Another entry for my 2019 Year’s Best list: an urban fantasy/noir detective story that’s often uncomfortable and dark but also, ultimately, humane and with a touch of hope.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2716620571

Not even all the way through January, and already three entries on my list for the best of 2019. (Note: two of them are not yet published; I read ARCs from Netgalley.)

The Philosopher’s War, sequel to the book that took my top spot in 2017, is urban fantasy in World War I with a conflicted and relatable main character.

The Raven Tower, Ann Leckie’s first fantasy novel, is (of course) extremely well executed, odd, and disturbing, not least in what it does with narrative expectations.

Tess of the Road, a new series in the same world in which Rachel Hartmann set the wonderful Seraphina, won’t be to everyone’s taste (not that the other two will either); it’s a long, slow book in which the inner journey is more important than the outer journey, and in which the protagonist starts out unpromising. I found it worth sticking with.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/941876-mike?page=1&shelf=2019-years-best&view=list

Fresh on my review blog, my fifth annual list of the best books I read in the previous year. Not as many really great books as last year, but certainly some gems, including a few unexpected ones.

Something of a hatchet job on John W. Campbell, Robert A. Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, and L. Ron Hubbard, who were associated through Campbell’s magazine Astounding.

But probably a necessary hatchet job, and a very well researched one.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2629142278

Paladin of Souls is a strong contender for my favourite book by anyone, and is certainly one of my two favourites by Lois McMaster Bujold. It has a middle-aged female protagonist, a lot of interiority and character depth, and a compelling struggle at the heart of it.

It’s on sale for $1.99.

https://smile.amazon.com/Paladin-Souls-Chalion-Book-2-ebook/dp/B000FC138Q

I will be surprised if this book doesn’t take the top spot in my annual roundup this year; it’s beautiful.

For: people who enjoy details about food, don’t mind it being a bit literary and a touch fabulist, and like a gentle, warm, humane tone and witty, wise observation of modern life.

Not for: people who are looking for a gritty techno-thriller heavy on the speculative aspects and the action, or who can’t stand millenial protagonists.

Masha du Toit, I think this would be up your alley.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2542561915

By my count I’ve read 58 of Amazon’s 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime. Many of them I enjoyed; some I did not.

I’ve started some others and not wanted to continue. I own a couple more and have never got to them because they’re not really my thing. There are others that I know I won’t like, so I’ve never even tried.

I don’t think I noticed any of them that I’d never considered reading.

I think what I’m saying is: it’s OK to have your taste and not like everything that other people consider amazing. And this is pretty much a list of the usual suspects.

https://www.amazon.com/100-Science-Fiction-Fantasy-Books-to-Read-in-a-Lifetime/b?ie=UTF8&node=12661600011

This is on sale on Amazon.com at the moment. It’s a textbook example of giving characters internal conflicts, and I felt that the author was robbed when he didn’t win the Hugo for it.

https://www.amazon.com/Throne-Crescent-Moon-Kingdoms-Book-ebook/dp/B0064VQDHI?_bbid=9906750&tag=bookbubemail11-20

With my reviewer hat on, here’s a brief and simple* guide to writing a book that I will give a good review.

*not easy.

http://mikerm.blogspot.com/p/heres-how-to-write-book-that-will-get.html

Not your father’s space opera, but a compelling character-driven book about what it means to become a person.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2385353119