What's your favourite book of 2016... so far.

[Eviesmummy2011]

Hi Everyone. As we are a little over half way through the year I was wondering what everyone's favourite book was, so far this year? I have read 16 books this year and I have to say that the one that is head and shoulders ahead of all the others I have read is Burial Rites by Hannah Kent. I absolutely LOVED this book and the fact that it's based on the true story of Agnes Magnusdottir (the last woman to be executed in Iceland) made it even more of a draw. I loved it so much that I am seriously contemplating re-reading it again today.

There have been quite a few books I have loved this year. I have really enjoyed Justin Cronin's Passage series books 1 and 2. I'm saving book 3 for later as I don't want it to be over.

I've just finished A Little Life by Hanya Yanighera and thought it was fantastic. Heartbreaking but lovely.

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson was totally enjoyable and absorbing from start to finish. Loved it.

I'd been so looking forward to Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels but just couldn't get properly involved and focused on the characters. Maybe a translation issue? I'd gone ahead and bought the first three so might plod on with number 2 later in the year.

Esme Lennoxbook is brilliant Topaz. Awful to think these things really happened though

God In Ruins by Kate Atkinson.

GandolfBold
The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma was utterly brilliant.

That would be my choice too. Consistently good throughout - fantastic story telling. And it's a first novel.

For me it was last act of love by Cathy retzunbrink. Stunning and hugely affected me. Took me a while to get over.

Currently on holiday and loved God in ruins by Kate Atkinson.

Great question! Torn between The Muse (Jessie Burton) and Golden Hill (Francis Spufford). Actually not torn. Spufford is a genius and it has to be Golden Hill. Set in C18th NYC. Constant page turner with a series of brilliant twists, only one of which I predicted. Anyone else read it? Don't want to spoil it.....

I loved Burial Rites too. I have read The Vegetarian which is shocking, sad, funny and beautifully translated from Korean.
It won't be everyone's cup of tea though.

Girl in the Train by far!

*on

River Wild Chronicles by Robyn Hobb loved this triology so much. I don't usually read fantasy novels but I was given a free kindle book by Amazon and I picked the first of this triology because I liked the cover.

Shtum by Jem Lester - a book about Ben and Emma and their son Jonah who is autistic, and their bid to secure him a place at a suitable residential school. It's funny, poignant and compelling. I read it in a couple of days and cried at the end. I cannot recommend it enough.

My stand out reads of the year so far have been:

The Vegetarian which I think will stay vividly in my mind for some time.
Any Human Heart because it was gripping from start to finish.

I just read To the Bright Edge of the World and loved it.

Also the Maggie O'Farrell loved, loved it.

And Lie With Me.

Just started Nest and can tell I'm going to love it too!!

The Desert and the Blade by S.M. Stirling

Watch me disappear by Jill Dawson. Her books are very quiet but get under your skin.

I listened to The uninvited guests bybSadie Jones while dog walking - very atmospheric and well drawn characters.

Also read To kill a mocking bird for the first time - And WOW!

I read All the Light We Cannot See and loved it so much I felt the next books I read would be a disappointment after that.

However someone on here recommended The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman it was gripping, descriptive and wonderful I suggested it to my book club and everyone really enjoyed it.

I am now struggling trying to seek out another book.

The Outrun by Amy Liptrot. An absolutely sublime read she is an exceptional writer.

ooh.. THe Outrun looks interesting scuttle, i've put it on my wishlist .

Have you tried H is for Hawk ?

Yes a great book too.

I've got The Outrun on audio book to listen to shortly. Have you read Common Ground by Rob Cowen? It was a really good read. Some very fine nature writing, very similar in feel to Robert Macfarlane. I loved H is For Hawk too. Listened to it on audio book, read by the author.

I've just finished Nest and really enjoyed it.

Thanks Mermaid, I will read that next.

Read this year:

The Rector's Daughter (FM Mayor) from 1924: spinster falls in love, but it doesn't end well. So moving.
Dept. of Speculation (Jenny Offill) - modern marriage, heartbreaking