Best Books of 2016

Here are the 14 best books that I read in 2016 in no particular order.  There are four young adult fiction novels, two memoirs (!!!), one thriller, and the rest just plain old fiction.

Place Last Seen by Charlotte McGuinn Freeman

A richly descriptive and deeply emotional story of the search for a young girl lost in the wilderness.  You can read my review here.

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald

A feel-good book for book lovers about a Scandinavian girl who moves to small town America and helps bring the townspeople together.  You can read my review here.

11/22/63 by Stephen King

A fascinating and impossible to put down historical fiction novel about an ordinary man trying to stop the JFK assassination.  You can read my review here.

Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz

A fast paced thriller about a highly skilled ex-covert operative who helps those in desperate situation; action packed and full of lies and conspiracies.  You can read my review here.

Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson

The hero of this story is a profoundly gifted nine year old boy with the fashion sense of Fred Astaire.  What's not to love?  You can read my review here.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

A beautifully heart-breaking book about two teenagers discovering little known wonders in Indiana while dealing with the death of a sister and crippling depression.You can read my review here.

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

A book about artistic twins dealing with a tragic loss while learning to be true to themselves.  You can read my review here.

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson

It's amazing that an author can write a hilariously funny book about depression and anxiety disorder, but that's exactly what Lawson has done.  You can read my review here.

Girl Underwater by Claire Kells

The story of a competitive swimmer learning to put her life back together after surviving a tragic plane crash.  You can read my review here.

Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor

A powerful story about hope and friendship between a teenage girl and her friend battling leukemia; a deep connection with the characters will make it impossible not to cry.  You can read my review here.

Learning to Swear in America by Katie Kennedy

  This young adult novel tells the story of a Russian prodigy falling in love with a quirky American girl, all while trying to save the world from an incoming meteor that threatens to destroy all life on Earth.  You can read my review here. 

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

A hauntingly beautiful book written by a neurosurgeon diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.  You can read my review here.

The Peculiar Miracles of Antoinette Martin by Stephanie Knipper

This exquisite story about an autistic girl living on a flower farm is sure to bring you to tears.You can read my review here.

My Name is Leon by Kit de Waal

Written from the perspective of an eight year old boy, this novel brought to life the harsh realities faced by a biracial boy abandoned by his mother and sent to foster care in the 1980s. You can read my review here.

Best Books of 2016

Here are my top 10 books that I read in 2016 but not necessarily published in 2016.  They are in no particular order.

Small Great Things  by Jodi Picoult

This book opened up my eyes to so much of the every day racism in the US that most people don't even realize is happening.  You can read my review here.

The Book of the Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez

I read this book for a book club and loved how it presented the fictional lives of people who immigrated to the US and how difficult it was to survive here.  You can read my review here.

Come Away with Me by Karma Brown

This book was heartbreaking but you have to get to the end to really love the book.  You can read my review here.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

This was a historical fiction book set in Word War II but told about what happened in France during that time.  This book moved me to tears with its tragic story.  You can read my review here.

Finding Jake by Bryan Reardon

This story was so difficult to read because it was about a school shooting but it was so emotional and addicting.  You can read my review here.

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

This book makes you think about what could have been and shows Alice's struggle to fix wrongs in the past.  You can read my review here.

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This book was full of romance but also of grief.  It is a fast paced, quick read.  You can read my review here.

Escape by Carolyn Jessop and Laura Palmer

I really like memoirs and this ones was about a woman who had escaped from the FLDS hold.  You can read my review here.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

This book is a juvenile fiction book but very thought provoking.  You get a look inside the mind of girl who is unable to communicate and then see how her world changes when she finally has the chance to "talk."  You can read my review here.

Defending Jacob by William Landay

This was a great courtroom drama book that will have you hooked. You can read my review here.

Best Books of 2015

Here are the best books that I read in 2015 in no particular order. 

The Same Sky by Amanda Eyre Ward

A tragic story about a Honduran child trying to emigrate to the United States illegally and her connection to a Texan woman suffering from infertility.  You can read my review here.

