Top reads bask in silver screen glow

Jojo Moyes' book has taken out the top spot in Whitcoulls Top 100 books for this year. Photo / Supplied

Topping the list of favourite Kiwi reads this year was the hard-hitting romantic novel turned controversial film Me Before You.

Jojo Moyes' book has taken out the top spot in Whitcoulls Top 100 books for this year. The novel and film tell the tale of a young British woman Louise Clark [played by Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke], who becomes caregiver to a previously active 31-year-old quadriplegic.

The story, which raised debate over the right to die with dignity and quality of life as a person with a disability, did well at the box office despite mixed reviews.

Its place at the top of Whitcoulls' 20th Top 100 list is attributed in part to the book's success on the big screen. The correlation between the big screen and the bookshelves was reflected throughout this year's list, the retailer said.

The Harry Potter series took out the second spot, followed closely by I am Pilgrim. While the latter is yet to be turned into a film, plans are already rumoured to be under way for its release next year.

Fifth is the epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, which became the highly successful Game of Thrones television series.

A number of Kiwi books made the Top 100, including Barry Crump's Wild Pork & Watercress, 30 years after its publication. Its appearance at number 20 suggests Taika Waititi's hit adaptation Hunt for the Wilderpeople may have played a part.

Six other Kiwi authors make a showing on the list, including American Blood, by Ben Sanders, at number 16 and Eleanor Catton's The Luminaries at 53.

Whitcoulls book manager Joan Mackenzie said it was great to gather readers' favourites and highlight them to a new generation of readers. "The thing that never changes though is the recognition and enthusiasm for a truly great book " and there are as many of these being published now as there ever have been."

Top 10

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes

Harry Potter series - J.K Rowling

I am Pilgrim - Terry Hayes

All the Light we Cannot See - Anthony Doerr

A Song of Ice and Fire series - George R R Martin

Orphan X - Gregg Hurwitz

The Outlander series - Diana Gabaldon

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins

The Millennium series - Stieg Larsson

For the long list see whitcoulls.co.nz