My Best Books of 2016

I didn't get as much reading done this year as I would have liked and some books I wish I would have skipped but here in no particular order are my top picks for 2016! 

A Thousand Naked Strangers: A Paramedic's Wild Ride to the Edge and Back by Kevin Hazzard-A book I picked up on a whim simply because the title struck me. Some amazing stories from the authors time as a paramedic. Some things are just to real and this book has some really wild stories. However it was a really awesome and fast read! Maybe not for the squeamish though!

You by Caroline Kepnes This book was creeped me out for WEEKS afterward. It sticks with you in a way that I cannot describe but I still find myself recommending it to friends who don't mind feeling completely uncomfortable and maybe even a little terrified. Disturbing is taken to a whole other level in this one.

Tampa by Alissa Nutting- This book was MESSED UP. I still feel weird about putting it in my top books but the fact is the writing was brilliant and the story, while completely awful and horrifying, is something that you will not forget. Again this one is not for the squeamish or for those that might be triggered by sexual abuse. It's intense.

Monstrous by MarcyKate Connolly- This book was so different from what I expected. I loved the main character Kymera and while the story had some predictability to it, it still didn't end the way that I expected. A really wonderful YA book and the start of a promising series of books.

 

The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King-I am a Stephen King fan for the most part. I can't say that I love all his work but I still love how he can really terrify me. This set of stories had it's moments that were slow but I still find myself thinking about the really scary ones ever so often. Some ghost stories just can't be shaken I guess. And since I can't seem to let it go this one had to make my top list.

 
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton- I had no idea how much I was going to enjoy this book. It is so different from the films and normally when the film and book are so different I get pretty annoyed. However I like the film for what it is and I liked the book for what it is. The narrator was really amazing for this one on Audible and I am really glad I purchased it so I can listen again and again.

Elite by Mercedes Lackey- The second book in a series that I am just in love with. I really enjoy Lackey's books and this new series is amazing. I love the characters and this whole new world that she has created. HIGHLY recommend if you love fantasy and distopian type books! I want to gush more about what I love but I don't want to spoil it for anyone!

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick- I adore Anna Kendrick. I find her very relate-able. I would recommend this book be listened to as apposed to read. She narrates it herself and I think that adds to the book immensely. I laughed out loud many many times and I really enjoy her quirky nature. If you are a fan of hers then it is a must read! 

Be sure to join the linkup and share your best reads of 2016!

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What I Read....March 2016 Edition

Staked by Kevin Hearne- I've been reading the Iron Druid series for a while now and this was book 8 of what I believe will be a 10 part series. I have to say that while normally I am usually sad to see a series end I am feeling that this one might have reached the point where it needs to finish. This book dragged on for me and I'm getting tired of some of the characters. Namely the main female character. I should like her, a strong female character that can hold her own in a fight...but honestly her chapters are TEDIOUS. I tire of her constant rambling. Also I feel like this series kind of lost me when it began writing from three different character POVs. If each character is interesting and can hold it's own then the different POV might work...however I found myself dreading the next time I would have to read from the female character's POV and even at times the third character (though at least he has some funny one liners). I miss just reading about the main character's adventures and if this is the route the series is going then I am just ready for a big finale and to be finished.

The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan- This book was pretty much what I expected from Tan. It read a bit like Joy Luck but without the stories really matching as well. I found myself getting bored and putting this one down in favor of other books. I liked the story line of her mother in China but then again China fascinates me and might not be as interesting for those that aren't. Not a bad book just slow.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman- Once again I love Gaiman's style. I loved learning about  the hidden world that is between the real world. People and places that fall between the cracks of our reality. The world building in this novel was probably the best part. I love the fantasy and simply magical aspect of it. I will say that it took a REALLY long time to like the main character... and in the end I only liked him A BIT more than at the beginning. Not my favorite of Gaiman's work (The Graveyard Book is by far my favorite) but still a good read all in all.

Monstrous by MarcyKate Connolly- I will admit I picked this book up purely because the cover drew me in, I saw it at Barnes and Noble and immediately put it on my holds list. This book was really well done. I loved Kymera from the very beginning and while it was predictable in who the villain was that didn't ruin the story at all. The world built in this book is fantastic and I love a good fantasy. The ending to this one was not the ending I wanted but that doesn't mean it wasn't a great ending. A fairly quick read since it is a YA book but if you are into fantasy and YA fiction then I would say pick this one up!

Tampa by Alissa Nutting- This book was MESSED UP. Seriously. Even more messed up that YOU and that is about psycho killer. This book is one that I almost hesitate to admit I read because the subject matter is pretty rough. Basically this is about a female sexual predator. She is a teacher and preys upon her 8th grade male students. See? MESSED UP. The problem is while this book has some really graphic scenes and the subject matter is really hard to read though...this book is really well done. It is well written and while you are completely disgusted with the main character....you still want to keep reading because you are drawn in by the writing. If you can stomach this type of thing this book is actually worth checking out simply because the writing style is so well done. Though if you give it a pass I totally understand!

Some pretty decent books this past month! I can't wait to see what you all have read! Be sure to join the linkup and share your recent reads! 

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