My 5-star reads of the year, in no particular order and with some explanation. These are books I thought were either powerful or I just enjoyed reading.
Orbital
This felt like taking a literal step back from the world and observing. The actual book felt like a vignette of life on a space station with insights into humanity. The six astronauts are vivid. The exploration of humanity leaves a bittersweet tone, noting the intricacies of humans, their planet, their solar system but also their complexities, it feels like exploring the meaning of humanity through a different lens, looking from orbit which I thought was effective.
It did feel more like a vignette than a novel but a thorough one and the description of the passing of countries for example was comforting and inspiring with the whole book being richly written. It deserves the Booker Prize because it is something everyone can and should read for the brief “eloquent meditation” it provides.
The Secret Commonwealth
You can expect a lot to happen in such a big book. Phillip Pullman explores, through Lyra’s young adult life, politics, theology, academia and growing into adulthood among other things. This is a fantasy with real-life parallels, existing after The Book of Dust but despite those, the novellas and watching the series I am not tired of Lyra’s character. She faces complexities in this book and I see why that is too much but this book is interesting. A journey outside of Oxford with new loveable characters to Constantinople, Prague, Wittenberg, the Middle East and Asia. Daemons and the Magisterium are expanded on, expanding the world as we see it through Lyra and some new perspectives.
I would say you can either read it for the adventure or if you can understand them, the messages about political upheaval, the refugee crisis and authoritarianism as well as the complications of becoming an adult.
What the River Knows
This was an adventure that was just fun. There is an old-world magic system almost forgotten, something not explained very well but which I thought was fine because it wasn’t integral. The main character Inez is transported from Buenos Aires to Cairo with only her sketchpads and the determination to solve the mystery of her parents’ disappearance. A massive fortune, a dangerous race and historical/archaeological vibes in a setting of a historical excavation site with a nice, engaging plot and a bit of mystery and romance. There’s history dusted throughout, it’s lighthearted and not action-packed for the most part but is a relaxing read.
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow
This book left me feeling so hollow. Without this book I would not be able to recognise the conflict in the Middle East and the backdrop of the Palestinian and Syrian crisis make this so much more powerful. It’s a story of any other teenage girl but an extraordinarily courageous one. The characters Zoulfa Katouh created are so ordinary but so admirable. It’s terrifying and so real because the story is so full and so real with unrelenting events. It’s resounding on so many levels especially to a teenage audience and a Muslim one, covering loss, mental health, faith, love and an identity under attack, still, right now.
Only 18-year-old Salama faces horrors but remains, tied to her homeland and so inspiringly with determination and skill. The writing was warming and invigorating with stirring quotes, not at all too slow or fast. I wouldn’t read it if you don’t have a few hours because the reality of it will overwhelm and you might need a few days afterwards to process.
These are some of the books I enjoyed this year, some with sequels I have yet to read
