Well, as it is the time of year when everyone waxes nostalgic on the year that has passed, I felt a list was in order. So without further ado, here is my lift of top five books that I read and reviewed here this year. (Not all are brand new books, but a few are still hot off the press.)

1. Secret Daughter, by Shilpi Somaya Gowda.
Absolutely exquisite story of a young woman adopted from India by an American-Indian mixed race couple who are both doctors. Also a best-seller that had me spell-bound from start to finish. Accurate rendering of all adoption details and a really gripping read.

2. The Forty Rules of Love, Elif Shafak.
A Love story that begins with a book reviewer and disenchanted housewife who is asked to review a book by a poet. This is a contemporary story written by one of Turkey’s most well known authors. An equally interesting parallel plot runs in the 13th century, the timeframe during which the author’s story takes place.

3. My Name is Memory, Ann Brashares
I truly thought this one would be an even bigger seller than it was. I learned something from it as the plot, centring on a time traveller of sorts jumped from era to era, each time period recreated with great detail and authenticity. The love story of Daniel and Sophia transcends time, but doesn’t involve vampires. Look for the movie version soon.

4. Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson
Melinda Sordino, the narrator and main character has been selectively mute ever since she called the cops regarding a summer party. Why is she mute and why don’t her parents pay attention to what is going on with her? Why is she being bullied? Why does everyone hate her and what happened at that party? Brave story for dealing with anxiety, rape and depression amongst the teenage audience.

5. House Rules, Jodi Picoult
Picoult tackles Asperger’s disorder, a type of high functioning autism, this time around and she gets it so right you wonder how she can keep on delivering this way. Jacob has Asperger’s and he likes to recreate crime scenes. But when a real life murder happens and the police suspect Jacob, will the truth come out? Is it a mistake? Is he credible to stand trial? I loved the gorgeous exploration of life inside a family where one child has special needs. Emma is a great character, a martyr and the mother of Jacob. Autism and sensory issues are really well done and described here, as is the inner workings of a child on the autism spectrum.