Best Reads of 2016

2016 was not my greatest reading or blogging year, but I have to say that the majority of the books I have read were pretty great. And as far as blogging goes, I plan on making a lot of changes in 2017. Including doing more of the things I love and making them priorities.

I had planned on doing a Top 10 of 2016, but instead this has become a Top 12 because two 2017 releases snuck their way into the list and my heart.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

This summer I interned at New Leaf Literary, the agency that represents Leigh Bardugo, and seeing all of her books on display every week made me binge read the Grisha series. I had read Shadow and Bone awhile back but never got around to reading the rest of the books. Siege and Storm definitely blew me away. This was by far my favorite book in the series with all of its twists and turns. I was hooked and fell even more in love with the series.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

2016 is clearly the year of Leigh Bardugo for me—I read four of her books and I am currently reading Crooked Kingdom—and Six of Crows is my favorite book of hers so far. Six of Crows is just so different for YA fantasy. I love these characters and how they interact with her established world. It left me on the edge of my seat the whole way through.

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

I read Dumplin' in one sitting and loved the message of body positivity that Julie Murphy offers in this book. I really connected with this story and loved the atmosphere of this story. I really need to read more Julie Murphy books because Dumplin' was incredible.

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

It is no surprise that I loved yet another Jennifer L. Armentrout novel. She is my most read author and I love everything she writes. This one in-particular was really special. The Problem with Forever is so different from the voice and style of her other books. It felt like her more emotional New Adult novels and yet had the same addicting quality as her YA novels. If you haven't read any of her books yet, this is the one you should start with!

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

This book destroyed me. Adam Silvera sure knows how to mess with your emotions, which is why his first and second books are making my list this year. I love his character development and his powerful prose. There is something really special about his books. 

History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

This past fall I had the opportunity to intern at Soho Press and was able to read an ARC of History is All You Left Me. If More Happy Than Not had me in tears, this one had me bawling. I absolutely loved this one, I think even more than his first novel. This book is not even out yet and I am dying for Adam Silvera's next book. 

A Court of Must and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

The breathtaking sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses follows raises the bar on drama ten-fold. This book has everything you could have wanted and leaves you dying for the next book in the series. I loved seeing this ship sail and oh boy was it amazing. I loved seeing all of these characters again!

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

This was one of the most unique books I have ever read. The reading experience is what makes this book so incredible and it truly aids in the story. The romance, action, and humor just add to how amazing this story is. My jaw dropped so many times and you know I cried buckets load by the end. If you haven't read this book, what is wrong with your priorities?

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess

This debut was everything I could want in a book. Set in Victorian London, where demons have ravaged the city and only one prophesied mage could save everyone. It sounds like a familiar story, except the main character is not the chosen-one and this world is unlike anything else I’ve read. It felt like a movie and I am so anxious to see where this story goes.

Nine, Ten: A September 11th Story by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Nora Raleigh Baskin writes about the events of September 11th from the perspective of four very different kids. The beautiful part of this novel is that it is set during the 48 hours prior to the attack allowing the reader to see how the world changed overnight and how communities came together in the blink of an eye.

Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman

This book doesn't come out until August 2017, but when it showed up at my house and I read the description I just had to read it. I was swept up in this angsty YA romance that was equally conflicting and relatable. I really loved how addicting this story was and I loved how it was more than a romance. 

Paper Princess by Erin Watt

This series was all of the feels. I binge read all of the books over Thanksgiving break and I was obsessed. It was so addicting and so much drama. It was a soap opera that I was completely on board with.

Did you read any of these books in 2016? What were your best reads? I would love some 2017 recommendations!