As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to add a few more titles to your to-be-read (TBR) pile.
In this edition of Library Corner, staff from Mowbray Gardens library share their recommendations to keep you turning the pages throughout the winter months.
All these titles are available to borrow through the library service, so make sure you’re signed up if you’re not already. Find out more about joining at www.rotherham.gov.uk/libraries.
Historical Fiction
Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy thought-provoking historical fiction or powerful human stories.
Yugoslavia, spring 1992. Artist and university lecturer Zora and her neighbours live in the heart of Sarajevo as the siege begins. What follows is the destruction of everything they love, revealing the brutality of modern warfare and the struggles of ordinary people caught in its crossfire. But in destruction there is creativity, community and extraordinary love. Topical, heartbreaking, life-affirming, this is a powerful novel that deserves to be read.
Romantasy Read
Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher
Recommended for: Fantasy fans who love a slow-burn romance with a generous helping of magic and mischief.
Fancy a change from the power and politics of Sarah J. Maas? This fun, feel-good romantasy is the perfect escape. Stephen is the sworn soldier of a deceased god, while Grace is a master perfumer with a mysterious past. When their worlds collide, hijinks ensue including a murder, a spy, and a plot to undercut a kingdom. Sparkling with humour, intrigue and more than a little tension, this book is giggling, feet-kicking fun from start to finish.
E-book Recommendation
Recommended for: Fans of dark humour, twisty crime fiction and short, sharp thrillers.
My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
The bond between sisters can be unbreakable. But what if your sister has the unfortunate habit of killing her boyfriends and asking you to help cover it up? And what if her latest fling is a man you work with, a man you’ve been quietly in love with for the longest time? Scandalous, tense and darkly comedic, this is crime fiction with a twist.
Teen Fiction Pick
Silence is Goldfish by Annabelle Pitcher
Recommended for: Tweens and teens navigating questions of identity, family and friendship.
Annabel Pitcher doesn’t shy away from the big topics and never talks down to her teen readers. This YA novel follows 15-year-old Tess who stops speaking after finding out her dad isn’t her biological father. A story about re-discovering your identity in a world turned upside down, this is an excellent read for young people learning to speak up, stand out and ask for help when they need it.
Children’s Picture Book
Neighbour’s Cat by Michael Rosen and Alex Willmore
Recommended for: Young children with big imaginations, animal lovers and families looking for a funny bedtime story.
What could the neighbour’s cat get up to when he decides to make your house his own? And will he ever leave? A playful picture book full of imaginative fund and laugh-out-loud moments.
Family Festive Story
The Christmas Pine by Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandoy
Recommended for: Families with young children looking for a cosy Christmas story.
Full of that warm and fuzzy Christmas feeling, this book’s memorable rhyming pattern makes it the perfect story for bedtime on a dark and frosty night.
