Here it (finally) is, a list of the books that captured my attention last year. A subjective selection out of a hundred books read in 2015, in order of reading. If there is no English title, there is no translation of this book yet and it might be a long wait as translations still make something like 3% of the UK book market. Shame! Anyway, here goes:
1. Agnieszka Grzelak - Herbata szczęścia
Polish fantasy that is not Sapkowski and is perfectly readable is always a good find.
2. Hugh Howey - Wool/Shift/Dust
A grim post apocalyptic trilogy about humanity living in underground silos to avoid the wastelands of Earth's surface. Read and feel lucky.
3. Michelle Lowrie - The True and Splendid History of the Harristown Sisters
Seven sisters with long, luscious hair and heavenly voices making their way in the world of late XIXth century. Apparently based on a true story. Captivating.
4. Gillian Flynn - Gone Girl
Forget the movie. No movie can capture the twists of this story as well as a book.
5. Gillian Flynn - Sharp Objects
The revelations in this one will make you cringe. But you will keep reading...
6. Rod Duncan - The Bullet - Catcher's Daughter
A steampunk with a bit of a western flavour and some very effective cross dressing. Don't question, just read.
7. Charles Stross - Neptune's Brood
If I have to introduce you to the most imaginative Scottish sf writer of right now... do I? This book will introduce him better.
8. Stephen King - The Wind Through the Keyhole
If you miss Roland the gunslinger's world. A short novel.
9. Gillian Flynn - Dark Places
Yes, yes so I turned into a fan.Try not to.
10. Jack Vance - The Moon Moth and Other Stories
Classic science fiction at its best. These stories stay with you.
11. Richard Morgan - The Steel Remains
Fantasy story with not one likeable character and yet you can't put it down.
12. Jon Courtenay Grimwood - Stamping Butterflies
Twists and turns of time and space and chaos butterflies. This one is impossible to describe without revealing too much.
13. Kate Atkinson - One Good Turn
It took me long enough to discover this author. This crime novel is set in Edinburgh which always adds to the story as you visit familiar landmarks with the characters.
14. Brandon Sanderson - The Final Empire/ The Well of Ascension/ The Hero of Ages
Epic.The world, the story, the magic, the characters, the plot twists. You will read well into the night and take it on the bus the next day despite each of these being 600 + pages long. Epic.
15. Izabela Degórska - Pamięć krwi
A surprise - a vampire story for adults. Turns out this Polish author can make vampires more gritty and less shiny and engage them in a proper plot. Well done.
16. Paolo Bacigalupi - The Water Knife
Another post apocalyptic story, this time about a world that dried out and water is a resource everyone is fighting and killing for. Chillingly realistic.
You can find more information on each of these on the amazing Goodreads website by finding a cover on my list of books or typing the title in the search box.
