BOOKSHELF

Memorable publications from 2018

There was no shortage of compelling books to read this year. Some of the most well-known writers and personalities in the world shared tales from either their remarkable lives or incredible imaginations in volumes that caught the attention of bibliophiles everywhere. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting, intriguing, insightful, and inspirational releases of 2018.

Fiction

The President Is Missing   by Bill Clinton and James Patterson

What do you do after you’ve retired from one of the most powerful positions on the planet? You write a mystery thriller, of course. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton teamed up with popular novelist James Patterson - in a collaboration that was as interesting as it was peculiar - to create The President Is Missing, a political thriller about the American POTUS who is facing impeachment while dealing with a potential computer virus that could wreak havoc across the country.

An action-packed page-turner with an eye on the country’s partisan divide, the book was an instant fixture on the bestsellers lists upon its release. A television adaptation is now in development.

The Outsider by Stephen King

The King of Horror impressed his fans this year with his latest book, The Outside. Beginning with a police procedural style before shifting towards the supernatural, the novel revolves around the brutal murder of a child and the search for the killer. The most likely suspect is a popular citizen.

The police have evidence; he has an alibi. Despite some quibbles about its pacing, the book effectively showcased the American writer’s talent to spin an intriguing tale and a reminder of why he is among the genre’s most celebrated names. And this novel, too, is heading for television, with a 10-part miniseries currently in the works.

Lethal White  by Robert Galbraith

British writer J.K. Rowling gave her Robert Galbraith alias another spin for the latest Cormoran Strike novel, continuing the story of private detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant-turned-partner Robin Ellacott. Thrilling and complicated (and, as always, in desperate need of editing), the fourth book in the series saw the pair undertake some more detective work after being approached by a mentally distressed young man who seeks help investigating a crime he thinks he witnessed as a child.

And yes, Lethal White, too, is heading for television and will be adapted as part of the Strike television series.

The Reckoning  by John Grisham

The world’s favourite supplier of legal thrillers returned to the familiar Ford County, Mississippi - the setting of his bestsellers like A Time to Kill and Sycamore Row - in his latest book, The Reckoning, wherein a decorated World War II vet and patriarch of a prominent family calmly shoots and kills his pastor friend and then refuses to divulge the reason. John Grisham captured the horrors of wars while spinning a suspenseful legal thriller.

It wasn’t your typical Grisham novel, and while the stylistic departure may have proved to be divisive, many readers still found The Reckoning to be a compelling read.

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Australian author Liane Moriarty’s latest offering was the psychological thriller Nine Perfect Strangers, a drama revolving around nine individuals with considerable baggage who come together at a very strange health resort.

The Big Little Lies writer created a suspenseful world that was certainly different from her previous works but her fan-base still enjoyed this contemporary page-turner.

Still Me by Jojo Moyes

English romance novelist Jojo Moyes’s third part of the Me Before You series continued the story of protagonist Louisa Clarke, as she moves to New York City and starts working for a wealthy young socialite.

The book served as a sequel to 2015’s After You, and was a big hit with readers who are invested in the popular character’s story.

Space Opera  by Catherynne M. Valente

Catherynne M. Valente took Eurovision to space in Space Opera, the story of an intergalactic singing competition. Two members of a defunct glam rock band are selected to participate and represent Earth, with the fate of the human race resting in their hands.

The American writer’s sci-fi adventure certainly wasn’t for everyone. Some thought she was trying too hard to copy Douglas Adams’ style and found it exhausting. Others thought it was funny only in small doses. Others still complimented her creativity and enjoyed her zany humour.

Non-fiction

Brief Answers to the Big Questions  by Stephen Hawking

While one of the most remarkable minds of our time may sadly no longer be in our midst, Stephen Hawking’s ideas, theories, philosophies, and reflections live on in his work.

The English theoretical physicist’s passion for science was shared with the layman one last time in the posthumous Brief Answers to the Big Questions, a popular science volume that offered a selection of Hawking’s profound ideas regarding some of mankind’s biggest queries dealing with concepts like artificial intelligence, climate change, time travel, and much more.

Not everyone agreed with his assessments and predictions, but most still found the book informative and thought provoking.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara

Finished by true crime writer Paul Haynes after crime blogger Michelle McNamara’s sudden death in 2016, the posthumous I’ll Be Gone in the Dark follows the writer’s hunt for the man who committed numerous murders, rapes, and burglaries in California, U.S. from 1974 to 1986.

Joseph James DeAngelo, the alleged Golden State Killer, was captured only two months after the book’s publication, and the volume is now being developed into a documentary series.

Calypso by David Sedaris

His style may not be everyone’s cup of tea but David Sedaris’s Calypso was a treat for those who appreciate his storytelling.

A collection of personal essays, some of which were previously published in magazines or newspapers while others were new, Calypso didn’t shy away from delving into darker topics like aging and death, but the American writer always maintained his poignancy and wit, once again making his work touching and relatable.

Never Grow Up by Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan shared tales from his rather incredible life in his recent memoir, Never Grow Up, looking back at the good and the bad that he has had to encounter on the way to becoming one of the most recognised stars in the world.

The Hong Kong actor reflected on his triumphs and setbacks, both in his personal life and career, charting his story from his humble beginning to training in martial arts to becoming an iconic film star.

Becoming by Michele Obama

Everyone frustrated with Donald Trump and nostalgic for his predecessor rejoiced when former U.S. First Lady - the first African-American to serve in that role - Michele Obama released her memoir, detailing the story of her life, from childhood to the White House. Her powerful voice impressed her admirers, and the autobiography became the year’s best-selling book in the U.S. within days of its release.

American politics was also responsible for some of the most talked-about books of the year, many of which targeted the Trump administration, including Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff; Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward; and former FBI Director James Comey’s autobiography A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership.

Heroes: Mortals and Monsters, Quests and Adventures by Stephen Fry

English comedian and international treasure Stephen Fry once again revisited dramatic tales from ancient times in his latest book Heroes, a companion to his 2017 bestseller Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece, taking another look at the adventures of legendary figures and retelling their tales in an entertaining way, making these dramatic tales exciting and relatable once again.

- S.A.