Best Books I Read in 2016

I've compiled a list of my favorite books of 2016. To be clear, these aren't the best books published in 2016, but my favorites that I read this year. Below I have a picture of the book and links to my reviews on goodreads for each. I have the same reviews on this blog also, if you'd rather read them here. They are in no particular order, although the last one was definitely by favorite of the year. It seems like my favorites for the year were definitely heavy in the fantasy/sci-fi category. I read a wide variety of genres, but I do have more fantasy and science fiction in my favorites list than I expected. Overall I read 81 books this year, so it was a pretty good year!

Fire by Kristin Cashore

4.5 stars. I read this one early in the year, but it really did stick with me through the year. I loved the main character and felt really connected to her. See my review HERE.

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

4.5 stars. I was so surprised by this book! See my review HERE.

The Lunar Chronicles by Marrissa Meyer

4 stars. I gave each book in the series 4 stars and thoroughly enjoyed reading my way through them this summer. See my thoughts on each in the links below:

Cinder Review

Scarlet Review

Cress Review

Fairest Review

Winter Review

Stars Above Review

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

4.5 stars. This book was excellent and my review was a little longer than some. I had a lot to say. Read it HERE.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

4.5 stars. I'm noticing a trend where in several of my reviews I mention that I stayed up ridiculously late to finish the book. This was another one of those. Read my review HERE.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor

4-4.5 stars. I was so surprised by this trilogy! I picked up the first one on a whim at a used book sale, and I am so glad I did! It was a great series. Read my thoughts for each below.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Review
Days of Blood and Starlight Review
Dreams of Gods and Monsters Review

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

4.5 stars. I don't normally read graphic novels, but I'm so glad I picked this one up. It was funny, exciting and sweet. See what I said HERE.

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

4.5 stars at least. I didn't have time for a long review, but HERE are a few impressions. I'm really looking forward to reading more of this series in 2017. I have the second one already!

Illuninae by Aimee Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

4.5 or 4.75 stars. What an exciting, unique book! I couldn't put it down! HERE is what I had to say.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

4.5 or 4.75 stars. I technically finished this on January 1, 2017, but I only had a tiny bit left, so I'm going to count it for 2016. I loved it!! It was like being in a video game! Read my review HERE.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

5 stars and without a doubt my favorite book of the year. I almost never give out 5 stars, as I reserve them for only my favorite books of all time. This is one of them. Everyone should read it. Read a few of my thoughts HERE.

And that's it! I've already read 6 books in January, so 2017 is off to a good start! 

Review: Everything, Everything

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very good, very quick read. I read it in just a few hours. Each chapter was between a paragraph and a few pages long, which really made it seem to fly. I liked the main character, I liked the diversity in it, and I liked the story. The only thing I wasn't sure about is that (view spoiler)[ it seemed pretty convenient for her to just not really have the disease in the end. It was a nice way for her to be able to end up with the boy she loves, but also sort of an easy way out. It just didn't seem very realistic. (hide spoiler)] However, despite that being a fairly major criticism, I really enjoyed the story as a whole. It made me want to read The Sun Is Also a Star. I'd been avoiding it because it was getting almost too much hype, but Nicola Yoon has a great writing style. I also read that there will be a movie out later this year, so I'm glad I read it!

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Review: My Lady Jane

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this!! It's just as funny as everyone says! For example, when Jane's parents decide they have to tell her about consummating the marriage, they describe it as a "very special hug." Some parts are historically accurate and some parts are wildly imaginative, but all of it was enjoyable. I liked Jane's character a lot and I loved the added magical element. It just made for a great, really fun story. I heard the authors are going to write another rewritten version of history together. I really, really hope they do because it's been a long time since I've read a book so funny and exciting at the same time. I actually bought it for my best friend because I thought she would like it as well. A great one!! :)

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Review: Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A really enjoyable read! I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was great. I also really enjoyed the characters, especially Bee and Bernadette and their somewhat wacky ways. Eljin, Bernadette's husband, drove me a little bit crazy. I thought he was pretty self-absorbed and kind of awful, but I think he was supposed to be. It was a fairly light, fun story with great characters. It was a little unbelievable, but I don't think that took away from the story at all. I hear it is supposed to be made into a movie, but I don't know when. I'd heard a lot about it, so I'm glad I finally got around to reading it! :)

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Review: Gemina

Gemina by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was really, really good. Just as action-packed as the first one and with the same unique format. I personally enjoyed the first one a tiny bit more because it seemed slightly creepier to me an honestly, I didn't love the main character's drug use/abuse (which wasn't really addressed), but it was still a great story. I was slightly confused by some of it especially near the end, but I understood the basic premise. I wish I didn't have to wait until October for the next (and last?) one to come out!!

