This end of year favorite books list is one of our favorite posts to write. We read so many awesome books and to narrow it down was a challenge. Nevertheless, here’s what impressed us the most from our reading in 2016.
Series
The Broken Earth, N.K. Jemisin
Tanya – Between December last year through this year, I read the first 2 books in the series, and they were both amazing. The Fifth Season was book 1, and while it took a little time to get used this new World that Jemisin threw at us, in no time, I was engrossed. It left us with a bit of a cliffhanger, so when The Obelisk Gate (book 2) came out, I jumped at the chance to continue with the series. Just wow – things went to a new level … and left me chomping at the bit for the next book – which is due out in 2017.
An Ember in the Ashes, Sabaa Tahir
Tanya – An Ember in the Ashes was another series I finished the last day of last year, and I was so mad that I had already published my favorites list, because this would definitely go on it. Well – I put it on this year because not only was the first book in the series full of action, suspense and ALL the feels – but Tahir followed it up with A Torch Against the Night which freaking killed it too. People – you need to read this series!
Half Bad Trilogy, Sally Green
Kim – I picked up the first book on a whim and ended up blowing through the series in less than ten days which is completely unheard of for me. I can’t even tell you how much I enjoyed this twist on a witch story.
The Raven King, Maggie Stiefvater
Kim – All the feels. All the feels. I was really scared to read this because I’d fallen so in love with the characters. Stiefvater really wrapped this up well. So well, that I almost couldn’t stand it. This is the series that I am most sad to say goodbye to.
Creature Features
The Good House, Tananarive Due
Tanya – This is the second year in a row that one of Tananarive Due’s books has made my favorites list. Last year it was Ghost Summer. This year it’s one of her earlier works, The Good House. This book officially had me a little scared – not because it was gory and bloody, but because it had some seriously creepy vibes. The author managed to write this story beautifully, keeping me in just the right amount of suspense, not giving much away at first, and teasing it out a little at a time.
The Girl With All the Gifts, M.R. Carey
Tanya – It’s been a long time since I completely devoured a book, finishing it in a day and a half. Even when I had to put this book down, it was in the back of my mind to get back to it ASAP. Loved it!
Lagoon, Nnedi Okorafor
Tanya – Okorafor weaved the culture of Lagos, Nigeria into the story and pulled me in. It’s a weird read for sure, and the author unapologetically uses the regional dialect in the story without explanation. Everything I’ve read by Okorafor has been memorable – even if I didn’t always fall in love … and there are aliens!
Contemporary
Tanya – I know I say I don’t really get into contemporary books, but I do dabble from time to time, and sometimes, these books amaze me. When I read The Nest, Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, I was totally blown away. talk about a dysfunctional but real family. I was into the characters, I was into this story, I was just totally into this book.
And then there’s Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty. I will always read books by this author because she has a way with characters, and she has a way with throwing curve balls at you. Sometimes I might see them coming … and sometimes – I totally don’t – like in Big Little Lies. Damn this book got me with the ending.
A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman
Kim – I don’t read contemporary. I find it induces way too many eye rolls from me most of the time. I can’t even remember why this book fell into my hands but I was hooked from page one and I didn’t roll my eyes once. It was heartwarming. (I just said ‘heartwarming.’ Cue eye roll). Go read it.
Have you read any of the books mentioned above? Did you like them?
// Comments //
Andi
And I basically want to read everything here…especially Tananarive Due. I started The Good House last year? Maybe? Anyway, I was in a half reading slump so it didn’t go well, but I know that was my fault. Gotta give her a go!
Tanya Patrice
@Andi the second half is better than the first so hopefully you give it another shot and like it 🙂
Lori
You have so many great books on your list! An Ember in the Ashes made my list this year too. I read Half Bad last year and loved it, but I still haven’t read the next two! I’m hoping to get to them in 2017. I really want to read The Fifth Season too. I’ve heard so many great things about it.
Tanya Patrice
@Lori It’s so good … I hope you get to it soon.
Melissa
I can’t wait to read The Raven King…I keep postponing…don’t want it to end! And I need to read more Tananarive Due.
Kim
The Raven King was so good! I loved how it all ended.
Holly @ Nut Free Nerd
An Ember in the Ashes is on my TBR list for 2017– it sounds fantastic!
(Also, hi Tanya! My name is Holly and I’m your partner for the Winter Comment Challenge. Looking forward to reading more from your awesome blog!!)
Tanya Patrice
Hi Holly! Yay – I’m so excited I have such an awesome partner 🙂
CurlyGeek
Like you, I loved both Broken Earths and The Girl with All the Gifts. I also really liked The Nest. Though I didn’t love the ending, it’s a great story about a messy family and how money gets in the way.
Tanya Patrice
@CurlyGreek – oh the ending of The Nest was crazy! But kind of appropriate for the situation I thought.
Sarah's Book Shelves
I like how you categorized this! I enjoyed The Nest this summer…dysfunctional families were a big reading theme for me this year.
Tanya Patrice
@Sarah – Thanks! Your reviews arfe one of my go to resources for contemporary reads … hence Commonwealth being my next audiobook 🙂
Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews
Beautiful post!!
Thanks for all the fun this month. I enjoyed joining in again this year.
Happy New Year, and Happy Reading in 2017!!
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Favorite Books of 2016
Tanya Patrice
@Elizabeth – Thanks!
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