Our top 10 books of 2016

J.K. Rowling’s first offering under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith has been out since 2013, but it has taken me until now to finally get around to reading it – and I’m very glad that I did. Far from a typical formulaic crime novel, The Cuckoo’s Calling has great characters, an engaging writing style and enough tension to keep you hooked. Having now read the sequels, Silkworm and Career of Evil, I can confirm that Rowling is once again on to a winning formula.

9. The Life and Death of Sophie Stark by Anna North

This is the story of Sophie Stark, as told from the perspective of the six people who knew Sophie best – or thought they did. A brilliantly written, poignant novel, this is a story about the making of art, the pressure of genius, and a young woman searching for a way to communicate the things inside her head. Compelling and thought-provoking.

8. Beside Myself by Ann Morgan

When I picked this book up I expected it to be little more than your run-of-the-mill thriller, but what I got was a psychological drama so piercingly well-written that for a long time afterwards anything else I read seemed bland by comparison. This story of identical twins who swap identities as children deepens into an exploration of individuality that is by turns unsettling, grim and tentatively hopeful.

7. Romantic Outlaws by Charlotte Gordon

2016 was the year I tried to branch out in my reading habits, and that meant reading more non-fiction. Romantic Outlaws is the dual biography of Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter, Mary Shelley, and tells the story of two women who dared to fight against the strict bonds placed on their gender. Both led fascinating lives and this book is peopled with the extraordinary, larger-than-life characters they met along the way. I was completely engrossed by the story and couldn’t wait to start reading again as soon as I put it down. Though it may be formidable in size, every page is enthralling.

6. The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley

I loved this book from the moment I started reading it. It’s wonderful, bizarre, charming and undoubtedly one of the most original books I’ve read this year. The story concerns Thaniel Steepleton who goes in search of the watchmaker whose pocket watch saves his life when a bomb explodes in Scotland Yard. Pulley writes with beautiful subtlety and the quirky details (clockwork octopus, anyone?) are sure to put a smile on your face.

5. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

This is the first book in an epic fantasy series. The main character is Kvothe, a notorious magician whose story has become legend – but how much of it is true? The strength of this novel lies in its characters, who are witty, flawed, complex and utterly real. Part coming-of-age story, part epic adventure, this is an entertaining, gripping novel.

4. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

If you commit yourself to reading Dark Matter you’re going to need two things: a comfortable place to sit and a few hours free of interruption. Once you’ve started reading, you’re not going to want to stop. I’m not a sci-fi fan so it was a surprise how much I loved this story about theoretical physics and alternative timelines. Don’t let the science put you off; the story moves at breakneck speed and the writing is addictive.

3. The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

This was Costa’s Book of the Year for 2015 and I’ll admit I was put off by the fact that it’s technically a children’s book. But this story is unique, a dark fairytale with flashes of humour, and from the first page to the last it is entertaining and absorbing. The protagonist is Faith, who sets out to find the truth when her father dies in mysterious circumstances. In the process she discovers a strange tree, a tree that only bears fruit if you whisper a lie to it.

2. Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

The second non-fiction book on my list this year is Matt Haig’s autobiographical account of his struggle with depression. In the past few years great strides have been made in reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness, and the success of this book represents a huge step in the right direction. This book is about depression but it is also full of hope; it’s about learning to admit when you need help and finding ways to cope when carrying on seems impossible.

1. Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman

I first read this book when I went on holiday in June, and six months later I’ve not been able to resist going back and reading it a second time. This story of obsessive teenage friendship is so powerful and compelling it will leave you breathless. Not for a long time have I been so utterly captivated and drawn into the world of a novel. It is intense, intoxicating and delirious. I loved reading it the second time just as much as the first, and I have no doubts that I will come back to read it again and again in the future.