My 7 readings of 2018. Of series, versions and love. Black wins.

Another year and many readings have passed through my hands. I have stayed at the gates of the fifty books. So one more year I select my favorites and highlight a character who has entered the Olympus of my literary gods. There are those seven, of which four have been published this 2018 that is already dying. This is my shallow I review these novels of black, romantic and classic tone. May 2019 also be prosperous and fruitful in readings. Happy New Year!

Myron Bolitar Series - Harlan Coben

The black series of the year without a doubt. Summer more than entertaining with the adventures of Myron bolitar, that former professional player retired due to a serious injury and turned into a lawyer, sports representative and occasional detective. They have been 11 books devoured in nothing thanks to its action-packed plots and such powerful characters like Bolitar and his inseparable and peculiar friend and partner Win lockwood. One hundred percent recommendable for its agile prose, loaded with irony, action and good stories. I told everything and more here.

7-7-2007 - Antonio Manzini

Since Rocco schiavone jumped onto the literary scene with Black track His stories and figure have not made him bigger and better. This year this last title of the four that go so far was published. A return to the past of this moody, sour and so Italian policeman that finally explains to us where that tasteless but also romantic character comes from that has managed to put the dark public in his pocket so well. For fans of the yellow Italian taste. Plus here.

The eternal wonder - Pearl S. Buck

Written in 1973 and found forty years later by chance, this novel of the Nobel Prize Winner and Pulitzer and one of my landmark writers, Pearl S. Buck, It has been a discovery. With all the essence of his work, with the ever-present oriental component, this love story it fascinated me in the first half of the year.

The account from the point of view of its protagonist, Randolph corfax, from the moment of his birth until he became a successful writer while serving in the Korean War and falls in love with Stephanie Kung, of a Chinese father and an American mother. Both are looking for their meaning of and in life. And all told with a passion and a very personal tone.

Macbeth - Jo Nesbø

I could not miss this year my most admired viking writer of the blackest literature. This year he published his very particular version of a classic of classics, Macbeth. A commission from Hogarth Shakespeare Project which, in my opinion, came out round. It is not necessary to have read the original masterpiece, which is also my favorite of the English bard, but it does help to better appreciate this version. The most extensive review is here.

With uneven reception from its readersHowever, everything that this Nordic strip writes is usually worth it. Yes, a slap on the wrist for the Lumen, which in the first edition left up to 55 misprints and errors uncorrected. I hope they already have.

Tough dogs don't dance - Arturo Pérez-Reverte

I had the opportunity to say it personally to Pérez-Reverte at the Madrid Book Fair: «Leave more Falcós and follow with more adventures and misadventures of the Negro and his four-legged friends. It barely lasted a few days where they overwhelmed me in equal parts fun and excitement.

A must read for dog lovers with all the ingredients of a great crime novel, full of irony, tenderness, acidity, tragedy and comedy. And a lot of criticism with him unmistakable style from the author.

Belgravia - Julian Fellowes

Mi romantic fee of the year reached its peak with this title, which is not from 2018 and had in the chamber. A delicacy, how could it be otherwise, from the creator from the magnificent television series Downton Abbey. This time it also takes us to the romantic era par excellence: the XNUMXth century English Victorian and his London more representative.

Loves, heartbreak, family intrigues, lost children, hidden identities, letters that arrive or are lost, ambitious and rogue careerists, protagonists who do not resign themselves to their destinies ... But, in the end, yes, the wrongs are undone, the misunderstandings are clarified, the wicked are unmasked and, of course, love triumphs. Indispensable for so many lovers of the romance novel in its Victorian subgenre.

Police corruption - Don Winslow

And I end up with another title that is not from this year either. I read it in a hospital convalescence that I had in February. Perhaps that is also why, in addition to his superb workmanship of a great black genre like Winslow, I have put it in the pedestal of my literary 2018.

La colossal history of corruption of a group of policemen, unit, which leads the fabulous and more than fearsome DPNY sergeant Dennis MaloneHas been my reading of the year. Malone was straight to the podium of those characters that devour my soul in seven sentences and a gesture and they stay forever with another piece of my literary heart. From compulsory, compulsory reading and by decree law for all lovers of the most black, raw and brutal genre.


4 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Mel said

    I had no idea that the Downton Abbey scriptwriter was also a novelist, but now that I know I'm going to stop by the bookstore yes or yes 😋I sure love it, because I loved the series 💕 Thanks for the recommendations 😍

    1.    Mariola Diaz-Cano Arevalo said

      Thanks for your comment, Mel. Hope you like it and if you're a Downtown Abbey fan you sure will. Also take a look at The Mitford Crimes, by his niece Jessica Fellowes.

  2.   natxo said

    Seven eh ...... buu we will see, although this year and due to my taciturn working hours, which makes me get home at 23 p.m., I have only been able to enjoy 46 novels, counting the one that I am enjoying right now: The celestial banquet of Donald Ray Pollock. Writer that had long-ago marking and damn, it's good. On the other hand, having read less, the decision should be easier ……… .:
    (the order is chronological, not to be liked more or less)

    1. Brian Panowich Bull Mountain
    2. Lawrence Block In the midst of death
    3. Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö The Laughing Policeman
    4. Ed Mc Bain The Dealer
    5. Horace Mc Coy Shrouds don't have pockets
    6. Elmore Leonard The Mississippi Blues
    7. Dennis Lehane That Missing World
    8. Fredric Brown The Night Through the Looking Glass
    9. Davis Grubb Hunter's Night
    10.Larry Brown Father & Son
    11.George Pelecanos Drama City
    12. Joe R, Lansdale A Wild Season

    It is impossible to choose so few hahahaha

    1.    Mariola Diaz-Cano Arevalo said

      It is very difficult to choose from so much, Natxo, and your selection is not bad either. Thanks for your comment.