Three (plus) favourite books of 2019 – any genre, any format – here goes.
NUMBER ONE: Ranger’s Apprentice: The Royal Ranger – The Red Fox Clan by John Flanagan
Number One favourite has to be the Ranger’s Apprentice: The Royal Ranger – The Red Fox Clan by John Flanagan. It’s Book Two in the Rangers Apprentice: Royal Ranger series which meant that I just had to read Book One the very next week.
The Red Fox Clan is a journey about life. Maddie is royalty, a role that doesn’t inspire her however she is fortunate to also be an apprentice Ranger which gives her freedom for 11 months of each year to learn combat techniques and gain weaponry expertise from Will Treaty, her highly skilled mentor and trainer.
There is adventure, intrigue and cunning in the quest for good triumphing over evil. The characters gain resilience as they overcome challenges and obstacles along the way.
I’m really hoping to review more books in this series; or anything written by John Flanagan. In fact, I hope he’s writing at this very minute.
NUMBER TWO: Fenn Halflin and the Seaborn by Francesca Armour-Chelu
Number Two favourite brought back childhood memories for me. When I was growing up in the 1960s, Enid Blyton’s Famous Five Series was the pinnacle of excitement. In 2019, it’s Fenn Halflin and the Seaborn that steps into the current framework as it transports the reader to an exotic world of danger and suspense; situations that require bravery and cunning.
Once you start reading this book, you won’t want to put it down. Fenn’s quest to lead the Seaborn people to a place of permanent safety shows just how resourceful our hero can be. Fenn is loyal and kind to those close to him and ruthless in the face of his tormentor, Terra Firma. This book holds pride of place in my home library.
NUMBER THREE: George and the Great Brain Swappery by Cal Wilson
Number Three favourite has to be Cal Wilson’s George and the Great Brain Swappery – the story of an out-of-the-ordinary family. George Pepperton’s mother, Professor Pippa is a talented inventor and the rest of the family – Philpott (Papa) and the children Pumpernickel, twins Paprika and Pilates, and Poco (who is the size of a lemon) – are equally interesting.
George’s mother’s latest invention is a Brain Swapping Machine. When it is stolen by one of George’s classmates who then takes it on the school excursion to the zoo, the animals, school students and teachers start behaving rather strangely. The Peppertons are endearingly wacky and George and the Great Brain Swappery captures all the chaos of this madly lovable family.
OF COURSE: Weir Do series by Anh Do
Just to add some cheekiness … my Number Four favourites are the Anh Do books, especially the Weir Do series that tell the story of a young boy adapting to a new culture in a foreign land and the complexity of family relationships in unfamiliar surroundings – big issues presented with humour and compassion. I’m always looking forward to the next book.
BEST EVER: Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee
Although I reviewed Lenny’s Book of Everything in 2018, it remains absolutely my most loved book. I’m not going to let you in on the story however, once you have read it, you may well understand why I have read it four times. Lenny will light up your life.
Jennifer Mors
