I’ve been doing these Best Reads for a while now, and I really enjoy writing them. So here’s another round of Best Reads of the Year, the midyear edition.
Best Reads (so far)
It’s going to be hard to pick a top five, let alone my top read. It’s only June, and I’ve read twenty-seven books, but there’s already more than five I’ve enjoyed so much. The Infinity Court, Judgement Day, and Instructions for Dancing need a mention. Those might be contenders for best book, and all of them are different genres.
The Infinity Courts by Akemi Dawn Bowman is something special. Not many books start in the afterlife, nor do they focus this much on a character’s growth. It’s on the slower side because of it, but I loved the build-up towards the climax. It’s so subtle, so sleek, and once it hits, you’ll feel utterly betrayed on so many levels. There’s an elegance in Bowman’s writing, and I’m sure that if I read it again, I’ll pick on even more subtext.
Judgement Day is Josie Jaffrey’s continuation of her Seekers series. All of her books in the vampiric Silverse are thrilling and fast-paced. I’d recommend any of the series to Urban Fantasy lovers.
I read Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon for a blog tour but I would’ve bought the book anyway. I love dancing and had lessons for three years. So a contemporary romance about a dancing competition with a hint of magical realism? Yes, please! Yoon didn’t disappoint either. It’s one of the most emotional books I’ve read so far. I’m looking forward to the movie (hey, Netflix, are you listening?).
Another book that needs a shoutout is Stay Mad, Sweetheart. I don’t usually read thrillers so I wouldn’t put it on my most enjoyed reads list, but it’s definitely a great book. If you like thrillers, you’ll love this one.
Here’s the full list of books I’ve read so far and links to the reviews for the ones I already posted.
Fiction
The Selection – Keira Cass
The Elite – Keira Cass
The One – Keira Cass
Shards of Earth – Adrian Tchaikovsky
Rosewater – Tade Thompson (Review coming soon)
Instructions for Dancing – Nicola Yoon
Fireheart Tiger – Aliette de Bodard
Kate in Waiting – Becky Albertalli
Heartstopper Vol. 1 – Alice Oseman
The Beautiful Ones – Silvia Moreno-Garcia
The Infinity Courts – Akemi Dawn Bowman
Everlasting Rose – Dhonielle Clayton (Review coming soon)
Stay Mad, Sweetheart – Heleen Kist
The Midnight Bargain – C. L. Polk (Review coming soon)
Judgement Day – Josie Jaffrey
Ever Alice – H. J. Ramsay
Hush, Hush – Becca Fitzpatrick
Not Another Family Wedding – Jackie Lau
Non-fiction
Talking As Fast A I Can – Lauren Graham
The Anatomy of Story – John Truby
Creating an Online Presence – Cat Rambo
Following – David Gaughran
The Fiction Formula – Sean M. Platt & Johnny Truant
