Looking Back at Our Favorite Reads in 2016

Here is a list of books both Gerard and I loved that we read in 2016 and would highly recommend.  If you click the links it will take you to our reviews:

YA fantasy continues to be a favorite genre for both of us.  Books in this genre we both read and loved last year were:

A Torch Against the Night (the second book of Sabaa Tahir's Ember in the Ashes series) 

A Court of Mist and Fury (the second book of Sarah J. Mass's A Court of Thorns and Roses series)

Ruined by Amy Tintera (first book of series)

The Beauty of Darkness (third book of Mary E. Pearson's Remnant Chronicles series)

We also read some historical fiction and had a couple we both loved:

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

 Mystery/Thrillers we both loved:

 

 Those Girls by Chevy Stevens 

The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner

 Contemporary Adult Fiction:

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

What Was Mine by Helen Klein Ross

The Forgetting Time by Sharon Guskin

Young Adult:

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Finally a couple children's books we both loved:

Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart

 PAX by Sara Penny Packer

We also each made a top 12 Favorites list for 2016 so some of these will not be on those lists because we had to narrow down our favorites to just 12--a very hard thing to do!  I read 83 books last year and Gerard read 132.   You can see both our favorites of 2016 here:

To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Forget Tomorrow" by Pintip Dunn

In Forget Tomorrow by Pintip Dunn, you get your future memory on the day you turn 17.  But when Callie gets her memory, it is not what she expected at all.  Now she will do anything to stop this from happening!  But can she do it?

This book was okay.  It had a bit too much romance for my liking though, would have liked more action.  The last part of the book was very good when things came together which pushed this to 4 stars.  This is book 1 in a series and look forward to reading book 2.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"A Court of Mist and Fury" by Sarah J. Maas is FANTASTIC!

Wow!  A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas is so good! This is the second book in A Court of Thorns and Roses series and is even better than the first! This review has some spoilers so read the book first and then come see what I thought of it. Definitely must read the first book before this one.  If you like fantasy and magical kingdoms, this is a "must read."  (This would be R rated for sexual content.)

SPOILER ALERT: Feyre pretty much tells Tamlin to “jump in the lake” and chooses to stay with Rys who is her mate and challenges Feyre to use her skills. This book is full of new adventures with lots of wit and packed with both heartbreaking and heartwarming scenes and lots of good dialogue. I like all the characters in Rys’ inner circle and loved their trip to the Summer Court and how the wraiths came to save Feyre and Amren from drowning. I cheered when Feyre served Rys the food in the cabin, accepting the bond as mates.   The ending is Great and I can't wait for the next book!

I was having a hard time deciding on my favorite read for December until I read this one which is the winner! (Karen's review, 5 stars)

Gerard read this first, 6-15-16:
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas is the follow-up book to A Court of Thorns and Roses and is like ten times better than the first one!  Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to spring court, but at a high cost.  She still has the bargain with Rhysard.

Wow, oh Wow!  I really liked the characters, the writing and the action which all work together to make the story flow well.  The ending is probably the best I have ever read!  I want book 3 NOW!
(5++ stars)


Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"A Shadow Bright and Burning" by Jessica Cluess

In A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess, Henrietta has powers that she keeps hidden.  However, when a friend is in danger, she reveals her powers for all to see.  She is the "Chosen One" who must go and train with men to help fight the attack that is sure to come.  She has a secret though that if found out, the battle will be lost for sure.

This is the first book of a series.  Most of the real action comes at the end to set up for the second book.  I enjoyed the main character and it had good twists at the end that peaked my interest for the next book.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Poet's Dog" by Patricia MacLachlan

In The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan, two young children are all alone in a fierce winter storm.  Teddy (the talking dog) locates them and leads them to a cabin where he lives so they will be safe.  Teddy tells them a story while they wait for the storm to end and for help to come.

This is a young reader's book, but I enjoyed it very much.  I hope it touches your heart like it did mine!  Perfect read for the holidays!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Karen read it too and here are her thoughts:
I read it because it was a short children's book that I could read quickly but did not enjoy it as much as Gerard did.  The dog understood words and only children and a poet could understand what the dog said.  I liked the ending but overall wasn't impressed, but then, poetry isn't my thing.  I liked other dog stories much better.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!