Hello
Darlings Readers,
Well. If
nothing else 2016 was a year for damn good stories – from television shows like
Stranger Things, Sweet
Vicious, and Cleverman–
to all the books listed here … in fact, 2016 was a year in which reality
was stranger (and sadder) than fiction, and inside stories – more than ever –
seemed like a safer place to hang out and get lost.
It feels
like I didn’t read or review as many books this year as I normally do, or am
happy with – but that’s mostly because I was writing and creating a lot more …
the LoveOzYA
Anthology, and my becoming a literary
agent have happily taken up a lot of time and brainpower.
But I can
safely say that the books I did read were the ones I made time for and
prioritised and it paid off in a big way with some rewarding, nourishing
stories and writing.
So, without
further ado – here’s my list (in no particular order) of the books I freakin’
loved reading in 2016.
◘◘◘
The
Sidekicks by Will Kostakis
I’ve often
said that I crave contemporary YA books in which male characters are actually
allowed to show their emotions, in a plot that’s not cloaked by quest or
end-of-the-world catastrophe. ‘The Sidekicks’ is exactly why I crave those
sorts of stories – in a book that shows the honesty and intimacy of male
friendship and complicated friendship groups. A book in which the seemingly
typified male characters are so much more than the sum of the parts they’re
often broken down to, by various pop-culture portrayals and societal
expectations. This book – like the multi-layered, and nuanced characters –
shows grief to be a prism with many sides. It’s devastating and devastatingly
funny, and just makes me excited for whatever Will Kostakis writes next.
Where
the Shoreline Used to be: Stories
from Australia and Beyond, Edited by Pam McIntyre and Susan La Marca
Pam McIntyre
and Susan La Marca have turned their keen editorial eyes to delivering another
fantastic collection of Australian short stories that are perfect for school
study, and pure enjoyment too.
Words
in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley
‘Words in
Deep Blue’ is also a love-story … or, a few love stories really. Rachel and
Henry take centre-stage for much of the book, as their history of unrequited
love and friends-to-more unfolds amidst grief, jealousy and heartbreak, to
eventually evolve into acceptance, forgiveness and revelation. There’s also
Henry’s sister, George, who has a secret letter-writing admirer and a boy from
school who wants to break through her tough exterior and become friends. Then
there’s Henry’s parents whose great love story is in its final throes, and
Henry and Rachel’s mutual friend Lola whose great love is music and the band
she’s been dreaming about for years. Anyone who has ever read any of Cath
Crowley’s books knows that her characters are exquisite, and those in ‘Words in
Deep Blue’ are no exception. I loved this book. I waited six years for it, but
I fell in love after the first page, and by the last it was a new favourite.
Summer
Skin by Kirsty Eagar
As someone
who reads a lot of romance, I can tell you that ‘Summer Skin’ is up there with
the best. But I do want to say that I still consider this book to be young
adult – even for its college campus setting and abundant sex. I have no
problems with people bandying the label ‘New Adult’ around – but I will say
that I absolutely believe teenagers (boys and girls alike) should find their
way to ‘Summer Skin’ and embrace its many messages, particularly around
sex-positivity and politics. Kirsty Eagar has long been one of Australia’s most
daring and rebellious YA writers, dating back to her powerful debut ‘Raw Blue’.
‘Summer Skin’ is more brilliance and fearlessness from this Aussie favourite,
and I absolutely applaud Eagar for elevating such conversations around modern
romance in our young adult literature.
When
Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah
This is a
fantastic book with good timing – I can’t think of a better novel for kids to
be reading this post-election … It’s a book that asks kids to think for
themselves, and to look outside their own worldviews and walk a mile in someone
else’s shoes. There’s a cracking good romantic subplot here, but the politics
playing front-and-centre is what makes this book a thoughtful and intelligent
winner.
Iris
and the Tiger by Leanne Hall
This is a
very special book, by a vibrant Australian author. I love that younger readers
get to experience the writing of Leanne Hall, and I especially love that ‘Iris
and the Tiger’ will also surprise and delight older readers alike. I loved this
book – from that gorgeous Sandra Eterovic cover-art, to the story within that
certainly ‘crow-bars the world open for you.’ Just – stunning.
