Top Books of 2016 – First Post

I read a lot last year, a lot….

I don’t want to overload so I am going to write a few posts on my Top Books of 2016 and one dedicated to  just YA (Young Adult), so if you like Book reviews and like me are an avid reader, keep an eye out for that

So to start off, my Top 3 Books which all explore family & relationship dynamics (in very different ways)…

*NO SPOILERS*

 I Let You Go – Clare MacKintosh

This book was an absolute page turner – a real psychological thriller. I was gripped from the first page & finished it within a day… it was that good.

The narrative is based around a Hit & Run Killing of a 5 Year Old boy, it is in two parts and is written in 3 separate peoples point of view. There is an underlying tone that is unnerving & uncomfortable which incites a feeling that something terrible is going to happen & everything isn’t as it seems…

If you liked Gone Girl, you will love this.

Behind Closed Doors – B A Paris

I loved this book. It wasn’t a beautiful piece of poetic literature or something that makes you reflect on life and it’s meaning but what it is, is brilliant.

The story centres around a couple and is fast-paced and action led. It has brilliant character development; I know if I hate a character, that means they are brilliantly written and this provoked a feeling of hatred that I haven’t felt in ages. I mean I shouted at the book in places.

This is not led by a twist or suspense, as you know the deal a few chapters in, but it plays on your emotion and takes you on a fast paced accelerated ride. It is brilliant. Again, I couldn’t put it down and finished it about a day.

Somewhere Inside of Happy – Anna McPartlin

Somewhere Inside of Happy was my overall favourite book of 2016. It is wonderfully written, emotive and powerful –  it made me feel something and still does now.

Like the other two it is centred around a family dynamic & deals with some of the same themes but it is so much more. Again, like the others the underlying plot is crime, but it is SO much more.

The story starts with a lady recalling and telling a story from her past to an audience… (that’s all I will say).

The message is so very poignant and extremely relevant to the world we live in. It is one of those stories that needs to be told (but shouldn’t have to be) in order for people to be kinder and more accepting of one another.

This beautiful and powerful story will stay with me for a long time.

 

Have you read any of these? If so what are your thoughts?

If you enjoyed and like Book Reviews then look out for Part 2!

A x