2015 Favorite Reads – A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

One of my “2015 Favorite Reads” in the Novels category is A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay. I might have recommended this book more often and more widely than anything else last year. I only realize now, looking back, I never wrote even a basic review. Luckily, the book succeeded based on strong word of mouth, and didn’t need my review.

In case you haven’t already heard, A Head Full of Ghosts is a family-focused story that could be summarized as “The Exorcist in the era of reality television.” Of course that doesn’t nearly do it justice. More accurately it examines the effect on the family of Marjorie Barrett, a teenage girl who may be either possessed, or just acting out due to severe mental health difficulties. The interaction between Marjorie and her little sister Merry is so real, sometimes sweet, sometimes mutually antagonistic, and occasionally terrifying.

Of all my favorite reads of 2015, this is one of the few I’d confidently recommend to any kind of reader.