My Reading Spot

Better late than never, I’m going to post my top fiction and non fiction books I read in 216 today! I know this is a list that many of you have asked and been waiting for.  I’m excited to share it!

Some years I am drawn to more fantasy, young adult, or romance, but this year if I had to pick a theme it would overwhelmingly be historical fiction, specially anything related to WWI or WWII.  I just could’t put it down. In fact, when I was looking through my book list and narrowing down my top ten, I wrote down many more war/fiction books than I included in this list.  I had to narrow it down somehow!

In no certain order – These are my favorite 10 fiction books I read in 2016….

A Night Divided, by Jennifer Nielson.  This fiction book is geared towards middle age readers. I listened to the audio book.  In fact, before listening to this book I really wasn’t a big fan of audio books, but this one really drew me in and I got hooked on audio books after this. Gerta and her family find themselves divided between the Berlin wall and this is the story about how they will escape and find each other again.  Perfect for ages 10 and up. You can read my review here.  Or buy on Amazon here.

The War that Saved my Life, by Kimberly Bradly.  This is another middle age reader book and one that was a Newberry Honor book.  A good friend recommended that I read this book – and again – it was one that I couldn’t put down.  Ada has a bad leg and is taken out of London during the war to live with a stranger – Susan, who takes them in.  It’s a great war book for any younger reader (or adult!).  You can read my review here, or buy on amazon here.  

The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah. This was another audio book for me and one that I couldn’t stop listening too. There are some graphic scenes (rape and violence) for those who might be sensitive to those kinds of things, but this book told the amazing story of two sisters during WWII.  You can read my review here or buy on amazon here.

The Cenote, and The Last Messenger of Zitol by Chelsea Dyreng.  Chelsea is probably my favorite new author from all of last year.  I was able to read a review copy of both of her books and LOVED them.  Both of her books have lessons and give you so much more than just a good story, and are books that you cannot put down.  They teach about love, redemption, forgiveness, virtue and change. One thing that I’ve discovered about these books is that they are SO hard to adequately describe to friends and family, but once they read them 99% of the time my friends come back to me and say that they totally get it…amazing books!  You can read my review of The Cenote here, and my review of The Last Messenger of Zitol here.  You can purchase them on amazon here, or here.   

Forever and Forever by Josi Kilpack.  I’ve always been a huge fan of the proper romance series.  This book is a historical proper romance, so it tells the true story of Henry Longfellow and his romance with Fanny Appleton.  This book took me a little bit longer to read, but I found it really interesting to read since it did tell a true story.  Kilpack did a lot of research for this book.  Her newest book,Lady of the Lakes is also one of these historical proper romance books.  I am reading it right now and love it.. You can read my review here or purchase on amazon here.

All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr.  I had tired to read this book several times before this year, but it never felt right and I was never able to get into it.  Until this year – and again, this was another audio book that I listened too.  This story follows a blind French girl and a German boy during WWII. You can read my review here or buy on amazon here.

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells by Sarah M. Eden.  If I read a book by Eden, you know it’s going to be right on my top ten list at the end of the year.  And this was her one new book.  I loved it.  It’s not her typical European setting, but set in the wild west of America.  I enjoyed this book and cannot wait for her next book!  My father in law even read this and said he liked it too. You can read my review here, or purchase on amazon here.

The Chemist, by Stephanie Meyer.  Twilight author, Stephanie Meyer came out with a new book this fall – so of course I had to see what it was all about.  This was a fun girl/like version of Jason Bourne and I thought it was a fun book.  Full of action and a little bit of everything. You can read my review here or purchase on amazon here.

The Storyteller, by Jodi Picoult.  This is the book that everyone voted to read for the December book club.  And then life got busy and I’ve only posted once about it and haven’t posted more since I finished the book – but guys…trust me, this book is SO good.  The ending, the second half, I could not put down!  You can read part of the book club discussion here, or purchase this book on amazon here.

~~

There you have it!  My top 10 books.

What did you read this year?

Share with me some of your favorites so I can add them to my list for 2017!