The
Boundless Sublime by Lili Wilkinson
Wilkinson
gets better and better with each new release, and The Boundless Sublime is her current pinnacle – but I fully expect
she’s going to keep astonishing readers with whatever she writes next. This one
is creepy and subversive, sexy and sinister; it’s all about cults (and if you
haven’t already, do check out her ‘Let’s Talk About
Sects’ YouTube episodes!).
The
Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon
Between
Brexit and Trump, not to mention Australia’s human rights abuse record … I
really truly believe Zana Fraillon’s middle-grade novel – about refugees, magic
and humanity – should be on every school’s syllabus, and is a must-read for
students across Australia. This here is vital, vital stuff.
Australia
to Z by Armin Greder
Look, all
picture books are art books as far as I'm concerned. But Greder's especially
feels sharp and subversive - and a perfect example of how children's picture
books especially, can say so much with so little.
The
Secrets We Keep by Nova Weetman
Middle-Grade
fiction is starting to carve a place for itself in the Australian youth-lit
landscape, and between Nova Weetman and Leanne Hall (among many, many others) we’re
building a phenomenal list of books for that 8-12 readership, that will carry
them into young adult and Australian fiction for life …
Gemina:
The Illuminae Files_02 by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Ohhhhh, if
you thought first book Illuminae
was remarkable, you’ve got NO IDEA! This second outing is even more
subversive sci-fi from two of our biggest exports, with bonus (gorgeous)
illustrations from American author/artist Marie Lu … and after a year like
2016, I find this series truly remarkable and commendable for giving young
readers a story in which the Government should be second-guessed, their
narrative criticised and their ulterior motives exposed…
Lemons
in the Chicken Wire by Alison Whittaker
I just liked
that Whittaker was taking me outside of myself, and poking at my own
assumptions – cracking them open or squeezing till they pulped. ‘Lemons in the
Chicken Wire’ just introduced me to a favourite new voice in indigenous and
poetry writing, and acts as a reminder of why I seek out these works from the
indelible Magabala Books.
Frankie by Shivaun Plozza
Let's just say the Melina Marchetta endorsement quote of this debut Aussie YA is SPOT. ON! 'Great dialogue and strongly paced. Frankie's a gutsy character with a lot of heart.'
The Other Side of Summer by Emily Gale
I've seen this one listed throughout the year as young adult and middle-grade... and I think the reason for the discrepancy is that this book really will appeal to everyone. Young and old alike. It's heartbreaking and uplifting and just so darn good!
One Would Think the Deep by Claire Zorn
Claire Zorn hits another one outta the park! This author just keeps getting better and better, sharper and wiser with each new release - it's easy to see why she's one of Aussie-YA's most beloved.
Fight
Like A Girl by Clementine Ford
This book is
a balm for the individual reader. Clementine lays herself bare – her mistakes,
worst moments, darkest thoughts … she puts it all out there, so the reader
doesn’t feel so alone. So I didn’t feel so alone. And for that, and so much
more, I thank her.
Skylarking by
Kate Mildenhall
A disturbing
and mesmerising historical fiction romp through friendship and tragedy, love
and loss – this book digs into memory and exposes the heart.
The
Hate Race by Maxine Beneba Clarke
‘This book
will change your life,’ sounds like a throwaway tagline – but when talking
about Maxine Beneba Clarke’s powerful memoir it’s truer than true, and tougher
than tough – to confront the very real and ugly Australia that Clarke writes
about is a big, necessary ask. Essential reading. Essential healing.
The
Midnight Watch by David Dyer
A story we
all seem to know so well is alive in our imaginations once again, but David
Dyer’s true strength as a storyteller lies in what he pushes us to examine in the
lives of mere men.
