Bookmas is back and in full swing, and it's time to recommend some books I would highly recommend to give someone for Christmas!
As I did last year, I'm going to recommend something for all the genres I normally read!
As I did last year, I'm going to recommend something for all the genres I normally read!
Fiction:
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
One of my favorite books of this year, this is the story of love, race and home centred around a young woman and man from Nigeria. This is a magnificent story and the writing is extraordinary. This is a book everyone on earth should read.
Historical Fiction:
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
This is not your typical historical fiction, as the main character is actually a golem: a woman made out of clay. It's set in New York in 1899 and it's really fascinating.
Crime/Mystery:
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
This is the story about a group of intelligent and eccentric college students who, under the influence of their classics professor, take life to new heights, perhaps a bit too far... This is a massively well written story with lots of fascinating characters.
Graphic Novel:
Amulet Book 1: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibushi
This is a lovely graphic novel about a family who moves in a strange house and the mother is kidnapped by a creature from another world. The kids go after her to try and save her and discovers a world both wonderful and horrible. This is middle grade, so it's best for people who enjoy that. I love it!
Young Adult:
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sàenz
This is the story of Aristotle, an angry teen with a brother in prison, and Dante, a know-it-all who looks at the world a bit differently, and their unlikely friendship. This is a wonderful story of truth, self-discovery and growing up. A book I think everyone can learn something from.
Magical Realism:
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender
This is the story of Ava, a girl who was born with the wings of a bird. This book is lyrical, beautiful and devastating. It does honor to its genre.
Fantasy:
The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan
This book is set in a world where there's almost no land left and almost everyone lives on the ocean. It follows two girls: one who is Gracekeeper, in charge of laying people to rest, and one who is a part of a floating circus. This book is whimsical and wonderful.
Also, the hardback edition of this book is a thing of glory.
High Fantasy:
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Because it really is one of the best fantasy series ever written.
Science Fiction:
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
This is an apocalyptic book I think anyone could enjoy. Almost the entire world has died from the flu and fifteen years later we follow a Traveling Circus through the desertion of what was once civilisation.
Supernatural:
Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Meg Corbyn is a cassandra sangue, a blood prophet, which means that if you cut her skin, she can see the future. Having this ability, she's been kept in a compound her whole life where other people have been selling her skin to the highest bidder. In the beginning of the book, she escapes, and ends up in a border town between the humans and the terrifying Others...
Top notch, this book.
Classic:
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The scientist Victor Frankenstein is obsessed with possessing the secrets of life and managed to bring life to a terrifying monster that will haunt him for the rest of his life. The structure of this book is really fascinating and the writing is fantastic.
Poetry:
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
A devastatingly beautiful poetry collection about love, loss, survival and femininity. Kaur is one of our times best poets, in my opinion.
Non Fiction:
Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham
I'm not an avid reader of non fiction, but I really enjoyed this book. Lena Dunhams stories are wonderful, hilarious and honest.
Children's Literature:
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her Own Making by Cathrynne M. Valente
This is a hybrid between Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. September is a young girl who finds her way into the mysterious Fairyland and is asked to help get rid of the evil Marquess. Though it's a children's book, I think any fantasy loving adult will love this.
To Collect:
Vintage Brontë Collection
Vintage has made these beautiful Brontë Classics this year, consisting of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. I think these books would make a wonderful gift to any booklover. They are so gorgeous!
I hope this gave you some ideas and inspiration to share the bookish love this Christmas!
