We did this blog post a few years ago and were told it was super helpful so we’re back! Here to make the Christmas Waterstones less overwhelming (and time consuming to scroll through) with our top reccos from the sale all collated in one place.
We’ve linked each book too, so just click on the title of the book if it takes your fancy and you’ll be taken to the website to add to basket.
Let’s start with a few that were in our top 10 books of the year!
When the enslaved Jim learns he’ll be sold to a new owner in New Orleans, he hides on Jackson’s Island whilst formulating a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn fakes his own death to escape his violent father. Thus begins a dangerous journey by raft along the Mississippi River, toward the elusive promise of the free states and beyond for the duo. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and listed as one of NYT’s top 100 books of the century - get it in your basket!
Avery, Bonnie and Lucky return to their family home in New York from their respective lives in London, LA and Paris in the wake of the death of their beloved fourth sister. Guaranteed to break your heart from just the gorgeous writing alone, add this to your basket.
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
Modern playwright Melina Green and her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano—fight to have their voices heard in a male-dominated world. As Melina’s friend secretly submits her play under a male pseudonym, Emilia, centuries earlier, conspires to have her work staged by paying William Shakespeare to claim it as his. Intertwining timelines weave a gripping tale of ambition, courage, and sacrifice, asking: how far should a writer go to ensure their story endures? Lauren has made Jess want to read it, so add it to your basket too to get in on the action.
The life Impossible by Matt Haig
Grace Winters, a retired teacher in her 70s, inherits a house on the island of Ibiza from a long-lost acquaintance. As she uncovers the mysteries surrounding her inheritance, Grace is drawn into fantastical realms that force her to confront her own past and regrets. Lauren’s favourite fiction of his yet, so if you’ve enjoyed one of his previous books then pop this in your basket.
We move away from our top 10 books of the year now, but these are stand out specials which we’ve discussed on the podcast so if you’ve been waiting for an excuse to buy them, this is it!
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
Steve enjoys his retired life, just doing the odd bit of investigation work, whilst his daughter-in-law Amy faces all the action as a private security officer. Then a dead body, a bag of money and a killer with their sights on Amy spark breakneck race around the world begins, but can Amy and Steve stay one step ahead of a deadly enemy? If you loved Thursday Murder Club, this new series needs to be added to your basket.
Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers
Croydon, 1964. Helen is an art therapist in a psychiatric hospital, where one afternoon they receive a call about a disturbance from a derelict house where a mute, 37yr old man has been shut up for decades. But when it emerges that William is a talented artist, Helen is determined to discover his story. As you can see from the picture, Jess loves Clare’s writing, so if you do too then definitely pop this in your basket.
What a Way to Go by Bella Mackie
Anthony Wistern is wealthy beyond imagination and has the perfect family and multiple houses to show for it. But he’s now also dead. Suddenly poised to inherit his fortune, each member of the family falls under suspicion. If you like dark comedy with a slightly fantastical edge (yes it’s a thing) then buy this one whilst its half price.
You Are Here by David Nicholls
Marnie and Michael are both at a bit of a standstill in their lives, so their mutual friend Cleo invites them on a group hike to kick off the new year and pair up her single friends. Whilst not originally paired up, the two find themselves as the only ones left to finish the walk providing the perfect backdrop to get to know each other. Add this to your basket as it's a perfect read for entering the new year.
My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes
Anna has a life to envy. An apartment in New York, a gorgeous partner and a high-flying job in beauty PR. Who wouldn’t want all that? Anna – it turns out. Turning a minor mid-life crisis into a major life event she bins the lot, heads back to Ireland, and gets a PR job for a super-high-end coastal retreat. But leaving New York doesn’t mean escaping her mistakes and now she has to face them. If you’ve been following the Walsh sisters, then surely this is a no brainer to add to your basket?! P.S if you haven’t, you can still absolutely enjoy this book!
Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak and Dogs by Jordan Stephens
Diagnosed twice with ADHD, Jordan Stephens found his teens and twenties a whirl of career success and nurturing friendships but also a brutal pattern of self-harm, hedonism, destructive coping mechanisms and heartbreak. In this very open book he discovers what it means to be a modern man and how the price we pay for love in all its forms is worth it. Although it sounds heavy, his writing style makes it very easy to consume and its a brilliant book - might as well buy it in the sale right?
Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson
The stage is set. Marooned overnight by a snowstorm in a grand country house are a cast of characters and a setting that even Agatha Christie might recognize – a vicar, an Army major, a Dowager, a sleuth and his sidekick - except that the sleuth is Jackson Brodie, and the ‘sidekick’ is DC Reggie Chase. The last of our crime reccos in this blog post so get it in your basket.
Hope that helps, happy reading! xx