Book Nook Cafe discussion

It's that time of year folks!

Here is the thread to post your favorite reads and the ones you detested in 2019.

The book does not have to be published in 2019, only read by you in 2019.

If you could provide a link and a few words on each book that would be great.

I rate my books 0-5

- Zero- Painful, back away ! Not fit for man nor beast- Don't even
think about it.
- 1- awful - not for me
- 2- Disappointing- fell below expectations
-3- Good- Okay- solid read
- 4- Above expectations - very good - special
- 5- Wow- good on all fronts. Top of its genre

My top 5 star rated books in 2019

~~ My #1 book this year was:

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind--Yuval Noah Harari

~~ My other 5 stars were:

Heart: A History---Sandeep Jauhar

Becoming--Michelle Obama

Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe--Mike Massimino

In Pieces--Sally Field

The Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany--Thomas Childers

Prodigal Son--Edward Villella

----------
I had 1 Did not finish
Slow Reading in a Hurried Age--David Mikics

I didn't have any zero or 1 star books this year.

I was eager to read your conclusions. We are on the road now but i did create my list with links. However, i’m going to have to wait another day, as i’m catching up with posts. Presently i am readingThe Cold Dish, first in the Wyoming Longmere series by Craig Johnson. I doubt it’ll make my Top list, so this isn’t too early for me.

Alias, my rating system is very much like yours. I didn't realize we could give 0 stars to a book. Food for thought.

1 Star - Awful
2 Star - Blah and disappointing. Doesn't come together well.
3 Star - I like it. I enjoyed the story. Entertaining read.
4 Star - Very good.
5 Star - Stand-out in it's genre. Entertaining, Memorable.

I had one DNF this year: The End Is Always Near: Apocalyptic Moments, from the Bronze Age Collapse to Nuclear Near Misses

Disappointing Reads: (all are 1 Star)
The 19th Christmas
Book Love
The Inner Circle


Favorite Reads:
The MaddAddam Trilogy: Oryx and Crake / The Year of the Flood / MaddAddam
The Grapes of Wrath
Silence
Tulipomania: The Story of the World's Most Coveted Flower & the Extraordinary Passions It Aroused
Out

I also 5-Starred these poetry books:
Priest Turned Therapist Treats Fear of God: Poems
river woman
Deaf Republic


A series that I am really enjoying is the Andy Carpenter series. I read Dachshund Through the Snow and enjoyed the humor and the main couple (Andy & his wife). It was a warm, entertaining story. I am currently reading Deck the Hounds and have the same warm, fun feeling. I think I'll start at the beginning of the series. These are fun stories. The mystery murders are light and aren't the main focus of the book, I find.
Although I give them 3 stars, they are my favorite finds for a new series this year.

Petra wrote:Tulipomania: The Story of the World's Most Coveted Flower & the Extraordinary Passions It Aroused"

If you enjoyed the topic, you may also want to check out
Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds--Charles Mackay

It was recommended to me by someone who works in the stock market.

Alias, i have Michelle Obama’s book in my tops, too. It was well written and helped readers see how she made many of her life’s decisions. Many of your selections i recall you mentioning as you read, which is near.

Petra, one of my all-time favorites is the John Steinbeck book, it is almost poetry in places, particularly at the beginning. I will add now that the Ilya Kaminsky poetry story is on my tops list, too.

I don’t usually give stars because i change my mind too often. In the spirit of things, i’ll try.

TOP NONFICTION
American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation by Eric Rutkow Gave my a sense of how trees really made this continent great. Sadly, it petered out toward the end. 4 1/2 Stars.

Becoming by Michelle Obama. Well told story of a strong woman who cares beyond her own family. 5 Stars.

