a situation in the wrong way. All three of the main characters are written so well. They make such a great team of misfits. Obviously, I absolutely loved this book. I'm going to be recommending it to so many people. It's a fun, adventure story with queer characters that takes place in 1700s Europe! I'm super stoked for the next book in this universe ("The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy" is expected to be released sometime in 2018). I give this book a 5/5. You will love it! --PAUL
*I received this book as an eARC from Katherine Tegen Books via Edelweissin exchange for an honest review*
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads My PRE-READING Title: This Monstrous Thing Author: Mackenzi Lee Upcoming Release Date: September 22, 2015 Synopsis:In 1818 Geneva, men built with clockwork parts live hidden away from society, cared for only by illegal mechanics called Shadow Boys. Two years ago, Shadow Boy Alasdair Finch’s life shattered to bits. His brother, Oliver—dead. His sweetheart, Mary—gone. His chance to break free of Geneva—lost. Heart-broken and desperate, Alasdair does the unthinkable: He brings Oliver back from the dead. But putting back together a broken life is more difficult than mending bones and adding clockwork pieces. Oliver returns more monster than man, and Alasdair’s horror further damages the already troubled relationship. Then comes the publication of Frankenstein and the city intensifies its search for Shadow Boys, aiming to discover the real life doctor and his monster. Alasdair finds refuge with his idol, the brilliant Dr. Geisler, who may offer him a way to escape the dangerous present and his guilt-ridden past, but at a horrible price only Oliver can pay…
Review: This book was so much more than I expected! I LOVED it! It was heavier than I thought it would be, in subject matter considering I read this on my kindle. It started as a slow read, but I really got into it. The long chapters made me want to make sure I'd finish the whole chapter in one sitting. Between chapters, the book just kept coming up in my thoughts. This book was a thinker. This book presents so many interesting questions of humanity. It definitely is a spiritual sequel to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Speaking of the semi-source material, it is handled in such a unique way. The book and Mary Shelley both come into play within the story in interesting ways. I don't want to spoil too much, but I loved the way this book presented an alternate version of 1818 Geneva. The more you are familiar with both Mary Shelley and her famous book, the more I think you'll enjoy this. Although, I don't think it's necessary. There are wonderful steampunk aspects of this book, but it is done in a very realistic way. There aren't outrageous contraptions at every corner of the world, but the science present is more advanced than modern science. The political and social world created by merging this technology with the early 19th century makes for a complicated and interesting world. Some of the topics this book addresses include what it means to be human, what defines a monster, the feelings one has for their creator as well as the feelings a creator has for their creation, the many ways literature can be interpreted, responsibilities and attachments as burdens that hold one back and the freedom that may come when they no longer exist, the concept of possession once art has been released into the world, and more! There are a lot of great topics in this book. I almost wish I had read this as part of a book club so I could have had a glass of wine and discussed this book with fellow readers. I really enjoyed the clockwork imagery in this novel. The clock tower is very cool. The merging of mechanical and organic also leads to some really great mental images. I really, really enjoyed this book. It started out slow, but the meat of the book was substantial. Each chapter was a meal that kept me full until I sat down to read the next one. I give this book a 5/5 and will definitely be looking for more from Mackenzi Lee. You MUST follow her on social media! Her twitter is @themackenzilee. She also has a youtube channel!!!
*I received this book as an eARC from Katherine Tegen Books via Edelweissin exchange for an honest review*
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads Title: This Monstrous Thing Author: Mackenzi Lee Upcoming Release Date: September 22, 2015 Synopsis:In 1818 Geneva, men built with clockwork parts live hidden away from society, cared for only by illegal mechanics called Shadow Boys. Two years ago, Shadow Boy Alasdair Finch’s life shattered to bits. His brother, Oliver—dead. His sweetheart, Mary—gone. His chance to break free of Geneva—lost. Heart-broken and desperate, Alasdair does the unthinkable: He brings Oliver back from the dead. But putting back together a broken life is more difficult than mending bones and adding clockwork pieces. Oliver returns more monster than man, and Alasdair’s horror further damages the already troubled relationship. Then comes the publication of Frankenstein and the city intensifies its search for Shadow Boys, aiming to discover the real life doctor and his monster. Alasdair finds refuge with his idol, the brilliant Dr. Geisler, who may offer him a way to escape the dangerous present and his guilt-ridden past, but at a horrible price only Oliver can pay…
Why?: I've always been intrigued by Frankenstein's Monster. Retellings and reimaginings of the classics always perk my interest. Both of those combine in this book. In addition, I've been following the author on twitter ( @themackenzilee ) and she is pretty awesome! Learn more about Mackenzi Lee in this video from the Epic Reads youtube page:
Expectations: I'm expecting a cool YA that takes the themes of Frankenstein to a modern reader. It looks like it may be a little steampunky. I'm really excited for this one. Judging a book by its cover: I like the colors on this cover. The lightning and architecture alludes to the source material. I like the tone the cover sets. It's creepy and intriguing. --PAUL
