Considering that I did not read as many books (i.e. hundred+) as I usually do, I’m surprised that I feel as strongly about some of these as I do. I feel STRONG feelings towards some of these.
Like last year, I’ll explain why I picked them as I go.
10.
Man Hating Psycho by Iphgenia Baal
Surprise, surprise, one of my books for class actually ended up on this list. It is a bit strange to me that I did this, but I gravitated towards it when I looked at all the books I read this year. I figured that meant something.
9.
Magic’s Pawn by Mercedes Lackey
To be honest, I could have picked any one of the books in this series, but I decided to go with the first one thanks to its historical record. I cried. I got angry. I felt things for the characters. It was a fun ride, even when it was painful.
8.
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
So I really liked this book. I actually just bought the other two books in the series. Hopefully I will read them before I go back to school. If not I might rent them from the library back in Scotland and just know that I took them off my shelf here at home. I love Locke. Who doesn’t?
7.
Stain by A.G. Howard
Considering how many times I picked this book up and put it down over the course of the last few years… I’m not surprised that it made this list once I finally read it. I just wish others would read A.G. Howard with me. I love her writing so much and Stain is an excellent example of her writing style. The characters. The prose. I love it alllll.
6.
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black
WOAH. WHAT? This is number 6? That’s right it is. It’s sort of wild. This is where the knockoffs really take off. I LOVED this collection. I sent pictures to my friends and talked about it for weeks. I love Cardan so much. I love this short story collection so much. I am sad to leave Elfhame behind, but I am looking forward to Holly Black’s next works. Here is to that! Although, I’ll always beg for more content with Jude and Cardan. Always.
5.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Let’s just say, I knew this book was going to be on my list the moment that I heard it’s promo from Xiran Jay Zhao. Mechas are my thing. I love monster fights, as well as fights against the monsters that we are. This was a recipe for success before I opened the first page. Then I did, and was up till 3am and almost missed a class the next day. So like… It was def worth it.
4.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Ooooh this book was so cute. I loved it so much from the writing to the characters. I actually raved and gushed about this book for weeks after I read it. I def recommend it to anyone who is interested! It is such a great found family novel, and the children characters in the book are hilarious.
3.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
I really liked it and it spurred me on wanting to read so much more after I read it. I think that should be considered. I might not have been able to do much, but I was motivated to do it. I think that is, reasonably, more important. This book was fun, sad, and made my brain actually work. I enjoyed it, every moment.
2.
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
Last year, I just said all of Mistborn and was done with that. This year, I know exactly which book and which scene. And while I loved a lot of the scenes from this book, it was THAT scene. You know which one I mean. The one where Kaladin saves Dalinar. THAT SCENE. I could reread this book over and over just for the Kaladin parts, but it was that scene in particular that got me. I was yelling, and like LETS GO. It was worth it. Big Hype.
That plus all the character interactions and everyone getting to know each other better? Yeah. I’m here for it.
1.
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
Started this list and I knew Number 1 immediately. I didn’t even have to review over all my books. I knew.
What is the only book I read twice this year? This one.
What is the only book that I reread scenes of, outside of my full rereads? This one.
What is the book that had me in that shounen hype fest for hours? Enough in fact, that I was able to push myself to read more books? THIS ONE
I don’t care what anyone else thinks about this book. It had the tropes. I leaned into them. I loved every frickin minute of it. I love everything about this, and frankly if I picked it up to reread it now, just the scenes, I’d just reread the book again. That is the reason this is number one. Thank you Evan Winter. Thank you so much.
What books were your favorite for the year?
MM
Marlena Marie 