It’s a new year, and you may have seen all the new reading challenges being shared by people keen to read more in 2020. People are aiming to read 10, 20, 30 or more books; they’re reading prize winners, independent presses, and local authors; they’re reading poetry, short stories and huge, door-stop size novels. But with hundreds of brilliant books added to the library each year, where do you start?

Luckily, we’re here to help! We’ve asked our librarians for their favourite books of 2019. Featuring everything from old classics to new releases, this list contains many gems from our stock. All the titles below are linked to our online catalogue, so all you need to do is click through and you can place a reservation online and get the book delivered to your nearest library for collection.

Books are listed in alphabetical order by author.

Iona, Reading & Resources Librarian

My Sister the Serial Killer

My Sister, the Serial Killer, Oyinkan Braithwaite

Monstress

Monstress, Marjorie Liu, illustrated by Sana Takeda

What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours

What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours, Helen Oyeyemi

Annihilation

Annihilation, Jeff VanderMeer

Rayne and Delilah's Midnite Matinee

Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee, Jeff Zentner

Jordanna, Reading & Resources Librarian

Rebecca

Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier

The Familiars

The Familiars, Stacey Halls

Fallen

Fallen, Lauren Kate

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, Charlie Mackesy

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost, John Milton

Penelope, Reading & Resources Librarian

The October Man

The October Man, Ben Aaronovitch

The Testaments

The Testaments, Margaret Atwood

The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet

The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, Becky Chambers

The Second Sleep

The Second Sleep, Robert Harris

Modern Nature

Modern Nature, Derek Jarman

Gavin, Children & Communities Librarian

Arnhem

Arnhem: The battle for the bridges, 1944, Anthony Beevor

1Q84 Trilogy

The 1Q84 Trilogy, Haruki Murakami

The Plot Against America

The Plot Against America, Philip Roth

Outwalkers

Outwalkers, Fiona Shaw

The German War

The German War: a nation under arms, 1939-45, Nicholas Stargadt

Janice, Children & Communities Librarian

The Trouble With Goats and Sheep, Joanna Cannon

All the Light Cannot See

All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr

Earthly Remains

Earthly Remains, Donna Leon

Airhead

Airhead: the imperfect art of making news, Emily Maitlis

The Boy Who Lied

The Boy Who Lied, Kim Slater

 

We hope this list inspires you to get reading and find a new favourite!

[Iona, Librarian]