Sure I have read some bad books on the side but that is totally outweighed by the amount of good ones. This year, I have discovered numerous books that I now hold close to my heart and will always be treated as favorites. I'm not saying all of these books are the shining examples of literature but they are the ones that, personally, I really enjoyed and loved. You may not agree with my list and that's totally fine but nonetheless I thought these books are pretty sweet and I definitely recommend them to anyone who's looking for new books to enjoy.
Unlike my previous lists, this one will be arranged by date I read them simply because it's easier and because it doesn't give me a migraine over choosing which one is the absolute best.
1. Six of Crows (Six of Crows # 1) by Leigh Bardugo
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| (Photo from: www.goodreads.com) |
Six of Crows is part of the list because of a technicality. I started reading this book a few days before 2015 ended and finished it January of 2016 so technically it's still a book I read in 2016. But technicalities aside, this is without a doubt one of the best books I have read, not only in 2016, but in my entire life.
I was pleasantly surprised at how good this book was. Reading it felt like an actual blessing from God. Everything about it is just amazing. The plot was interesting, action-packed, and flawless. It had some cunning and mind-blowing twist and turns that I mostly did not see coming. The pacing and transition were great as well but the thing I loved the most were the characters. All six of them, Kaz, Inej, Nina, Matthias, Jesper, and Wylan, are all great characters. You invest in them and root for them and they all have distinct personalities that you will never mix up or forget. The crew elevated the story even higher up when it was already on a high platform from the plot and writing alone. This book left me speechless and in awe. A warm round of applause is in order for Miss Bardugo. She has written a masterpiece.
Side Note: For my list, I am only considering the books I have read and really thought about. I am currently making my way through Crooked Kingdom which means I cannot include it on my list yet. I'll let you guys know by way of review here on my blog if it deserves to be on my list (I'm pretty sure it does since I am loving it so far).
2. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick
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Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock is another book I did not expect to like as much as I did. What I can really say for sure about this book is that it was effective. It was effective on telling a story revolving around this suicidal and depressed boy that feels real. You really feel bad for Leonard and you start to hate the situation he's in as much as he does. You understand why he is being this way and the gravity of his situation. Sometimes in books like this one, they end up being too over-the-top and slow but with Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock, that's not the case which I really appreciated. It even had some comedic moments. Although it's the cynical kind of comedy which I personally like. What makes this novel so effective and genuine is because of the way it was written so kudos to Matthew Quick for his outstanding skill. Overall just a good book that truly made me feel.
3. Glass Sword (Red Queen # 2) by Victoria Aveyard
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Glass Sword is a great continuation to the Red Queen series. The plot was good. It had twists and turns like the previous book, it raised the stakes to great heights, it was action-packed, and the characters continued their journeys in compelling ways. I guess from now on this series will have a reputation for having excruciating and mind-blowing endings. The ending of Red Queen had me falling off my seat and so did Glass Sword's. As much as it pained me to read the ending, I loved it and it gave us a promise of exciting adventures to look forward to in the next book. You can definitely bet that this series is now one of my favorites and that I will be getting my hands on King's Cage when it's released.
Side Note: To view my INITIAL review of Glass Sword, click here
Side Note: To view my INITIAL review of Glass Sword, click here
4. Anna and The French Kiss Series by Stephanie Perkins
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I read the three books in the Anna and The French Kiss series in three different times but I thought it was better to talk about them in one go than separate them because the qualities that I loved in the first one show up in the other two. These three books are consistent with one another. They were all amazingly fun to read. The plots may be simple but it was done in a way that elevates it to something greater. The characters were all worth investing in and were quirky, charming, and charismatic. This series would be nothing without its leads. The writing was as quirky, charming, and charismatic as it's characters. Stephanie Perkins truly has a gift in writing these kinds of stories. Yes, there are some really cliche moments but the difference between this and the other romance books out there is that it was executed well so you end up forgiving it. Personally, I liked Anna and the French Kiss the best mainly because of Anna and Etienne, their separate characters and their relationship, but you can definitely have the others as favorites. It's totally understandable since they are all great.
5. The Hidden Oracle (Trials of Apollo # 1) by Rick Riordan
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The Hidden Oracle was everything I wanted from a Rick Riordan book. It was refreshing, entertaining, and captivating. You think after ten books and a thousand companion books Riordan won't be able to find anything to make the Percy Jackson world feel new again but he did by telling the story from the eyes of the god-turned-mortal, Apollo. The great writing is the number one reason why this novel worked as well as it did. I shouldn't be surprised at how well-written this was considering Rick Riordan wrote it but I am. The writing benefited the execution of the fast-paced plot and it benefited the amazing characters in the book. Apollo is as lovable as his old self in the other Percy Jackson books but this time we get to see his character deepen and develop which is such a pleasure. I can't wait to see more of him. The other characters such as Meg, Will, Nico and many more all added to the story in their own way. It was a joy to read them. The Hidden Oracle made me smile, laugh, cry, and rage. It was so good! I can't wait to get my hands on The Dark Prophecy and continue reading Apollo's journey to godhood.
