The Accidental by Ali Smith

This is the book that proves that Best of Lists should not be written before 31st December! The story follows the Smart family in their holiday in Norfolk, where they are shaken up by a stranger, Amber who wanders into their lives. I love the way that Ali Smith really gets into the characters' heads - 12 year old Astrid's questioning imagination, teenager Michael's guilt laden math ridden brain, stepfather academic Michael's poetic musings. The book is inventively written and emotionally insightful, not two things that always go together! It is disturbing and sometimes laugh out loud funny. It's a book to keep and re-read.