Mad Mike's writing blog, book of the year 2016

This isn't about books written this year, or even books published this year; this is about the books I have read this year, and there are thirty or so to choose from, so, where does one start?

I won't bore you with a big list and go through each book individually, suffice to say that many of the books I've read this year have already been reviewed on this blog, but bear with, there might be a surprise or two in store!

For those of you that are new here, or just flitter in and out, you can check back through my historic posts or look at Amazon/Goodreads, for other reviews, if you like.

So, without further ado, let's move straight to the top five.

In at number 5, with its searing pace and intoxicating soundtrack is, Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman. It was a close call between this book and Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club, but Robin Wasserman's book just edged it for me, being just a bit fresher and fiercer in its delivery, and I like the way the characters comes back to me, every time I listen Nirvana. (Original post 25.7.16)

In at number 4, with some seriously weird shit going on, in good old London town, is Ben Aaronovitch's, Rivers of London, (see blog post 20.11.16) which is fresh, funny, factual and a bloody good read.

On to number 3 then, and Diane Setterfield's, The Thirteenth Tale. Haunting and deliciously written in equal measure - with hints of Susan Hill and Kate Mosse - this brilliantly told story of the dysfunctional upbringing of a bestselling, multi award winning, critically acclaimed, world renowned author, (who tells her tale, her thirteenth) about life in a crumbling mansion, has all the twists and turns and spookiness, of the best books in the genre. (Watch out for a full review soon).

And the book that just missed out on the top spot? In at number 2 this year, is Carlos Ruiz Zafon's, The Angel's Game, and like the book it beat into third, it has such atmosphere, such eloquence in its delivery, and characters like those in only the best books, characters that stick with you long after you've turned the last page. (8.11.16)

So, my favourite book of the year, the book that beat them all, is a book I read and blogger about, way back in April (25/4/16), Alice Sebold's, The Lovely Bones. Even after all that time, I can still feel Susie Salmon's panic, as she realises that she is going to die in a hole in the ground. I can still picture the gathering, when the town's people, friends and family, hold their vigil, where she went missing, and there is much, much more too. 'Wow. A book about murder, death, abandonment loss and depression, that leaves you feeling happy, joyous and longing for more,' I said at the time, and I stand by that statement and it's why it is my number one choice for 2016.

An honorary mention, goes to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Pt 1 + 2), which is a great story, but because it is a screenplay and (in my opinion) far to short, I have discounted it from the rankings.

Don't forget to search my blog for your favourite authors and books and if I haven't read them, message me with your recommendations.

The Almost Moon, book review. (Alice Sebold)

Having purchased Alice Sebold's 'The Lovely Bones' for a work colleague and it receiving high praise, I decided to purchase 'The Almost Moon' when it cropped up in my local charity shop. 

The book is set over a single, twenty four hour period, and starts with Helen Knightly tending her mother. The tension between them is tangible and within a few chapters, Helen Knightly is a murderer. 

Sebold handles what is a very personal crime, with great skill. During the book, Helen seems to go from slightly deranged, she has sex with her best friends son (he's an adult), to being childlike, she confides in her ex husband that she's killed her mother, and everything in between, like going to work, which happens to be life modelling.

This is a short book, and an odd one too. The subject of matricide is one that I hadn't come across before, but an interesting one all the same; and as you read further, a history of agoraphobia and other mental illness's in the family are revealed. So, reasons for Helen's instability become apparent, and the author could easily have tried to justify the murder this way, but she doesn't, she just uses the past to explaining why Helen might have murdered her mother. 

So, a good little book then. Three and a half stars, but not four, so I'll settle on three.

Now all I have to do is borrow 'The Lovely Bones', which I saw on film but haven't read yet.