Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is a freebie! So as you can see, I am discussing my favorite reads of the year so far. Confession: My top read of the year is my only 5 star of the year (other than my one reread so far, see below note), followed by a few 4.5 stars and then yes, I have 4 star reads on this list. I don’t know if I’m getting stingier with my ratings or not reading the right books this year, but I have read some great stories that I wanted to share. And maybe you can give me suggestions to make the second half of my reading year better!
(Note: I did not include my one reread of the year so far, The Start of Me and You, which is seriously one of my all-time faves.)
10. Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
An interesting fantasy that I quite enjoyed. I’m definitely looking forward to more of Merik specifically in Windwitch.
9. Love, Lies and Spies by Cindy Anstey
I saw someone on Instagram describe this as Jane Austen meets The Scarlet Pimpernel and I would say that is pretty accurate! I think the story could have been tightened just a bit more, but it was a super fun read, and I adored Spencer!
8. The Unbound by Victoria Schwab
I first read The Archived early this year and liked it as well, but I enjoyed this follow-up more. I especially became a bigger Wesley fan after this book.
7. The Shadow Queen by CJ Redwine
This was my most recent read, and after seeing mixed reviews, I was so glad to end up really enjoying it! I actually could have taken or left most of the actual story, but I really loved the characters and want more of them!
6. Nora & Kettle by Lauren Nicolle Taylor
This book has its flaws, but this story still haunts me. It’s quiet and beautiful and filled with hope.
5. Looking for Lovely by Annie F. Downs
An inspirational non-fiction book about looking for the lovely in our everyday lives.
4. The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson
In true Brandon Sanderson fashion, I fell so in love with these characters and their world and got wrapped up in their stakes. It takes a while to really understand why these chalk drawings are such a big deal in Joel’s world, but again, Sanderson makes it work.
3. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Septys
The book that made me a Ruta Sepetys fan. And tore my heart out in that way that only readers can appreciate.
2. The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
This book had twists and turns and quips and friendships and I ate it all up.
1. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Septys
Seriously. Gutted me. Beautiful and moving and powerful.
What are your favorite reads from this year? Any of yours the same as mine?
I really enjoyed Salt to the Sea. Loved how it was told with the different characters. I have Nora & Kettle to get to still. Great list!!
I hope you enjoy Nora and Kettle! And yes, I enjoyed the different POVs in Salt to the Sea as well, though Alfred was creepy, it was interesting to get that perspective.
I haven’t read any of these besides Truthwitch but most are on my TBR! I really want to read Salt to the Sea soon. I’ve heard that it’s so good!
Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday!
It is! A little confusing at first because you’re literally thrown into what’s going in, but as you catch up you learn about the characters and it’s so good.
Some of these are on my TBR list – Salt to the Sea is sitting on my nightstand right now, in fact! I can’t wait to read them even more now. I haven’t read Brandon Sanderson yet, but I keep hearing really great things about his books. 🙂 My TTT is here.
I hope you love Salt to the Sea! I LOVED Brandon Sanderson’s first three Mistborn books (haven’t read past those yet) and obviously The Rithmatiost and would recommend all those. I don’t love The Reckoners’ series as much, but it’s still fun. He creates great characters and interesting worlds!
OK, it’s official, I am breaking my book buying ban and getting The Fixer right now! It (and its sequel) has made so many lists this week and last week. I need to finally start it 🙂
I hope you find the books worth breaking your ban for, but I definitely think The Fixer is great, and I’m enjoying The Long Game right now!
I want to read Truthwitch, I just think the premise sounds fun and I could use a good fantasy, haven’t read one in a while.
I hope you check it out and enjoy it!
I love Between Shades of Grey! What a great book!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/top-ten-tuesday-63/
I agree! It really opened my eyes to this whole new aspect of WWII I didn’t know about!
Same here!
Love, Lies and Spies sounds very good. Added it to my tBR. Happy reading! http://www.curious-daisy.com/top-ten-tuesday/ten-booktubers-you-should-follow/
It’s fun; I hope you enjoy it!
Salt to the Sea tore me up as well, I still need to read Between Shades of Gray, though I’m not sure if I am prepared for it hahaha.
It’s worth it though!
Great picks – I need to try The Archived!
Check out my TTT.
Hope you enjoy it!
Salt to the Sea is one of my fav reads of the year too. I need to get my hands on Between Shades of Gray soon. I also really want to start the Jennifer Lynn Barnes series too.
I love me some Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Hope you enjoy The Fixer!
While I did have problems with the world building in Truthwitch, I’m really interested to see where Windwitch takes us next!
I also love your sigh for Calamity haha (unless that was a happy sigh?). Either way, the final book was lacking some serious punch and the ending? Yikes.
Cheers,
Joey via. thoughts and afterthoughts.
It was definitely a sigh of disappointment! I thought Sanderson could never fail me on an ending… until Calamity. I was just left with so many questions and confusion!
I usually shy away from young adult but I AM hoping to read “Salt to the Sea” this year. I guess it’ll be a year of WWII fiction; I already read one book set in that time period and I really want to get to “All the Light You Cannot See” and “The Nightingale.”
I’d definitely recommend it to any historical or WWII fiction fan. It’s an unexplored slice of history and beautifully told.
The only one I’ve read so far is the Rithmatist (and the wait for the sequel is killing me).
My TTT
I have read so few books this year, but I’m hoping to catch up some over the summer 🙂 One of the books I *have* read (finally) is Truthwitch. It wasn’t entirely what I expected but I enjoyed it. I think Merik was one of my favorite parts along with how well the plot moved and Leopold 🙂
The pacing was well-done, which I always appreciate in a book!