Staff Gift Guides & books of the year: part 4
Rounding off our staff suggestions, here’s three more sharing their books of the year which offer great ideas for gifting, whether for others or yourself. See our other books of the year in Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3!
April – Faber Writing Academy manager
Kathryn Heyman is a rarity in that she’s both a brilliant writing teacher and a brilliant writer. Storm and Grace is a about obsession and control centred around the world of deep sea diving. There were times while reading the book that I had to put it down and steady my breathing, I really felt like I was submerged in the ocean. A disturbing but wonderfully crafted book with dazzling sensory language.
Sarah – Sales
I’ve got three picks, for young and old!
The Choke by Sofie Laguna: I love this book! One that will stay with me a long while. I read furiously, but desperately didn’t want it to end. I wanted to stay with all the characters, especially Justine. Sofie Laguna is a wonderful storyteller, a wonderful writer. A great piece of writing.
The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty: A fun, intriguing and entertaining adventure story from an author with a wonderful imagination. A very satisfying read, but I do want the Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone to continue…
I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon: Even big kids can enjoy picture books! Heidi McKinnon is a blazing talent. Move over Aaron Blabey…. Simple, fresh and very funny!! This one definitely stands out from the crowd.
Tami – Marketing Manager
I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Hours. It’s one of those books that you retire to bed with early in the evening so you can read long into the night. Just one more chapter, and then another, and then one more. The Last Hours is compelling and suspenseful, a page-turner that has and leaves you wondering what’s going to happen next. Set in 1348 at the time when the Black Death enters England, The Last Hours is a story of resilience and endurance as well as one woman’s defiance of and challenge to the status quo. It has a strong and memorable cast of characters, some who rise to become heroines and heroes, and others who descend into the depths of madness. Meticulously researched, it also provides readers with a fascinating insight into this period in history.
Although Minette Walters leaves you on a knife’s edge, the good news is that we all have her sequel to look forward to in 2018!
Klara – Publicist
How to dilute my favourite novel of the last few years into a succinct line or two? Sally Rooney reminded me of freezing university days awash with ideas and insecurities about love, literature and feminism. Conversations With Friends is a book I will love forever.