The Bone and Sinew of the Land: America's Forgotten Black Pioneers and the Struggle for Equality, a scholarly yet accessible book by Anna-Lisa Cox. What an education in the travails of African Americans trying to make homes in Ohio, Indiana, etc., then called the Northwest Territory. It made me cry that these free citizens still could not find peace in farming their own land. 5 Stars

The Pinecone: The Story of Sarah Losh, Forgotten Romantic Heroine--Antiquarian, Architect, and Visionary by Jenny Uglow. The biography of an intelligent woman in England around the first half of the 1800s. She & her sister never married but traveled some, returning home to create a community of artisans and expressing their own interests, including pinecones. 4 1/2 Stars (Tad low because, while i relished the details of small town life, many wouldn’t.)

Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China by Jung Chang. Because i knew so little of Japan at this time, the book was gripping. There was sadness because it was the end of a dynasty but one admired the efforts the Empress attempted. 5 Stars

TOP FICTION
Wade in the Water: Poems by Tracy K. Smith Introduced me to creative decision-making in the process of Writing poetry. 5 Stars.

Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky was a great production about a town’s response to military violence. Good poetry! 5 Stars.

Quicksand by Nella Larsen Was actually her first novel, the lesser known of the two. It followed an educated woman who was half African American and half Danish in the early half of the 20th century. I was intrigued by the turns in her life but particularly her last choice. 5 Stars.

Bayou folk by Kate Chopin is a collection of short stories about people living in Louisiana in the late 1800s to early 1900s. What i most appreciated was learning of customs of that time and place. 4 1/2 Stars. Dialect issues is why i took off half point.

A Deceptive Clarity , the first in an art detective series by Aaron Elkins, was a well-written mystery in which i learned plenty about art and forgeries. 5 Stars, mainly for the curious wealthy main character.

BAD ONES:
Fiction. The Wife by Meg Wolitzer was predictable and tough to appreciate. I finished because i was hoping i would be proven wrong about the ending. 1 Star because i liked the description of the St. Lucia day breakfast custom, which has intrigued me since i was a teen.

Nonfiction. Museum of the Missing: A History of Art Theft by Simon Houpt. This was a mess, imo. Too much was just showing missing works and promoting a universal Missing Art Police idea. 1 Star.

Fiction. Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Golden Samovar, time travel by Olga Wojtas. Too little time traveling and too much Russian history to fit the story. 1 Star.

Best of 2019

Daisy Jones & The Six
Taylor Jenkins Reid


The Fifth Child
Doris Lessing


The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick
Mallory O'Meara


Grief Cottage
Gail Godwin


Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee
Casey Cep


Five Came Back: A Story of Hollywood and the Second World War
Mark Harris


The Keepers of the House
by Shirley Ann Grau

Robin
by Dave Itzkoff


Mr. Dickens and His Carol
Samantha Silva


Cat's Eye
Margaret Atwood


The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers
Maxwell King


Echo
Pam Muñoz Ryan
5/5 stars


Worst of 2019

The Instructions
Adam Levin


Alice in Quantumland: An Allegory of Quantum Physics
Robert Gilmore

I did not have very many bad books-most of them were very good.

I'm not adding all the books I've read this year, just the best of the best and the worst of the bad.

Best:

Two of the Sandman Slim novels, Kill the Dead and Aloha from Hell by Richard Kadrey. One of my favorite series.


The Pope of Palm Beach by Tim Dorsey. Can't get enough Serge and Coleman!


Monkeewrench by P.J. Tracy. Excellent mystery/thriller.


Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman. Because Neil Gaiman =)


Permanent Record by Edward Snowden. Fuck the NSA and The Patriot Act


Draculas by Blake Crouch, Jack Kilborn, Jeff Strand, and F Paul Wilson. Best vampire novel ever!!



The worst, if it's here I did not finish:

Dimension of Miracles by Robert Sheckley


Just a Couple of Days by Tony Vigorito


The Basic Eight by Daniel Handler


Night of the Assholes by Kevin L. Donihe

Alias Reader wrote: "Petra wrote:Tulipomania: The Story of the World's Most Coveted Flower & the Extraordinary Passions It Aroused"

If you enjoyed the topic, you may also want to check out
[book:Extraordinary Popular ..."

