Friday, December 30, 2016

Top Ten of 2016!

It has been so nice to be on a small break for the holidays but with the new year fast approaching, I had to do one last post all about books and what better post than those outstanding reads of 2016 that really stood out and impacted me in some way or another. So, without further ado, my top ten reads of the year.

To see all my favorite reads from the year check out this tab HERE

It was really hard to narrow this down to ten reads but when I really thought about it, these are the ones that stood out to me the most. They may not be classics or even the most well written or political but they were ones that either changed my views on certain things, impacted me emotionally, or just ones that I plain and simply had fun with. 

In no particular order here they are:



The Others by Anne Bishop. I have loved this series from the very beginning and it really is like no other. It will be so very very hard to say goodbye to it when the last book releases in March, I am not ready to say goodbye to any of these characters yet and I don't think I ever will be. 




The Passage trilogy by Justin Cronin, I admit, I'm so glad I waited to start this series so I didn't have to wait three long years for the last book but even if I would of had to, let me tell you, it would have been worth it. I loved every single minute of it and one that I am so happy I took the time (with each book over 800 pages it was a lot of time!) to read and love. 




The Red Rising trilogy by Pierce Brown. One of the very few YA series out there that not only didn't read like a YA series but also ended so well. Let's face it, in trilogies lately, especially in YA, more often than not, that last book is a stinker and almost makes you regret starting the series at all but this wasn't like that at. All. It was fabulous and I couldn't of been happier with all of it. If you haven't tried this one yet, run and do it, so worth it. 




The Deadwood Humorous Mystery series by Ann Charles. I'm ashamed to admit I've had the first book in my TBR pile when it was first released, oh about 5 years ago (ahem, so embarrassing) and for whatever reason never got around to them but I'm kind of glad I did wait because now with seven books out and a couple of shorts, I can totally binge read them and this is a series you want to binge read. It is so much dang fun! In fact Doc, just might be my new book boyfriend. This series has a little bit of everything in it. Romance, mystery, a paranormal edge, adventure, and lots and lots of humor. I just adore it. 



I don't read a ton of historical but when I do, I'm very picky about it and Julianne Donaldson is one of the best out there. In fact, I read her other novel Blackmore and loved it just as much, so, Darn. Good. I can't wait for her new release next year, it can't get here fast enough! 


Cainsville series by Kelley Armstrong. I already knew Kelley was a genius when it came to unique world building and lovable characters but if I did have any doubt before, this series but it to rest. I have adored it and been hooked on it from the very beginning and I just can't get enough of it. It is one of the few series I have no issues at all with paying the ridiculous kindle price for, I love it that much. 



Speaking of Armstrong, good thing she also has this new series out to keep me occupied with I wait for her Cainsville because it too, is just fabulous and after the first book, I too am already hooked on it. I adore this kooky town and the kooky characters and the mystery aspect always keeps me on my toes and keeps me guessing and turning the pages right up until the very end. 



The Graveyard Queen series by Amanda Stevens. I too have loved this series from the very first book and they just get better as they go. These are ones that once I pick them up, they are so very hard to put down and they are perfect for when you want a little romance, a little mystery and a whole lot of scary! They are so good, if you haven't tried them, please do. This series needs more love, they are just wonderful and very underrated. 



I have to mention this series because once again, it is one that I get hooked on when ever I pick them up, The Ellie Jordan Ghost Trapper Series by J.L. Bryan
I love how spooky it is and how much the characters have grown over the course of the series. It's just an addicting series that has it's lighter moments along with the darker and I love the mix of the two. If you haven't tried it yet definitely do so and the first book is still free on Amazon right now so you have nothing at all to lose by trying it. 




What can I say about the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas that probably hasn't already been said before? Seriously Sarah is just an amazing author. The world she has built here is both fantastical and completely believable with characters that are every bit as addicting as her writing style. It continues to be one of my favorites and I can't wait to see how the last two books will all play out.

I have so many other series and books that I want to add to this list, truly I've been very lucky this year and have read a ton of great reads but these are the ones that days, weeks, months even,  after putting them down and finishing them, I still think about them and wonder what will be in store for the characters next, even the ones that were stand alone reads. I truly hope the new year will bring just as many fantastic reads for everyone.

I hope you all have a safe and amazing New Year!!  


52 comments:

  1. Ali, Merry Christmas to you and your family. I hope you had a great break and enjoyed yourself. This is a great comprehensive list. I can relate to a few, and I now have a few to add to my TBR.

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    1. Thanks so much Tyler and I hope your's was/is great as well!

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  2. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (almost!), Ali! I see some great reads here. I really want to try The Red Rising trilogy by Pierce Brown, especially since it's complete and for the fact you mentioned it ends well. And, I'm wondering if I should start the Throne of Glass series. 2017 is going to be about me reading and completing more series on my TBR list.

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    1. Definitely try it now that they are all out Kim, I really think you will love it too! Have a wonderful New Year!

