Hello, all! The Christmas break means lots of extra reading time for me, and I like nothing more than sharing books that I’ve loved. We all know one of the best ways to get boys reading is through positive role modelling. If boys see the adults around them enjoying a good book and if reading is something that is a regular family habit, they are far more likely to pick up a book themselves. 

With that in mind, I thought I’d share some of my favourite books from this year. I’ve read close to 200 so far, and I’ve had some amazing reads. Here’s just a small selection of the books I loved. If you are looking for inspiration, I hope you find a suggestion from the list below…

The Seven – Chris Hammer: A gritty Australian crime novel featuring a current murder as well as a connected cold case 30 years previous. Complex, twisty, brilliant!

There Should Have Been Eight: Nalini Singh: A thriller set in New Zealand, where a group of friends gather in a remote location during a storm, and soon find themselves in danger from one of their own.

The Frozen River: An absorbing historical mystery about a midwife drawn into a murder. Fantastic sense of place and fascinating historical detail.

Hello Beautiful – Ann Napolitano: An incredibly moving story of four sisters, loosely based on Little Women. Gorgeous writing, but a tear-jerker!

Vita and the Birds – Polly Crosby: A gorgeous novel about two women, with an incredible sense of place and a moving plot.

The Invisible Hour – Alice Hoffman: A beautifully written literary novel with magical realism, about a girl escaping a cult, and her connection with Nathaniel Hawthorne…

The Burnout – Sophie Kinsella: A light and very funny rom-com that’s heart-warming and super easy to race through.

The Fragile Threads of Power – V.E. Schwab: A rich fantasy set in alternate versions of London, with a great magic system and fabulous characters.

Tom Lake – Anne Patchett: A slow burn of a novel set during Covid, this quietly elegant story of one woman’s life and loves is all about finding happiness and the importance of family.

Murder in the Family – Cara Hunter: This experimental novel is told through podcasts, interviews and excerpts. Absolutely gripping, with a great mystery!

None of This is True – Lisa Jewell – Another hit from one of the most popular thriller writers out there. An absolute page-turner that will keep you guessing.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard – Natasha Lester: A dual narrative and timeline novel featuring three generations of amazing women, a fabulous mystery, and some moving relationships.

Go as a River – Shelley Read: The hyped novel deserves the attention it got! A bittersweet historical novel about one woman’s life, compared to Where the Crawdads Sing.

Happy Place – Emily Henry: My favourite from this very popular author – a lovely romance and an ode to friendship. Perfect holiday reading.

A Day of Fallen Night – Samantha Shannon: If you like huge and complex fantasy novels, this is for you! Incredibly detailed with a rich world and a classic good vs evil struggle, this is fantasy at its best.

In the Lives of Puppets – T J Klune: This novel sounds mad on paper, but it’s incredibly moving, funny and wholly original.

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride – Roshani Chokshi: An enchanting and lush novel about two friends, with a strong sense of foreboding and tension throughout, and a cracking conclusion.

Strange Sally Diamond – Liz Nugent: A domestic thriller with Eleanor Oliphant vibes, this gripping novel opens strongly and never lets up. You won’t forget Sally easily…

The Rush – Michelle Prak: This Aussie outback thriller is so fast-paced you will not be able to put it down! So tense and twisty!

Sword Catcher – Cassandra Clare: The start of a new fantasy series, with three amazing main characters and a world that is utterly intriguing.

Happy reading and happy holidays!