13. The Dept. of Speculation

By Jenny Offill  

The trade paperback edition was a Xmas gift from my BIL as Offill’s second novel made quite a splash when it came out in 2014.

 

12. The Duplicate

By Wiliam Sleator  

Read this within 2 days.  First at the playground where my daughter & her BFF spent a good 90 minutes running around (and this was after the switch off with Olman) and then on a rainy Sunday. 

Published in 1988, my nice hardcover copy purchased at Dark Carnival is shown here.  I originally bought it as a xmas present for my teen nephew-in-law, but I ended up giving him something else.  I know, what an aunt, eh?  But I can still pass it on to him now that both myself and Olman have read it (if I ever see him again as these are pandemic times and he lives in the U.S.). There is always the mail.

The Duplicate is a tight, claustrophobic psychological sci fi thriller for young adults.  The story was also much darker than expected, so not something my kid should read until she’s at least 13!  

 

 

 

11. The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club

By Dorothy Sayers

Requested as a Xmas gift.
1928, fourth installment in the Lord Peter Wimsey series, but can be read as a standalone.