First up is Books I Thought I'd Like...and I Was Right! These are books that came from imprints I tend to love, had authors I've enjoyed before and/or had concepts that seemed right up my alley.
Cinders and Sapphires by Leila Rasheed
Also Known As by Robin Benway
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
Second category is Books I Wasn't Sure I'd Like...But Ended Up Loving This is a really exciting category where I hoped to like the book (that's why I decided to read it) but there was maybe something about the concept or other reviews that left me unsure. Thankfully I did read them and I loved them.
Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
Dancing in the Dark by Robyn Bavati
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman
Pivot Point by Kasie West
Third category is Kickass Sequels. These are books where I enjoyed the first book but wasn't sure if the its sequel would suffer second-book syndrome. Luckily that didn't happen here and I am on tenterhooks waiting for the next installment in this exciting worlds. This is a huge category and I'm so glad there are so many books on it.
Prodigy by Marie Lu
Everbound by Brodi Ashton
Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers
The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
Confederates Don't Wear Couture by Stephanie Kate Strohm
Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend by Louise Rozett (check back on Sunday for a chance to win this!)
Fourth category is Outstanding Middle-Grade Titles. I don't read a lot of MG so this only has one title but it's one I highly recommend for a fun time.
Prince Puggly of Spud and the Kingdom of Spiff by Paul Weston
Fifth category is Adult Books. I'm obviously mainly a YA reader/blogger but earlier this year I had an itch for some other categories. Pretty much everything I read during that time was fantastic and I just wanted to share the titles with you in case you find yourself in a similar situation.
Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
The Sword Dancer by Jeannie Lin
The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan
The sixth and last category is devoted to one author, being the Revelation category. This is an author I read for the first time this year, devouring both of her books and becoming an enthusiastic fangirl, both thrilled and anxious that I still have a third book by her to read (what will I read when I finish that?) I am, of course, talking about Rainbow Rowell and her books Eleanor and Park and Attachments. I cannot recommend these books enough!
So that is what I've been loving so far this year. Are any of these titles on your list? What other books do I need to check out?
This is a great post! You have a couple, like Marissa Meyer and Marie Lu books that I would love to get my hands one. My library is so far behind. :( Happy reading.
ReplyDeleteI hope your library gets them in soon-I was super lucky getting to read these already!
Deletei <3 <3 <3 prodigy. great post!! lots of books here i want to read. i bought pivot point and also known as (not knowing if i'd like both) because they were really cheap on amazon--i think we share similar tastes in books so i'm happy to see you enjoyed them.
ReplyDelete-michelle
I think our tastes often coincide too and I hope you love Pivot Point and Also Known As when you can get to them.
DeleteGreat list! I need to read Rainbow Rowell's books. Eleanor & Park is on the top of my wish list! I like that you broke things down into categories too; makes it easier to see why you liked things, etc.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
Yes, Rainbow Rowell is a must-read! She just exploded onto the YA scene (from my perspective) and she's worth buzzing about :)
DeleteLove your categories! I'm so excited to read The School for Good and Evil. I really want to read Pivot Point because I've heard good things. Also yay for Rainbow Rowell!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I thought it was helpful for me to think in that way and hopefully helpful for other people with similar reading tastes.
DeleteYES YES YES to Rainbow Rowell! I haven't read Attachments yet, but I loved Eleanor & Park! I still need to read a bunch of these, like Pivot Point, Out of the Easy, Legend, and Grave Mercy! Awesome list, and I love how you broke it down. (:
ReplyDeleteRainbow Rowell is so amazing-best discovery of the year! I think you'll like Attachments as well as the writing is so similar while the story is its own distinct thing.
DeleteI agree that Attachments and Eleanor and Park are probably my favorites of the year too! (And Golden by Jessi Kirby & The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick a close third and fourth, not necessarily in that order).
ReplyDeleteI need to give Golden a shot-I have high hopes for it and I trust your recommendation.
DeleteAs I basically agree with those on your list that I've read, I'll have to pick up a bunch of the others.
ReplyDeleteYes, you should :)
DeleteI really really really want to read QUIET: The Power of Introverts, I SO know I'm an introvert and I'm always curious how others see the world who are like me. It's sometimes nice to know that I'm not so "unusual" and it's funny how the world treats people who like solitude and stuff like they are "shy" or not as "good" for lack of a better word as people who are extroverts and gain energy and exuberance being around people all the time.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I'm really curious about Attachments, it's the second time today I've seen that book! I think it may be calling to me :D
April @ My Shelf Confessions
Quiet was so interesting to me-I'm super introverted and it gave me new ways to think about that (including reassurances that I'm not incredibly weird but rather there are definitely other people who feel overwhelmed in crowds, for example).
DeleteOh, lots of awesome books :D Sigh, Eleanor & Park. <3 And Scarlet! And The Eternity Cure :D So many awesome books. Hih. Glad you are loving so many :)
ReplyDeleteIt's been a good start to the year-I hope the rest of it can live up!
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