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While I read infinitely more fiction than nonfiction, this year I'm pretty sure I read even more fiction than usual. Maybe I needed more of an escape? That certainly makes sense to me. As always, I had a really hard time narrowing down these lists. I read so much amazing fiction this past year and there are plenty I'd recommend even if they didn't make it on to this official favorite list.
Today I'm giving you my favorite general fiction and YA. Tomorrow I'll share my favorite romance novels (it warrants its own list this year!) and the day after that will be my favorite nonfiction. These books were not necessarily published this past year but this is when I read them. I hope you love them as much as I do!
To see the other novels meriting a 4 or 5 star review from me, head over to my Pinterest board.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman
This novel cracked my heart right open. I haven't encountered a character like Eleanor Oliphant in a long time. She lacks emotional intelligence, keeping to herself at work and living an otherwise solitary life. It was painful to read in places, seeing just how unaware she is of her social ineptitude. Then there's the glimpses of something tragic in her past, something that might explain why Eleanor is the way she is. In spite of all this, I could not help but root for Eleanor. I wanted her to wake up to the beautiful world around her and to heal from whatever happened to her. Eleanor is the kind of character that demands a response. I laughed, I cried, I groaned, and I might have even cheered out loud for her. Cannot confirm or deny. Gail Honeyman packed a punch with this novel.
The Heart's Invisible Furies - John Boyne
ETA 4/16/19: Due to Boyne's transphobic article for The Irish Times, I can no longer in good conscience recommend this book. While I did love it, I cannot support an author who refuses to listen to a community he is willfully harming. I hope he'll do some soul searching and he and his publisher will reconsider. If you're unclear as to why his new book is problematic and offensive to the trans community, I suggest reading this #ownvoices perspective . Book Riot has this overview as well.
Many people are comparing this to A Prayer For Owen Meany (my all-time favorite novel) and I see why. It very much has a John Irving vibe and the characters are so uniquely weird in their own way. At the same time, it stands on its own as an epic tale. The cruelty shown toward gay men in Ireland, particularly in the 50s and 60s as Cyril grew up, was staggering. We clearly see why Cyril became the way he did. He was timid as a child due to his unconventional adoptive parents and he remains timid as an adult, regularly veering into cowardice. But even his cowardice is understandable when his sexuality is viewed as a threat. At some point, however, we have to own up to our actions and Cyril makes sizable mistakes and runs from them. This sets him up to become a better man but his actions still have consequences for him and others. The exploration of this over the course of many years had me in complete thrall. I loved Cyril, even when he disappointed me, and I wanted him to be happy, as much as I wanted him to do better. The Heart's Invisible Furies broke my heart and mended it back together. The character growth was phenomenal and I could have kept reading for many more pages. A masterpiece through and through.
The Alice Network - Kate Quinn
Wow, wow, wow!! I'm so glad Rachel McMillan told me to read this one because I would have missed out if I'd stuck in my "I don't read historical fiction" lane. This was such a fascinating, well-written novel. I've read a good deal about WWII over the years but I can't remember hearing much about lady spies before and certainly not that they'd been used during the first world war. Eve and Charlie were such compelling characters.
We alternate between Eve's experiences as a spy during WWI and then looking for Charlie's cousin shortly after the end of WWII. We know all did not go well for Eve during her mission because of the state of her hands. (Her poor hands!) The tension builds as her flashbacks pull us further into her story and I was continually amazed by her ability as a spy and her courage no matter what she faced, as well as that of her counterparts. (This is partially based on a true story!) Charlie's story is interesting as well, particularly how limited women's options were at that time and especially if you were an unwed mother. I loved how strong the heroines were and I loved how they banded together with Finn. They were a special group of misfits and their relationships to one another developed in such lovely ways. Finn added a good amount of heft to the tale with his experience as a soldier and the aftermath of the war. I could swoon over the way he treated Charlie. If you haven't gathered by now, I positively loved this one. It was a great reading experience and I learned a ton. Kickass lady spies rule! I'll be reading more from Kate Quinn, that is for certain.
