HOLY SMOKES! What a great year for books I’ve had! This is, hands’ down, the best reading year I have ever had. Ever. I know I say that every year, but there are eight, count ’em, EIGHT five-star books on this list. YOWZAH!
In all seriousness, I’m so excited to share this list with you all.
1. The Mirror & the Light

Utterly brilliant historical fiction. Captivating and compelling.
2. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

Wow. I just, don’t even have words. Wow.
3. A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

Beautiful, heartbreaking, romantic, and empowering. You have to read this book.
4. Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Epic fantasy inspired by pre-Columbian America. Political intrigue at its finest.
5. The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty

WOW! What a finale! I wish I always loved the end of a series like this. It was fun, twisty-turny, lovey dovey, and just dark enough to be delicious.
6. You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

So fun, and cute, and sweet, and I just loved it SO MUCH!!!
7. The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison

Sherlock Holmes + all the supernatural creatures + light steampunk + Jack the Ripper = gold
8. As You Wish by Cary Elwes

The closest thing you’ll ever get to a behind-the-scenes of making-of of The Princess Bride.
9. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Completely unique, and Gideon is my favorite person ever.
10. Prime Deceptions by Valerie Valdes

Fun, smart science fiction that is just as good as the first book (and when does THAT ever happen?).
The Fifth Season is on my list too. Such a brilliant book. Cannot wait to continue on with the series!
LikeLiked by 1 person
SAME! I’ve got The Obelisk Gate up next, as soon as I finish my library book. 🙂
LikeLike
Great lis! I’m looking forward to reading the mirror and the light, but I might want to reread Wolf Hall and Bring up the bodies first.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Couldn’t hurt! I considered doing that, but they’re both so long and I had read them less than a year before TM&TL came out.
LikeLike
I just got Wolf Hall so I’m diving in next year! Can’t wait 🙂 Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
AHHHH WOLF HALL IS SO GOOOOOOOD! It takes some real diving into, though, because getting used to the writing (which is SUPER different) takes some time.
LikeLike
Great list! The Empire of Gold and Gideon the Ninth made my list this week, too, and I really enjoyed Black Sun. The Fifth Season is fantastic and I really need to try Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell trilogy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I don’t know why I was so hesitant about Gideon, but it took me forever to read it, and then it ended up being just as awesome as everyone said.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Angel of the Crows sounds amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really liked it! 5 stars!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you had such a great reading year! I really want to read You Should See Me In A Crown ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t often read books that are hyped, and I’m so relieved it lived up to it all!
LikeLike