This post should be called “My favorite books since the last time I had time to write about books” but that doesn’t have the same ring to it. I’ve met my Goodreads goal for the year so it’s time to slow down and choose the ones I love. I haven’t done a “favorite books” post since early 2017 so I’ve got a lot of ground to cover.
All kinds of amazing characters are swirling through my head after scrolling through the books I’ve read. I know I’m biased because I am a writer, but isn’t it crazy that someone can sit down and create characters so vivid we miss them a year after we’ve shelved them?
If you’ve stuck with my nerdy book talk for the last two paragraphs I promise it’s time to get to my favorites. They’re in no particular order though. I might be able to narrow down my selection but going any further than that is more than I can manage.
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Books for you
The Hate U Give– Okay if my selections were in order this might be Number One. I loved everything about this book… the main character’s voice, the family at the center of the story, the thought-provoking discussions it created. Everyone should read this book. Everyone.
Far from the Tree– Oh I loved this book. I finished it about a month ago and I still want to give it a hug. Far from the Tree is a YA book about three siblings who were separated at a young age. They find each other early in the story and their journey is perfect. Not annoyingly, predictably perfect but so good. An easy, must read.
Everything I Never Told You– This is my second Celeste Ng book and I love her style. She explores the modern family with such subtlety but by halfway through you feel like you’re in their home. I love an author who has a strong “feel” to her books and Ng is definitely one of them.
The Alice Network– It’s hard to find a book written about historical moments that promotes the power of women in the way this book does. My daughter will be reading it as soon as she’s old enough. The Alice Network is based off the true story of female spies during WWI and if you’re a fist-pumper you might pump a fist or two while reading this one.
Before We Were Yours– I want to go back in time before I read this and read it again. Before We Were Yours follows the story of children kidnapped and sold to privileged families by a Memphis-based adoption agency. I started this book not sure if I could handle the content based on the description. I fully expected to need to quit the book but the story doesn’t unfold in the way I thought it would. It’s beautiful and I’m so glad I didn’t pass it up.
Room– I’m completely late to the party on this one. Room was another one of my favorite books that I originally was afraid to read. I thought the story of a boy and his mother held captive in one room for years would be too unsettling. It was difficult to read at times but not troubling in a way I had to skip pages. Ultimately Room told an amazing story and I’m so glad I took a chance on it.
Holding Up the Universe– I’ve loved every book Jennifer Niven has written and this was no exception. Holding Up the Universe has received some mixed reviews online because of it’s portrayal of an overweight teen but I thought she was an amazing character. She’s tough and doesn’t let others feelings sway her. She could have taught my teenage self a thing or two!
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things– Oh this book. I swear there is something about books with a quirky-named main character that makes them instantly good. Wavy is a young girl who’s barely being raised by her mother. She forms an unlikely friendship with a friend of her mom’s boyfriend and the story is like no other. Now I want to go back and hug this one too.
We Are All Made of Stars– This was so different than I expected. It’s the heart-warming story of a woman who writes letters for patients in hospice. I promise it’s more enlightening than sad. Definitely one of my favorite books!
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry– You’ve all probably read this one too but I couldn’t make another favorite books list without including it. This was just the sweetest story of a young girl and the quirky characters who surround her grandmother. I listened to the audiobook and it made it that much better.
Books for you and your kids
Chester and Gus– I read this book with my 11 year old and it is now one of both of our favorite books. Chester and Gus tells the story of an autistic boy and his service dog through the voice of the service dog. It’s sweet and funny and incredibly enlightening for kids (and adults) who need more of an understanding of what it’s like to live with autism.
The Land of Stories– My kids and I are working our way through this series and we all love it. So far Book #1 is still our favorite. We all love being able to follow their favorite fairy tale characters into a life beyond what we’ve read in the classics.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls– I almost always insist we read the book before seeing the movie when one is made. This one was no exception. As soon as we saw the previews my kids wanted to see the movie. Luckily we quickly got lost in the book. We read it around Halloween-time and the magical quality set the perfect mood for that time of year. Another book we all loved!
My Lame Life: Queen of the Misfits– Okay I love Plum. She’s the perfect 14 year-old mix of smart, quirky and refreshingly real. Being inside her mind was a flashback into my own. Counting down the years until I can had this one off to my daughter.
And for that favorite preemie in your life…
My children’s book for preemies is available on Amazon and at your favorite book retailers. Right now the kindle edition is even on sale!
You can see my book recommendations of years past here, here, here and here.
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