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Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.75 or 4 stars. There were a lot of things I really liked about it, but also a few things that I really didn't like. I really liked the characters and the diversity present in this story. I've rarely read anything by or about Mexican-Americans or with LGTBQ themes, so I really appreciated that. I believe it is very important to read books with diverse characters and themes and I am constantly striving to read more. I loved the family dynamic for both Dante and Ari's characters. Rarely do I read a YA book whose characters have parents that are actively involved in their children's lives and play and large role in the story. Although their relationships aren't perfect, there is a lot of love there and I really enjoyed reading about that. I was interested the entire time and kept wanting to know what else was going to happen.

I was a bit annoyed by the dialogue and some of the thoughts Ari had throughout the story. It often seemed contrived and like the author was trying a little to hard to be profound. I liked the writing, but it didn't feel natural to me. I just thought a lot of it was somewhat unrealistic. It reminded me somehow of a mix between The Outsiders and The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. Actually, like this book, I enjoy those books a lot, but they are not my all-time favorites.

Overall, I thought it was a very good book that made me think, even if some of it seemed contrived. I hear there is supposed to be a sequel, which I am not sure about. I thought it was a great standalone, so we'll see! I'm sure I will read it, but I hope it is just as good or better!

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Review: Ready Player One

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5 or 4.75 stars. This book was awesome!!! It was like being in a video game. It was actually kind of like a cross between a great classic video game and National Treasure or The Westing Game something. The main character, Wade, had to play his way through a big game created by a multi-billionaire in order to win his fortune. He pieced together clues and completed multiple tasks as he worked his way through the puzzle. The references to 80s pop culture were incredibly fun. The characters were fantastic. The writing was very compelling. I listened to it and I kept making up things I had to do so I could listen more. I loved the friendships and the touch of romance in the story. I heard they were making a movie of this book, and I hope they do it justice. It was definitely one of the best books I read this year!

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Review: The Fate of the Tearling

The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, but honestly, I did not enjoy it as much as the first two. The first 3/4 of the book was similar to the first two. It moved quickly and I really enjoyed and admired Kelsea's character. It continued to shift perspectives and time, which at first I found confusing, but it does all tie together in the end. The last quarter, (view spoiler)[ however, was completely different. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. I understand why Kelsea chose to go back in time and restart, but I found the ending somewhat unsatisfying. It made me sad that such a fearless leader ended up being a librarian without anyone who knew or recognized her from her old life. Of course, a librarian is a wonderful job, especially for someone who loves books as much as Kelsea, but it is a very different sort of job from queen. I just felt like the author sort of made too much of a mess of the present time period and had no choice but to say "Oh well . . . Can't fix that. Might as well start over." Obviously that's not what the author really did because she has clearly planned to have Kelsea go back in time since at least the second book, but I still didn't love the ending. I understand it, but I did feel somewhat disappointed. (hide spoiler)]

Overall, this was a great series. I liked the first book the best, but I'm glad I finished the story. I especially loved Kelea's character throughout the series and really felt connected to her. I heard there may be a movie at least about the first book, which would be awesome. I hope they really do make it and I hope Erika Johansen writes more!

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Review: The Fate of the Tearling

The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, but honestly, I did not enjoy it as much as the first two. The first 3/4 of the book was similar to the first two. It moved quickly and I really enjoyed and admired Kelsea's character. It continued to shift perspectives and time, which at first I found confusing, but it does all tie together in the end. The last quarter, (view spoiler)[ however, was completely different. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. I understand why Kelsea chose to go back in time and restart, but I found the ending somewhat unsatisfying. It made me sad that such a fearless leader ended up being a librarian without anyone who knew or recognized her from her old life. Of course, a librarian is a wonderful job, especially for someone who loves books as much as Kelsea, but it is a very different sort of job from queen. I just felt like the author sort of made too much of a mess of the present time period and had no choice but to say "Oh well . . . Can't fix that. Might as well start over." Obviously that's not what the author really did because she has clearly planned to have Kelsea go back in time since at least the second book, but I still didn't love the ending. I understand it, but I did feel somewhat disappointed. (hide spoiler)]

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Review: The Fate of the Tearling

The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, but honestly, I did not enjoy it as much as the first two. The first 3/4 of the book was similar to the first two. It moved quickly and I really enjoyed and admired Kelsea's character. It continued to shift perspectives and time, which at first I found confusing, but it does all tie together in the end. The last quarter, (view spoiler)[ however, was completely different. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. I understand why Kelsea chose to go back in time and restart, but I found the ending somewhat unsatisfying. It made me sad that such a fearless leader ended up being a librarian without anyone who knew or recognized her from her old life. Of course, a librarian is a wonderful job, especially for someone who loves books as much as Kelsea, but it is a very different sort of job from queen. I just felt like the author sort of made too much of a mess of the present time period and had no choice but to say "Oh well . . . Can't fix that. Might as well start over." Obviously that's not what the author really did because she has clearly planned to have Kelsea go back in time since at least the second book, but I still didn't love the ending. I understand it, but I did feel somewhat disappointed. (hide spoiler)]

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