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  3. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you, Ali. I haven't seen you around (I haven't been around either, so..)! I see a couple of books here that were also favourites of mine this year (City of the Lost, City of Mirrors - funny how they both have City in the titles).

    Looking forward to seeing more of you in the coming year!

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    1. *sigh* I know, I've been in a bit of a blogging slump, I'm trying really hard to pull out of it though! Nice to see you too and I hope your Christmas was great and you have a wonderful New Years!!

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  4. I really need to read something by Pierce Brown - I've heard only good things. And Happy new year - all the best for 2017!

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    1. Definitely do, he is a fabulous writer! Happy New Year!

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  5. Loved The City of Mirrors too and have a lot of these on my wishlist for 2017!! Great list!!

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  6. I haven't read any of those but I've seen a few that I do want to read. Thanks for the list.

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and Happy New Year Mary!

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  7. Oh my best wishes to you darling. Queen of Shadows was my favorite the last year. This year was the next.
    Great post sweetheart.
    Happy New year!

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  8. Oh I just started the Anne Bishop ones and loving it. Also need to start the Pierce Brown series. Oh Armstrong! Love Amanda Stevens. Yea, good list. :)

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  9. I hate that I haven't read any of these!! Glad you enjoyed these all and have lovely New Years!

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  10. I'm glad you waited to read The Passage series too. I honestly don't know if I would've reread the first two books if you hadn't. And boy, am I ever glad I reread.

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    1. It was fun reading them with you and I'm glad I had you along for the ride, I don't know if I would have liked them as much as I did or caught as much without you there. ;)

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  11. I really liked City of the Lost, and can't wait for the next one!

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    1. The next one is fabulous, you are going to love it!

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  12. Marked in Flesh is the only one that I've read, but I have several on my TBR list. I hope you find many more in 2017. Happy New Year!

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. Happy New Year Melanie! Hopefully 2017 will be a great book year for us all. ;)

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  13. Well, if the last book in Anne Bishop's series is coming out in March, I really need to get started on these. I'm pretty sure I've had the first book on my to-read list since before it came out. Sigh. I'm so bad with series. haha

    Glad you had a nice year of reading!

    -Lauren

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    1. Once you start reading it you'll be hooked. ;) Happy New Year!

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  14. Great list! I need to finish the red rising trilogy (I only read the first) and I must get to Queen of Shadows asap in 2017!

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    1. I hope you are able to read them all, they really are so good! I need to read Empire Of Shadows but I have been waiting closer to the other release date of the last book but it's been hard waiting!

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  15. I loved Marked in Flesh as well. I have read the first Ghost Hunter book, I need to go on with it. I also have the first Graveyard Queen in my tbr. I need to really find time for that! Great list! Happy New Year Ali!

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    1. Oh I hope you make time for them all! Have a wonderful New Year Lorna!

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  16. The Sinner also made it on my list. SO creepy but I couldn't put it down. I also need to read The Other series, but I think I will wait closer to the release of the last book so I can binge read.

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    1. They are a great series to binge read, I really hope you love them as much as I have! Have a wonderful New Year!!

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  17. I love Anne Bishop but I haven't read any of the other books on this list, so thanks for putting these on my radar! Wonderful list and HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

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    1. Thank you and I hope if you do read them, you like some of them as well! Happy New Year!!

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  18. Happy New Year!! Bishop's series made my list too---I binged the whole series (so far) this year.

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. It's so good isn't it? I think you will like the last book as well, definitely bittersweet! Hope you have a great New Year!

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  19. Oh some good looking ones. Bishop. Gah I keep meaning to read her. Hopefully I'll be in the right mood for her in 2017 :) They really do look good! Happy New Year!

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    1. I highly recommend her so I really hope you try her. ;) Happy New Year!

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  20. some great ones there! I wishyou a happy new year!

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  21. So many great books this year. I haven't read the fantasy series by Anne Bishop though. So many people have enjoyed it, would you recommend it. I love the Charley Davidson series. Loved Sarah j Maas although ACOTAR was my top read this year. Happy New Year!

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    1. Oh yes, I love Charley! It is a favorite as well!

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  22. Loving your top ten, and of course many of these were on mine or in the top 15 reads for 2016.

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    1. I could have honestly made a top twenty easy. ;)

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  23. All very excellent pics Ali and yes believe me the wait in between books by Cronin was painful ;-) But reading them all in one fell swoop that's a really big time commitment too! Happy New Year! xo

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    1. It was but I don't regret it at all! ;) Happy New Year!

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  24. Great list! YAY for Marked in Flesh! I so want to read Edenbrooke soon. Happy 2017!

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    1. Happy New Year to you as well and I hope you love Edenbrooke, it was sooo good!

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  25. Happy 2017!
    I unfortunately haven't read any of the books on your list since I read a lot of romance last year but I hope you find an awesome set of books to love in 2017 Ali :)

    Nereyda│ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist

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