All posts filed under: Listicle

10 Years, 10 Books: Best of the Decade

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Switching it up this year! Instead of posting a yearly round-up (because, to be honest, I haven’t had the most fulfilling reading year in 2019!), let’s talk about my absolute favourite books published in the last ten years. That I have read. Obviously.   The Girl with Ghost Eyes by M. H. Boroson This book was everything I didn’t know I wanted; a proper little gem picked up on a whim just because the literary Gods smiled upon me one evening. I did not expect to get so into it, but when your protagonist is a martial arts expert with astral projection abilities who can see into the depths of the supernatural underworld of 19th century Chinatown in San Francisco … I don’t believe it’s possible to go wrong. Inspiring, thoroughly entertaining, something a bit different and completely unexpected. Plus, it’s always good to support small presses! This book totally makes the list. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon Another ghost story has made the list, this time taking place in a dystopian futuristic London/Oxford. …

Most Anticipated Reads of 2020

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The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin Every city has a soul. Some are as ancient as myths, and others are as new and destructive as children. New York City? She’s got five. But every city also has a dark side. A roiling, ancient evil stirs beneath the earth, threatening to destroy the city and her five protectors unless they can come together and stop it once and for all. N.K. Jemisin is a fantasy master. Her Broken Earth trilogy is critically acclaimed – each of the books has won the Hugo award for Best Novel, which I don’t actually believe has been done before. I’m really looking forward to something new from her – a bit of an urban fantasy which I haven’t seen before from Jemisin. And that premise sounds goooooooood. Malorie by Josh Malerman Say what you want about the film Bird Box, the book was brilliant. Easily the most terrifying book I have ever read (Stephen King, who?) and a cracking central character in Malorie. As of right now, there isn’t …

My Top 10 Most Anticipated Books of 2019

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10. Teeth in the Mist by Dawn Kurtagich Before the birth of time, a monk uncovers the Devil’s Tongue and dares to speak it. The repercussions will be felt for generations… Sixteen-year-old Zoey has been fascinated by the haunted ruins of Medwyn Mill House for as long as she can remember–so she and her best friend, Poulton, run away from home to explore them. But are they really alone in the house? In 1851, seventeen-year-old Roan arrives at the Mill House as a ward–one of three, all with something to hide from their new guardian. When Roan learns that she is connected to an ancient secret, she must escape the house before she is trapped forever. 1583. Hermione, a new young bride, accompanies her husband to the wilds of North Wales where he plans to build the largest water mill and mansion in the area. But rumours of unholy rituals lead to a tragic occurrence and she will need all her strength to defeat it. Three women, centuries apart, drawn together by one Unholy Pact. …

My Top 5 Reads of 2018

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“When I was twelve, my parents had two talks with me. One was the usual birds and bees. […] The other talk was about what to do if a cop stopped me.” Echoing the words every single reader has said about this book: The Hate U Give should be required reading. For everyone. Of any age. It is the ultimate flagship novel for the YA genre; Angie Thomas gives us characters we can love, who feel real and that we care about. It talks about important and relevant topics but not harshly; it’s done with emotions, with tears. It’s done slowly, making you fall for Starr and her family, presenting the themes with a side of love and compassion. It explores racism in a way we can all understand, or we all should understand, whether we are old or young, black or white. The police brutality against innocent black people and the horrors and injustice that ensues, but also casual day-to-day racism, the kind that so many people just don’t understand is harmful. It’s not …

My Top Reads of 2017

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5. Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuirre Though I had certain difficulties with suspension of belief at times, this was a thoroughly enjoyable novel. I’ve grown to really enjoy Seanan McGuire; her novel concepts are stellar, though her execution sometimes falls a bit short (as in the case of Every Heart a Doorway). I was excited to pick up her latest novella, a speculative take on ghosts and the concept of the Afterlife. Would recommend for some enjoyable afternoon reading, especially if you’re a fan of original supernatural concepts. vvvv vvvv vvvv vvvv vvvv 4. Northern Lights by Philip Pullman I read the trilogy when I was very young and I never remembered much about it, except that I liked it but not that much. In preparation for the sequel trilogy, I decided it was high time I revisited the series. I definitely found Northern Lights inspiring, original and enjoyable. Lyra is a brilliant protagonist and I’m looking forward to getting into the rest of the series – I have next to no memory …