Top Ten of My Best AND My Most Disappointing Reads of 2016

So far, my approach to reading books in 2016 has been to walk into a bookstore, scream “COME HERE, MY PRECIOUS!” and wait until 1 or 2 or 10 books jump into my arms. And then I buy them ALL. Which has kind of put a substantial dent in my wallet but WHATEVER. BOOKS.

I wish I could say that all the books I have read thus far have been epic, five-star things full of beautiful writing and magic and murder, but sadly, it has not worked like that. And so, instead of going with the theme of five star reads of 2016, I’m going with five AND two star reads (I hardly ever rate books one star). But let’s start with the good first.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I actually can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read this book??? I kept hearing about it and about how good it was and just didn’t read it. And then I did read it. And it was incredible and beautiful and sad.

And also I will never look at chocolate pie the same way again.

Made You Up by Francesca Zappia

The only reason I even picked up this book was because of the cover. I KNOW, I KNOW, horrible, right?But it’s a good thing I did, because this book was amazing. And it managed to be funny without mocking, unlike some other books about mental illness that I’ve read (coughfindingaubreycough).

Falling into Place by Amy Zhang

I knew this was a book about suicide before I started it, so I was kind of hesitant to actually read it. But I did. And I loved it. And Amy Zhang was like 17? And she’s so disgustingly talented that I nearly can’t stand it.

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson

I laughed until I cried multiple times throughout this book. And when I finished it, I knew two things. 1. I need to find her blog. And 2. I need to find her first book. BUT SERIOUSLY, this woman is hilarious, and she manages to work through what would probably send you average person spiraling down into this pit of horrible depression. Her disorders have disorders. It’s slightly insane to read about.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I have heard this same sentence so many time it’s slightly insane “READ THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, AINE!” one of my friends even added “or I’ll disown you”. But because I am like this, I was all “NO, I DON’T WANT TOOOOOOO” and basically refused to read it for 100 years (for the record, I did the same with Harry Potter). And then…I read it. And I was slightly confused as to how the world was still functioning on AS NORMAL after I finished it.

The Word for Yes by Claire Needell

I was expecting this to be an amazing book, much like Speak or All the Rage. But it wasn’t. Not even close. This book felt very victim-blamey (she shouldn’t have been drinking, she should have stayed with a friend, she shouldn’t have been at the party in the first place). And at the same time, it seemed to pass over how absolutely horrible a thing rape is, and instead focused on what the victim’s sisters thought about it. Just no.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This was not a book about depression or suicide. This was a book about a bully who happened to commit suicide and then decided that because she was going to commit suicide she was going to make other people feel horrible as well.

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

I don’t even know where to begin with this book. Insta-love. A special snowflake of a main character who doesn’t WANT to be a special snowflake but she just can’t help it. And she falls in love with the “reclusive bad-boy” who has NEVER dated ANYONE before and then notices HER and they have this SOUL CONNECTION. She yearns for him after barely knowing him for a minute.

Emancipated by M. G. Reyes

This book was pitched as having a Breakfast Club-like vibe, so I thought, yeah, okay, I’ll give it a try. And ????? I don’t know what the point of this book is.

Isla and the Happily Ever After

I was so disappointed with this book. I think it was because the last two books were so great? I expected this to be the best of the series, the epic finale, the shippest of all the ships. And it just…wasn’t. I can’t talk about it too much without being spoilery, but…c’mon, Josh and Isla. YOU TWO SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. Basically, all the times that they had problems it was because they should have known better.

So, tell me my blogglings, what are your favorite and least favorite books of 2016 so far? Do our lists share any titles?

Happy Tuesday,