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Raymie Nightingale, Kate DiCamillo 

We’re already here! The final installation of my top reads from last year! That went quickly! But before we wrap up completely there’s room for just one more book from none other than the great Kate DiCamillo. Earlier in this series, we looked at Louisiana's Way Home which was a follow up to the book we’re covering now: Raymie Nightingale. True to DiCamillo’s writing style, the story is a sweet beginning to the friendships explored in her other connected books. 

Song for A Whale, Lynne Kelly

I’ll start by saying this: I didn’t know when I started reading this book that I would spend an inordinate amount of time feeling incredibly anxious over the emotional wellbeing of a single whale, and yet there I was. There were even one or two people who got panicky texts from me about how I wasn’t going to be ok until I knew if the whale was ok. Sorry again about that. You know who you are. 

Norse Mythology, Neil Gaiman

There are few authors who successfully write in multiple genres as well as Neil Gaiman. The man is an absolute master. Gaiman’s writing style is thoroughly unique to him and translates easily to whatever genre he’s exploring. His narrative retelling of Norse mythology is no exception. 

The Line Tender, Kate Allen

If you like sharks and deep narratives on how we handle grief and change in youth than this is the book for you! I found this book on one of my big library hauls. The cover alone is stunning and when I did my usual flip through the first few pages, I found that each chapter heading comes with beautiful, huge, shark artwork that, honestly, I couldn’t get enough of. What a gem. 

The Wizards of Once series, Cressida Cowell

I would apologize for having Cressida Cowell on this list twice, but that would mean I’m sorry and I’m really just not. Not even a little. What can I say? Here’s an author who knows how to build an incredible children’s series.

Louisiana's Way Home, Kate DiCamillo

I’ll start with this. You can never go wrong with Kate DiCamillo. I’ve loved her work since I was first introduced to Because of Winn Dixie as a kid. It was only in recent years, however, that I’ve explored the rest of her works, some of which have been released only in the last couple of years. This is an author that isn’t going anywhere any time soon and we are all the luckier for that.