Lachie and Layla's enthusiasm for #LambsForLiteracy continues into the Woolmas season.
Lachie trawled his bookshelves to find the perfect books to share with any-lamb searching for some reading recommendations, or gift ideas, over the holiday season.
*No books were harmed in the making of this blog post.
For those who are human-lambs
Wundersmith by Jessica Townsend
The sequel to Nevermoor left Lachie in wunder - can Morrigan Crow's life at Wunsoc get any more exciting, or disastrous, than Harry Potter's time at Hogwarts? The perfect book for younger readers (middle-grade) or fans of Harry Potter. If you have not read Nevermoor, then you can buy (or gift) both books and experience double the wunder this Woolmas.
Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce
Do not be alarmed by the title! This book is aimed at younger readers (middle-grade to young-adult) who enjoy fantasy, mages and tales of fate and loyalties. Fans of Tamora Pierce's previous books waited years for the first of The Numair Chronicles and Tempests and Slaughter exceeded expectations. Prepare yourself for a journey through magical academic learning featuring a young, but morally strong, protagonist.
Fans of Tamora Pierce will probably already have this book on their shelves, but why not encourage a new generation of readers to devour her wonderful books? Nobody can ever be disappointed from a visit to Tortall.
For those who need a laugh
The Accidental Further Adventures of the One-Hundred-Year Old Man by Jonas Jonasson
The unexpected sequel to The One Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is hilarious. Spoiler: He turns 101. Further spoilers: His life becomes more ludicrous and his venture into the Swedish coffin industry is not because he is (actively) dying. The novel reflects upon the current global political climate and how political leaders are viewed by those who do not support their policies. Oh, and the now 101 year old Swedish man discovers technology such as tablets/iPads so you can imagine how that plays out.
For those who like kick-ass ewe protagonists
She Be Damned by M.J. Tjia
A historical novel featuring a wily female protagonist, Heloise Chancey, who has to navigate the social restrictions of Victorian England while solving the murders of women in London. Heloise knows how to bend the rules to ensure her livelihood and comfort is protected, but like most people has weaknesses her enemies are keen to exploit. The premise of the story: Is she a London courtesan or a professional sleuth? You decide. Be prepared for some startling revaluations throughout the story. The sequel, A Necessary Murder, is also available - and on Layla's Woolmas wish list (Hint, Hint Lachie).
Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart
The second in the series about America's first female deputy sheriff. Lady Cop Makes Trouble is set in 1915 and follows Constance Kopp and her sisters as Constance continues to prove she cannot be deterred, evaded, or outrun. The author has published sequels since, so if you can get hold of all four Kopp sisters books then you are all set for the Woolmas season. Otherwise, Lady Cop Makes Trouble can be read as a stand-alone, but Layla reckons you will want to know what else happens to Constance Kopp and her sisters.
For those in need of a thrill
Dead If You Don't by Peter James
The latest in the Roy Grace series by the talented Peter James! If you have not read the previous 13 books in the series then you may struggle to follow some of the sub-plots that run throughout the book. However, the author often takes the 'what if' questions and turns them into police procedurals of epic proportions which are enjoyable without reading the previous books. Unlike some crime/thrillers, the Roy Grace series utilises the most up-to-date forensic technology, examines humanity's motivations for murder, and features characters who have moral faults like real people. The protagonist, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, has solved many complicated, and often bizarre, murders throughout his career. He has also experienced many near misses. Could the case in Dead If You Don't become his biggest failure yet? Be prepared to be kept up 'too late reading'. Hopefully your ewe doesn't complain about the lights being on.
Prefer a stand-alone thriller instead of a series? Peter James also wrote Absolute Proof.
Investigative reporter + 'I'm not a nutcase-' + (apparently) absolute proof about God's existence.
What could possibly go wrong? Apart from the cover containing the words 'kill' and 'die'.
It is a long novel so make sure you have enough pellets to snack on if you commit to reading it...
The cover is extremely difficult to photograph with a phone due to its reflective foil...we promise it is much nicer to view in person.
The Dry, Force of Nature, The Lost Man by Jane Harper
Riveting Australian based crime fiction by award-winning author Jane Harper. If you have not already heard, Eric Bana will star as the protagonist - Federal Police Investigator Aaron Falk - in the film adaption of The Dry.
The settings in Harper's novels feed the tension and you can never be sure who to trust. If you are based overseas then the stories may discourage you from visiting parts of Australia. If you are Australian, we hope you enjoy reading about murders and disappearances in your country. These books are hard to stop reading so make sure you have adequate time to enjoy them during the Woolmas season. You won't be able to stop at just The Dry. You will need Force of Nature and The Lost Man also.
For those who want something criminally different
The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
Younger generations may be familiar with Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series, while older generations may have watched Foyle's War. In The Word is Pellets, sorry Murder, Horowitz uses an interesting narrative strategy - one we hope returns in future books. The premise: If you are murdered the same day you organised your own funeral (one of those pre-paid ones) then somebody is going to be suspicious.
Heaven Sent by Alan Carter
The fourth Cato Kwong book is finally here! While this is considered a thriller, Alan Carter's exceedingly well-crafted Cato Kwong series examines social issues - such as homelessness, exploitation of migrant workers, boom town politics - while adhering to the police procedural structure. The fourth installment is set in Fremantle, Western Australia and new readers can easily pick up Heaven Sent and enjoy it without reading the three previous books - but why would you want to miss out on such addictive stories? Buy all four and settle down for some serious Woolmas reading.
Let us know if you decide to read, or have read, any of these books.
Bahh, Woolmas x
Please note: This post DOES NOT contain any sponsored content or affiliate links.
The links to the author's websites/profiles are for reader interest only.
Lachie and Layla are not earning any money from this post and all books were purchased by Lachie and Layla's humans.
