Monday 2 September 2013

So I haven't done this in AGES and probably none of you have read any books this summer as a result because how would you know what to read I DON'T KNOW. Or: book recommendations.

Ok, here are the top 5 from my summer reading (not including the excellent adult books that I read - BROKEN HARBOUR by Tana French, GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn, CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell and THE LOVELY BONES by Alice Sebold. See how I'm cheating already? Yeah, that's likely to continue).

Ketchup CloudsKetchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher

I also read Annabel Pitcher's first book - MY SISTER LIVES ON THE MANTELPIECE which is equally powerful and excellent. If you're a writer who's asked 'but what is voice?' then read these books and you'll know. This one's about a young girl who's done something terrible, gotten away with it and is writing to a death-sentence inmate in a Texas prison. You can't go wrong. (Also, I got in a two for one there, yes?)




Infinite SkyInfinite Sky by C.J. Flood

This one starts with a girl at a funeral - there are two possibilities for who's in the box, either best friend/first boyfriend or brother. Either way you know you're crying. I cried my face off. It was nasty. But the book is brilliant and the cover made me buy the hardback and I'm Scrooge McDuck and never spring for hardbacks. Her next book will be on my must-have-right-now list.



How I Live NowHow I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

The first Meg Rosoff book I've read. I loved it. And while we're on the war theme, MAGGOT MOON by Sally Gardner is incredible and I just read ONCE by Morris Gleitzman and I'm counting IN DARKNESS by Nick Lake too because it's still war (and completely different and fascinating). Too far? No. You need them all.  




Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Can we talk about Kristin Cashore? I'll pick up pretty much any genre, but I'm not usually drawn to a huge amount of fantasy. Graceling was recommended to me (I think it was probably by Michelle) and I enjoyed it immensely. I've been thinking about a lot of the books I've read this year in terms of 'do I want my daughter reading this?'. It's a resounding yes to this one. Brilliant characterisation and great world-building. I read FIRE almost straight away and got my sister to buy me BITTERBLUE for my birthday because I need to own them all.

Last but not in a million years least:

GatedGated by Amy Christine Parker

Fascinating subject matter (cults), fast-paced yet thought-provoking. There's a sequel, but this book still has a satisfying ending and feels like a complete story. I'll definitely be reading the next one!You should get it now.




And I didn't even mention books by Veronica Rossi, or WONDER by RJ Palacio, or THE CHAOS WALKING trilogy by Patrick Ness, or Cat Clarke, CAT CLARKE! or THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater (who I just love anyway) because this post is only about 5 books you need to read.

I might need to not leave it so long before I recommend a book again. Maybe.

20 comments:

  1. Loved GRACELING and GATED! And I'm looking forward to INFINITE SKY when it comes out in the US next year - CJ's a fellow 2014 debut-er. :)

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  2. I also loved Graceling and Gated! Those were amazing books. Good choices. I'll add the others to my to-read list.

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  3. Loved Infinite Sky - great great book. Have you seen there's a movie version of How I Live Now scheduled for release soon? Going to bump that one up my tbr list :)

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    1. No, didn't know! I'm always torn with films of books. But yes, you should definitely bump it - so readable.

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  4. Ditto to Gated. Awesome book. Also Graceling *___* And I keep hearing great things about Infinite Sky so I'll have to pick that one up too!

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  5. Also love love loved Graceling and Gated! Excellent books (Who is this mysterious Michelle who recommends such great books? She seems smart.)

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  6. Wow! I haven't read any of these.... I'm off to the library now.

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  7. I love, love, love Infinite Sky! Such an awesome, well-written book. And you basically made me blush down to my toes when I saw Gated on your list:-D Oh and these comments, such lovely women y'all are!!!

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  8. I'm going to add these books to my TBR list. The only one I've read is Gated, which is sooo good.

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  9. Gated and Graceling are two of my faves (Gated making the list more recently). Obviously you have excellent taste so I'll definitely be checking the rest out!!

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  10. I've got GATED here on my desk, and so can't waaaait to dig in!!

    And hmmm, sounds like we may be able to convert you to the SFF side of things just yet :D

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    1. I read a lot of Sci-fi when I was in my teens, but never a huge amount of fantasy. I just picked up Stormdancer from the library though, so we'll see how I get on with that!

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  11. I love GATED and GRACELING! And I think I love the sequel to GRACELING, FIRE, even more. :)

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  12. Okay. I'll add some of these to my TBR list. :) But I did read Wonder this summer and Oh My Gosh I loved it so much!!

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    1. So touching, isn't it? I made my husband read it. Kids are next!

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  13. Ooh, Gated was the last book I read and I loved it so I'll be sure to check these out too!

    Debs H

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  14. Ah Gone Girl and Graceling were both so great! I'll definitely have to check out How I Live Now and the other titles you've included here. Hope you have a great new year Ruth and good luck on your writing as always. (:

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