This is like choosing my favourite child! I’ve had another year of reading fantastic books, but unfortunately it is time to sort the naughty from the nice. Any of my top five would make a great read. Join me on Goodreads to see the full list of books I have devoured. This year, I’ve included some other bloggers’ top books as well.
5. The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
What is not to love in this tale of women spies in German-occupied France during World War One? Historical detail, complicated relationships, mysterious characters, strong females!
4. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Scandal, identity, love, abuse; This page-turner of a story proves you actually can’t judge a book by it’s cover. Read my review.
3. Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
This is a unique literary breath of fresh air and an honest, gritty look at the lives of women and minorities. Freshwater is a story of identity that begs to be deciphered as you read.
2. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Like most great art, this book is supremely divisive. I loved this coming-of-age story of a girl trapped in her parents’ unpredictable marriage in the hostile setting of Alaska in the 1970’s. Read my review here.
And, the one you have all been waiting for. Some of you will know already, since I have recommended it to anyone who will listen.
My number one book of the year…
1. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
This book captures perfectly the loneliness and disconnect in our modern communities, where we see ideal airbrushed lives on social media, yet we don’t talk to our neighbours. This book sparked that need to be a ‘better person’, someone who befriends people who may be lonely, someone who looks behind the mask and doesn’t judge. Someone who could help an Eleanor Oliphant.
Read my review here.
Here is what the other bloggers picked:
Jamie Gates – https://applegategenealogy.wordpress.com
Sea Prayer by Khaleid Hosseini
Stacey Alderman – Writer – https://stacyaldermanwriter.wordpress.com
The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams
Eilene Lyon – https://myricopia.com
Varina by Charles Frazier
Sharon E. Cathcart – www.sharonecathcart.wordpress.com
Murder in July by Barbara Hambly
Corrina – 50 First Dates With Me – https://50firstdateswithme.blog
Educated by Tara Westover
Rebecca Moon Ruark – https://rustbeltgirlblog.wordpress.com
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Barbara Lane – http://barblaneblog.wordpress.com
The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton
Congratulations! If you are still reading, you probably love books as much as I do. I hope you’ve found something to add to your reading list over the holidays. Thanks for stopping by.
Comment below with your favourite read of the year. Do you agree with our picks?
What a great list. Thanks for including my pick! Re-blogging for sure! And I def need to read at least your top book of the year!
You definitely do need to, if you haven’t! I’ve still got A Gentleman in Moscow on my list to read too. 🙂
Also I think you’d enjoy The Alice Network, esp if you liked The Nightingale.
On my list!
Great recommendations, thank you! I absolutely loved Eleanor Oliphant and have also been recommending to anyone who will listen. I’m looking forward to reading some of your other picks over the summer.
p.s. I only just discovered Gail Honeyman is from my hometown so I love it even more now.
Fab! Hope you enjoy. Also thank you for recommending Nevermoor – James has read it at least ten times. 🤗
Thanks for posting this – I’ll have to check out some of the other choices listed here. Going to also share this post on FB for my many FB friends who are always looking for a good book to read.
Thanks for that Barbara!
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