We have roughly two more months of reading to cram in before 2018 rolls around. I’ve read so many awesome books this year that I figured I’d share my top ten favorite ones so far, and I don’t know, maybe convince you to add them to your list, if you haven’t read them already.
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
The Vegetarian was so dark and weird and disturbing that it was just impossible to put down. It’s a short book, broken in three parts. Each part of the story is told from a different characters point of view, all centering around a young Korean housewife’s decision to stop eating meat, and how it impacts each of the respective narrators live.
The Mothers by Brit Bennett
I loved this story. You’ve heard me drone on and on and on about this book before, so I’m not going to do so here. Too much praise from me, so I’m going to stop the word vomit and just let you read my review here.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
I know I’m late to the party with The Secret Life of Bees, but I’m glad I finally arrived. What a great story chalk full of emotions, with fierce characters, and so much beauty through layers of sadness. I cried a few times, for sure. I still haven’t decided if I want to see the movie, what do you think?
The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond
There was a lot to enjoy with this book. It was totally off the chain, and the plot went a bit crazy, but it was impossible to put down. Maybe it was the quick and easy chapters. The tone and the pacing? Who knows. But I was intrigued with the concept of the plot, even though I wasn’t a fan of the two main characters, the author had an interesting way to make you cheer for them.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
It’s the end of the world as we know it. A flu outbreak kills 99% of the population within days. The story jumps around from the time of the collapse to present, post-apocalyptic day. The story is told from several different characters view points and ties them together through several decades. The post-apocalyptic world is one that really interests me, and it was interesting to read Emily St. John Mandel’s version. I really enjoyed this book.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Oh my goodness what a great story. It’s impossible to say anything negative about this book. It touches racism in the deep South in the early 1960’s. The relationship that black maids have with the families that they work for, and everything unspoken in between. Written in the most perfect tone and pitch, Stockett did an excellent job showing us what Mississippi looked like back then.
Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane
I knew nothing about Since We Fell before I bought it at the airport, other than knowing Dennis Lehane is the genius behind Shutter Island. That was enough for me to buy the hardcover. This story isn’t quite what it seems. The first 200 pages fly by, they hook you, they keep you glued to the book. We learn everything about Rachel. Her childhood, the rise of her successful career, followed shortly by rapid decline of it because of a public humiliation. Rachel’s crumbling first first marriage, and now her life as a shut in. And now, she’s just murdered her second husband…
Homegoing by Yaa
Oh my freaking god this book gets two thumbs up from me. It was so deep and wonderful and character dense and oh my god, everything. All of it. Please add this to your must-read list. You can thank me later.
Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson
Another great Swanson novel! If you read The Kind Worth Killing, and enjoyed it as much as I did, you’ll definitely enjoy this novel too. Though please note, the plot is totally ridiculous, just like TKWK, but the characters are great, the writing is tight, and it’ll keep you turning the page and wanting more. As always, it’s very well paced too.
Run by Ann Patchett
Dear Ann Patchett, Never stop writing. I would read your online toilet paper reviews, or your Yelp reviews on an amusement park, that’s how eloquently and beautifully your words are. Run was 295 pages, and if it were another 295 pages, it still wouldn’t be long enough. Never stop writing.
Love, Dara Boxer
You by Caroline Kepnes
Oh man this book! I was trying to keep this list to my top 10 favorites of 2017 (so far) but I recently finished You and I couldn’t not add it to the list. IT WAS SO GREAT. Literally impossible to put down. I loved the narration and perspective. The story is told entirely by Joe, who becomes obsessed with Beck, a woman he meets in the bookstore in which he works. He stalks her, hacks into her email, and starts controlling her life. Other really terrible things happen too, as you can imagine. And it’s like being inside of Joe’s head, we read every single f*cked up thought and it’s funny. Joe has a really fun sense of humor and it’s hard to not like him. So unique. I wish more books were like this!
Have you read any of these? If so, thoughts please!