Monday 8 July 2019

My Top Reads: January to June 2019

You can see my top reads January - June 2018 (HERE) and July - December (HERE). This year in the January to June period I read 48 books (books marked * I received either from netgalley/publisher for review) My stand-out reads are:


In January, I read 10 books (!) and my top reads were:



*The Second Wife by Sheryl Browne - which was a fast paced page turner with twists I didn't see coming.


Betsy & Lilibet by Sophie Duffy - I loved this carefully researched and sweet tale which fictionally follows the very different lives of Queen Elizabeth and Betsy Sunshine. 


*Call Me Star Girl by Louise Beech - a creepy and twisty read edged with sadness and love. With memorable characters and storylines.


*The Hidden by Mary Chamberlain - I loved this story which is set in the current day and when the Germans occupied Jersey in the Channel Islands during the Second World War.


*Bitter Edge - DI Kelly Porter #4 by Rachel Lynch - I just love this series - and DI Kelly Porter! Another fast paced tale where the storylines are cleverly weaved together. 


*Dead Memories by Angela Marsons - DI Kim Stone #10 - a roller-coaster of a read. Someone is recreating every bad thing which happened to her and the race is on to stop them before it's too late...


In February, I read 9 books and my Top Reads were:



The Puppet Show by M W Craven - this new series featuring Tilly, Poe and Edgar! is seriously one of the best series I have ever read. Totally un-put-down-able and brilliant.


*Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce - I had the real pleasure of meeting Harriet at an event very generously held by Headline for 'new voices' in Edinburgh, earlier this year. Again, a superb debut which had me on the edge of my seat throughout. 


*Nobody's Wife by Laura Pearson - when I was reading this novel it was always just one more chapter! A rollercoaster of a read which has an OMG twist.


In March I only read 5 books. My top picks are:


*The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary - I loved this funny tale which was laced with humour, friendship, sadness and love.


*Final Betrayal - DI Lottie Parker #6 by Patricia Gibney - I just adore Lottie Parker!  As ever, a fast paced on the edge-of-your-seat read.


*Runaway by Claire MacLeary - I took part in the Blog Tour having not realised it was the third in a very magical and readable series. I adore the characters of Maggie & Big Wilma.


*The Oceans Between Us by Gill Thompson - I also took part in the Blog Tour for this fabulous novel which is based on real life events. 


In April, I read 8 books and my Top Reads were:


*Death at the Plague Museum - A Health of Strangers Thriller by Lesley Kelly - I've met Lesley in real life (she's a member of the Authors & Bloggers group in Scotland on Facebook - we have occasional get-togethers which is really nice). I took part in the Blog Tour. My fav character is Bernard who really steps up to the plate in this episode!


*Bold Lies by Rachel Lynch (DI Kelly Porter #5) - always happy to read another DI Kelly Porter tale. Fast paced and exciting this series just keeps getting better and better.



*The Lives before Us by Juliet Conlin - a stunning and richly drawn story set in 1939 Shanghai before and during the Japanese occupation.


*You will be Safe Here by Damien Barr - an incredible read which is based on a true story. I'm still thinking of it now.


In May, I read 6 books and my Top Reads are:


*Blood & Sugar by Laura Shepherd-Robinson - a deeply descriptive and rather brilliant debut novel set in 1781 which follows Captain Harry Corsham on his search for his missing friend. 


*Those who are Loved by Victoria Hislop - Victoria Hislop at her best! I took part in the Blog Tour.


*The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell - this is a super creepy read which I devoured in a couple of days. I'll be sharing my review in my August book round-up.


*The Glittering Hour by Iona Grey - a stunning read set in the 1920s and 1930s for which you'll need a a box of tissues. I absolutely loved it.


Indian Summer - Mirabelle Bevan #7 by Sara Sheridan - I'm a huge fan of plucky Private Detective Mirabelle Bevan and in this book her cases all seem to be connected. A wonderful read.


Coming into June, I read 7 books and my Top Reads are:


*Black Summer - Washington Poe #2 by M W Craven - I just love this series and Poe, Tilly and Edgar! Absolutely amazing. That opening chapter OMG. I can't wait for book #3.


Turn the Other Way by Stuart James - oh wow oh wow what a creepy read. I'm still thinking of that ending now!


*Horizontal Collaboration by Navie & Carole Maurel - my first graphic novel which I found atmospheric, very vivid and very real. I took part in the blog tour - see HERE.


*Child's Play - DI Kim Stone #11 by Angela Marsons - yet another jaw-droppingly fabulous book featuring Kim Stone. I've not actually reviewed this yet as it's out in August. 


*The Unmaking of Ellie Rook by Sandra Ireland - wow this is an absolutely incredible read with characters I'm still thinking of now. See my stop on the blog tour HERE.

Do we share any Top Reads?

1 comment:

  1. Thank you so much, Sandra! That was a lovely thing to see first thing this morning! You are a star! So pleased you enjoyed The Second Wife and proud to be in such talented company! :) xx

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