Best of 2016

Well, this was basically one of the hardest lists I've ever compiled.

I read a plethora of good books this year. There were so many that were amazing, that I really enjoyed, and that I would highly recommend, but for this list, they had to have really made an impact (basically gotten a 5 and 4.5 star rating). It was extremely difficult for me to narrow them down to the Top 10, so I'm doing a Top 16 because it's 2016 and I'm just really awful at forcing myself to cut out books. And while I could just cut the list after #10, I loved numbers 11-16 just as much and didn't feel like it would accurately reflect my year without them.

I didn't count any books that I'd read before and then reread this year. Also, while these are all books that I've read this year, though they weren't necessarily published in 2016 (though many were).


My Top 16 Books of 2016 (in order):

1) The Female of the Species - Mindy McGinnis

A gripping contemporary YA about violence inflicted on--and by--women. This book looks at rape culture in honest, heartbreaking ways. It also has great female friendships and a bittersweet romance. 

2) A Court of Mist and Fury - Sarah J. Maas

The second book in the series, this book blew me away with it's astounding character development and portrayals of depression. Plus some awesome action and romance.

3) Crooked Kingdom - Leigh Bardugo

This book had everything: witty heists, humor, action, amazing characters, tense plot, intriguing magic and a well-developed world. 

4) City of Stairs - Robert Jackson Bennett (also City of Blades)

One of the most gripping fantasy novels I've ever read. Ancient gods, political turmoil, and some crazy, dry, dark humor.

5) A Gathering of Shadows - V. E. Schwab

Sequel to A Darker Shade of Magic, which was one of my top books last year. This picks up right where the action left off and ends with the most agonizing cliffhanger. It's full of magic, kick-ass characters, pirates, and new worlds.

6) Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell

An incredible and beautifully written contemporary YA about finding yourself, told through the eyes of the nerdy and introverted main character during her first year of college.

7) Luckiest Girl Alive - Jessica Knoll

A novel that takes a hard look at sexual assault and victim blaming and the effects it has on everyone's lives. This book was incredibly powerful.

8) The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet - Becky Chambers

My sci-fi space opera fix for the year! If you love the TV show Firefly, then this ragtag interspecies gang of spacefarers with humor and a vivid, detailed world is right up your alley. 

9) Wolf by Wolf - Ryan Graudin

The first book I read this year, and it still made the list. An alternate history where Nazis still rule, and one girl with supernatural powers is bent on the ultimate revenge: Kill Hitler.

10) Truthwitch - Susan Dennard

Magic, adventure, and awesome female friendships. I couldn't get enough of this incredible book.

11) Cinder (Lunar Chronicles series) - Marissa Meyer

I loved this whole series. Fairy tale retellings in a distant future with cyborgs, love, hilarious sassy AIs, and mind-controlling moon people.

12) A Shadow Bright and Burning - Jessica Cluess

The first female sorcerer in hundreds of years, destined to be the Chosen One... Except she isn't. Wonderful writing, great characters, and a fun alternate history of Victorian England with intense magic.

13) Rebel of the Sands - Alwyn Hamilton

Magic, adventure, romance, sharpshooting guns. Set in the desert with definite Middle Eastern influences, it was refreshing to have a different setting and magic than typical fantasy books. 

14) Passenger - Alexandra Bracken

Not your typical time travel novel. Etta and Nicholas have to travel across space and time to find a powerful object. Wonderful writing, romance, and adventure.

15) The Forbidden Wish - Jessica Khoury

Beautiful retelling of Aladdin form the female genie's perspective.

16) Girl Waits With Gun - Amy Stewart

The story of the plucky Constance Kopp, America's first female deputy, as she takes on a crime boss who is harassing her family.

Honorable Mentions*:

Every Heart a Doorway - Seannan Macguire
Arcanum Unbounded - Brandon Sanderson (even though it's some of the best writing I've read this year, it is also mostly not new material)

Trigger Warning - Neil Gaimen
Bluescreen - Dan Wells
Half the World - Joe Abercrombie
A Torch Against The Night - Sabaa Tahir
The Forgetting - Sharon Cameron
Throne of Glass series - Sarah J. Maas

Orphan Train - Christina Baker Kline

This Savage Song - Victoria Schwab

*Books I really enjoyed but didn't quite make the "Top" list.

What books were your favorites this year?


I'm annoyed at myself for not writing more reviews about so many books I've loved (full disclosure: many of these books have reviews that are still drafts >_<). I promise 2017 will be a much better year for reviews. Now that life has calmed down a bit, I'll be able to dedicate more time and brain power to this blog.

I'm excited for so many new books coming out next year! And my current TBR (to be read) list is a mile long. I can't wait to see what books will be on my "Best of" list next year, and I hope I have just as difficult of a time deciding as I did this year!