I’ve read a lot of good books this year, so I wanted to share my favorites from six different genres. Note that genres like Sci Fi, Mystery and Thriller/Horror are not included as I haven’t read enough of them this year to be able to rate them.
Fiction: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Description: Two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, cross paths, brought together by loss, war, fate and forced, arranged marriages. Nevertheless, I cried and probably will again when I reread it. Absolutely beautiful story, pacing and writing.
- Honorable Mention: In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez.
- Description: A story documenting the lives of the four Mirabel sisters—Patria, Minerva, María Teresa and Dedé—and their lives in rebelling against the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. For maximum emotional damage, I would go into this book knowing nothing of the sisters and the history of the time.
Nonfiction: Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
Description: If you had an existential crisis at one point on the state of the world, this book is for you to quell your mind. I highly recommend starting off with this one as your first non-fiction book of the year.
Honorable Mention: American Amnesia: How the War on Government Led Us to Forget What Made America Prosper by Jacob Hacker
- Description: Ever wondered why in history, our government—more oftentimes than not—fails to learn from our history? This book, then, is for you. Nerd.
Biography: I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Description: I never grew up on iCarly, but oh boy is this book eyeopening on the very gilded face of fame and the entertainment industry—especially as an outsider who really didn’t know much of what was going on. It’s splendidly captivating on a different level as well.
- Honorable Mention: The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia
- Description: I don’t usually read books about royalty either, but this book was written incredibly well in the way of making me feel emotions I haven’t before. I couldn’t get a single hint of bias and it’s clear the author did extensive research to make it as good as it is.
Romance: I hope this doesn’t find you by Ann Liang
Description: This book got me out of a reading slump, and might as well be the only romance novel I wholeheartedly liked this year. The writing is just *chefs kiss*.
- Honorable Mention: Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
- Description: Solid romance novel, but definitely found myself cringing sometimes. This genre usually isn’t for me, so getting through the entire book is an achievement on its own.
Dystopia: 1984 by George Orwell
Description:
- Honorable Mention: The Hunger Games series (books 1-3)
- Description: I loved the books more than the movies for sure. They capture a lot of Katniss’s inner world and context not captured and fleshed out as well in the movies.
Graphic Novels: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (till Ch. 145)
Description: I really enjoyed the fact that the main character breaks so many tropes and stereotypes—it’s refreshing and metaphorical. Absolute peak in worldbuilding as well.
- Honorable Mention: Spy x Family (till Ch. 125)
- Description: A novel that keeps me in anticipation, makes me laugh at unexpected moments and contains no unnecessary drama—I love the story a lot!
That’s all for my top books. Comment down below if any of these sounds interesting, or if you have opinions and favorites that differ from this list.
