If you are like me, you are probably a member of a huge number of bookstores, book selling sites and book review groups. I am guilty as charged. I am a member of Australian sites, American, British and Russian as well.
I love books and they love me. Every day I read an article or two and realise that there are so many more books I’d like to read. My booklist is never ending. My holiday ‘to do’ list contains unthinkable number of articles and books, reviews, suggestions, blog posts TO READ.
Well, if I can’t read them all, I, at least, can read about them.
What I am offering you here are some links to the “best of 2016”. It’s all about books, you know.
The Best Books of 2016 according to The Book Depository (UK).
This site is one of my weaknesses. Living in Australia, I am very disappointed at how expensive books are here. So, The Book Depository site is the saviour, especially when it comes to out of print or hard to find books.
Once upon a time, there was BORDERS in Australia. Then, it closed down. Then, it merged with Angus & Robertson which also closed down. Now, there is only online presence of once 2 big book store chain. Here is their take on the best of 2016 in fiction
The Best Books of 2016 according to Angus & Robertson (Australia)
Another favourite of mine is the SURVIVOR. This chain of book stores still exits and even grows its branches across Australia. Dymocks is the name. Dymocks runs events, book clubs and all other things bookish. I love the guys. Here is the list from them.
The Best Books of 2016 according to Dymocks (Australia)
Another wonderful and surviving book store chain is READINGS. I only recently found them and am loving every minute of their presence in my life. READING is very active when it comes to books and writing. They have their own literary prize. Also, they are the book store of Melbourne Writers Festival. Readings’ events are wonderful, varied and accomodate all interests from early readers to established writers. I can go on and on on Readings, especially about their stores… Mmmm.
Anyway, here is their take on the best of 2016
The Best Books of 2016 according to Readings (Australia)
These four lists are as different as they come. They all have fiction, non-fiction, young adult, children literature in them. They all have UK, USA and Australian writers. All four of these lists have both established and emerging writers’ works. There are many differences in these lists. However, there are some similarities. And as they say, recommendation is the key. When a book is recommended once it’s just marketing. But when the same book is recommended twice or more it’s worth reading, don’t you think?
Here is the list of ‘similarities’
- Swing Time by Zadie Smith
- Autumn by Ali Smith
- The Girls by Emma Cline
- Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
- My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
- Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
- The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith
Enjoy your ‘to read’ list and share with me. I will never get tired of adding books to mine.
Svetlana Tishchenko 