Top 5 Books of 2011
Which are the top five reads of the past year? Scroll down for the number one…
5. Have a little Faith by Mitch Albom
I don’t want to misrepresent this book for all those who are immediately repulsed when they see the word faith. This is an enchanting story that shows you how beautiful humanity really can be: incorporating humour with learning, all contrasted against the lowest points in people’s lives and how through the support and at times undeserved love of others people can get themselves back on their feet.
The story revolves around Mitch himself, who has agreed to do the eulogy for his old Rabbi, and meets with him to find out more about his life. However, at the same time, closer to home Mitch discovers the drug dealer come Pastor Henry who is doing good Christian work in an inner city area where poverty, drugs and drink are running havoc.
Mitch observes how both men use their faith to support themselves through their lives and how it allows them to help those who others would deem lost causes. Discussing how God can even be a possibility for the modern man, this book challenges religion in a way that allows beliefs to be seen as not only reasonable but necessary. It provides the reader with a journey to not only follow and enjoy but be a part of and learn from.
Sally Priddle
4. We need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shrivers
Although published in 2003, Lionel Shrivers’ We Need to Talk About Kevin was committed to the silver screen this year, upping its readership and lending the twisted thriller some disturbing visuals. Set in the context of modern America, it tells the story of the aftermath of a fictional Columbine-style school shooting. The narrative is delivered in the form of a string of letters written by Eva, the mother of incarcerated Kevin, to her estranged husband Franklin.
Shrivers’ gripping psychological thriller is a minefield of provocative controversies, tackling the difficult issues of criminal and parental accountability, whilst posing the dangerous question of nature versus nurture. Eva, as the narrator, takes the reader on a journey from her son’s birth up until two years after the day, where her wayward son used his fellow classmates as target practice. She documents Kevin’s earlier misdemeanours, searching for an early warning sign of his final atrocity.
Darkly atmospheric and almost uncomfortably frank, We Need to Talk About Kevin is victorious in delivering a truly believable account of one of the most unthinkable subjects.
Alice Fairholme
3. The Tiger’s Wife by Téa Obreht
Téa Obreht the youngest author ever to win the Orange Prize for Fiction with her book The Tiger’s Wife, which successfully combines warfare and love with a sense of childish charm. The Tiger’s Wife tells us the story of what happened to the tiger and the people of Galina; narrated by the voice of Natalia who is coming to terms with the loss of her Grandfather.
It all begins with a tiger escaping from a zoo and exploring streets filled with wreck and ruin, although to many the tiger was a thing to fear for one boy he was a magical creature. This young boy was Natalia’s Grandfather, and after finding out about his mysterious death, she goes in search for answers. Obreht manages to combine a plot that at sometimes can be gruelling and require immense amounts of concentration with a sense of enchantment that allows the reader to be drawn in and won over by the story, that allows warfare to have a sense of childish charm that is too easily lost in adulthood. The book incorporates violence, personality, politics and all set against the traditional and relatable story of a Granddaughter’s love for her Grandfather.
Sally Priddle
2. One Day by David Nicholl
This ideal sun lounger paperback has been flying off the shelves of Blackwells, Waterstones and Asda alike ever since Jim Strugress’ cheeky chops and floppy locks hit the big screen in the Summer. And that was despite Anne Hathaway’s dire attempt at a Yorkshire accent.
A destined-to-be-together romance of bad timings it’s the kind of novel that you find glued to your left hand while your right threatens to jab you in the side of the head until you drop it.
Emma and Dex are perfect for each other. Meeting on their graduation night the fireworks bang, whizz and spin around their heads in a movie moment of perfect fusion. There’s one problem though; Dex is a bit of a prick. Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll ravenous he’s like a dog on heat that’s surrounded by a million canine equivilants of Rihanna. He’s a rich puppy too, so he can afford to pamper any favoured poodle while boarding the magic carpet to an enchanted career in the media. Emma, meanwhile, is left behind, her first class degree proving useless to wipe tables with.
They get together in the end of course, presenting the idea that, yeah, if you think you have found the one, and you wait around for 20 years, it might eventually happen. Or, alterntaively, you could read how Nicholls has her knocked off her bike and killed in the end as punishment for her stupidity.
Kat Bannon
1. When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman
A Sunday Times Bestseller, When God Was A Rabbit is Sarah Winman’s debut novel. The story is divided into two parts, 1968 and 1995, and details the life of our narrator Elly Portman, initially as a 10 year old girl and then as a grown up.
From the outset, Winman’s writing style is incredibly convincing as she conveys Elly’s childlike and unassuming voice with magical clarity. The reader is drawn into a unique and well-observed world full of endearingly eccentric and idiosyncratic characters. This is a book about family and at its heart is the relationship between Elly and her brother Joe. In the beginning they are allies in their adventures and as they grow into adulthood, they come to depend on one another. Although there are elements of fairytale, When God Was A Rabbit doesn’t shy away from darker themes as the shadow of a childhood secret begins to haunt Elly’s adult life. Episodes of comedy, particularly one chapter involving a school nativity play, are laugh-out-loud funny but equally, in parts, this novel can be uncompromisingly sad.
Winman manages to create the perfect balance between describing the unique nature of each character and allowing the reader to imagine the rest, allowing each reader to have a personal connection with the book. This is a great, compelling coming-of-age tale. It’s quirky, original and definitely worth adding to this year’s Christmas list.
Lauren Stafford
