You may remember Mr Wilson’s vlog a few weeks ago, which focussed on how important it is for adults to role model good reading behaviour.

Hello everybody, 

 If teens see adults around them reading, discussing books and enjoying reading as a recreational activity, they are far more likely to read themselves. Because of this, I thought I’d take the opportunity to list some of my favourite reads of this year to date, in case anybody needs some inspiration! These are mostly adult novels, and the majority have been published in the last twelve months.

Girl A – Abigail Dean – a shocking novel about a girl who grew up in a house of horror, and years later, returns to confront her past

The Secrets of Strangers – Charity Norman – an incredibly moving story about a group of hostages held captive in a cafe

Dirty Little Secrets – Jo Spain – a quick, twisty domestic thriller set around a big family in Ireland

The Good Sister – Sally Hepworth – an addictive and touching story of two sisters with a dark edge

Malibu Rising – Taylor Jenkins Reid – indulgent, addictive and fun with an 80’s setting

The World at my Feet – Catherine Isaac – a feel-good, light read with hidden depth, about an agoraphobic and her recovery

Shiver – Allie Reynolds – a tense thriller where a group of friends are stranded in the mountains, and there is a killer amongst them

The French Gift – Kirsty Manning – a touching and heart-breaking WWII story set partly in the present and partly during the war

Mirrorland – Carole Johnstone – Full of twists you won’t see coming, this page-turner will have you questioning everything!

The End of Men – Christina Sweeney-Baird – a chilling read about a virus that eradicates 90% of men

The Rose Code – Kate Quinn – a WWII drama about a group of women who worked at Bletchley

Falling – TJ Newman – an extremely tense thriller with a pilot who must crash his plane to save his family

Tall Bones – Anna Bailey – a beautifully written debut about a missing girl and those left behind in small-town America

Two Truths and a Lie – Meg Mitchell Moore – a beachy, indulgent read with a wonderful sense of place and multiple perspectives

Girl One – Sara Flannery Murphy – speculative fiction about a commune of women who give birth without men, to daughters who are special…

The Gilded Ones – Namina Forna – a highly original young adult fantasy novel with strong female heroines

House of Hollow – Krystal Sutherland – a creepy, atmospheric young adult novel firmly rooted in fairy-tale and myth.

What Beauty There is – Cory Anderson – a stunningly written debut young adult novel with characters who will break your heart – equally suited to adults

The Hatmakers – Tamzin Merchant – a children’s book that is an absolute delight – magical, charming and heart-warming

Happy reading, all … and I’m very happy to be contacted regarding reading suggestions at any time! Email me at cwalker@stbedes.school.nz …