This year, reading and I were like distant cousins at a family reunion. We said hi, had a few good things to say to each other and then sort of left it at that. I don't know why, but for me this reading year has been strange.
According to Goodreads I have only read approximately a little under 50 books not counting my many rereads this past year, visiting old favorites. Still, it is a low number for someone who took three books out at a time to return them within a day or two to the library in high school. It is jarring.
It does not mean that I do not have a few favorites of the year to share with you all however...
Looking back over my reads for the year, I knew this one was going to be on the list since the moment I finished reading it, and here it is. The Red by Tiffany Reisz was beautiful gorgeous artsy porn and I loved every minute of it. I have a review up as well if you need more convincing.
The Upside of Unrequited
I was not expecting this book in the least. While in a reading rut this past summer, I picked up this book that I got from the OwlCrate stand at Book Expo. Going in, I knew pretty much nothing only to be laughing alongside quirky and interesting characters finding first love. And you know what? I loved it. It was just the happy making sort of book I needed and I definitely think that a reread may be in order for this contemporary YA soon.
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
If you have not read A Court of Thorns and Roses, you definitely need to get on that. The third book in this trilogy? series? was amazing and I love all the characters so much that they are practically my much cooler fae family. Though this book was great, the second, A Court of Wings and Fury still holds my heart the most.
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
After reading Laini Taylor and her strange musings in Daughter of Smoke and Bone I knew that I was going to have to pick up this pretty thing of a series starter and go in to reading it just as confused as her other novels. I was not dissapointed by the Strange in the title. It was strange and a magical fantasy I didn't realize I needed in my life to take a break from reality. Laini, I am not sure how you do it, seriously I don't, but don't stop.
The Night Mark by Tiffany Resiz
Another Tiffany Reisz novel, you ask? Why of course! It deserves it. Time travel romance with great banter, historical lighthouse content, some sauciness thrown in, it the least erotica of all Tiffany's books, but still absolutely fantastic. Tiffany can do it all, folks!
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
I have been wanting to read this book for some time. Whenever I went to get it at the bookstore however, I was with someone who reminded me how ugly the cover was and did I really need that ugly covered book? I can answer the question now. Yes, yes I did. This is a coming of age epic about two friends in Neapolitan Italy who take very different paths in their lives. This is the first book of the four book series that spans through child, young adulthood, through when our main characters have children themselves. This book is simply life and hardship and I loved the so much and now plan to devour all of Elena Ferrante's work.
All The Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
This was my first book of the year! It always seems to happen that my first book of the year manages to make its way onto my favorites list. This year was no different. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things is what this story captures through a morally compelling and beautifully told story. I loved this one so much I even have a review to go along with it.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
When I forget my love of reading, a need a really good, fun, and fast pace read to help me through. This was the book that did that for me in the spring this past year as I was finishing up my first year at college while undergoing the process of transfer papers. This was a magical young adult fantasy-esque novel loosely based on 1001 nights. Our main character is snarky and strong and I immediately needed the second book in this duology right after.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
I bought this one a think a year prior and finally got to this massive fantasy. I will tell you what I was told about it. It is great. One of the best true fantasy novels I have read. If you like fantasy, read it.
A recent read and add in, The Secret History beguiled me much like everyone else who read it- and not just because the fictional school sounded strangely like the one I was hoping to apply to when I was searching for colleges two years ago. There was a mystery surrounding the words and characters that made you want to join into the story with Richard Pen who believes that his fatal flaw is longing for the picturesque at all costs.
According to Goodreads I have only read approximately a little under 50 books not counting my many rereads this past year, visiting old favorites. Still, it is a low number for someone who took three books out at a time to return them within a day or two to the library in high school. It is jarring.
It does not mean that I do not have a few favorites of the year to share with you all however...
New to 2017
The Upside of Unrequited
I was not expecting this book in the least. While in a reading rut this past summer, I picked up this book that I got from the OwlCrate stand at Book Expo. Going in, I knew pretty much nothing only to be laughing alongside quirky and interesting characters finding first love. And you know what? I loved it. It was just the happy making sort of book I needed and I definitely think that a reread may be in order for this contemporary YA soon.
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. MaasIf you have not read A Court of Thorns and Roses, you definitely need to get on that. The third book in this trilogy? series? was amazing and I love all the characters so much that they are practically my much cooler fae family. Though this book was great, the second, A Court of Wings and Fury still holds my heart the most.
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
After reading Laini Taylor and her strange musings in Daughter of Smoke and Bone I knew that I was going to have to pick up this pretty thing of a series starter and go in to reading it just as confused as her other novels. I was not dissapointed by the Strange in the title. It was strange and a magical fantasy I didn't realize I needed in my life to take a break from reality. Laini, I am not sure how you do it, seriously I don't, but don't stop.
The Night Mark by Tiffany Resiz
Another Tiffany Reisz novel, you ask? Why of course! It deserves it. Time travel romance with great banter, historical lighthouse content, some sauciness thrown in, it the least erotica of all Tiffany's books, but still absolutely fantastic. Tiffany can do it all, folks!
New to Me 2017
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
I have been wanting to read this book for some time. Whenever I went to get it at the bookstore however, I was with someone who reminded me how ugly the cover was and did I really need that ugly covered book? I can answer the question now. Yes, yes I did. This is a coming of age epic about two friends in Neapolitan Italy who take very different paths in their lives. This is the first book of the four book series that spans through child, young adulthood, through when our main characters have children themselves. This book is simply life and hardship and I loved the so much and now plan to devour all of Elena Ferrante's work.
All The Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
This was my first book of the year! It always seems to happen that my first book of the year manages to make its way onto my favorites list. This year was no different. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things is what this story captures through a morally compelling and beautifully told story. I loved this one so much I even have a review to go along with it.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
When I forget my love of reading, a need a really good, fun, and fast pace read to help me through. This was the book that did that for me in the spring this past year as I was finishing up my first year at college while undergoing the process of transfer papers. This was a magical young adult fantasy-esque novel loosely based on 1001 nights. Our main character is snarky and strong and I immediately needed the second book in this duology right after.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
I bought this one a think a year prior and finally got to this massive fantasy. I will tell you what I was told about it. It is great. One of the best true fantasy novels I have read. If you like fantasy, read it.
Honorable Last Minute Mentions...
Kulti by Marina Zapata
The Birth House by Ami McKay
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
