My last post of the year is always a recap of the books I’ve read in the last twelve months. I’m a faithful user of Goodreads, and keeping track of the books I’ve read fills me with a warm glow like the one you get from the Itty Bitty Book Light. Remember those? I loved mine. You can still get them on Amazon, because you can buy anything on Amazon.
Goodreads has all the details of my 2016 reading activity:
I barely met the goal I set for myself this year, reading 14 fewer books and 4,000 less pages than I did in 2015. I read 46 books and listened to nine, for a grand total of 55 books. My longest book, the Hamilton biography, was a whopping 37 hours long! Even listening at 1.25 speed, I spent an entire day of 2016 listening to Chernow’s tome.
I rated all 55 books, giving them one to five stars, with an average of 3.3 stars. I am a tough rater, so a rating of three stars is a good book that I would recommend. I’m picky about giving four stars, and downright stingy giving out five stars.
In 2016, I read:
0 one-star books
5 two-star books
36 three-star books
10 four-star books
4 five-star books
Top Books of 2016 posts are everywhere this time of year, from little blogs like this one to large publications like the New York Times. I choose based on the books I’ve read this year, but those books aren’t necessarily published in 2016. Still, the New York Times and I have zero books in common on our list; in fact, I have not read any of their picks.
Reading is such a personal choice; one woman’ five-star book is another’s two-star. But choosing a book to read can be a chore, so if you need some suggestions to get you started, start here. You’re bound to find something that appeals to you!
Here are my top seven books from those I’ve read in 2016, in no particular order. If I’ve reviewed it, the title links to my review. Why seven and not ten? I’d be forcing the last three just to have a round number, so I’m sticking with seven.
Faithful by Alice Hoffman – A quiet, brooding story of a young woman who has no idea where she fits into this world.
Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum – This funny and poignant YA drama is a quick, enjoyable read for teens and adults.
You’ll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein – A collection of essays by comedy writer Klein; it’s a relatable, honest, and very funny book.
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson – Fascinating and enlightening nonfiction account of our country’s Great Migration. Not familiar with this epic event in our history? That’s exactly why you should read (or listen to) this book.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah Maas – A standout in Young Adult fantasy; if you enjoy this genre you’ll love the second book in the Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy. It’s the Goodread’s Choice Award winner of Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction, and the honor is well deserved.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi – Moving and beautifully written novel following the separate paths two sisters and their descendants take from eighteenth century Ghana to present day.
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult – A black labor and delivery nurse, a white supremacist father, and a court case make for a complex, thoughtful exploration of race and privilege.
As always, you can find my comprehensive list of book reviews on the top menu, or by clicking on the graphic below, which is also always on my sidebar.
If you have a favorite book 0f 2016, I’d love to hear about it. May your new year be filled with many great books!
Danna i like this one “You’ll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein” too..
It was such a fun read!
Hi Dana! It’s been ages since I’ve visited your blog. We used to chat pretty often. I’ve reentered the blogosphere and thought of you! I always loved your blogging style. It’s so great to see how awesome you are doing and that you’re still at it. I’m always in need of new books to add to my list. Thanks for these! Happy Weekend!
Hi Trista – welcome back to the blogosphere!
I listened to Small, Great Things on Audible, and with the different narrators for each character, it was fascinating and made it that much more engaging. (And in my opinion, felt very timely.) I agree, finding a book can be a chore, which is why I often turn to your posts 😉
I finally started tracking the books I read. I recently read Hillbilly Elegy for book club and thought it was fascinating.
I’m so glad you find these posts helpful, Bev! I can imagine that Small, Great Things is a great listen. Hillbilly Elegy…it’s funny, I’ve heard from friends who loved it, and who hated it. But either way, I’m sure it did make for great discussion.
I love Favorite Books posts! I’m working on mine right now, but like you, I didn’t meet my reading goals last year. Like really didn’t, and it’s made the post hard to write. Thee Things has been on my list for a while, I need to move it up. And You’ll Grow Out of it was on Nina’s list,too. I need to add it to mine.
It’s a funny read – and fast! And even if you didn’t meet your goals, you still read so much more than the average person!
Thank you for this list! I’m almost done listening to You’ll Grow Out of It based on your recommendation on my blog. I’ve laughed out loud several times and am enjoying it, but I sometimes I grow weary of Klein’s insecure voice. Like, come on honey, it’s not that bad. But, I guess that’s part of the fun she’s making of herself. Will definitely check out Tell Me Three Things.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you too! I can see what you mean about Klein; I guess her self-deprecating humor can be a little much, but she grows out of it. 😉
I’m currently trying to compile a list of books to read in 2017. I did a list like that for 2016, but only read 3 of the ones I put on my original list! (I kind of went off on a Liane Moriarty tangent.) Anyway, one that will be on my list is Small Great Things. You know I have never read any Jodi Piccolo?!?! This one seems to be on every list I research and I know lots of people love her, so I guess it’s time for me to get on board!
Definitely give her a try! I don’t love all of her books, but most of them are decent, and really good discussion starters.
I used to read ALL the time. Now, I can barely finish a book. Ugh. Maybe I’ll pick up one of these and give it a try again. Thanks for the list!
You’re welcome! Hope you can find the time to read some more in 2017.
Thanks for the list! I haven’t read any of those, but I really like the sound of them, especially ‘You’ll Grow Out of It’ and ‘The Warmth of Other Suns’.
Totally different types of books, but both excellent!
I just bought Tell Me Three Things, and I can’t wait to read it!
I think you’ll really like it – let me know!
Thank you!
I shall save your recommendations!
I have Great Small Things & I will try to read over the break.
Appreciate your picks!
X
Let me know if you like it!
The Warmth of Other Suns is on my list. Glad to hear you liked it. Happy New Year!
I really did! Happy New Year to you and your crew too, T.
Btw why doesn’t my good reads look like yours…I want a chart.
You can get it – next time I see you I’ll show you how.
Love it. This and your favorite products list are my favorite! Just put them on my good reads.
I’m going to crash your book club one of these days…
So much respect for that chart. Seriously.
Thank you Nina – that means a great deal coming from another book lover!
I can’t believe Hamilton isn’t on this list if only because I’m surprised you were able to fit in any other books!! Just finished it myself. Took me months though I did read other things in the middle. You are a voracious reader. Haven’t read any of these. Must get on it.
Hamilton was #8! And I did listen to it, which would explain why I listened to fewer audiobooks this year than I did in 2015.
Loved hearing your favorites and actually posting mine soon, as well. I can’t believe that we didn’t really have any of the same books on our tops’ list, but makes it more fun for me as now I am going to have to take a better look at the ones you rated here. So, thanks for that and off to check a few of them out now 🙂
Loved reading yours too, Janine!