I’d do a top 10 but am a little bit lazy so have decided to just pick 3 books from the many (50 ish) I read last year, to recommend. My preference is for historical or dual-timeline fiction but I read widely and don’t really care what the genre is (though I don’t read horror).

So in no particular order, if you are looking for a great read try these.

Amy Snow by Tracy Rees. 

This won the Richard & Judy Search for a Bestseller competition and I can completely see why. I thought it was brilliant. Mum bought it from the little WHSmith in the hospital, at a point when it looked like she was getting better. Actually I may have persuaded her to buy it, knowing I’d borrow it from her later. She never had the chance to read it in the end. It’s a historical mystery, with lots of twists and turns and a very satisfying ending. Looking forward to more from this author.

Something only we know by Kate Long

Kate’s been a friend of mine for many years now, and I always read her books soon after they’re published. So I may be a little biased, but I can honestly say this is her best one yet. It’s raw and honest and an in-depth exploration of what an eating disorder can do to a family. Beautifully written with some wonderful characters.

Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole

An epistolary novel set during the first and second world wars. A story of love growing out of a correspondence between a reclusive island-dwelling poet and her young American fan. Such a beautiful book – just wish I could write something as good as this myself.

So, those are the three I’d pick out. But I’ve read plenty of other great books this year as well – eg The Lie by Cally Taylor, Girl Number One by Jane Holland (both fab reads if you like thrillers), Timestorm by Steve Harrison (18th century convict ship bound for Australia slips through time and ends up in modern day Sydney harbour…), and all of Carol Hedges‘ Victorian murder mysteries which are simply amazing and I can’t wait for the next one. Oh and can I add fellow Carina author AL Michael’s Driving Home for Christmas for a lovely, emotional Christmas read.

Which brings me up to 8 recommendations. So I could have tried a tiny bit harder and come up with 10, I suppose! What was your best read of 2015?