Previous posts in this Christmas book recommendation series include picture books, junior and middle-grade books (as well as cookbooks). As ever, these recommendations are fluid, meaning they could suit older or younger readers depending on their tastes or capabilities. 

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Here is the synopsis from the publisher’s website:

“Alex Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. A dropout and the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved crime – the last thing she wants is to cause trouble. Not when Yale was supposed to be her fresh start. But a free ride to one of the world’s most prestigious universities was bound to come with a catch.

Alex has been tasked with monitoring the mysterious activities of Yale’s secret societies – societies that have yielded some of the most famous and influential people in the world. Now there’s a dead girl on campus and Alex seems to be the only person who won’t accept the neat answer the police and campus administration have come up with for her murder.

Because Alex knows the secret societies are far more sinister and extraordinary than anyone ever imagined.

They tamper with forbidden magic. They raise the dead. And, sometimes, they prey on the living . . .”

I think it prudent to mention that I’ve seen this Book mentioned as a young adult or an adult’s title in different places, perhaps showing the rise in the ‘new adult’ market, but I wanted to include it here because she rose to fame in that area thanks to titles like the ‘Shadows and Bone’ trilogy. If you’d like to read an extract you can do so here (just click on the link under the cover image). I first heard about it on Twitter, thanks to Stephen King’s glowing blurb and was immediately intrigued.

All Fall Down by Sally Nicholls

Originally released in the early years of this decade, All Fall Down has recently been reissued. Nicholls has the first chapter available on her website. Its premise caught my attention:

“A deadly contagion races through England… Isabel and her family have nowhere to run from a disease that has killed half of Europe. When the world she knows and loves ends forever, her only weapon is courage. The Black Death of 1349 was the deadliest plague in human history. All Fall Down is a powerful and inspiring story of survival in the face of real-life horror.” (Publisher’s website)

I’ve been fascinated by the plague, and all related outbreaks in history, since I was a little girl. Perhaps I’m morbid, I don’t know. I still think about Geraldine Brook’s Year of Wonders (set later than All Fall Down) a lot. Anyone with similar interests to mine might find this a good match!

Angel Mage by Garth Nix

From the publisher’s website:

“The icon-maker and angel-summoner Liliath, long believed dead, has woken from her century-long sleep to pick up the threads of a plan that has already destroyed one kingdom and may yet destroy another. To succeed, Liliath must bring together Agnez the musketeer, Simeon the doctor, Dorotea the mage, and Henri, one of the Cardinal’s clerks, and take them into utmost danger …

Set in an alternative seventeenth century where angels can be summoned (and controlled) by those with a talent for magic, Angel Mage is an action-packed story of angels, heroes, gunpowder and high magic.”

I’ll let Nix explain some more:

I’ve heard some splendid word-of-mouth praise for Angel Mage. On the same page from which the above quote was taken, you can also read an excerpt. At almost 500 pages in length, it’s certainly an option for readers who love a tale they can get lost in and is a standalone book for those who might feel ambivalent about committing to a series.

The Secret Commonwealth – The Book of Dust: Volume 2 by Philip Pullman

I believe I mentioned this fact already, but this year – 2019 – was the year I read my first Philip Pullman novel – specifically Northern Lights, the first in the ‘His Dark Materials’ series. So now I’m a complete convert and understand why people have been telling me to read it for all those years and I’m kicking myself because I didn’t listen.

This also makes my posting a brief synopsis for this book a little tricky because when I went looking for it I discovered spoilers (of sorts) for what happens in the second two books in the original series and I didn’t want to provide the same to anyone reading this! I think it’s safe to say though that The Secret Commonwealth is set almost ten years after the original series concludes and continues the story of Lyra (I suspect if I’d read this pre-pregnancy that name would’ve definitely made the shortlist).

Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard

From the publisher’s website:

“In a small town, everyone thinks they know you: Charlie is a hardcore rocker, who’s not as tough as he looks. Hammer is a footy jock with big AFL dreams, and an even bigger ego. Zeke is a shy over-achiever, never macho enough for his family. But all three boys hide who they really are. When the truth is revealed, will it set them free or blow them apart?”

A sample chapter is also available to read.

This award-winning novel is a welcome addition to the ranks of Australian young adult literature and is a raw, personal tale of coming to terms with one’s sexuality amidst a culture that appears at odds with expressions of vulnerability and openness. I love how it keeps growing in reputation – for example, I see social media mentions of it keep increasing as more and more people discover it. If you are buying this for someone else and you are unsure about its content (as it does tackle confronting issues), it might be wise to take a look at it first to gauge its suitability.

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Booktopia, which means I earn a small commission if you click through from this site and make a purchase. Be aware that Booktopia has Christmas cut-off dates for both non-stocked and stocked items so it’s a good idea to check when ordering what these dates are. (At the time of writing they are still being determined.) Did you also know that you can earn Qantas Points on eligible Booktopia orders? If you’re a Qantas Frequent Flyer you can link your membership to your Booktopia account. More details here.