Fiction: Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee.
The greatly anticipated follow up to Harper Lee’s classic To Kill A Mockingbird. Popular choice showed that the public were desperate to find out more about Atticus and Scout, with the novel receiving around 30,000 four or five star ratings.
Mystery and thriller: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.
Although a debut novel for the author, this gripping psychological tale has been given rave reviews.
Historical fiction: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
The New York Times best selling author transports us to the lives of French women living under Nazi occupation during World War II. The book maintained the rare high average rating of 4.53.
Young adult: All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven.
With a film version already on the way, it is no surprise that this book got all the teens talking. It describes the relationship between two teens that could not be more different but have both contemplated suicide.
Memoir and autobiography: A Work in Progress by Connor Franta.
Both relevant and poignant, Franta is an Internet star at just 22, and this autobiography is an honest and frank reflection of the struggles that young adults face every day.
Poetry: The Dogs I Have Kissed by Trista Mateer.
Trista, at only 24, has brought poetry to a new generation of young fans via social media. Filled with stunning imagery and raw emotion there is no doubt that poetry has a place in the digital age.
Humour: Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling.
Mindy has proven her comedic chops on The Office and The Mindy Project. This producer/actor/screenwriter takes on the role of author with a similar quirky and real wit that has cemented her novel as the funniest thing to read this year.
Nonfiction: Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari.
The Parks and Recreation comedian provides unexpected insights into romance in the digital age. As expected, his irreverent humour, which combined with academic evidence makes for an entertaining and educational read.
History and biography: Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson.
The timely centennial anniversary of the ship’s sinking engages you with the tale until the final page. Larson captures the sheer emotional drama of a disaster whose intimate details have long been obscured by history.
Science and technology: Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, SeaWorld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish by John Hargrove.
Former orca trainer Hargrove brings incredible knowledge from working with 20 different whales on two continents and at two of SeaWorld’s U.S. facilities. This controversial and heartbreaking portrait of whales exposes SeaWorld’s wildly popular programs as both detrimental to the whales and ultimately unsafe for trainers.
Romance: Confess by Colleen Hoover.
Hoover is a fan favourite and previous winner with her compelling new novel exploring what happens when you risk everything for love and juggle truth and lies. This heart wrenching love affair won our hearts with ease.
Science fiction: Golden Son (Red Rising Trilogy No. 2) by Pierce Brown.
He won the ‘Best debut Goodreads author’ in 2014 and now and his latest life-or-death story of vengeance with an unforgettable hero at its heart solidifies Brown as an author to watch.
Fantasy: Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances by Neil Gaiman.
Gaiman delights the reader with previously published pieces of short fiction–stories, verse, and a very special Doctor Who for the fiftieth anniversary of the beloved series.
Horror: Saint Odd (Odd Thomas No. 7) by Dean Koontz.
From master storyteller Kootz comes the final adventure of one of the most remarkable and appealing characters in fiction, a short-order cook in a small desert town who can communicate with the dead.
Graphic novels and comics: Saga, Volume 4 by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Fiona Staples.
Saga is an epic space opera, which is heavily influenced by Star Wars. It depicts two lovers from long-warring extraterrestrial races, Alana and Marko, who struggle to survive amid a galactic war with their newborn daughter, Hazel, who occasionally narrates the series.
Food and cookbooks: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime by Ree Drummond
Drummond hosts a Food Network show and lives on a cattle ranch in Oklahoma. She compiled a beloved collection of all the scrumptious supper recipes that make their way through her own kitchen in regular rotation.
Young adult fantasy and science fiction: Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass No. 4) by Sarah J. Maas
This category had fierce competition but fans finally settled on The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series about Celaena’s epic journey.
Middle grade and children’s: The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard No. 1) by Rick Riordan.
This was his fifth consecutive year winning this category, and this story of Norse Gods, trolls, giants and monsters will tantalise children’s imaginations everywhere.
Picture books: The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt and illustrator Oliver Jeffers.
The second book by this unbeatable duo, parents and children alike will be delighted by the follow up to The Day the Crayons Quit.
Debut Goodreads author: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard.
Victoria Aveyard, author of Red Queen, took home this award as her first ever novel skyrocketed to the top of The New York Times young adult best-seller list. Not to mention the fact that she had a movie deal before the book was even published.
With a list like this the only problem now is choosing where to start.
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