Favorite books for 2016

Eva books, reading

This has been a great year for my reading as I read 86 books (yes, many of them manga, thank you very much).  It’s the second year that I actually keep track of the books that I read through Goodreads and I’m fascinated by the opportunity to go back and, well, remember:P

So, I’m writing this very original blog post, mainly because I want to torture myself as I’m coming up with two-lined reviews for each of the books that I liked.

*In no particular order.

 

  1. 1984,by George O1984rwell

Ha! Was I late to read this one. It’s scary in itself, but scarier nowadays considering what’s happening around the world with the rise of the neo-nazis.

 

 

  1. Uuprrotedprooted, by Naomi Novik

A wonderful fairytale based on Polish folklore with gripping writing that pulls you into the story until the very last page and characters that you want to slap, root for and look up to.

 

 

  1. aristotleanddanteAristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

A queer book with beautiful and poetic writing, genuine family relationships, and the summer scent that sticks on your skin until the end.

 

 

  1. partparcelPart and Parcel, by Abigail Roux

This book reads like an epilogue to the team of characters introduced since the first book in the Cut & Run series. It focuses on my favorite couple in the series and has some emotional scenes that had me tearing up.

 

 

  1. Hahthepainalf Lost, by Sally Green

Well, I’m still crying over this book so don’t touch me.

 

 

 

  1. americanahAmericanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The first book I’ve read from this author, after hearing her TEDxEuston talk “We should all be feminists”, and I loved it. Her voice is as unique as it is real. Her commentary on racism from the place of a WOC outside the US was insightful and enlightening.

 

 

  1. goingpostalGoing Postal, by Terry Pratchett

I never quite understood Pratchett’s humour, both the whole two times I tried to read one of his books. Then Going Postal happened to me and I finally understood his genius.

 

 

  1. viciusVicious, by Victoria Schwab

A fast read about super powers going awry with a dark, comic-like premise and the eternal question of what, really, makes us monsters.

 

 

  1. auriThe Slow Regard of Silent things, by Patrick Rothfuss

THIS WAS THE BOOK I WANTED FOR AURI.
 

 

 

  1. Nausicaä nausicaaof the Valley of the Wind, by Hayao Miyazaki

This was actually a reread but it’s one of my all time favorite stories out there. A fantasy/environmental-punk with amazing worldbuilding, strong and inspirational female characters and deep understanding of the human nature. This story has just too much soul.