The Garden Of Small Beginnings - Abbi Waxman
Do you ever start reading something and think, "you are my kind of book"? Because that's what happened when I started the first chapter of this novel about a woman whose husband died a few years prior and is not quite ready to move on. Given the subject matter, I wasn't prepared for how hilarious it is. Clever prose and double entendres are my catnip. I wrote down so many lines because of how crisp and witty they were. This is laugh out loud funny, tender, and written in a fresh voice. I knew from the start I'd found something special and I wasn't disappointed. I cannot believe this is Abbi Waxman's debut! I absolutely loved this one and want it to be read far and wide. (Read my full review.)
Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi
This was simply stunning. Gyasi manages to pack a lot of story into each character's chapter and the way it strings together was breathtaking. My heart broke for each character and the ramifications of their ancestors' choices, as well as the horrific legacy of slavery. What each family goes through is still relevant to us today, as the last few chapters make clear. I'm not entirely sure about the ending but I'm very glad I read this.
The Shadow Land - Elizabeth Kostova
This cements Elizabeth Kostova as one of my favorite authors, which is saying something since this is only the third novel she's written in 12 years. Her books are worth the wait. Reminiscent of her first novel The Historian, The Shadow Land combines two of my favorite genres: past-present storylines and what I like to call "kickass lady academic embroiled in a mystery." It is a rich and winding tale through Bulagaria, a country I didn't know much about. We follow Alexandra and her new friend Bobby as they try to track down a family and stay one step ahead of whoever is after them. And in between, we learn about pre-WWII Bulgaria leading up to the present, as well as the tragedy in Alexandra's past.
One portion is a first-person account of a post-WWII Bulgarian prison camp and these chapters were hard to read because of how awful conditions were but I appreciated Kostova's depiction of how one might try to retain a sense of themselves and where their minds would go in order to physically keep going. During this part of the book, when the next chapter would bring us back to the present storyline, it felt like a relief. I think this is part of why I like Kostova's work so much, however. We feel what the characters feel and experience what they're experiencing through her detailed prose. Her previous two books made me want to know the mystery and the history of those settings but I felt this one more deeply, perhaps because of how hard things have been in Bulgaria since the war and the limitations in place on its inhabitants. As for the mystery, I had a pretty good idea of who was behind it all but the resolution still managed to surprise me and it ends on a promising note.
The Bear and the Nightingale - Katherine Arden
I'm not at all familiar with Russian fairytales so this tale completely captivated me. While it's about Frost, the winter demon, it turned out to be a larger meditation on faith, superstition, and the line between good and evil. Arden masterfully built the story and the writing was stellar. Vasya was such a wonderful character- fully ordinary in spite of her magical gifts, yet spirited and unique. I loved her compassion for all the spirits/demons and the way she nurtured them and I loved the way she stood up to the priest whose hubris stood in the way of his understanding of God. The second book in the series released earlier this month and The Girl In The Tower picks up the story and takes it in unexpected directions. I loved it just as much and can't wait to see what happens in book 3.
The Almost Sisters - Joshilyn Jackson
From the first page, I sensed I was reading something special. Every so often I’d look up from the book and marvel over what I beheld. Jackson's writing simply sparkles and I appreciated her ability to delve into complicated issues without losing the narrative thread. I wanted to race through the pages as much as I wanted to savor them. Joshilyn Jackson has a way of bringing insight and nuance to complex issues and she never sacrifices the integrity of her storytelling. You're reading a great story, first and foremost, but don't be surprised if you find yourself reflecting on your own opinions and history with what happens to her characters.
The Almost Sisters is a journey of understanding. Leia must confront the racism in her town and in her family in light of her baby. Her son will grow up in a world she doesn’t entirely recognize and she has to grapple with this truth. All along the mystery surrounding her family unspools and leads to a revelation that undoes everything she knew to be true. This book would be a perfect pick for book clubs or to read with a friend. (Read my full review.)