Side Note: To view my FULL review of Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle, click here
6. What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler
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What We Saw is one of those books that tells a compelling story but at the same time is telling an important message that absolutely everyone should heed. It revolves around a rape case in a small town and the corrupt way it's being handled. This book doesn't hold back. It tells the story as it is even the graphic parts. I appreciated Hartzler not shying away from this because this is something that needs to be seen in the way it really is in reality. The book's mysterious and tense atmosphere doesn't let up until the very end which adds to the gravity of the situation. All characters in the book were written well. They also played their parts successfully. They depict what really happens in a community and the different sides people take whenever there is a rape case; even the ugly side. The story played out excellently and I was blown away at how good it was when I turned the final page. I just absolutely loved it. It's not only a fantastic book but it was a well-needed lesson. I definitely recommend it.
Side Note: To view my FULL review of What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler, click here
Side Note: To view my FULL review of What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler, click here
7. All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
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This book was incredibly hyped for me because some of my friends read it first and told me how good it was. Of course, their good remarks raised my expectations and I am glad to say that this book met them. All The Bright Places was a simple story elevated by it's two main characters, Violet and Finch. Their two different yet interconnected lives are incredibly painful and sweet. Most of the emotion really comes from Theodore Finch and his story and it's just profoundly sad. I remember crying my eyes out by the last act of the novel. Theodore and Violet are the furthest things from one-dimensional and they are just so easy to latch on to. It never felt too slow and before you know it I was done. The whole thing was worth the time it took me to read it. Truly a genuine and lovely book.
Side Note: To view my INITIAL review of All The Bright Places, click here
Side Note: To view my INITIAL review of All The Bright Places, click here
8. Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
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| U.S. Editions of the Throne of Glass series (Photo from: www.playbuzz.com) |
I can't believe I only discovered and read this series this year because how can I miss something truly incredible? The Throne of Glass series is simply spectacular. This is how a fantasy series should be written. The world is captivating yet simple enough to grasp. The different plots of the different books are all very good and well written. The good writing extends to the amazing characters within the series. All of them, from the characters we met from the first book until the characters we met in the fifth book, are entralling and fun to read. They all have their personal journeys that contribute nicely to the overall story. The twists that the books took are mind-blowing, the kind that makes me scream my lungs out. You have no idea how much I felt like throwing the books as hard as I can while I was binge-reading the series because I was so overcome with emotion. As for favorites, Heir of Fire is my favorite so far. It was where Maas really peaked with how she wrote her story and how it played out as a whole. Let's see how the final book turns out when it comes out next year then I'll give you a definite answer for my favorite book. But nonetheless you can absolutely have any one of them as your favorite because they're all stunning. This series is just so good I don't know how I can express my love for it without taking up a lot of your time..... and discussing some serious spoilers. Bottom line is it's glorious and you if you haven't read it yet, THEN YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD.
Side Note: My official and full review of the Throne of Glass series will be up soon. But if you want to view my INITIAL reviews of Throne of Glass up until Queen of Shadows, here are the links:
9. A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas
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It looks like Sarah J. Maas can't write a bad book, can she? The first two books are absolutely phenomenal especially A Court of Mist and Fury. It was an enjoyable and beautiful retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale but it does have it's own mythology and rules around it that makes it entirely it's own. Both books are page turners. You can't stop reading once you start it. You immediately want to know what happens next after every chapter because of the different incredible scenes with its spectacular characters. Feyre is a great protagonist to follow. The writing really makes me understand and feel her joy, pain, loss, and grief. I don't know how much details I can give about the other characters without spoiling the surprise because there are so much stuff that happens to each and everyone of them. It feels like a whiplash. But rest assured, they are all very good and very easy to invest in. And of course, since this is Sarah J. Maas we're talking about, it has some twists that left me shocked out of my mind.
As much as I loved A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury was the one that really made me love the series. It made my entire year. OH GOD HOW I MUCH I LOVED THAT BOOK. I can only hope that the third one will be as good, if not better, as A Court of Mist and Fury but knowing how Maas writes, I have complete faith in her. I am so excited and scared for A Court of Wings and Ruin but you can all bet I'll enjoy every minute of it.
10. The Infernal Devices Trilogy by Cassandra Clare
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I absolutely regret not reading this the first time I heard about this a few years back. WHY DID I TURN MY BACK ON THIS INCREDIBLE SERIES? But I guess the important thing is that I indeed read them and loved them.
If I had to choose the top series that made me feel all kinds of emotions, especially pain and sorrow, it's got to be The Infernal Devices. This will also be my prime example of characters elevating the story. I know I say this a lot with other books but with this series, without the characters, it would suffer a sever downgrade. I'm not saying the plot is terrible, it's nice actually with surprising and action-packed moments but the characters were just wonderful and made the story into something worth remembering. Tessa, Will, and Jem are untouchable. They will forever be precious and lovely and part of my favorite characters list. The other supporting characters such as Henry, Charlotte, and Jessamine are all good as well but nothing will surpass the three. Everything that was set up in Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince came together in Clockwork Princess and it was simply splendid. The time it took to put every piece together was worth it since it all played out so well. Clockwork Princess is without a doubt the most emotional I have been in my life reading a book. UNTIL NOW I CRY OVER IT and I am not even exaggerating. Ask Lyka Cali for confirmation if you want to. This series was such a great reading experience. It reawakened my interest in the Shadowhunter Chronicles and as a separate entity, will definitely be loved for a very long time.
