Karlissa did a lot of xenofiction reading this year and has compiled a list of her top ten novels! She reveals her list to Jason, pitching to him the books he hasn’t read and contemplating with him the books he has. What makes these some of her favourite xenofiction tales?

Xenofiction refers to a story where at least one of the primary point-of-view characters is nonhuman. Fantastical xenofiction is a story where at least one point-of-view character is a made-up creature, and naturalistic xenofiction is a story with animal characters who behave in largely realistic ways.

Rules for the top ten list: includes graphic novels and novels; only first-in-series and stand-alone books (except where the complete series exists as one book); no serious plot spoilers.

Outline:

0:00) Introduction and rules

4:09) Books #10-8: the graphic novels

15:46) Books #7-4: modern books

27:10) Books #3-1: classics over 50 years old

38:58) The longevity and value of classics

TOP TEN LIST IS REVEALED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SHOW NOTES – scroll with caution if you wish to be surprised!

What are your favourite xenofiction books? How about you give us your top ten list in the comments on our website at book-bat.com/podcast/top10xenofiction

Full top ten list in ascending order: Bone (Jeff Smith); Petals (Gustavo Borges & Cris Peter); Silverwing (Kenneth Oppel, graphic novel version illustrated by Christopher Steininger); Sing to Me of Rain (E.B. Dawson); Wingless (Catherine Witzaney); Beasts within Our Blood (S.N.C. Fletcher); The Wild Robot (Peter Brown); Watership Down (Richard Adams); The Last Unicorn (Peter S. Beagle); The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien)

To all the Molly Gru fans: Karlissa apologizes for messing up her name.