During the remaining Christmas weeks, the publicity team will be stroking their chins and discussing the top books to be published by other publishers in 2013. Let me tell you something, there are A LOT. De-clutter your bookshelves people because you’re going to need some extra space!

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Our first prediction for 2013 is from the lovely Alison Barrow, our Director of Media Relations. This is what Alison has to say…

“I’m delighted to be the first from the Transworld Publicity team to be able to show my book picks for 2013.  I’ve been very privileged to have sneak peeks at several new titles coming in the first few months and there are some clear, exciting and different new voices on the horizon.  However, I think of all the books that I’ve read over the last few months, the one that has glued itself to my conscience most effectively  is Amity & Sorrow by Peggy Riley. Set in a rural fundamentalist cult, it’s the story of a woman who escapes with her two young daughters, and the differing ramifications for them all.  Deeply affecting, exquisitely simply written, this is a book that really lives in the soul long after the end.  Not for everyone, but I’m beguiled by it (out May 2013, Tinder Press, Headline).

Another new, but very different writer comes in the shape of Kevin Maher, whose debut novel The Fields is published by Little Brown in Spring.  I’ve read a few Irish novels recently, and enjoyed diving into the lives of the characters I’ve found there. Loud, brash, colourful and very very funny, I’m expecting a lot of noise around this book.

Otherwise, I’ve read Maggie O’Farrell’s new novel Instructions for a Heatwave and enjoyed reminiscing about my 70s childhood and I’m super excited to find out what happens with Bridget Jones when Helen Fielding shares her new adventures with us next autumn.  Oh, and a whole load of other exciting books too.”

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Join in with our top 2013 books discussion now by tweeting us @TransworldBooks with the following hashtag – #top2013books.