10) The Opposite of Loneliness - Marina Keegan
This gets a spot purely because of her title essay "The Opposite of Loneliness", which I think is so poignant and quirkily observant of the life of a young adult, that it would be an insult to not include her!
9) Grey - EL James
I have no doubt that this will surprise/disgust many people (trust me, it surprised me too!), but I think I had such low expectations for this book that I actually thought it was great! Any book that I finish within 24 hours has got to be pretty special, and I was addicted!
8) The First Phone Call from Heaven - Mitch Albom
I love the sprinkle of magic dust that Albom adds to all his stories, and the way they leave you feeling warm inside. This was a great start to my A-Z challenge!
7) Echo Boy - Matt Haig
This is the first time (of three) where Matt Haig will appear on this list, because I just think he is not just an incredible writer, but an incredible person (more on that later!) On the face of it, this is a simple SciFi story, but Haig always manages to leave you contemplating his stories for weeks after by injecting pertinent observations of 'what it is to be human', and it leaves me reeling every single time!
6) One Mile Under - Andrew Gross
Gross is by far my favourite crime author, so I was very excited to receive this book to review! I was not in the slightest disappointed, as always, this story is a gripping thriller with loads of great twists and turns - highly recommended!
5) Past Mortem - Ben Elton
I am excited by Ben Elton! This was my second read by him (the first being The Two Brothers), and it was completely un-putdownable! I just couldn't stop reading...the murder mystery was so much more than just a crime story...there was love, there was humour, there was mystery, there was suspense...it's incredible! I can't wait to read more from Ben Elton!
Gross is by far my favourite crime author, so I was very excited to receive this book to review! I was not in the slightest disappointed, as always, this story is a gripping thriller with loads of great twists and turns - highly recommended!
5) Past Mortem - Ben Elton
I am excited by Ben Elton! This was my second read by him (the first being The Two Brothers), and it was completely un-putdownable! I just couldn't stop reading...the murder mystery was so much more than just a crime story...there was love, there was humour, there was mystery, there was suspense...it's incredible! I can't wait to read more from Ben Elton!
4) The Sense of an Ending - Julian Barnes
Talk about great things in small packages! This little gem is amazing - a great life commentary (as well as a great story!) on the effects of memory, and how one missed detail can affect our perception of a past event forever. Definitely worth a read - I read it in 4 hours!
3) The Humans - Matt Haig
I owe so much to this book, as it is what caused me to discover Matt Haig! I have recommended this to everyone who will listen to me! This story has everything...it is funny, it has a great storyline, and Haig achieves something wonderful: he gives such an outlandish opinion on what makes us human, that you'd think he was an alien looking down on us! If you want a book to shift your perspective, then go and get a copy of this right now!
2) The Shock of the Fall - Nathan Filer
Filer is a registered mental health nurse, and this novel is thus fabulously researched! Describing a boy's journey through bereavement and subsequent guilt-induced descent into schizophrenia is no easy task, but Filer does this to perfection. This book is amazingly written, and I think has a really important message to share about a very misunderstood condition! Read it!!!
Filer is a registered mental health nurse, and this novel is thus fabulously researched! Describing a boy's journey through bereavement and subsequent guilt-induced descent into schizophrenia is no easy task, but Filer does this to perfection. This book is amazingly written, and I think has a really important message to share about a very misunderstood condition! Read it!!!
1) Reasons to Stay Alive - Matt Haig
Anyone who has heard me rant about this book will not be at all surprised to see it at the top of my list! This book is the most amazing and incredible thing I have read, not just this year, but ever! This is the only book in this list not to contain an ounce of fiction - it is Haig's open, honest account of his struggle with anxiety and depression. I admire Haig's bravery; it can't be an easy thing to sit and write about the most painful time of one's life, and must be even harder to then share that story with the world, but I, along with many others, am so glad he did! His tone is so resonant, no holds are barred, and however upsetting this book may be to read, it is INCREDIBLY important that this book finds its way into the hands of as many people as possible! Whether you find yourself suffering with mental illness yourself, or think you may know someone who is and want to know how to help, or even if you think you don't know anyone affected (trust me, you do!), then PICK THIS BOOK UP! It's a quick read, but one of the most important ones you will ever have.
So there we have it, my first every 'Top Ten Tuesday'! I hope you have got some inspiration from this post, and would love to hear your comments! :)
Anyone who has heard me rant about this book will not be at all surprised to see it at the top of my list! This book is the most amazing and incredible thing I have read, not just this year, but ever! This is the only book in this list not to contain an ounce of fiction - it is Haig's open, honest account of his struggle with anxiety and depression. I admire Haig's bravery; it can't be an easy thing to sit and write about the most painful time of one's life, and must be even harder to then share that story with the world, but I, along with many others, am so glad he did! His tone is so resonant, no holds are barred, and however upsetting this book may be to read, it is INCREDIBLY important that this book finds its way into the hands of as many people as possible! Whether you find yourself suffering with mental illness yourself, or think you may know someone who is and want to know how to help, or even if you think you don't know anyone affected (trust me, you do!), then PICK THIS BOOK UP! It's a quick read, but one of the most important ones you will ever have.
So there we have it, my first every 'Top Ten Tuesday'! I hope you have got some inspiration from this post, and would love to hear your comments! :)
SO much Haig!
ReplyDeleteSeems like no post would be complete without him...
DeleteNice list of books!! Thanks for sharing your favorite reads of the year so far with us!! I have some new to me titles to check out and potentially add to my ever growing reading wishlist!!
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to my TTT post for the week: http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2015/06/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-books-ive-read.html
Thank you! They're definitely all worth a read! :)
DeleteGreat list! I have heard tons of excellent things about The Shock of the Fall so I really want to check that one out. I also adore the cover. :)
ReplyDeleteKrystianna @ Downright Dystopian
DEFINITELY read it, it is so well-written! If you're anything like me, it won't take you long either, as I did it in one sitting! :)
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ReplyDeleteNice list of books I think I am going to have to check out a few of these for future reading. Thank you also for stopping by my blog and commenting. :)
ReplyDeleteNo problem, thank you for reading! :)
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