As this year comes to a close I think its time to chat about our favorite books of the year. For me, this was a tough reading year. There were definitely some books I LOVED, but it feels like there was less that totally blew me away. Because of this I spent a megaton of time re-reading books (okay, I always do that, but still). This year I found myself more lost in love with certain classics, or certain series and stand alones I’ve read multiple times, and those books—ones like Jellicoe Road, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone, Princess in Love, To Kill A Mockingbird, and the Jenny Han Summer series—often took center stage.
But fear not. I read some good new (or new to me) ones too.
The Stand Alones/ First in a Series
Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg
It was sold as a YA When Harry Met Sally and it really is all that and more. This was one of those books I wanted to start reading again immediately after finishing it.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
In a word, breathtaking.
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (#1) by Jenny Han
This book was so cute, so fun, and something in it just resonated with me. I read it and adored it and then, within months, read it again and loved it just the same.
More Than This by Patrick Ness
You really can’t go wrong with Patrick Ness. The big question here is why on earth did I wait so long to read this?
Wonder by RJ Palacio
I avoided this book forever because I worried that as a mommy it would be unbelievably difficult to read. And you know what? It was every bit as amazing as I’d heard and more. Yes, there were tears, but there was so much joy, so much warmth. This one dug a hole deep in my heart. I think it should be required reading for all kids.
These Broken Stars ( Starbound #1) by Aimee Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
I loved this book from the first pages. It was unique and intriguing, and it took me on an entirely different journey than the one I’d expected. And the swoons were pretty excellent. Like, really good.
The Sequels
Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Boys #3) by Maggie Stiefvater
I can’t get enough of the gorgeous prose, of these characters, or of the crazy bananapants problems they encounter. After the fourth and final installment I’m certain to be grieving their loss.
Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3) by Laini Taylor
Oh, this series. See what I wrote above about grieving? All the feels. I can’t even explain it.
Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3) by Tahereh Mafi
Oh sweet holy moly, these books. And Warner, setting panties aflame across the nation. This was a good journey and though it was technically the end (and a good, solid end), Mafi wrote it in a way that left a whole new world of possibilities to explore.
Just Call My Name (I’ll Be There #2) by Holly Goldberg Sloan
These characters slay me. Even though the first book ended so perfectly, I like that Sloan chose to explore some of the difficulties that follow Sam, Riddle, and Emily as they adjust to their new lives. Even happy endings take work.
Honorable Mentions:
Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson- So adorably cute that I’ll be reading it again soon. It gave me happy feelings.
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson- Another case of why did I wait so long?
Biggest Flirts (The Superlatives #1) by Jennifer Echols- All. The. Banter. I was into this book all the way, hook, line and sinker.
Happy Reading! If you’ve read something that knocked your socks off, please share it with me!
Yes! Warner was so amazing in Ignite Me!!! ❤ 😛
I mean OMG. He’s hot stuff!
No kidding!!
I’m so, so, so glad that you ended up reading and loving Wonder. That book!
I seriously, truly wish more schools would make this required reading. What an incredible book. I’m going to read it with my girls.
I feel like I haven’t read many of these! Must do better next year… Glad you had a good reading year and got to reread some great ones! 🙂
We Were Liars. Wow. That ending though…
I felt like I saw it coming (but maybe that’s because I know the ending now), but it was still so tragically, painfully beautiful it didn’t matter.
I’m so glad to see Dreams of Gods and Monsters on your list. I loved the first two books in Laini Taylor’s trilogy but I hadn’t seen much press on the third book, which I haven’t gotten a hold of quite yet, so I was afraid it was going to be a let down. Now I’m excited for it all over again!
I thought it was wonderful. Fair warning: It had a much slower start than the previous two books. I struggled with the first few chapters. But once it got going it was SO good.