The best books of 2016

As chosen by Red’s literary editor, Sarra Manning

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While 2016 may have been a year we'd all rather forget for many many reasons, the novels it birthed should not be one of them.

From Maggie O'Farrell's finest story yet to one of the most important books of the decade, Underground Railroad, these are the best books of 2016. 

If you haven't read them already, now is your chance.

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In A Land Of Paper Gods by Rebecca Mackenzie


Combines my love of boarding school stories, difficult girls and World War Two. In 1941 in a boarding school for the children of Christian missionaries high up in the mountains of Jiangxi Province, China, the Japanese are about to invade and Etta Robertson has a plan to make herself more popular that will end in tragedy. A beautifully written coming of age story.
(Tinder Press)

Rush Oh! by Shirley Barrett


Who knew that a novel about the whale blubber industry of New South Wales at the beginning of the twentieth century could be so tense or adorable? Added bonus: contains illustrations of killer whales.
(Virago)

This Must Be The Place by Maggie O'Farrell 

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The incomparable Maggie O’Farrell returns with her finest novel yet. This Must Be The Place is a delicious, offbeat look at a marriage gone awry seem from different viewpoints, timezones and perspectives but all with so much heart.
(Tinder Press)

Lie With Me by Sabine Durrant


A summer thriller so atmospheric you can almost smell the Piz Buin wafting up from its pages. Failed writer and Casanova Paul inveigles a free Greek holiday but soon finds himself out of his depth and embroiled in a missing persons case from ten years ago.
(Mulholland Books)

We'll Always Have Paris by Emma Beddington


My non-fiction book of the year from one of my favourite bloggers. Emma Beddington’s memoir is a gorgeous, funny/sad account of how she fell in and out of love with Paris. Along the way she marries an implacable Frenchman, has two sons, eats huge amounts of patisserie and makes her peace with Paris by moving to Brussels instead.
(Macmillan)

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The Muse by Jessie Burton


No difficult second novel syndrome for Jessie Burton after the success of The Miniaturist. The Muse is set in Spain in 1936 on the brink of the civil war and 1960’s London, is about art and identity and has four iconic female protagonists in Odelle, Olive, Teresa and the marvellous Marjorie Quick.
(Picador)

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Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld


A modern retelling of Pride And Prejudice by Prep and American Wife author, Curtis Sittenfeld? Yes, please! 
(The Borough Press)

Modern Lovers by Emma Straud



The Brooklyn novel is the new New York novel and this tale of forty something former indie bandmates settled in Ditmas Park is a light-handed, whip-smart look at navigating middle age. Also features a cat called Iggy Pop.
(Michael Joseph)

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The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead


If not the best book of the year, then certainly the most important book of the year. A heart-in-the-mouth story about Cora, a runaway slave as she travels the underground railroad (in this instance, a literal railroad) in an uncertain and dangerous attempt to be free.
(Fleet)

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