I read a lot this year and below compiled my favorite reads with some runners-ups. These are definitely the books that stayed with me that made me think, “Oh, yes. I would read that again and you should read it to.” Note: A couple of them aren’t actually from this year but I’m counting it because this was the first time I read them.
Turtles all the Way Down
A book about a girl struggling mightily with OCD. Hit very close to home.
The Raven Cycle
I’m counting the story of Blue and the boys as one even though I enjoyed all four books. I should have read this sooner but I think my enjoyment was enhanced because all four were immediately available to me.
Odd & True
The story of two sister demon hunters and their family history. This one has actually grown on me even more since I read it. Not going to lie though- bonus points for being about the sisters truly and no boys.
Leia, Princess of Alderaan
Dives into Leia back when she was still just in the junior Senate and the rebellion itself was taking its baby-steps. This is the rare book that I’d like to see a movie about though I think it would be impossible to recast Leia.
The Bear and the Nightingale
This was a beautiful story about a Russian girl who sees and helps the “old” spirits that live in her home and the woods around it. Trouble comes for her with the arrival of her troubled stepmother and a Priest who believes he can save her. I got so pulled into this one so fast it’s hard to believe I had it sitting in my TBR pile for most of this year!
The Unseen World
Ada is losing her father to Alzheimer’s but as the story progresses we learn about David’s secrets and the fact that Ada might not have ever really had her father. What packed the punch for me was the ending. Time marches on. And the way in which the computer program David and Ada had been working on comes into play.
Ugh, I hate being kind of vague but don’t want to give anything away!
Top 4:
These books ran away with it for me this year…
Now I Rise
The gender-bent Vlad the Impaler retelling. Lada and her brother continue their journey. A YA Game of Thrones in the truest sense. I don’t want to give to much away but the end has me salivating for the conclusion this coming summer.
Strange the Dreamer
Lazlo Strange gets to chase his dream and explore the mysterious city of Weep. Go with him. The story unfolds beautiful like an actual dream in some places with interesting characters you feel for- Laini Taylor is amazing at creating a completely submersive fantasy world. Again cannot wait for the sequel!
The Hate U Give
This is a rare book (for me) where I feel like the book actually surpassed it’s hype. Starr Carter is the only witness to her unarmed friend being shot and killed by a cop. A brutal story and subject told with real depth and great fully realized characters especially the lead Starr. There’s a movie upcoming and hopefully it will be as good as the book.
My number one read of the year is one of the books that I read for the first time this year and that’s:
The Book Thief
Oh my Gosh! This book and my little book loving thief and Rudy and Papa and all the others just got to me and it takes a lot for a book to get to me. I won’t spoil it for the people who haven’t read it but it takes place in Germany during World War II and is narrated by Death. Which I thought was perfect! The idea that even Death was moved by this story and these people. So good.
Some runners-up: The Takedown, All the Light We Cannot See, The Nightingale, Defy the Stars and The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue!
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