Tell
the Truth, Shame the Devil by Melina Marchetta
There’s so
much I loved in this book – not least was the way it fits for me, like a puzzle
piece within Marchetta’s other stories … there are lines here connecting them
all for me, so I can see exactly how writing all those others bought Marchetta
to this book, at this point in time. I loved that Violette Zidane feels like
she’d get along like a house on fire with Josie Alibrandi, Francesca Spinelli
and especially Taylor Markham. Charlie Crombie was a little shit, but then
again I thought Jonah Griggs was too – at first. I loved Layla and Jamal as
fiercely as I loved Georgie and Sam from ‘Piper’s Son,’ as much as Trevanion
and Beatriss from the ‘Lumatere Chronicles’ – because the good ones don’t come
easy. I loved reading the family history of the LeBrac and Sarraf’s, as much as
I adored when Froi once told the complicated history of his family to Arjuro,
which he concluded by saying; “I'd live it again just to have crossed all of
your paths.” But most of all I think I loved how ‘Tell the Truth, Shame the
Devil’ can be seen as sitting alongside ‘The Piper's Son’ – examining a very
different angle of a terror tragedy. And while it wasn’t the same London
tragedy that took Joe away from them, part of me hopes the Mackee’s would be
the sort to forgive and make peace with a family who ended up suffering just as
much …
The
Hating Game by Sally Thorne
I loved the
story – but more than anything I find myself excited by this debut Aussie
author. I can’t wait to read what she comes out with next … and it suddenly
occurred to me that the last time I felt this kind of assurance about a writer
was back in 2011, after I read a little contemp office-romance book called
‘Attachments’ by Rainbow Rowell … Uh-huh. A big call, but I’m making it! Keep
an eye on this Sally Thorne; she’s got a big career ahead of her.
Pax by
Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Jon Klassen
“Just
because it isn’t happening here doesn’t mean it isn’t happening” – a quote at
the start of the book. Read this one paired with The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon and see what it does to your
empathy and how it’ll grow your heart. More essential reading – and I’m not at
all surprised such a high calibre story with such big emotions is for young
readers … they’ve always seemed to understand this stuff better than adults,
nowadays especially.
Raymie Nightingale by
Kate DiCamillo
She’s the
queen of middle-grade, and this book is why. Quirky and kind, this one raises
for the bar for MG the world over – and that’s nothing but good news for
writers and readers alike. There’s a mastery here, to be sure.
Idol & Managed – VIP Books 1
& 2 by Kristen Callihan
If you’d
asked me a couple months ago if I thought the world needed another Rock Band
Romance (when we already have so many stellar ones, my ‘favourites’ list is
kinda set) I would have said noooo … then along comes one of my all-time
favourite romance authors with this, the VIP
series and it knocks my socks off and has me craving more, more, more!
Magic
Binds: Kate Daniels #9 by Ilona Andrews
I adored
‘Magic Binds’ – and while I’m going to be sad when this series is over (…while
also forever hopeful of a Julie/Derek spin-off! PLEASE - FOR. THE. LOVE. OF.
GOD!) I am also ridiculously excited to read the end now – so close, I can
practically taste it.
The
Mystery of Hollow Places by Rebecca Podos
The daughter
of a popular crime-writer sets off on an adventure to find him when he
disappears one day … this teen character is so sharp, the writing like a
razor-blade and the story so cutting – it will tear you apart, and you’ll thank
Podos for it.
Do You
Want to Start a Scandal – Castles Ever After 4, Spindle Cove 5 –
crossover book by Tessa Dare
I am so
obsessed with Dare’s historical romance Spindle
Cove series – and this instalment is a smart, sexy crossover that
proves why she’s one of the many deserving the queen of the genre.
Fire
Touched: Mercy Thompson #9 By Patricia Briggs
There’s a
sense of stability to Mercy’s life now, which begs for maybe a little shake-up
in the family department … maybe in the sense of expanding Mercy and Adam’s
family? I don’t know. I just loved that ‘Fire Touched’ felt like the end of a
storyline I was ready to see the back of, and a stabilising of Mercy’s family
and pack life has me excited to see what the next stage in this series will be.
