So many things have happened this year, in fact it's been kind of crazy around my house, and I do want to say I'm sorry for disappearing so much. While I have been getting some reading done I haven't been getting nearly as many reviews posted (in fact I don't think I've gotten any posted since September, whoops) and I've been kinda horrible at getting prizes out in a timely manner as well, so for that I want to give you all my deepest apologies. I recently decided my college major and thus have signed up for entirely new and challenging classes at my community college which seem to be taking up so much of my time. One of my goals in this coming year is to post here more regularly, both reviews and interviews alike although I will also be continuing my education (which is my first priority), working, and attempting to write a novel, so I suppose I'll have to take everything one day at a time.
Anyway, now that that's out of the way let's get on to the 2016 wrap-up! I read a total of 52 books this year [actually it was probably more than that, seeing as I read some NA books that I decided not to count] and now the time has come for me to pick my favorites. I won't bother listing all of the book that I read, but for those of you who are curious here's a little statistical breakdown (seeing as I am actually majoring in statistics) so you can get a little glimpse into what my year of reading looked like.
52+ books read (actual count more like 61)
6 books not finished
192 pages; shortest book read
842 pages; longest book read
9 2015 debuts
12 books not published in 2015
2 Middle Grade novels
2 Adult novels
19 YA contmep novels
Now that you've seen some of my reading stats for this year let's get on with the list. I've chosen 10 of my favorite reads, all of which came out this year, that have little blurbs as to why I chose them, and below that there are 5 additional titles that I enjoyed that didn't have to come out this year, or that did and just weren't in my top 10. Here they are in (roughly) the order I read them!
This was actually the first book I read in 2015 and even though I had a feeling I knew what was going to happen it still tore me apart when it did. There was so much emotion in this book, along with such an important message, and its help shed some light onto the dark spot in our society that is mental illness.
Nova has such an amazing way with words and every book of hers that I've read I've found myself spellbound not only by the story she's written but by the words themselves as well. Something about her writing is so poetic, and this story was so haunting it's hard to forget.
This is a fantastic graphic novel (that apparently started out as a webcomic) about a young girl who can shapeshift into whatever she wants and she ends up helping a super villain! Basically hilarity ensues. The art style wasn't exactly my thing, but I was so amused by the story that I kept going, and I found that I was sad at how soon it was over.
I think one of the biggest things I loved about this book was the moral complexities of it, along with the characters. It was action-packed and full of heart, but unlike so many YA novels the main female character was a coward, and although you might not think so I really enjoyed that about it, because not every person is brave and thus not all characters should be.
I'm not sure that it's actually possible for this book to be any cuter than it already is. I don't think I've enjoyed a YA with a gay main character this much since Will Gryason, Will Grayson and I can't tell you how glad I am that I gave this book a chance. Even if you're not attracted to members of the same sex I suggest you check this book out, because I think it has something to teach everyone.
This is another book that just has to much cute in it for me to stand. Despite being about a boy who is abducted by his father when he's young and finally returned years later it's such a sweet story and the focus is on life and figuring out who you are.
This is the only horror/thriller on my list, which is surprising, seeing as I read quite a few of them this year, but this one really left an impression. I had my suspicions about it from about halfway through and despite the fact that I was right I was still so shocked that I didn't even care. Not everyone will enjoy this one, but man did I ever.
8. Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amiee Kaufman
This is the longest book on the list but it didn't really take me all that long to read. Another book that won't be for everyone but I can pretty much guarantee that if you don't mind the format of mostly IMs, emails, and "interview" dictations you'll find something you've never read before between the pages of this book.
I actually read this book because I intended to give it as a Christmas present to my best friend, who is in love with all things WWII, and I'm so glad I did. This book probably takes the cake for most inventive story along with having the most amazing writing. Who would have thought a novel set in a world where Hitler won WWII would have writing that's so gosh-darn pretty?
Even though, in my mind, this book didn't have a concrete plot until over 100 pages in I found I didn't care because the world Schwab had created was so fascinating and her writing was so lyrical. When the action finally did start I couldn't put the book down. It's exactly the kind of adventure fantasy novel I was hoping for, and I'm pretty mad at myself that it took me so long to get to. It's one of the two "adult" novels I read this year, and I'll for sure be reading the sequel when it comes out!
So there's my top 10 of the year, with an extra 5 added on. There were also more books that I would have loved to put on the list, but let's be honest, I would probably end up including half of the books I read this year on that list. I didn't include any NA novels just because I mostly read those for my own amusement, although do let me know if you want any recommendations. Tomorrow I'll be posting a list of books that I was hoping to get to this year but didn't, but in the meantime check out the two giveaways I have going on below.
Giveaway #1:
I have a whole bunch of book and book-related things to give away and I decided the best time to do so would be during the holiday season! Unfortunately Christmas (and Hanukkah and every other holiday out there) has come and gone, so what better time to give it away than while I'm celebrating all the fantastic books out this year and the ones I'm looking forward to next year? I'm pretty sure there is no better time. But you're probably wondering what you can win, so here's a little list;
Your choice of one of my favorite 2015 reads
Your choice of one of the books I didn't get to in 2015
A pre-order of your choice of one of my 2016 picks OR a $20 gift card to the bookstore of your choice (or Amazon)
Your choice of two 2016 ARCs
Your choice of three of the following movies made from books
- The Hunger Games
- Catching Fire
- Mockingjay Part 1
- Divergent
- The Fault in our Stars
- The DUFF
- The Maze Runner
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower
A bunch of swag from various authors/books
A handmade book pendant of your design
A $15 Starbucks giftcard
A pair of fuzzy socks to read in
A set of my favorite chocolates from around the holiday season (I've been told they're exclusive to the area I live in)
That's upward of $200 of book-ish things, and goodness knows I'll probably end up tossing a few other things in there as well, so that's a HUGE prize! This one is US/Canada only, just because shipping will be so expensive outside of the US, although if you live outside the US and have family or a friends who would mail the prize to you feel free to enter. All you have to do is enter using the rafflecopter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway #2:
This giveaway is nowhere near as huge as the previous one BUT it's open ONLY to those of you who live OUTSIDE the US/Canada. Here's what you can win;
Your choice of ANY book I feature over the next four days (aka it can be out now or it can be a pre-order) OR $20 to the book depository
For those of you who fall into this category all you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter below and you're entered to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
