After much consideration, punctuated by several cups of tea and gnawed nails, I’ve chosen these (in no particular order- trying to rank them would have given me a nosebleed) as my favourite books for 2009:-

1. The Night Angel Trilogy - Brent Weeks.

2. The First Law Trilogy – Joe Abercrombie.

3. Empire & Heldenhammer – Graham McNeill.

4. The Garbage Man - Joseph D' Lacey.

5. Biohell – Andy Remic.

6. The Enemy – Charlie Higson.

7. Skarlet – Thomas Emson.

8. The Grey Knights Omnibus - Ben Counter.

9. Nights of Villjamur – Mark Charan Newton.

10. The Hunger Games & Catching Fire – Suzanne Collins.

11. The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss.

Ok, yes, there are 11 (technically 17, but I’ve counted series / trilogies as one as, where possible, I read these back to back) rather than the traditional 10 or 12, but it works for me.

These 11 dragged me into their respective worlds hook, line and sinker- they’re the books I happily devoured rather than read. I’m a simple creature when it comes to fiction- I want to be entertained, and I want the story to engage me on an emotional level- I want to rage, cheer and weep. I want to be exhausted -sated- when I reach The End.

These guys delivered the goods and left me wanting more.