Get into the good books
Nina Pottell’s favourite reads of 2017
TIN MAN
BY SARAH WINMAN
Tinder Press, £12.99 This beautiful book is why I read. Told in two parts, this is the story of Ellis, Michael and Annie. First the childhood friendship of Ellis and Michael, then the adult relationship of Ellis and Annie. Where is Michael now? Heartwrenching and mesmeric. THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS BY RUTH HOGAN
Two Roads, £7.99 Laura is left author Anthony Peardew’s house and belongings when he passes away. The one request he has is that she finds the owners of the ‘lost belongings’ he has collected over the years. A warm and heartfelt read, you’ll fall in love with all the characters. THE LIGHT WE LOST BY JILL SANTOPOLO
HQ, £12.99 Lucy and Gabe meet at university on 11 September 2001. They kiss and walk away from each other. They then meet by chance, spending 14 months together. Then Gabe leaves. Darren appears in Lucy’s life but Gabe is always there. An epic love story. ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE BY GAIL HONEYMAN
Harpercollins, £12.99 Eleanor Oliphant doesn’t want to have to think about her mum and the past. She is happiest sticking to routines but sometimes life throws curveballs. Raymond is her curveball. You’ll laugh and cry reading this wonderful story. BEFORE EVERYTHING BY VICTORIA REDEL
Sceptre, £14.99 Sometimes our biggest loves can be those with our friends. Four women, who promised they’d be there for each other, rally round Anna as she chooses to stop medical treatment. This is an extraordinary touching and tender story about female friendship. A THOUSAND PAPER BIRDS BY TOR UDALL
Bloomsbury Circus, £16.99 Jonah is grieving over the death of his wife Audrey. He is struggling with how to move his life forward and takes solace in Kew Gardens. Here, Chloe, Harry and Milly appear in his life. Will they help him through this emotional time? An eloquent and beautiful novel. THESE DIVIDING WALLS BY FRAN COOPER
Hodder & Stoughton, £14.99 The tenants of a Parisian building pass each other in the communal courtyard. Paris is bubbling with political tension, which will bring some of the tenants together and push others apart. This beautifully written book is about love and loss, and the fact we all matter. LOST FOR WORDS BY STEPHANIE BUTLAND
Zaffre, £7.99 Loveday Cardew works in a secondhand bookshop and prefers books to people. When local poet Nathan visits the shop, he is intrigued by her. Will spending time together allow her to accept her past and trust him? This book is beautiful.
LARCHFIELD BY POLLY CLARK Riverrun, £14.99
A mesmerising time-slip tale. In the present day, young poet and newlywed Dora is struggling with a new baby. In the past, WH Auden is battling with prejudices of the times, and their stories flow into each other. A beautiful, meandering, poetic story. THIS IS GOING TO HURT BY ADAM KAY
Picador, £16.99 These are the journals Adam Kay kept on his journey from junior doctor to senior registrar and they’re hilarious. It is also a complete eye-opener to the NHS, doctors, and gynae and obs which he specialised in. Best to be read after you’ve had a baby – not before! GOOD ME BAD ME BY ALI LAND Penguin, £7.99
Milly is placed in foster care while her mother awaits trial for murder. Will she fit back into ‘normal’ life with her psychologist Mike’s family? Dark, claustrophobic and thought provoking, you’ll read this outstanding book holding your breath. AMERICAN WAR BY OMAR EL AKKAD
Picador, £14.99 ‘1984 meets The Handmaid’s Tale’. Starting in 2074 after the second American Civil War breaks out, we follow six-year-old Sarat as she grows up in troubled times. This is an outstanding book that feels a little closer to reality than it possibly should.