Anyone else still recovering from Christmas? It’s ‘Boxing Day’ here and another holiday for me (dont ask me what Boxing Day is – I have no clue other than its an English Commonwealth thing and every year I have the day after Christmas off – which is never a bad thing). I’m still at my parents home with Danny, but will be heading home later today. I hope you all are recovering well though.
I didn’t start tracking what I read this year until around June when I re-discovered / started paying attention to, Goodreads. That same month, I put a reading goal of 50 books for the rest of the year (a goal I’ve accomplished). I was a bit busy during the earlier part of the year (read: wedding and honeymoon, three trips to Europe, and a new job) but one day I’ll take the time to try to remember each book read earlier in the year and put it on goodreads.
I did read more in the latter half anyway and lucky for me, most of the books I loved were read in the latter half of the year (save for THUG) and thankfully they were all (including THUG) documented on the blog.
I don’t give away 5 stars quite easily but most of these were 4.5 or 5 star rated. All deserving; at least in my opinion. So here they are:
General Adult Fiction:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo ~ Taylor Jenkins Reid
This was hands down one of the top two books I read all year. I spoke more about it in this post.
Loved the writing, the story and the characters. I even sent it to my sister in Australia for Christmas. I totally recommend for an easy yet gripping adult fiction.
Goodreads link here
The Hate U Give ~. Angie Thomas
My second “favourite” book of the year. I spoke about it in this post.
So relevant in todays society. So potent with issues. The characters were great, the writing was good, the story was exceptional. The first of its kind – or at least that I’ve read. A must read. I’m still getting over the fact that this is a debut.
Goodreads link here
An American Marriage ~ Tayari Jones
Another great adult fiction. I absolutely loved this story. I spoke about it in this post.
Also rich in relevant material – wrongful arrest of a black man and how race, culture and relationships work in certain places. Its such a great read.
The characters were not always likable but still not unlikable. They were complex and your moral compass was always tested in trying to figure out right and wrong. Man, I totally recommend.
Goodreads link here
Suspense / Thrillers:
The Wife before me ~ Laura Elliot
I spoke about this one in this post.
There are a lot of wife suspense/thrillers out there but this one was one of the best, at least for me.
It was a total win as a psychological thriller. Great read if you’re into that sort of thing.
Goodreads link here
The Marriage Pact ~ Michelle Richmond
I spoke about this book here.
This one was equal parts ‘wtf’ and ‘ok I loved that’. How it made it to my top 10? Well the writing and characters kept me reading.
When a book evoked real tangible emotion in me, I remember it. And thats why its on the list.
Goodreads link here
Romance:
Mostly Sunny ~ Jamie Pope
Oh man, I loved this one. I blogged about it in this post.
One of the most well written romances I’ve read in a while (and I love romance).
I also love that there was representation in this one with a mixed race main character. Totally recommend.
Goodreads link here
Young Adult:
One of us is lying ~ Karen M. Mc Manus
I blogged about this one here.
I don’t do YA very often, but when I do it better be good. This was goood. Very good. Its a thriller/suspense YA that I guessed the ending to pretty early on but still enjoyed reading. Seriously one of the best written YA novels Ive read.
Goodreads link here
Historical Fiction:
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society ~ Mary Ann Shaffer and Anne Barrows
I blogged about this one here.
This is one of my favourite novels ever and that’s no exaggeration. This novel makes me feel good – again a novel that gets me to feel will always win.
I loved the characters, the story, the fact that it was written in letters but still felt real. Lovely book.
Goodreads link here
My real name is Hanna ~ Tara Lynn Masih
I blogged about this one in this post.
Its a WW2 novel that was both light and tense at the same time. I loved it.
Goodreads link here
You’ll notice there aren’t any fantasy or dystopian novels here and that’s because I read exactly zero for the year (or maybe even last year – they’ve just never been genres I could get into fully) but I do have a few that I plan to read soon-ish. Feel free to recommend any you love to me.
Ill be back this weekend with a review of my year.
