2014 has been a disappointing year for new books. I normally compile two lists of favourites – one in which all the books were published in the previous year; the other composed of older books. This year only four books could be included in the former category so I’ve combined the two to produce a single list of the best books I’ve read in the past 12 months.
Here are my favourites:
Cold Skin by Albert Sánchez Piñol
Dark, gripping and thought provoking. It makes you think about fear and the instinctive behaviour it creates; but also has an important message about Man’s impact on the environment. There are giant toads too – what’s not to love?!
A Sting in the Tale by Dave Goulson
A witty, accessible book that summaries most of what is known about bumblebees today. I’ve been telling my friends facts from it all year!
The Mouseproof Kitchen by Saira Shah
Emotional insight into the realities of having a disabled child. It also includes vivid details about living in France, including mouthwatering descriptions of the food.
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joël Dicker
Gripping thriller set in small town America. It isn’t perfect, but the story is so entertaining I didn’t care.
Alive isn’t for the squeamish, but it shows the strength of human spirit and the importance of keeping hope alive.
The Moth: 50 Extraordinary True Stories
The Moth is a wonderful collection of stories that show people at important junctions in their lives – it’s inspirational!
After the Bombing by Clare Morrall
Rich character development and vivid emotions make this one of the best WWII stories I’ve ever read.
The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber
Quirky book that adds aliens and religion to a simple story about the difficulties of a long distance relationship.
Flight of Passage by Rinker Buck
The true story of two teenage brothers who decide to fly across America on their own. Their youthful enthusiasm was contagious and it has done a lot to alleviate my fear of flying.
This book changed my life. It probably won’t change yours, but you might look at food in a slightly different way.
My Book of the Year
The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Vivid story about a family trying to survive in the swamps of Florida. It beautifully describes an almost forgotten way of life and should be more widely known. Read it!
Have you read any of these?
Did you enjoy them as much as I did?
I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas!
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