My Top Five Reads of 2014

At the turn of a year, it is fun to look back at everything that you've read over the past year. The nice statistics offered by Goodreads tell me that I read a total of 76 books - including traditional novels, but also graphic novels and one or two short stories that were published on their own.

Picking out my five tops reads is not such an easy task, since quite a few of them ended up receiving 4 or 5 stars from me - and I also have an urge to avoid the obvious choices and pick out the ones that surprised me in a good way. So, although the books below are hereby selected as my 5 top reads, they are not necessarily the 5 best books that I read. If that makes any sense...

Review: Marvel 1602: Spider-Man by Jeff Parker

The fourth and final instalment of the Marvel 1602 series features Spider-Man, my all-time favourite Marvel hero. Whereas none of the sequels can compete with Neil Gaiman's original, I feel that Spider-Man comes close but loses to Fantastick Four due to a couple of grievances.

Review: Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four by Peter David

Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four is the third part in the 1602 series begun by Neil Gaiman in Marvel 1602. Whereas the second instalment was a grave disappointment, Peter David's entry to the series actually manages to entertain.

Review: Marvel 1602: New World by Greg Pak

Marvel 1602: New World is the first sequel to the 1602 by Neil Gaiman. And, unfortunately, you can readily see that Gaiman is no longer involved with the series.

Review - Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman

This is a surprisingly enjoyable "What if?" storyline in the Marvel universe. Set at the end of Queen Elizabeth's reign in the year 1602, we discover a version of Europe where familiar characters from the Marvel universe have born our of their own time and place. Nicholas Fury is the Queen's eyes and ears. Certain Mr Murdock is an accomplished blind spy and Peter Parquagh is but a servant boy for Nick Fury. The members of the fantastic four are explorers.