Thanks, Alias. That does sound interesting. My library doesn't have a copy; I'll have to see if interlibrary loans has one.

madrano wrote: "I don’t usually give stars because i change my mind too often. In the spirit of things, i’ll try...."

I may change my mind over time, too. Therefore, my ratings are my gut feelings at the time I finish and I don't change it even if my opinion changes. It's a fairly accurate representation, although there are a few books where I think "what was I thinking?" (for either too high or too low ratings). LOL!

Steinbeck was a favorite way back when (in my 20s). I'm slowly rereading his works. They are still just as good as the first time.
I want to also reread some of George Orwell's books and read those I never got to. He's another oldie but goodie.

I've got Pinecone on my TBR list and it's available from the library. I should get to that soon on your recommendation. Thanks, Deb.

Julie, you've had some good reading. I'm also a fan of Margaret Atwood. Every time I hear Robin's name I get sad.

Anita, I've heard so much about Monkeywrench and always good. I keep meaning to read it. Thanks for the reminder.

Julie, seeing your list reminds me where some of the good books on my “Books Read” list first presented themselves. The book about Dickens has been on my mind this week, of course.

Anita, when i see one of a series on the year’s best list, i pay attention because this is significant. You have a couple, which is cool.

Petra, i hope you like Pinecone. It is a biography of a person of local significance who must inspire locals. I look forward to your comments, be they positive or not because i sometimes wonder how off-kilter my reading tastes are.

You make a good point about rating books read. I don’t know why i have such an issue to committing to a rating system.

madrano wrote: "
TOP NONFICTION
American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation by [au..."

Deb, I can't recall if you read this one. However, from the comments I've seen on the PBS bookclub facebook site, the winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction book,
[book:The Overstory|40180098]--Richard Powers might be one you would like if you want to read more about trees.

From the authors webpage
http://www.richardpowers.net/the-over...

The Overstory, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, is a sweeping, impassioned work of activism and resistance that is also a stunning evocation of—and paean to—the natural world. From the roots to the crown and back to the seeds, Richard Powers’s twelfth novel unfolds in concentric rings of interlocking fables that range from antebellum New York to the late twentieth-century Timber Wars of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. There is a world alongside ours—vast, slow, interconnected, resourceful, magnificently inventive, and almost invisible to us. This is the story of a handful of people who learn how to see that world and who are drawn up into its unfolding catastrophe.

Deb, rating systems are so personal.
I see a 3-star book as a solidly good read. Others consider a 3-star book a "meh" or not so good read. I'm wary of many 3-star ratings because I am unsure of how the Reader thinks of 3 stars.
For me, a "meh" book is 2-star.

I'll let you know my thoughts on Pinecone when I read it. I'll look for it in the library after the Holidays are over.

Petra wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "Petra wrote:Tulipomania: The Story of the World's Most Coveted Flower & the Extraordinary Passions It Aroused"

If you enjoyed the topic, you may also want to check out
[book:E..."

It's a book I would suggest one get from the library and not buy as some may find it a bit dense. However, it's amazing that these economic bubbles seem to surprise us each time they roll around.

As humans, we seem to be surprised each time a "cycle" of some sort occurs......as if it's occurring for the first time. LOL. We seem to be programmed to not see the cyclical way of things....or to not believe in it, anyway. LOL.

Petra wrote: "Deb, rating systems are so personal.
I see a 3-star book as a solidly good read. Others consider a 3-star book a "meh" or not so good read. I'm wary of many 3-star ratings because I am unsure of ho..."

5 is I loved it/perfect!. 4 I really liked it but it is not perfect. 3 is I liked it. 2 is meh or so/so. 1 is hate.

Alias, i’m adding that to my TBR. I read Lab Girl after American Canopy & was amazed at all the new “tree” material author Hope Jahren shared in it. Learning about nature late in life is a joy.