The Animators - Kayla Rae Whitaker
This is a beautiful, haunting, and bittersweet portrayal of friendship. Sharon and Mel's friendship is singularly unique. It is co-dependent and hard and wonderful in the way I imagine many friendships are when it is also mingled with partnership at work. The plot was fresh and unexpected. I simply could not have guessed the places Whitaker would take these characters, which never failed to elicit a big reaction from me. Like I'd gasp out loud or shake my head or simply tear up. It was tough to read in places because of how heartbreaking it could be. It reflected how gritty life can be, as well how complicated family dynamics can be. It was hard to see the way we can wound the people we love best.
Sharon was not the easiest to read about either because of her passivity and ability to deny the truth in front of her. It's the kind of character that usually drives me crazy but there was something so compelling about her and about Mel as well. I could not look away. Her relationship with Mel and what they brought out in each other was very raw. As much as I wanted them to be more honest with each other, especially as certain developments arose, I understood the tenuousness that can occur with someone who has known you for ages and yet maybe doesn't fully know you now. It's subtle but the way this played out through the story had me holding my breath. I wanted to root for Sharon. I wanted to watch her grow and while it took some getting there, the payoff was worth it. This would be perfect for book clubs.
YA
The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas
This gets all the stars! It went ahead and exceeded my admittedly high expectations. The writing was both crisp and vivid. I could clearly picture every scene and I'm not surprised this will be turned into a movie. Starr's POV was powerful, especially as she grappled with her grief over her best friend's murder and her place in the two worlds she straddled. She's too Williamson (her private school) for Garden Heights (her neighborhood) and too Garden Heights for Williamson and there's a lot of code switching that happens depending on where she's at. Her perspective was one of the best parts of this novel and I loved the way she grew as a character, going from witness to eventually speaking out and beyond.
This has been described as the YA novel about Black Lives Matter. Thomas does nod toward people of color who were killed by the police and their respective cities' responses, particularly Michael Brown and Ferguson, but the story of Khalil's murder is unique. By making Starr the sole witness, we as readers have a unique experience as well. This was moving and timely and I hope to God more and more people read it because we need to absorb its message. If we're white, we have got to examine our privilege and do whatever we can to dismantle systemic racism. There's no excuse. If this is what Angie Thomas can accomplish in her debut novel, I look forward to seeing what comes next in her career.
Strange The Dreamer - Laini Taylor
The world-building in Laini Taylor's latest novel sucked me in from page one. This book is Taylor's ode to libraries and the love of books and stories permeates these pages. It is Lazlo's love for the written word that spurs on his dream of finding out what happened to the city now known as Weep, a city he's never seen but has heard stories about since childhood, a city that's no longer the same. He is drawn toward the mystery and becomes almost an expert on this city few people in his town care about. But this ends up being how he goes to Weep itself and this is where the story really takes off.
Taylor's prose is beautiful and magical. She knows how to turn a phrase and it is always in service of moving the story forward. The symbolism is moving and serves the world-building. I loved thinking about dreams and nightmares and what's behind them- this particular element of the novel was incredible. She takes concepts you think you understand (good is good, bad is bad) and turns them on their head. Strange The Dreamer is book 1 of a duology. There is so much story there and I have no idea where Taylor will take us in its conclusion but I am here for it. I loved all of the characters and the cliffhanger in this one is a doozy but somehow I know (hope?) Taylor will not leave us wanting for long. She will find a way to redeem these threads and build them into a stronger story. I can't wait!
The Sun Is Also A Star - Nicola Yoon
I loved Yoon's first book so I could not wait to see where'd she take us in her next book. I'm usually skeptical of insta-love stories, especially when they take place over the course of the day, but Yoon made a believer out of me. I loved everything about the flukish way Daniel and Natasha met and the way their relationship grew, with all the ups and downs. I especially liked how the study about the 36 questions that can make people fall in love was incorporated. There are high stakes from the beginning due to Natasha and her family being deported that night and the themes related to immigration were incredibly powerful, particularly because Daniel's parents were immigrants too. We get to see all these different perspectives, making it incredibly relevant these days. I also liked how we got brief insights into the lives of other people Natasha and Daniel encountered. There was one moment toward the end that enraged me- and that's not hyperbole. To see how our actions and inactions dramatically impact the lives of others was in full effect here. This book was clever, funny, angsty, and moving. All of my favorite things in one.
