1. Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey. An instant favourite – I’m talking top ten books of all
time. I loved Silvey’s style, the authentic characters and the intriguing
story.
2. On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. It’s Melina Freaking Marchetta. Nobody does beautiful, heartfelt and
realistic character-driven stories like she does. This is probably my favourite
of her contemporary books.
3. Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver. This was a magical little book about grief and
friendship and love. And magic, of course.
4. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. A unique contemporary novel
featuring a bunch of broken and messed-up characters who burrow under your skin
and take up residence in your heart.
5. Stuart: A Life Backwards by Alexander Masters. The compelling biography of an “ex-homeless, ex-junkie psychopath", it's the type of book that stays with you long after you've finished it,
6. Fury by Shirley Marr. A darkly funny mystery featuring a smart and spunky heroine, I was hooked from the first line.
7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Yes, I only read this for the first time this year. And of course it was brilliant.
8. The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta. Another Marchetta, I know. I went on a bit of a MM-binge earlier in the year, and it was probably my best reading period of the last 12 months. So much gorgeous writing.
9. Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth. This rich retelling of Rapunzel weaves together the stories of three powerful women: the "real" Rapunzel, the witch who entrapped her, and the woman who wrote down her story.
10. Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist. This was the scariest book I've ever read. While I wouldn't say I particularly enjoyed it, it had some powerful (and creepy) imagery, a haunting story and beautiful writing.
What were your fave books of the year?
So with you on The Language of Flowers. It really stuck with me.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely book.
DeleteI've only read Fury from this list and I liked it but I didn't like it enough for it to make my top ten. I'm glad it made yours! It looks like you've read some great books this year!
ReplyDeleteFair enough. It's really hard to compile a top ten - so many good ones!
DeleteWoooooo To Kill a Mockingbird! Such a great book :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
DeleteOMG TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD! I adore this book (and the movie incarnation)! I'm so glad you finally got around to reading it. Fury is also on my TBR list and I'm really excited because I've heard good things.
ReplyDeleteThe movie is brilliant too!
DeleteI love To Kill a Mockingbird and I really want to read The Language of Flowers! :) Here’s my TTT list: http://aliceinreaderland.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/top-books/
ReplyDeleteAlice @ Alice in Readerland
I think you'll like it!
DeleteHm. I am going to have to give Jasper Jones another look. I ordered it for my collection but did not read it. Adding it to my list now. Here are my favorites http://wp.me/pzUn5-1l4
ReplyDeleteDefinitely give it a go :)
DeleteTo Kill a Mockingbird is such a great book, but I read it years ago and barely remember it. Definitely in need of a re-read soon.
ReplyDeleteI think it's one you can enjoy at any age
DeleteI feel guilty... I haven't read Liesl and Po. I need to read it ASAP!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my top ten.
Janus @ The Blair Book Project
Don't feel guilty - but you should totally read it soon ;)
DeleteI loved To Kill a Mockingbird when I read it a few years ago. It's never too late to read it, so good job! :)
ReplyDeleteSo true, I'm glad I finally did
DeleteYay for The Language of Flowers! And I bought Jasper Jones because you loved it so much. I love the US cover on that book. I hope I get to read it soon! Great list. I need to look some more into a few of these that I haven't heard of.
ReplyDeleteThat makes me so happy! Is the US cover the one with the peach? I would love to hear your thoughts on it, I'm a bit nervous now, I hope you like it!
DeleteI love this list, my favourite book this year was 'memoirs of an imaginary friend' by John green. So powerful !
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any John Green but I want to
DeleteI can't believe I've only read one of these :s
ReplyDeleteI do have The Language of Flowers on my TBR though. I don't think I've ever read a bad review of it; so DEFINITELY sometime in 2013 (although I have been saying that a lot lately!).
I feel like that too! So many great books I'm yet to read
DeleteI found Let the Right One In to be the most disturbing book I've ever read, but I loved the writing style. I enjoyed it, but not in the regular way you enjoy a book (if that makes sense?). Great list, and thanks for stopping by my post! :)
ReplyDelete