Amy’s top reads during her first year at the Imaginarium!
In the blink of an eye, I seem to have been with the Imaginarium for an entire year this month! Needless to say, I have had the best time – reading books, meeting great people and having a blast at book clubs and events!
To celebrate, I thought I’d share with you some of my favourite books from the past 12 months, one (ish) for each month that I’ve been here!
So with no further ado (and in no particular order), here they are:
General Fiction:
Nightshade and Daybreak by Autumn Woods –
Contemporary romance with a mystery twist, this duology is set in the wilds of Scotland and Sorrowsong University for the children of the World’s elite. This one caught me by surprise as it isn’t my usual genre, but I really fell in love with the characters and the setting.
Honourable mentions: The Artist by Lucy Steeds and Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Fantasy:
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black –
If you love a true faerie realm and haven’t checked this one out yet, then please do. There is everything you could want in a book in this trilogy; magic, deception, love, mythical creatures, adventure, twists and turns! Not to mention a fantastic, brave and brilliant FMC!
Starside by Alex Aster –
I’ve heard mixed reviews about this one, but I honestly loved it! The action and plot hits the ground running from the off, the world she has created is diverse and stunning and the magic system is unique and well thought out. It features TRUE enemies to lovers, mystery, twists, dragons and a cliff hanger that has me chomping the bit for its sequel Stormside!
Honourable mention: Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
Thriller:
My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney –
I love Alice Feeney, so this was an auto-buy for me!
You will be in suspense; you will not know what is coming next … set in Cornwall this played out in my head like a movie and I loved every second!
Honourable mention: Five by Ilona Bannister
Horror:
It may not come as a surprise that this is genre has the largest number of entries!
Bat Eater by Kylie Lee Baker –
This is chocked full of fascinating Chinese folklore and set in New York during the pandemic. There’s horror, haunting, a serial killer, social horror, its got it all going on!! I read this earlier in the year but still remember it like it was yesterday!
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due –
If you’ve seen this book a lot on social media, there’s a reason - believe the hype!
This book is stunning and the story and characters will stay with you long after you turn the last page. What’s more, it was inspired by a real place.
Set in Florida in 1950, it follows Robbie who is sentenced to 6 months in an infamous correctional home for boys – there are ghosts aplenty, but I would argue they aren’t the scariest thing about the Reformatory. This is my book of the year so far!
Kiss Slay Replay by Rachel Harrison –
A time-loop horror set at the lakeside wedding; this one has quite literally EVERYTHING to keep you entertained! You have no idea what might be coming next! It’s the most fun I’ve had reading a book this year!
Rachel is fantastic at writing relatable characters and could’ve easily been on this list more than once!
David Barnett –
The pick for August’s horror club was Scuttler’s Cove, set in a Cornish harbour town where tourists flock during the summer season it seemed an appropriate choice for the time of year – I wasn’t sure what to expect but I loved this British folk horror, creepy-crawlies and all! So, I immediately picked up Withered Hill, which might have been even better! I’m looking forward to reading Scratch Moss now, and the release of Twisted Pike (which is set in Withered Hill) very soon!
Fawn by C.N. Vair –
Folk horror, an FMC that has retreated to her wildlife sanctuary in the woods, a deal with the devil, a baby deer that has human teeth, and an out-of-control pastor…
I LOVED this!
And Finally…
King Sorrow by Joe Hill –
This book honestly bends genres – horror, fantasy, crime and as its set in the real world, even general fiction readers who like a bit of magical realism could easily enjoy this fantastic read!
It was my book of the year last year when I read it in December, and I’ve barely shut up about it since! It’s around 1000 pages, but I was so engrossed I read it in 4 days, happily staying up well past bedtime in front of the fire desperate to find out what happened next!
It’s out in paperback this week and I cannot WAIT to re-read it!
Starting in the eighties, it follows 6 college friends over decades as they help their friend Arthur get himself out of a bind, unwittingly making things worse for all of them by making a bargain with a massive, sassy dragon!
Honourable mention: Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison (Honestly not that scary but I love Rachel’s feminist horrors and this made me want to be a werewolf….)
