2016: A Bookish Retrospective

I did these two book memes at the end of 2015 and enjoyed them, so here I am again to apply them to the books I read in 2016. This was supposed to go up on NYE, but I never got around to it, so the Thursday Book Tag spot seemed like a good alternative.

Meme 1

+ Books read: 93/75 – smashed my goal!

+ The first 5 books that I read this year:

Somewhere In Between by Katie Li (2 stars)
Doctor Who: Time Lord Fairytales by Justin Richards (4 stars)
Alternate by Ernie Luis (4 stars)
Lucid Dreaming by Cassandra Page (4 stars)
The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville (5 stars)

+ The last 5 books that I read this year:

Heartless by Marissa Meyer (4.5 stars)
The Two by Will Carver (2 stars)
Elenore by Faith Rivens (4 stars)
Fairest by Marissa Meyer (2.5 stars)
Pyramids by Terry Pratchett (4 stars)

+ My top 10 books this year (in no particular order):

The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville (5 stars)
The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig (4.5 stars)
Unwind by Neal Shusterman (4 stars)
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (4 stars)
Where Am I Now? by Mara Wilson (4 stars)
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (4 stars)
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
Heartless by Marissa Meyer

+ Which book surprised you the most in a good way?

Am I Black Enough For You? by Anita Heiss. Memoir-types are always a bit hit or miss for me and it took a while to get into this one, but I really liked that Anita challenges my assumptions and made me think about racial relations in Australia.

+ Any books that made a really big impression on you and that you think you will carry with you for a good while?

That’s a good question, and sadly I think the answer is no this year.

+ Any passage/quote you want to share?

“Live your fear.” Why didn’t we teach kids that? Why wasn’t that in a graduation speech? Commencement speakers should start telling the truth: “You’re going to fuck up, but most of the time, that’s all right.” – Mara Wilson, Where Am I Now?

+ Finally, my top 10 5* favorite book covers of the year in no particular order:

Clearly I have a thing for black backgrounds with vibrant foregounds.

*honestly, I didn’t read too many with covers that really wowed me this year.

Meme 2:

Finish each of the sentences only with titles of books you read this year:

My family reunions are: The Madness Underneath (Maureen Johnson)
At a party you’d find me with: The Raven King (Maggie Stiefvater)
I’ve never been to: The Life Assistance Agency (Thomas Hocknell)
A happy day includes: A Stolen Kiss (Kelsey Keating)
Motto I live by: Catch Me If You Can (Frank Abagnale Jr.)
On my bucket list is: Life in Outer Space (Melissa Keil)
In my next life, I want to have: Isla’s Inheritance (Cassandra Page)
In high school I was: Fairest (Marissa Meyer)
People might be surprised: I Hunt Killers (Barry Lyga)
I will never be: The Dragon in the Garden (Erika Gardner)
My fantasy job is: Rebel of the Sands (Alwyn Hamilton)
At the end of a long day I need: Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge (Paul Krueger)
I hate it when: Seeing Redd (Frank Beddor)
I Wish I had: More Than This (Patrick Ness)