Petra, yes, the 3 stars have me wondering. We should be quite satisfied with a 3 but sometimes it seems more like a “so-so”. This is my interpretation, despite seeing star-givers tell me otherwise. I suppose we really should see more 3s than any other rating.

madrano wrote: "Alias, i’m adding that to my TBR. I read Lab Girl after American Canopy & was amazed at all the new “tree” material author Hope Jahren shared in it. Learning about..."

The problem is that on Amazon three stars means so-so. I think that many people use Amazon's ratings here on Goodreads. I don't. I follow the Goodreads system in which three stars means good.

Ah, that explains much, Shomeret. What’s odd is that i look at stars when deciding where to dine, what to buy, etc., but don’t usually “star” things myself.

Shomeret wrote: "madrano wrote: "Alias, i’m adding that to my TBR. I read [book:Lab The problem is that on Amazon three stars means so-so. I think that many people use Amazon's ratings here on Goodreads. I don't. I follow the Goodreads system in which three stars means good...."

When reading the reviews on Amazon, for me, the one star reviews are key. When it comes to books there are certain things that I don't like. If the one star reviews mention that, I know it's not for me.

Sound judgement there, imo. Often a review mentions specifics which helps enormously. At least that works when i am certain of my own likes & dislikes.

Alias, I do this, too. One star reviews can be very helpful.

Here's my list ...

Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead - Claire is NOT a "nice" person, which proves the adage that you can have a successful story with a generally unlikable protagonist. I'm not particularly a fan of New Orleans as a city, but natives who reviewed the book say that they were blown away by how the author nailed the sense of place. Never thought I would be recommending a book that I might describe as grim and violent, but here we are. I really like the sequel taking place in the San Francisco area as well, but read this one first for the background and context.

The Diary of a Bookseller - I rarely re-read, but when I got to the last page here I was totally convinced that I'll be picking this one up again in future. If you think you'd like it, you'll love it.

The Observations - fans of historical fiction ought to look into this one. Bessie was one of the most engaging protagonist I've run across in a long time. Author does a noteworthy job of slowly revealing details and backstory rather than just shoving them through. I was hooked almost immediately, and there were very few places in the book where I even began to doubt that slightly.

Cleopatra's Wedding Present: Travels through Syria - this travel narrative set in the 1990s gives a feel for how everything was destined to go so wrong in future; in that sense it kind of resembles Iran under the Shah. Author's wicked sense of humor keeps things from being relentlessly grim.

Honorable Mention for My Year of Rest and Relaxation, which overall I really liked and I'm glad I read, but had some issues as well, and could understand folks saying they disliked it. The writing quality was solid enough that I'm looking forward to the author's next book due out in a few months.

The Not-So-Great (all DNF after giving each a solid try) ...


The Rule of the Land: Walking Ireland's Border - bogged down and boring, never "got better" I'm afraid.

To Jerusalem and Back - I've never read anything by Saul Bellow, and after trying this one I don't think I'm really tempted to do so. Struck me as an egotistical piece rather than learning about Israel as a nation.

Cakes and Ale - many people seem to have "gotten" something here that totally eluded me? Gave up part way through when I acknowledged that I was forcing myself to return to the book (see also The Golden Bowl).

That mystery series by Sara Gran sounds good, John. More so now that it made your tops list. I recall you mentioning a few of the others over the past months. It’s a pity about the DNF but you gave them a good try. I still like the idea of a book about walking Ireland’s border, just not that one.

Thanks for sharing favs, this helps us all, imo.

John wrote: "
The Diary of a Bookseller - I rarely re-read, but when I got to the last page here I was totally convinced that I'll be picking this one up again in future. If you think you'd like it, you'll love it.
"


I really love the cover. I have to put this one on my TBR list.