Side Note: To view my FULL review of The Infernal Devices series, click here
11. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
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Aristotle and Dante is probably my favorite contemporary novel of all time. There's just something about it that I absolutely love. It has a sort of purity, innocence, and authenticity that I never felt from other books before. It was simply beautiful. It doesn't necessarily follow a specific plot but follows Aristotle's life throughout the year starting from the summer he met his best friend, Dante. It follows his quest to understand himself, his family, Dante, his surroundings and many more. On paper, this may seem boring but it's not. His thoughts, theories, and beliefs are intriguing and relatable. Aristotle as a whole is totally relatable and so is Dante. Both of them distinct, understandable, and real. They're easy to invest it. This is a book that genuinely made me smile because of joy and peace. Aristotle and Dante is definitely a high bar to top. It's just that good. All the hype around it is well-deserved.
12. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
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The award for the most moments that I squealed in because of a ship goes to.... CARRY ON! But seriously this book gave me ALL the magnificent feels. I bought this book around the time it officially came out last year yet it took me a year later to actually read it.... what the fuck is wrong with me? Seriously?
Carry On was just great and, no, I am not only talking about the main couple. Reading it felt like a treat. As a long time Potter fan, it's obvious from the first chapter that Carry On is inspired by Harry Potter so seeing all the parallels was really exciting. The plot was executed well enough and it was fast-paced too. It didn't feel like it was more than five hundred pages. I just flew right through it, excited to more. Another thing I really liked about this book were the spells. On paper and without context, it would be too silly to take seriously but Rowell explained it enough to actually make sense in the world the story is taking place. The characters are once again taking the center stage here because they were all so good and entertaining to read about. What can I say about Simon and Baz that would encompass my love for them? Either separate or together, they are both so thrilling to read about yet real in terms of being believable characters, not caricatures. Penelope, Agatha, The Mage, and Lucy were also interesting in their own right and essential to how things went along. The book won't be as strong as it is without them. In the end, Carry On was simply delightful to read and I love it with all my heart. I frequently find myself rereading some chapters when I need something to cheer me up or simply because I miss my magicians. It's definitely worth checking out.
13. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
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| (Photo from: www.madelinemiller.com) |
If you have read my The Song of Achilles review, then you would know how much I love this book but since I have no problem gushing about one of the best books I have ever read in my life, I'm going to rave about it some more.
To put it simply, The Song of Achilles was spectacular. If you know what happens in the Iliad (which I am assuming most of you do because it's the Iliad), then you essentially know what's going to happen in this book because it does follow the classic tale's events. So why bother reading it you ask? Because even though you know what will eventually happen, the way Miller wrote her novel was just breathtaking. It was heartwarming and heart-breaking. Tragic and hopeful. Fearful and joyful. The magical and mystical world of the Greek gods was made more intimate and human through Patroclus' eyes. He grounded the story to make it more understandable, relatable, and worth reading. You root for him from the very first chapter. You feel his loneliness, pain, and happiness as he grows older. You just invest in him right off the bat which is important if you're going to see through him the entire book. Achilles was also grounded. In the Iliad, he was this arrogant and angry character that you most probably disliked. In this, you see his formation, his years growing up, and his motivations for being what he is when the Trojan War actually starts so you get him. You don't just understand him, you like him as well. The two of them together is just lovely to read. All kinds of emotions can be felt when you read a scene between the two of them. The other supporting characters were all good and played their part for the story in impressive ways namely Odysseus, Briseis, Agamemnon, and Thetis. If Madeline Miller ever published novellas concerning the four them, I will definitely pay to read it. I will pay for anything Madeline Miller because she has proven her talent and skill in writing with The Song of Achilles. I just love this book to pieces. Everything about it is a gift from the gods.
Side Note: To view my FULL review of The Song of Achilles, click here
I am actually surprised at how many books I thoroughly loved in 2016. No matter how much crap I give 2016 for being pretty bad, I can't deny that it was a good reading year for me. Earlier this year, I aimed to read around fifty books for my Goodreads reading challenge. And although I won't be able to reach fifty by the time 2016 ends, I can't make myself be totally upset since I mostly read good books. After all, its better to have been able to read in small amounts and for all of them to turn out great rather than have a heaping pile of terrible books. I hope to God that 2017 will again be a good reading year. I'm not sure how much I will be able to read since 2017 will probably be the busiest year of my life yet but I'm still looking forward to the new year...if only for the books. With so many books I am personally anticipating in 2017, it's practically impossible not to feel hope.
Side Note: Once you're done reading my list, check out Lyka Cali's over at her page!
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