This year I read 80 books (that’s with my eyes and with my ears). Reading is something I make time for because I enjoy it and I think it’s good for me. I love visiting the other worlds and learning about new people but most of all I love talking to my friends about the people and places I meet in my stories. Here are the 10 books out of all the books I read this year that really stood out to me. Curious about all the books I read this year? Scroll down to see all the titles!
I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
I’ve been waiting for this book since I finished her debut The Sky is Everywhere. This book was crazy. You’re thrown in to the mind of a hyper creative 13 year old boy. He’s super awkward and his mind just explodes on the page. At first it takes a second to get used to the writing style but I ended up really loving that aspect. The story centers on twins Jude (the girl) and Noah (the boy) it jumps back and forth between Noah’s perspective at 13 and Jude’s at 16 and it’s really great. You get to see how they change from 13 to 16 and it’s really kind of great. It’s one of the most uniquely told stories I’ve read and I adore the characters. There are SO many beautiful and funny lines I wish that I had taken the time to write them down but I was too caught up in the story to stop.
Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers
Robin LaFevers is a literary god. She is like magic the way she can write totally realistic characters and relationships that while not perfect are admirable. The Mortal Heart which is the third and final book in His Fair Assassins series is just as amazing as the first two. And really when I read the first and then the second I didn’t know how that would be possible. So much action, political intrigue, great romance, strong characters, lots to think about, and SUPER fun to read. These are some of the most enjoyable books I’ve read and this was the perfect end to the series (although I think it does leave room for a spin off series which I hope and pray will be written). If I could force teens to read books these would make the list because they are fun but they really have so many positive messages about one’s values, other’s expectations, romance and more.
Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman
Are you shocked that a non-fiction book made my list? This book is so interesting it’s fun to jump into another culture to see how they do things. The way it’s written though it’s totally accessible and a quick fascinating read. The foodie in me has spent a long time horrified at the way we Americans just assume kids should be picky and that it’s okay just to feed them chicken nuggets and hot dogs for every meal. So while the other subjects were fun to read about I was totally engrossed with all the details of how meals are run and the attitude towards food especially when it comes to the littlest eaters.
The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider
This is a book that really stood out to me that I haven’t heard many people talking about. Think popular kid gets his world shaken up and a great coming of age tale. I was really drawn to the characters and story about learning who you really are and what’s really important to you full of sass and humor.
For the Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreundy
Think steam punk meets historical fiction meets sci-fi meets romance meets Austen and you might be able to picture this book. Can’t do it, yeah well that’s probably because if you’re like me you haven’t read anything like this which is a good thing. This was so unique but I loved it. The characters, the story, the crazy world, it’s one of the few books that even though I finished it a while ago I still think about. Go find a copy…now.
The Statistical Probability of Love of First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
I have a new favorite author and it’s Jennifer E. Smith. I mean how the heck had I not read this before. It’s the perfect weekend or vacation book. So fast so cute so easy to love. I adored this sweet contemporary story so much that I immediately checked out This is What Happiness Looks Like, loved it just as much and I have The Geography of You and Me waiting for me. If you want and easy sweet romance you need to check this out.
Champion by Marie Lu
I was already a fan of the Legend books but this ending was just perfect. What I love is that it isn’t your typical series ender but it isn’t a “how can we shock the reader” ender either. You really get to see the characters you’ve come to love mature and that makes my heart swoon. There’s the great adventure and dystopian power play you’ve come to expect from the series too. I really loved it
Cress by Marissa Meyer
If you haven’t started the Lunar Chronicles yet I have to tell you they are awesome. I was SO apprehensive when all the hype about Cinder (book 1) started. It just sounded dumb to me. But after a good friend couldn’t stop raving about it my curiosity got the best of me. Thankfully so because these books are AH-mazing and I swear they just get better. Yes this is in part a fairy tale retelling but it’s so much more think sci-fi meets fairy tale plus some awesome characters, sassy dialogue and swoon worthy book boys.
Noggin by John Corey Whaley
A teen is dying of cancer and he decides to freeze his head in hopes that “some day” they can bring him back. Only some day comes WAY sooner than expected. So what feels like just a few hours for him end up being a few years and he’s thrown back into life with someone else’s body. The story that comes out is so interesting. It’s funny and thoughtful. Don’t worry about being bogged down in science it’s not that kind of book it’s really about figure out who you are but with a really interesting unusual context.
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
This is the third book of the series and while I’ll admit that it took me a long while (like 1/3 of the book) to warm up to it some how Sarah Maas once again won me over, completely. It’s not that the first part of the book wasn’t interesting and good it’s just that she spent a lot of time introducing new characters and I was anxious to know what was happening where we left of in book two. She’s just a stunning writer. Great fantasy, jammed packed action, but mostly an amazing ability to write characters. If you haven’t started this series (Throne of Glass) do it now it’s filled with adventure, romance, great banter, fantastic complicated characters, and more than one great book boy.
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Mandy says
If you haven’t checked out Robin Hobb yet, her Farseer Trilogy is amazing! Speaking of fantasy/sci fi, Terry Goodkind, Mercedes Lackey, Raymond Feist–I could list a bunch more…
From one bookworm sewist to another
Janice Writer says
An interesting list of books, I will definitely read some of these books. Now I work as a freelance writer, and soon I will start writing my first book. I think that writing books is a really interesting process, because you can use your imagination and creativity to the full. I think that the main problem for writers is the lack of motivation and inspiration, and now I’m struggling to overcome it in myself. Thank you for sharing this wonderful list of books :)