Last night i began reading a book from John’s list, The Diary of a Bookseller, which is full of new-to-me titles. Author Shaun Bythell has structured the book nicely but those titles are good. I keep turning to thr ‘Net to see if they are real. Yes, indeed, there IS a book Collectible Spoons of the 3rd Reich! It’s by James A. Yannes.

Thanks for the tip, John.

I have read so many good books recently that I hardly know where to begin.

also by the same author

a great story of the plague village in Derbyshire and how the people isolated themselves to prevent it spreading.

tells the below stairs story of Pride and Prejudice - I then reread Pride and Prejudice.

a delightful story set in Argentina of how a teacher comes to have a penguin living with him and the lessons it teaches us.

I know it might be controversial but I did not enjoy

Vivien wrote: "I have read so many good books recently that I hardly know where to begin.

also by the same author

[bookcover:Year of Won..."
I love Pride and Prejudice so I just had to add Longbourne to my reading list. Thanks for the recommendation!

madrano wrote: "Last night i began reading a book from John’s list, The Diary of a Bookseller, which is full of new-to-me titles. Author Shaun Bythell has structured the book nice..."

Great it's working out so well for you! The only real negative quibble that I found was that I felt sorry for all those Amazon customers whom he disappointed in not being able to find the physical book after listing it as available online.

Vivien wrote: "a delightful story set in Argentina of how a teacher comes to have a penguin living with him and the lessons it teaches us.

The Penguin Lessons sounds good. Thank you for the new to me title.

I see my library has a copy. I'm putting it on my TBR list.

Thanks, Vivien.

Alias Reader wrote: "Vivien wrote: "a delightful story set in Argentina of how a teacher comes to have a penguin living with him and the lessons it teaches us.

The Penguin Lessons sounds good. Thank yo..."

I read it a couple of years back, second the recommendation.

John, i agree about the disappointed customers who purchase one of their books online only to be told it’s not available. I would be bugged because usually it’s a hard to find one.

Vivien, i really liked the Geraldine Brooks novel too. I learned plenty about plague deterrence back then. I, too, have added Jo Baker’s version of the Jane Austen classic to my reading list.

Non-Fiction Favorites

Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism by Safiya Umoja Noble

This book taught me things I didn't know about search and actually changed my search behavior.

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei (graphic memoir)

Fiction Favorites

The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz (time travel science fiction)

This is about a time war over women's rights.

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa (dystopia)

The most horrific novel I've ever read, but insightful on a number of topics.

Larger Than Life by Jodi Picoult (contemporary fiction novella)

Protagonist studies elephants in Africa and is committed to their survival.

Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather (science fiction)

Space going convent is in conflict with the Catholic Church.

The Ventriloquists by E. R. Ramzipoor (historical fiction)

WWII Resistance journalists put out a satirical issue of a Nazi controlled newspaper. This actually happened. Some of the characters are historical and others are fictional.

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (mythological fantasy)

Fantasy quest with Mayan gods and myths. It's culturally fascinating.

Like Mayflies in a Stream by Shauna Roberts (mythological retelling)

Re-telling of the Epic of Gilgamesh from the point of view of the common people who suffered under Gilgamesh's rule.

Sands of Eppla by Janeal Falor (indie published epic fantasy)

A blind protagonist struggles for independence in a society where those who have fallen in love at first sight are the very arrogant aristocracy. This is not a romance.

The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
(alternate history)

Hugo award winning alternate space program that started earlier and included women.

The Raven and the Reindeer by T. Kingfisher (fairy tale retelling)

Re-telling of The Snow Queen with a shapechanging character, a sarcastic raven and a Lapp seer.

Some of these books are discussed in more depth in my
2019 Retrospective on my blog at https://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/2...

Shomeret wrote: "Non-Fiction Favorites

Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism by Safiya Umoja Noble

This book taught me things I didn't know about search and actually chang..."

Wow ! When a book changes your behavior that really says something. I'll have to check this one out.

Thank you for this terrific list !

