The best of 2017Like this list

14 items

1. 1. The Stone Sky

   Jemisin, N. K., 1972-

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   Absolutely. Perfect.

2. 2. Strange the Dreamer

   Taylor, Laini, 1971-

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   Strange the Dreamer is STUNNING. Not only is it beautifully written, the setting is perfectly unique. The story is intriguing fantasy (and stars a junior librarian!) blended with mystery, romance and tragedy - and anyone who has ready…Read moreRead more of this annotation

3. 3. Thick as Thieves

   a Queen's Thief Novel

   Turner, Megan Whalen. 1965-

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4. 4. The Shadow Land

   Kostova, Elizabeth

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5. 5. Can You Tolerate This?

   Personal Essays

   Young, Ashleigh

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   "Personal essays" can sound so... dull, although that might be a personal reaction to the word 'essay'. Ashleigh Young has just blown me away, though. Her turn of phrase is brilliant, her stories are honest, personal, so Kiwi, and have a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

6. 6. Crosstalk

   Willis, Connie, 1945-

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   I loved this mad rush of a book. It's a frantic read - characters seem to spend the entire book rushing, talking over each other and not listening - perfect for a story satirising modern communication.

7. 7. Still Life With Tornado

   King, A. S. (Amy Sarig), 1970-

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   A novel about repressed memories, familial love and violence. Sarah is 16, and has stopped going to school because something happened there that she doesn't want to talk about. Something happened in Mexico too, six years ago. She doesn't…Read moreRead more of this annotation

8. 8. Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil

   a Novel

   Marchetta, Melina, 1965-

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   This book has so many things going on - although it looks like a typical crime novel, with its suspended, alcoholic detective with an ex-wife, a snarky daughter, a tragic past - this book is bursting with originality and honest,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

9. 9. We Are Okay

   a Novel

   LaCour, Nina

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   A really good story about the things grief can make a person do, and how the echos of grief can shape or break lives - but also of healing, of friendship, of girls trying really hard to help each other out <3

10. 10. Silver Stars

    a Front Lines Novel

    Grant, Michael, pseud., 1954-

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    The second in a series of alternate history books where women were included in the draft for WWII, full of blood, trauma, action, friendship, and bravery. The setting here is mainly in Italy and Sicily in 1943, as soldier Rio lands on the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

11. 11. Our Own Private Universe

    Talley, Robin

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    I loved Robin Talley's 'Lies we tell ourselves' and though I wasn't super keen on 'What we left behind' I will still give anything of hers a go. Our Own Private Universe was a sweet story about first love, first sex, religion vs sexuality,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

12. 12. Release

    Ness, Patrick, 1971-

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    Bring on May! I've enjoyed almost everything else Patrick Ness has ever done so I'm looking forward to more...

13. 13. The Pearl Thief

    Wein, Elizabeth E., 1964-

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    From the author of 'Code Name Verity' which ripped out my heart with it's powerful story of female friendship and bravery in WWII comes this new one - a historical mystery about 15 year old Julie waking up in hospital, and trying to figure…Read moreRead more of this annotation

14. 14. The Inexplicable Logic of My Life

    a Novel

    Sáenz, Benjamin Alire, 1954-

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    I am so pleased with this book. Salvador, the main character, is such a good, decent guy and his adopted gay dad Vincente is too. This is a book full of kind wisdom, and the families you build for yourself, and standing strong against the…Read moreRead more of this annotation