The
Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
What I loved
about ‘The Smell of Other People's Houses’ was that these stories were not
presented as unique or exotic for their Alaskan setting. This is just life, for
these teens. This is their world, and it’s much like teen stories the world
over – there are have’s and have not’s, teens falling in love and having sex
(not necessarily in that order), there’s school and work and family dramas,
parties and friendships forged in the fires of hardship. Wild and untamed as
the setting might be, what’s wonderful about Hitchcock’s book is the
realization that we actually have more in common than not with these Alaskan
teens than you’d first think.
The
Love of a Bad Man: short stories by Laura Elizabeth Woollett
I have been
dying to read this book, ever since I met Laura Elizabeth Woollett at the
launch of ‘Betanarratives’, where we both had short stories in the ‘Body
Language’ edition. Laura gave me a very brief run-down of her short story
collection that was coming out with Scribe, describing it very succinctly as;
"lovers, wives, or mistresses of various 'bad' men in history,” and I was
so on-board. I’d been keeping my eyes and ears peeled ever since, and now that
I’ve read the collection I’m not the least bit surprised that this tantalising
theme completely holds-up under the weight of Woollett’s considerable talent.
When
Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin
‘A boy’s
chance encounter with a scruffy dog leads to an unforgettable friendship in
this deeply moving story about life, loss and the meaning of family.’ This
middle grade book is freakin’ adorable and heartbreaking, uplifting and uproarious!
Burn
Baby Burn by Meg Medina
I saw this
book on a lot of American ‘Best Of 2016’ lists, so I just had to read it … and
now I can see why it’s universally applauded. ‘A Cuban-American girl comes of
age in Flushing, Queens, in 1977, against the backdrop of the Son of Sam murder
spree.’ This is fascinating and subtle; and for all that’s going on in the
background there’s something powerful and moving about protagonist Nora López
being the true centre of this story, being shaped by these events, but trying to not be defined by them…
A
Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Big call,
but I’m making it: I think Bouchet’s Kingmaker
Chronicles will be my replacement series once Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels comes to an end … yep, it’s
that good. Trust me.
Forbidden: Old West
#1 by Beverly Jenkins
This was my
first ever Beverly Jenkins read, and now I’m hooked. I read great things about
this one from both Kirkus
and Smart
Bitches, Trashy Books – and they were both 100% correct. As Kirkus
summarised; ‘A biracial saloon owner hides his heritage after the Civil War but
can’t bring himself to marry a spoiled white woman instead of the strong
African-American woman who’s taken his fancy.’ … it’s actually even better than
it sounds, if such a thing is even possible.
Night
Shift: Midnight, Texas #3 by Charlaine Harris
‘Night
Shift’ is Charlaine Harris at her tangled, paranormal-noir best – with beloved
witch Fiji as the emotional centre of this instalment, plus a good subplot
about Olivia and Lemuel and enough kernels of complication to leave fans hoping
for more instalments … ‘Night Shift’ is the high of this series so far, and I
want more.
Harry
Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One & Two The
Official Script Book of the Original West End Production By J.K. Rowling, John
Tiffany, and Jack Thorne
I know all
the reasons why this book shouldn’t be on my favourites list – and I agree with
all of them. There’s a case for serious Queerbaiting,
it totally undoes a lot of the universe’s internal
logic, and because as Marama Whyte
brilliantly put it: “Restricting Cursed
Child to the stage — a medium limited by both geography and money — has
transformed Harry’s story from one of inclusion into one of elitist
exclusivity. We’re not all camped out under the stairs with him; some of us are
now out in the cold.” I agree with all. And I 100% agree that in all other
things, I’m at the same crossroads
as majority other HP fans when it comes to the continuing story … but I’m
including Cursed Child on my
favourite’s list because I cannot deny I had a damn good time reading it. It was
fun for me – even as problems crept in and became apparent upon reflection.
Marked in
Flesh: The Others #4 by Anne Bishop
In just a
few short years, Anne Bishop has become one of my favourite authors, and this series
has become a stand-out in my reading life. With each new instalment she gets
better and better, and I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Girl
in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
This book
hurts, but it’s what I call a ‘necessary read’ – for I feel better for having
known Charlie Davis, and reading Kathleen Glasgow for the first (but surely not
the last) time. This one is a favourite of the year, for me.