Clara's War by Clara Kramer

Although this book is the heartrending story of a young Jewish girl's struggle for survival during the Nazi era, it is her message of hope and courage that is the main message.  You can read my review here.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

A really fun dystopian novel about a young man living his life inside a video game.  You can read my review here.

Lost & Found by Brooke Davis

A quirky book about two old people who befriend a child in her time of need.  You can read my review here.

The Rent Collector by Camron Wright

A beautiful story about literature, friendship and redemption, even though it is set in a Cambodian garbage dump.  You can read my review here.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

At times sad, but often funny, this feel good story about a curmudgeonly Swedish man was a delight to read.You can read my review here.

Another Place at the Table by Kathy Harrison

A book about a family opening their home to foster children; tragic and yet inspiring.  You can read my review here.

The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes by Anna McPartlin

A beautiful and heart-wrenching novel about a young mother in hospice care, and her relationship with her quirky family members and friends.  You can read my review here.

A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison

The descriptions of life in India were beautifully written, revealing both the exotic charm and the seamy underside of life in Mumbai.  You can read my review here.

Hector and the Search for Happiness by Francois Lelord

A really quick and easy read, written at times like a children's novel, about a Frenchman traveling around the world.  Interestingly, it encouraged thoughtful contemplation about happiness.  You can read my review here.  

Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall

  A Southern coming-of-age story about a spunky, sassy, adventurous nine year old, who ends up learning some tough lessons about family, race and segregation in pre-civil-rights era Mississippi. You can read my review here. 

The Invisibles by Cecilia Galante

A group of women with tragic backgrounds come together as adults to support each other during trying times.  You can read my review here.

In A Perfect World by Laura Kasischke

An unusual apocalyptic novel about an ordinary woman, her relationship with her new stepchildren, and her ability to make do during a mysterious pandemic flu.You can read my review here.

I figured that since it was 2015, I should pick my 15 favorite books of the year, but I guess I can't keep expanding my list every year or pretty soon it will encompass all the books I've read.  As of December 16, I only have 11 that really stood out, plus the last two that I thought were also very good.  So maybe that will be it for the year.

Or not!  I just finished this book, and really enjoyed it:
Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center

A feel good, easy to read book about a woman discovering her strengths and learning to find joy in her life.  You can read my review here.

Best Books of 2015

Here are the 10 best books that I read in 2015 in no particular order (they were not all published in 2015 but I read them all this year).  I decided to stick with either young adult fiction or adult fiction and did not include any juvenile fiction even though some of the juvenile fiction books I read were very good!

Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf

I know that I will always like Heather Gudenkauf's books and this one did not disappoint.  This book is emotional and face paced.  You can read my review here.

Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall

A great historical fiction novel of a young girl and an African American woman in the 1960s.  You can read my review (and Marcie's) here.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

This book is dark, painful and emotional but such a good read.  It takes a toll on your emotions but you will be glad you read it.  You can read my review here.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

A look into slavery by the perspective of an abolitionist who's family had slaves and from a slave.  You can read my review (and Marcie's) here.

Before I Go by Colleen Oakley

This book was a teary read about a woman who has terminal cancer.  Sad but very good.  You can read my review here.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

This book is about mothers who have school age children.  It's quirky, a little humorous and drama filled.  You can read my review here.

The Lives Between Us by Theresa Rizzo

Theresa Rizzo is a new author for me and I really liked her writing style.  There was some romance, an ethical dilemma and plenty of drama that keeps you reading.  You can read my review here.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

What a poignant read!  A heartbreaking story about a woman struggling with early onset Alzheimer's.  You can read my review here.

Five Days Left by Julie Lawson Timmer

Tragic books seem to be my thing this year.  This is a book about a young woman struggling with a disease and how it affects her family.  You can read my review here.

Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah

The psychology of this book very much intrigued me.  There was a feral young girl who the main character becomes attached to and is trying to help.  You can read my review here.