Emma's Top Ten Reads this Year

Novels: 

1. The Bone People by Keri Hulme (NZ) – 1985 Booker Prize Winner, NZ author and setting. Absorbing read.

2. Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao – A heartbreaking and powerful novel about two Indian girls becoming women.

3. To be Taught, if Fortunate by Becky Chambers – favourite sci-fi read of the year. Diverse representation, interplanetary exploration, science, and humanity. What’s not to love?

4. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater – favourite YA read of the year. Magical realism; a stunning take on the myth of waterhorses.

Non-fiction: 

 1. The Foundling: The True Story of a Kidnapping, a Family Secret, and My Search for the Real Me by Paul Joseph Fronczak with Alex Tresniowski – So bizarre you couldn’t make it up.


   2. Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middle East Needs a Sexual Revolution by Mona Eltahawy – favourite feminist read of the year. Insightful and passionate non-fiction.

  

 Poetry:
1. Poūkahangatus by Tayi Tibble (NZ) – favourite poetry collection of the year. Fresh, clever, and holds no punches.

Illustrated:

1. Everyone’s a alibn when ur a aliebn too by Jomny Sun – Graphic novel, my favourite re-read of the year. Delightful, quirky and full of heart.

2. I am Jellyfish by Ruth Paul – Beautifully written and illustrated children’s story about being who you are. And it glows in the dark!

3. The Shepherd’s Tale (Serenity #3) by Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon, Chris Samnee, Dave Stewart and Steve Morris – favourite graphic novel read of the year. Delivers more questions than answers, and yet strangely satisfying – a must-read for any fan of the Firefly tv-series.