BOOKS TO READ IN 2016

When others look back on their year they probably think about the memories made and check to see what resolutions they kept. I, however, put a lot of thought into what I've read and what I have failed to. 

This year I have been particularly reflective. For the past three years I have set my reading goal to around 50-52 books, so around one a week. An easy task for a reader, really. Although this year I have failed spectacularly. Whenever I've been at university I've hardly ever read a book for pleasure, this year was no different. Usually the summer is catch up time, where I end up reading at least one a week and read about 7 in the annual "BookTube-A-Thon" - well not this year! I spent my summer working in America and didn't finish a single book! And so we come to the end of the year with only 34 books read (as of 23rd December). 34, a good number for some, an appalling number for someone whose target was 50. 

Anyway, before I engulf myself with disappointment whilst skimming through Agatha Christie books in a desperate attempt to get nearer to my goal, here is my list of books I really want to read in the new year.




Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith

I adored The Silkworm, the second outing for JK Rowling's crime-solving Cormoran Strike, and so I eagerly bought this in hardback when it was released last year. Here's hoping I read it soon.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara 

I bought this with the intent to read it before the Man Booker winner was announced - however, the size of this book was always going to conquer me due to buying it only a few days before the announcement. I gave up before trying as to not disappoint myself.

What Remains by Tim Weaver

The sixth book in one of my favourite crime/thriller series. I got this for free at my work placement at Penguin (after asking for it for christmas and then letting my mum know I didn't need it due to free books in publishing!), and I'm so excited to carry on with this fantastic series.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë 

It's getting ridiculous now. Must. Read. Soon.

The Missing Hours by Emma Kavanagh

Another book I received for free whilst interning. It comes out in April 2016, so I really want to read and review it before it comes out.

Pretty Is by Maggie Mitchell 

A proof I was sent by Orion, and it has been described as perfect for fans of Clare Mackintosh's  I Let You Go - which I was certainly a fan of. Excited to get stuck in! 

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

It's time to use my kindle more this year, and I bought this as one of amazon's deals, so no excuses. Besides, it's historical fiction and I also need to read more of that!

Thanks for reading, and I hope you've gained some suggestions. Don't forget to leave me some in the comments or on twitter! 

THE SILKWORM by Robert Galbraith (SPOILER FREE)

Title: The Silkworm
Author: Robert Galbraith (pseudonym for J.K. Rowling)
Genre: Crime / Thriller
Originally Published: 2014
Page Count: 455
Published by: Sphere

Date Read: 1st July - 4th July 2014

I was incredibly dubious going into this series initially. JK Rowling has filled my childhood with so many fantastic and beautiful stories that I hold incredibly dear to my heart. I don't want to sound clichéd, but she did. Last year I read 'The Cuckoo's Calling' after discovering with the world that Robert Galbraith didn't write it, Joanne Rowling wrote it under a pseudonym. I really enjoyed 'The Cuckoo's Calling', but 'The Silkworm' was something else.

I had no idea on the plot when picking this up, it was an instant-buy, I wanted it, I needed it. I bought the hardback and started reading. Without going into too much detail the novel takes place after the first book, in the winter of 2010, when the wife of famous writer Owen Quaine hires Cormoran Strike (our hero from book one) to find her husband as he's disappeared. The novel subsequently takes a sinister turn and everyone's a suspect due to Quaine's unpublished manuscript for his new book being incredibly critical and rude about the people around him. 

The prose of this book was beautiful. Rowling (or Galbraith - I'll stick with Rowling) has this beautiful way of describing the simplest of things. While she uses some clumsy and rather pedantic descriptions of things, her writing on the setting paints such a beautiful picture. Rowling almost romanticises London, her descriptions are what a reader craves. I already have a romanticised view of the hustle and bustle of the big smoke, and Rowling, not shying away from describing London's grittier side, continues to entice me to England's capital. 

Her characters grow enormously within this book. Not literally of course. Strike and Robin's relationship, especially, continues to blossom. I adore their relationship, it's maybe a cliché but they work so well together and the continued dynamic with Matthew, Robin's fiancé, makes things a lot more interesting. Robin is as likeable as ever, but she'll never surpass Strike. Strike has such a history that we haven't scratched the surface of, from his failed relationships and further back to his army days. I assume there's a lot more characters from his past who will crop up in future installments.

The mystery itself was fascinating. Set within the publishing world, any reader is enthused. The only thing I really have negative to say is that the mystery is never really outstanding or innovative, it's again, like its predecessor, rather clichéd with the tropes of all crime fiction added. The use of the mcguffin to drive the plot was excellent and did hold my attention. 

As far as solving it goes, I don't know whether it's a bad thing that her novels are rather predictable. The writing and relationships are so fantastic that you don't really mind that you've put the pieces together. Tension is still sustained and there's always that doubt in your mind that maybe you are wrong and you've missed something. 

Whatever Cormoran and Robin get up to next, to use a clichéd phrase, I'll be there with bells on. Fantastic novel. 5 stars.