Top 15 Books that Blew Our Minds This Year #AMonthofFaves

Sometimes there are those books that just stay with you all year long after you read them. Here are the books that blew our minds this year…

❧ Kim –

The Long Way to A Small and Angry Planet, Becky Chambers

Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space—and one adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe—in this light-hearted debut space opera from a rising sci-fi star.

I got a lot more than expected when it came to this book. It’s science fiction so I planned for different life forms, alien planets, and a fair amount of action. I got that and so much more. I fell in love with the characters because Chambers wrote them in such an incredible way. This book is more about the people and their connection to each other than anything. It had me crying at the end.

Bone Season, Samantha Shannon

The year is 2059. Nineteen-year-old Paige Mahoney is working in the criminal underworld of Scion London, based at Seven Dials, employed by a man named Jaxon Hall. Her job: to scout for information by breaking into people’s minds. For Paige is a dreamwalker, a clairvoyant and, in the world of Scion, she commits treason simply by breathing.

Paige is taken hostage by an otherworldly race and given a Master to look after her and control her. Only, there’s a connection between the two that surprises them both. I couldn’t put this one down and I’m excited to read the next in the series.

❧ Tanya – I’m pretty easy to please, and there were a lot of books that I connected with this year.

Favorite Speculative Fiction – Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror

Iron Cast, Destiny Soria

The friendship in this book is one of the things that makes this books stand out – the girls take center stage and it was clear that they would do anything for each other. We, the readers, are always aware of the constant danger throughout the book and the action never lets up and the author teases out the story. I thoroughly enjoyed Iron Cast and would highly recommend it to anyone to read.

Gut Wrenching Historical Fiction

The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead

This was one of those books that I was late to the party – but thankfully, not too late. The book is raw, emotional and will freaking sucker punch you in the gut time and time again. Do yourself a favor, and read it if you haven’t already.

Fave Murder Mystery

The Thirst (Harry Hole ##11), Jo Nesbo

The Harry Hole series is one of my all-time favorites – and this installment is brilliant – one of my favorites in the series as well. You don’t have to read the books in order, but it does help you understand Harry Hole and some of the references to older cases in the book.

Fave Thrillers

The Couple Next Door, Shari Lapena

The Child, Fiona Barton

Into the Water, Paula Hawkins

None of the books above could be eliminated from the list. Each one is suspenseful and dramatic. Of the 3, I’ve read books before by Fiona Barton (do yourself a favor and get her other book, The Widow IMMEDIATELY); and Paula Hawkins (who also wrote the insanely popular The Girl on the Train).

Fave First Novels from Debut Authors

The Mothers, Brit Bennett

Here Comes the Sun, Nicole Dennis-Benn

The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas

I’m loving that all these works are from authors of color.

Fave Contemporary Fiction

American Street, Ibi Zoboi

A Man Called Ove, Frederik Bachman

Beartown, Frederik Bachman

Fave #WTFEnding

Behind Her Eyes, Sarah Pinborough

What the fuck just happened?! I didn’t see it coming at all – but it totally made sense. I’m being cryptic – and even what I’ve said is too much. Just go read this book.

Have you read any of the books mentioned above? What did you think?

If you’re participating in #AMonthofFaves – add your blog post (or social media link) to the linky below.

(Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash)

Save