Yes, I am aware of the current date, and that this post is extremely overdue. But I always wanted to post it, if for no other reason that because I'm always getting book recommendation requests, and this will help me have a few just a couple of clicks away. Plus I've missed you all! So here's a post!
Here are the top ten books I read in 2016:
10. Cress by Marissa Meyer
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Reason: Because this book is flat out FUN. Compulsively readable, funny, action packed, and SO, SO MUCH FUN.
9. When by Victoria Laurie
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Reason: My favorite surprise of the year. A wonderfully suspenseful who-dun-it with an original paranormal twist.
8. Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship, and Dangerous Hobbies by J.K. Rowling
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Reason: This gets its spot on nostalgia alone. It was warm, enchanting, magical, and everything else I love about the Potter series.
7. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
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My Review
Reason: Conversational and encouraging, this book inspired me to be more bravely creative.
6. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
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Reason: This story is completely original. It is bizarre and elegant and touching - sort of like a refined Alice in Wonderland.
5. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
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Reason: Maas is brazen and brutal. Lots goes down here, and most of it very unexpected, but I was very happy with the surprising story arc.
4. Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson
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Reason: This book's encouragement to live bravely and furiously happily, not only in the face of your demons, but out of spite to your demons, came back to me time and time again after November's election, and helped me keep my chin up.
3. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
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Reason: While I struggled a little with some plot decisions in the rest of the series, this book was still a blast. It's a political fantasy with a heroine I loved rooting for.
2. The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty
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Reason: This book is a Moriarty book, so it's going to have a little bit of everything. This particular story features a character with severe postpartum depression, and I read it when I was in the middle of severe postpartum depression. It hit me smack where I needed to be hit, and had me sobbing with empathy. I am so grateful for this book for personal reasons. It came along at the precise moment I needed it, and I'll always love it for that.
1. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
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Reason: This book is a masterful work of fiction. Tragic and beautiful, featuring failure and hope simultaneously. It was sometimes difficult to read, but I came away believing that good can come from strange back doors, and I still believe that.
Great recommendations! I just read When, and it was SO good! I'm going to read Furiously Happy soon for book club.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked When! I had such a good time with that book. Furiously Happy is extraordinary, though there are A LOT of swears. Fair warning.
DeleteA lot of these books are on my TBR. I just need to get to them. I'm also going to read Furiously Happy soon for book club. The sad thing is that book club is tomorrow and I won't have it done by then. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteIt's okay that you won't have it read in time for your book club. It's not the kind of book that can be spoiled. I hope you find it as funny and as moving as I did.
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