My Favourite Books of 2012

 Well I’m back from the New Year break and ready to enjoy 2013, the release of my debut children’s novel, and lots of awesome literary goodness. Below are my favourite reads of 2012; a selection of both new releases and backlist, because, let’s face it, who doesn’t have a backlist pile a mile high that they delve into all the time! It’s not really a ‘best of’ as such, just the reads that I loved and highly recommend. It was also fabulous last year to re-discover a lot of classic children’s books that I hadn’t read in a really long time. Never forget these and how important they are! They are still, and always will be, the inspiration for my own books.

BEST KIDS BOOK READ IN 2012:

Talina in the Tower, by Michelle Lovric & The Last Unicorn, by Peter S Beagle

The Last Unicorn becomes my favourite all over again every time I read it. Beagle’s skill with words is beyond brilliant and his imagination an absolute delight. We also had it in my bookstore a few times last year and it was a pleasure to hand-sell and introduce it to a new generation. Talina in the Tower was another ‘can’t put it down’ read by Lovric, who creates the kind of books that are beyond doubt new classics. For a mature children’s read, try her books.

BEST YA BOOK READ IN 2012:

Seraphina, by Rachel Hartman & Ship Kings 01 The Coming of the Whirlpool, by Andrew McGahan

Both Australia authors, fantastic! The fascinating complexities and bright, intelligent lead character in Seraphina thrilled me when reading. Can be enjoyed by both YA and fantasy readers. The Coming of the Whirlpool was a complex, difficult read, but I found myself completely won over by the time I’d finished reading. McGahan’s writing really creeps up on you and sucks you in.

BEST KIDS SERIES READ IN 2012:

Hooey Higgins, by Steve Voake

Hooey Higgins is a chapter-book series for kids, which follows the madcap adventures of Hooey and his crazy, creative schemes. Great illustrations, funny, and fun. 

BEST WRITING:

Ship Kings 01 The Coming of the Whirlpool, by Andrew McGahan & Pure by Andrew Miller

It was McGahan’s writing that sucked me into this series – the worlds, atmosphere and interest he creates with his writing is spot on. Pure is an adult literary read, but oh my god,  I found the story and the writing breathtaking.

BEST DISCOVERY:

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

I can’t remember now why I picked up this book, but it enchanted me start to finish. Hartman is a talent to watch.

 MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE:

Ghost Knight, by Cornelia Funke

I admit, I haven’t read any of Funke’s books until this one. Ghost Knight was a perfect spooky, funny adventure story for both boys and girls.

MOST EMOTIVE READ:

A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness

I saw it all coming, but I still cried along with Connor. The power here is in the simple, accessible way Ness shares Connor’s grief with his readers.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T READ UNTIL NOW:

 The Scarecrows, by Robert Westall

MOST UNPUTADOWNABLE:

Talina in the Tower by Michelle Lovric

BEST CHARACTER:

The Monster in A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.  A lovely, but badass, metaphor.

FAV COVER:

Ship Kings o1 The Coming of the Whirlpool (hardback), by Andrew McGahan & Seraphina by Rachel Hartman. For internal illustrations, Ghost Knight & A Monster Calls

MOST ANTICIPATED READING FOR 2013:

Wildwood 02 Under Wildwood, by Colin Meloy & The Feathered Man by Jeremy de Quidt

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

First published by Random House, 2012

Seraphina is a gorgeous book. It has great complexity and luscious detail. The emotion is genuine and the characters are at the same time wonderfully eccentric and empathetic.  The world of Goredd is creative and interesting, and best of all, there are so many places it can be taken with future books.

In the realm of Goredd, a fragile peace has been achieved between humans and dragons. But the truce is shattered when a royal prince is brutally murdered. Our heroine, Seraphina, is drawn into the investigation and as she begins to uncover the dark comings and goings of the royal court, so too are her own secrets put at great peril. Seraphina does have a lot in common with other dragon-fantasy epics such as Eragon or an Anne McCaffrey or Robin Hobb. But the voice is wonderfully youthful and fresh and the dragon mythology completely original.

Rachel Hartman’s world is complex and I found early on I did have to persist. But, as is the way with most fantasy epics, all the different plot points and parts come together and the story starts picking up pace once the world has been adequately set up. Best of all, you become emotionally invested in the characters and want to see them through to the end.

Hartman has created some wonderful characters in Seraphina. Our heroine, Seraphina, is just the right mix of snarky, brave and vulnerable. She is smart, she takes action, nothing about her feels forced or put upon. The ‘love interest’ Kiggs also has many admirable qualities (and a dash of winning humour) that make him worthy of Seraphina. Secondary characters, such as Glisselda, Orma and Comonot, are the exact opposite of one-dimensional – there is so much going on with them and they support Seraphina wonderfully as characters.

The detail that Hartman puts into describing the court, the city, the mythology, and even the music, is opulent, and although there is a lot of it, it is the kind of intelligent detail that makes a book a classic. I really hope this series picks up as new books are released, because it really is wonderful writing and a rewarding, immersive world.

I thought Seraphina was absolutely fantastic. I loved everything about it.