The Epic of Gilgamesh has fascinated me since i first read it, leading me to reread, next time different translation. So the idea of viewing events from it using the common person’s vantage appeals. Thanks for the title.

Your science fiction winners had me scribbling titles, so i thank you for them, too. Memory Police left me with much to consider, too. Reading your Retrospective has me wondering if i got the A Bookshop in Berlin title from you. It was informative.

Great roundup, Shomeret. Thanks for sharing here.

Even though I am two months late to the party - I will go ahead and add my best and worst of 2019. I too have my own rating system.

Zero stars - This only happens if I did not finish the book and it will go on my DNF shelf. I won't star books I don't finish.

One star - Why did I even read this book?! I would be slapping myself and shaking my head!

Two stars - The book just didn't do anything for me and I read it just to get through it to the end.

Three stars - The book was okay - nothing exciting.

Four stars - The book was great and I really enjoyed it! I would recommend it.

Five stars - The book was awesome/amazing and I am still feeling the effects of it! It would be recommended. It would also go on my favorites shelf.

Best Books of 2019:

Five star reads are as follows:

Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia (the first in a series)

The Crane War by Graeme Rodaughan (fifth book in a series)

Crimson Siege: Blood Riders - Book One by Jay Raven (first book in a series)

13 Bullets by David Wellington
(first book in a series)


The Montauk Monster by Hunter Shea (a novel)

Vampire on the Orient Express by Shane Carrow (a short story)

Midnight in the Graveyard by Kenneth W. Cain (an anthology)

Ghostland by Duncan Ralston (a novel)

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Worst Books of 2019:

The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor (one star for me - some people loved this book - I could never get into it)

Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman (no stars - dnf - some horror fans love the book - I never could get into it at all)

Rookwood Asylum: Supernatural Suspense with Scary & Horrifying Monsters by David Longhorn (no stars - dnf - another one that I just couldn't grasp)

CyberStorm by Matthew Mather (one star, but it ended up being a dnf after all - never could grasp what was going on and I felt like I was wading through mud trying to figure out what was taking place - no patience for this one - lol)

Marie wrote: "Even though I am two months late to the party - I will go ahead and add my best and worst of 2019. I too have my own rating system.

Zero stars - This only happens if I did not finish the book and ..."

It's never too late to share in these threads.

I like your rating system.

Alias Reader wrote: "Marie wrote: "Even though I am two months late to the party - I will go ahead and add my best and worst of 2019. I too have my own rating system.

Zero stars - This only happens if I did not finish..."

Thank you Alias! :)

Marie, you’ve introduced me to several titles. Thank you.

Your 5th star rating is well stated!

Marie wrote: "Even though I am two months late to the party - I will go ahead and add my best and worst of 2019. I too have my own rating system."

Aw, thank you so much for including The One and Only in your best books in 2019!!! Made my day, Marie :)

It sounds like a good series, i must say. Marie knows how to whet appetites with her reviews!

Julia wrote: "Marie wrote: "Even though I am two months late to the party - I will go ahead and add my best and worst of 2019. I too have my own rating system."

Aw, thank you so much for including The One and O..."

You are very welcome, Julia! :)

madrano wrote: "It sounds like a good series, i must say. Marie knows how to whet appetites with her reviews!"

Excellent series, Mandrano! The books have been getting a lot of five star reviews. :)

Marie wrote: "Even though I am two months late to the party - I will go ahead and add my best and worst of 2019. I too have my own rating system.

Zero stars - This only happens if I did not finish the book and ..."

I'm in the middle of reading Vampire on the Orient Express right now. Quite glad to hear that it was on your top rated list!

Enjoy, 518!

518 wrote: "Marie wrote: "Even though I am two months late to the party - I will go ahead and add my best and worst of 2019. I too have my own rating system.

Zero stars - This only happens if I did not finish..."

Awesome 518! Yes, I really did love this story! At some point I would like to do a reread of it to recapture that feeling of being whisked back in time. :)