2016 has been a good year for books, a really good year. I’ve added a good 10 more to my Favourites list on Goodreads and spent hours reading in the bath. So I thought I’d share with you the books that have been my absolute favourite reads of 2016 and give YOU the opportunity to read and own a bundle of a few of these books too!
I’ll be following up with some of the books I’m looking forward to seeing launched in 2017, so keep an eye out for that post too, but let’s get going with 2016’s best books:
FALLER BY WILL MCINTOSH
Faller is a dystopian world novel, one of my favourite genres, set in the not-so-distant future with a dash of virus, a bit of physics, some action (but not too much) and a gripping storyline to figure out how it all comes together. If only one of the books I read this year was made into a movie, I think it would be this one.
Read my full review of Faller by Will McIntosh here.
Beautiful Broken Things by Sara Barnard
Beautiful Broken Things was one of those books that had rave reviews, I read all the way through and then I immediately sat down to scribble down my thoughts on it, I loved it that much. It’s a YA book but resonated very strongly with me in parts, exploring the intricacies of teenage girl relationships with hidden depths. It’s the kind of book I would have devoured as a teenager, and even did as a mid-20s “grown up” too.
Read my full review of Beautiful Broken Things here, and scroll to the bottom of the post to win this book!
The Lonely Life of Biddy Weir by Lesley Allen
I haven’t actually written a review of The Lonely Life of Biddy Weir yet as it’s one of my December reads, but I loved this book. Following the life of a girl who’s been convinced throughout her whole life that she is a “Bloody Weirdo” and so believes she can’t possibly be anything else, it’s heartwrenching and really appeals to anyone who’s, as the tagline states, “a little bit weird”. Full review to follow, but I promise you’ll come away from this book still thinking about it for days.
The Power by Naomi Alderman
The Power by Naomi Alderman was a book that I was already recommending to people before I’d even had the chance to finish it – it was that good. It had a storyline that was written excellently, had some slight sci-fi/fantasy elements, but also had a deeper underlying moral that made it seem as real as if it could happen today with the “what if” question: What would the world be like if women had the stronger physical power over men?
Read my full review of The Power by Naomi Alderman here.
Thin Air by Michelle Paver
I love books set in desolate and isolated landscapes, and despite the fact that I actually prefer to be in warmer climes myself, reads about seemingly impossible mountains climbs and treks across the Arctic are among my favourite, which is why Thin Air appealed so much to me. Add in the fact that it’s a mix of psychological thriller and ghost story plus the excellent writing, and you’ve got a winner.
Read my full review of Thin Air here, then scroll to the bottom of this post to win this book!
Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman
Girls on Fire struck me with its similarities to Beautiful Broken Things (see above), which is why I wanted to offer both as a giveaway package, but also with its differences. It’s harder hitting, it’s darker and it’s completely engulfing. Exploring teen girl relationships again, in a similar manner, but with a very different outcome.
Read my full review of Girls on Fire here, then scroll down to win a copy of this book!
I was offered a copy of the new paperback version of Girls on Fire to do with what I wanted, so I decided it would be awesome to give it away to someone else who would love it just as much as I did. I decided it goes so well hand in hand with Beautiful Broken Things so have purchased a copy of that along with one of my other favourite reads, Thin Air, for something entirely different.
I’m offering this giveaway as a big THANK YOU to everyone who’s read the blog this year, supported it, and is a fan of reading as much as I am! This package of books will go to one reader and I’d love to hear your thoughts on them too, as well as your favourite books of 2016 – let me know in the comments!
To enter the giveaway, follow the steps in the widget below…and enjoy!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
(Small print! The giveaway runs from midnight 29th December 2016 to midnight 8th January 2017. The winner will be contacted via email and given 30 days to respond to this contact. If there is no response, another entrant will be chosen and contacted. Entries are open internationally.)
Three sisters, three queens – phillapa gregory
Mind of Winter Paperback by Laura Kasischke.
A page turning psychological story not for the light hearted. A story that shows the integrate relationship between mother and daughter, made all the more compelling by the winter scene.
I’ve loved so many books this year, im currently reading Irmina by Barbara Yelin & it’s super interesting!
My favourite books of 2016 were the City of Bones, Glass etc book set
My husband’s secret – I have loved it!0
Noah Hawley – Before the Fall
I read so much this year. My favourite was the handmaids tale by Margaret Atwood.
I liked you will know me, Megan abbott
The Other Side of the Mountain by Fiona Cane and The Good Immigrant by Nikesh Shukla.
The Female of the Species!
Magpie Murders, really gripping read
A Monster Calls- Patrick Ness
The Butcher’s Hook by Janet Ellis
Morning star,We Are the ants ,Iluminae and Gemina
There’s been some incredible books out this year, many of them making your selection but my fave was ‘The Girls’ by Emma Cline. x
Staying Safe Online
i loved twisted by lynda la plante
Marian Keyes making it up as i go along
Brooklyn
Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy
My favourite book of 2016 was Lies, Damned Lies, and History (from the book series The Chronicles of St Mary’s) ..
I loved The Girls by Emma Cline
It’s not a book that was released in 2016 but my favourite book I’ve discovered this year is Diane Chamberlain – Secret Lives
The Flame Bearer by Bernard Cornwell
I don’t think it was a 2016 release but not always nice. Is a book I enjoyed
The Girl On The Train
The girls was a great read <3
Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
The girl on the train
I loved reading LA Weatherly’s Broken Sky series!
I am loving your bookends, they are fab. I just read behind closed doors and it is haunting.
Author
Thank you! They were a birthday present from my grandparents and I love them 🙂
I loved Elizabeth is Missing and Girl On A Train
Himself by Jess Kidd
I’d have to say my favourite was any of the Louise Penny books I’ve read
I really enjoyed The Girl On The Train
girl on a train was great
Harry Potter and The Cursed Child
Local Girl missing was very good but I think my favourite read, lent to me by a friend was Elizabeth is missing (not sure when it was published though)
Harry Potter The Cursed Child
marvellous ways
Loved The Secret Wife
The Butcher’s Hook by Janet Ellis
the secret wife was good
The best book I read this year was Bridget Jones – Mad About The Boy.
I liked Alan Carr’s book Alanotomy. It was just light and I didnt need to think!
I liked Alan Carr’s book. Alanotomy. It was just light and I didnt need to think!
Before The Fall by Noah Hawley
My husband’s secret
Girl on the train