Goodbye Days - Jeff Zentner
Jeff Zentner can write the hell out of a book. His first novel The Serpent King was on my Favorite Fiction of 2016 list. There were four things I especially loved about this novel: the characters, the depiction of grief, the writing, and the setting.
You may wonder how life-giving a novel about the consequences of driving while texting can be. But this was life-giving because it didn't shy away from the harder parts of grief. It's hard to mourn our loved ones. I can only imagine how I would have responded had my best friends died in high school. At the same time, I have experienced loss and reading about others who grieve, even if they operate differently from me, is part of the healing process. Plus, this novel is really about what it means to live and that's what made it such an enjoyable read. (Read my full review.)
They Both Die At The End - Adam Silvera
This was surprisingly lighthearted and compelling for a novel about two teenage boys who, as the title states, are going to die at the end. It's really about Mateo learning to live for the very first time and about Rufus making peace with tragic events in his life. Watching Mateo and Rufus evolve from complete strangers to friends to the promise of something more was life-giving. The writing was perfection, both deft and beautiful. I didn't want to stop reading it but I also needed to know what would happen. Was there any way the title could be wrong? The way Silvera brought it all together was moving and I could not have imagined a better way to handle the plot. Did I tear up at points? Yes. Did it make me think about what I would do if I knew this was my last day? Yes. But it also made me consider our limitations and hang ups in a new light. This is the kind of YA everyone should read.
Hunted - Meagan Spooner
This was the best Beauty and the Beast retelling I've ever read. In this version, Beauty is a hunter, Russian folklore is woven in, and the story explores the concept of what we want vs. what fulfills us. Yeva is such an incredible heroine. I loved watching the evolution of her feelings toward the Beast, from something to kill to someone to save. The chapters are written from Yeva's perspective but in between each chapter we hear from the Beast and this is written primarily in second person plural to great effect. This retelling had everything I love about Beauty and the Beast and none of the stuff I don't. The magical elements served only to move the story forward, as well as keep you guessing. There's a lot in here about intent and motivation that is wonderful but I was most moved by the idea of longing for something more and whether achieving that goal can ever satisfy us. What Yeva and Beast ultimately learn about their wants is something I'm tucking away for further pondering. If you love fairy tale retellings, track down a copy however you can. You won't regret it.
Autoboyography - Christina Lauren
This coming of age story was incredibly moving. Tanner is a bisexual teenage Jew who went back into the closet after his family relocated to Utah. It's Tanner's senior year and he's looking forward to getting out of Utah and just coasting through his senior year. That all changes when he signs up for a class in which he'll write a book in a semester and comes face to face with Sebastian, the Bishop's son who graduated the year prior with a book deal no less.
Tanner and Sebastian are drawn to each other but it's not without enormous complication. The LDS church is not LGBT affirming so Sebastian is not only wrestling with the realization that he's gay but the larger implications for what this means for his faith and entire life. If Sebastian comes out, he risks losing his family and entire community, not to mention his understanding of who God is.
The framework for this novel is a little meta but it worked for me. We're essentially reading the manuscript Tanner is writing for his class. (At a certain point, the class ends but the story continues.) He's stuck on what to write about until he and Sebastian start spending time together and he writes about it, intending to change the names and identifying details later. Neither Tanner or Sebastian have been honest with their community about their sexuality but Sebastian has more to lose if the manuscript becomes public. It was agonizing to watch Tanner figure out what he should do about it and whether he and Sebastian have a future together.
I adored Tanner and Sebastian and rooted for them the whole way through. I have no doubt this book will come to mean a great deal to Mormon teens who are LGBT. Autoboyography affirms that love is love and there is room for all, no matter your religion.
Disclosure: Affiliate links included in this post.
