A Few of my Favorite Books of 2016!
First, a confession: I haven’t read as many books as usual in 2016 (um. .. about half as many as usual.) This was partly the result of a slight reading slump, but mostly because things in my offline life have been pretty hectic over the past year.
But I still have a few great favorites of 2016. I mean, these are the books that un-slumped me, so there’s something special there. I’m going to be giving a couple of them away over the next week, so stay tuned!
The Sun is Also a Star
by Nicola Yoon
Published on November 1, 2016
by Delacorte Press
Yes, The Sun is Also a Star had some aspects that aren’t usually my favorite. It’s a romance set in one day, so there’s some *whispers* instalove. But I was still completely charmed by this story of an unlikely love story between an about-to-be-deported Jamaican-American girl and an about-to-be-college-interviewed Korean-American guy. The book’s narrative also omnisciently peeks into the lives (and futures) of minor characters, like a security guard and a secretary. I’m not always enamored of such techniques, but in this story I thought the technique served to point out that our lives are connected with those of others in mysterious and surprising ways. And that’s why the epilogue, which required some suspension of disbelief, didn’t bother me. Nicola Yoon looks at the world in such a whimsical, humorous, compassionate way — that’s one of the reasons I love her writing.
This Adventure Ends
by Emma Mills
Published on October 1, 2016
by Henry Holt
I’m all about a character-driven book and This Adventure Ends is a prime example of how a book with very little plot can be as gripping and entertaining as the twistiest thriller. Sloane is a fish-out-of-water New Yorker suddenly transplanted to the South, but finds herself drawn in to a group of friends, into a quest for a missing painting, into her father’s sort-of midlife crisis (he’s a Nicholas Sparks-style writer who starts writing fanfic). This book creates a unique world that you enjoy being a part of and hate to leave.
Last Seen Leaving
by Caleb Roehrig
Published on October 4, 2016
by Feiwel and Friends
Flynn is a guy with a missing girlfriend and the police are interested in what he knows. Flynn knows stuff, sure. He also has some secrets of his own, secrets he might not be ready to tell. So he begins to look for January and, in the process, gets to know himself better. At once a mystery and a coming of age story, Last Seen Leaving is absorbing and moving.
The Long Game (The Fixer #2)
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Published on June 7, 2016
by Bloomsbury
I’m always bemoaning the non-thrillingness of many YA thrillers, but The Long Game had twists and turns that thrilled and surprised me. This is book two in a series about a girl in an exclusive DC private school who “fixes” the problems of her fellow students. Book one was good, but this book took the series into serious political thriller territory. I can’t wait for the next installment!
Disruption
by Jessica Shirvington
Published (in the US) on October 4, 2016
by Harper
When I read the synopsis of this one (dystopian featuring a microchip that can identify your perfect love match — or identify you as divergent — whoops, I mean a “neg” — and send you to a rehabilitation camp ) I rolled my eyes. But positive reviews from fellow bloggers convinced me to pick it up – and they were right. The premise feels familiar, but is well-executed and the romance is really compelling. Looking forward to the next installment!
The year’s not over and I’m still looking for great books – tell me about some of your favorites of 2016 in comments!
Not familiar with all the titles except for the first one. Disruption seems quite interesting. Shall add that to my to read list. 🙂
YES – and I will soon be giving away the sequel 🙂
I read and really liked Last Seen Leaving. I own all but Disruption so I will need to get on and read them. I think my favorites were After I Do and The Hating Game. Hopen next year is a better reading year for you!
Gah I haven't read any of these! *hides face in shame*
It's been a terrible year for me, reading-wise. Resolving to do better next year.
(Totally stealing the phrase 'books that unslumped me'!)
Same. I usually read 200+ books and I haven't even cracked 100 this year.
I'm so glad you loved Disruption!! And honestly I had the same feeling when I heard about it because it sounds kind of cliche…but it was just 100% AWESOME. XD Definitely one of my favourite dystopians (or sci-fi? I have no idea what it is really bahah.) And eep, I just bough Last Seen Leaving so this makes me very excited.😍
Hope you love it!
I just read The Sun is Also a Star and I loved it!!! Also, I really want to read This Adventure Ends; it looks amazing. 🙂
Giving it away on Friday so stop by if you can!
I'm sad to say I haven't read any of these yet ): But I have This Adventures Ends on my TBR!
Giving it away on Friday – come by!
Disruption actually looks really good tome, adding that one. Love that cover! And The Long Game I think I've seen around- I like that synopsis a lot. I love a good thriller! Last Seen Leaving is one I;m curious about too.
Really enjoyed Disruption. I was super burned out on dystopian, but it was really fun. Last Seen was a mystery with some depth, I thought.
Last seen leaving was good…and those first two are ones I hope to get to in 2017:)
Yay – glad others enjoyed it too!
I read and enjoyed The Sun is Also a Star! I really want to read This Adventure Ends. I've heard nothing but good things about it!
Yippee– hope all of you stop by and enter!
Yes definitely agree with you on The Long Game! Loved it so much. I thought there were only 2 books, but I really wish there's gonna be another one!