We’re more than two thirds of the way through the year, so there’s every chance you’ve finished all the books you got as presents last Christmas.
Maybe you’re off on holiday in a couple of weeks and need something to occupy yourself while sat on the beach.
However, if you want to look beyond the classics, it can be tough to know whose opinions to trust.
Luckily, there is an answer.
Amazon reviews are known for being hit-and-miss, sometimes being more useful for comedy value than actual information, but that’s not always the case – after all, it makes sense to take the approach of relying on the wisdom of crowds if you’re out of ideas.
With that in mind, this breakdown of the top 10 books of the year, according to Amazon, might well be a solid guide for those of you looking for something new to read. The list first appeared on Business Insider, and we have taken a look at some of the user reviews to get more of an idea of what those who love the books are saying about them.
‘The Ministry of Utmost Happiness’ by Arundhati Roy
Reviewers say: ‘A rich, complex set of stories bringing out the state of Modern India and the world’ – Peter Trumper
‘Killers of the Flower Moon: Oil, Money, Murder and the Birth of the FBI’ by David Grann
Reviewers say: ‘A well-researched and carefully written account of a series of race-based financial and ultimately murderous crimes that took place in Oklahoma in the early part of the 20th century’ – Tony Smerdon
‘Beartown: A Novel’ by Fredrik Backman
Reviewers say: ‘It is a deft examination of teenage years, youth sport and the wish fulfilment of protective parents’ – Rick Broadbent
"Exit West: A Novel" by Mohsin Hamid
Reviewers say: ‘It is no understatement then to assume that this book could well become required reading in schools and universities across the Western world in a very succinct space of time, such is the genius of this work’ – abookandadram
‘Priestdaddy: A Memoir’ by Patricia Lockwood
Reviewers say: ‘Lockwood's book is so many things: laugh-out-loud, eyebrow-raising, poignant, but never brash or shocking’ - Jood
‘You Don't Have to Say You Love Me: A Memoir’ by Sherman Alexie
Reviewers say: ‘A wonderfully immersive account of an often difficult, often heart-breaking life, one which [Alexie] conveys brilliantly through his skill with words.’ – Amanda Jenkinson
‘Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel’ by George Saunders
Reviewers say: ‘They say that more books have been written about Abraham Lincoln than about any other historical person apart from Jesus Christ. So did we really need another one? If the answer is this one then YES!’ – Caroline Lawrence
‘The Impossible Fortress: A Novel’ by Jason Rekulak
Reviewers say: ‘Jason Rekulak has summed up the angst of early teenage years perfectly - swinging between doubt and bravado, trying so hard to please everyone and often failing miserably’ – Grace J Reviewerlady
‘Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body’ by Roxane Gay
Reviewers say: ‘It is gripping as it is about so much: our relationship with ourselves; our traumas; our recovery; our barriers and our hopes. How we so want to change but also can't bare it’ - Moon
‘Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow’ by Yuval Noah Harari
Reviewers say: ‘Inspirational book which begins with a refreshing history on where we are before painting a broader picture of where we might be going’ – Nathan Jacobs
(Images: Pexels/Amazon)
