Even though I share my favourite books every couple months here on the blog, it’s fun to look back over my full year of reading and see which ones still stand out and speak to me the most once some time has passed.
All of the books on this list had an impact on me, taught me something, or made me feel stuff. I would recommend any of them to anyone – and have been doing so nonstop! I’ve mentioned some of them in posts this year already, but others are new, and as always you can see the full list of my 2016 reading on my Goodreads profile here.
Fiction
Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley: A love letter to man’s best friend – in this case, the author’s lovely dog, Lily.
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson: Three parallel love stories. This book is so romantic and made me giddy with happiness.
One More Thing by B.J. Novak: Endlessly clever, observant, hilarious, satirical short stories. I loved this book.
The Bees by Laline Paull: What it might be like to grow up in the caste system of a beehive. Such a cool idea! It’s basically a dystopian novel based on the real science and biology of bees.
The One and Only Ivan by Katharine Applegate: A majestic gorilla grows up in a heartbreaking zoo in a strip mall off the highway.
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld: Pride & Prejudice, if it took place in Cincinnati in 2016. (How do I love thee Curtis Sittenfeld? Let me count the ways…)
Slade House by David Mitchell: Creepy, clever, kept me up at night.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: One of my very favourites of the year! A historical novel set during WW2
The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez: The stories of several Latin American families living in Delaware, trying to make lives for themselves in a brand-new place.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi: An absolutely brilliant telling of several generations of one family, from the very beginnings of slavery in Ghana to the present day in America.
Non-fiction
How to Be a Person in the World by Heather Havrilesky: Advice about finding true love, being a creative person, and building the life you want to live.
Shrill by Lindy West: Brilliant essays about feminism, love, body size, and comedy.
This is Where You Belong by Melody Warnick: How to grow to love the place you live, no matter where in the world that is.
I Need Your Love – Is That True? by Byron Katie: Four simple questions to help you work through any difficult thoughts or beliefs.
Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton: A memoir about finding love again, both for herself and for her husband. Their relationship ultimately ended, but there was still so much to learn from her story.
You are a Badass by Jen Sincero: Personal development for cool people.
Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett: A love letter to the author’s best friend. There should be a different word for this kind of friendship: kindred spirit? Soulmate? Person?
What are the best books that you read this year? Let me know your favourites and recommendations!
You can see all of my book recommendation posts here, and you can see what I’m reading over on Instagram.
