I don’t read a lot of different genres; I mostly read contemporary and dystopian. So, instead of doing a top five of different genres, I’m going to combine everything today.
FIVE
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
When I first read this book, it took a long time. The beginning dragged on, the setting up the districts, what the politics are like, and the characters. Though I did enjoy the book deeply when I read it when it was first released, I have not reread it. It it on my list to reread, but I do worry it won’t hold up to my memories of it.
FOUR
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
Admittedly, this book took a lot longer to get through than I thought it would; it was at the beginning of the pandemic and my motivation to read had depleted to nothing. But I loved this story, the way the characters developed an emotional connection, a friendship, before they even kissed. They bonded over toxic exes and dead parents. I really loved watching Macy find her place and how welcoming Wes was.
THREE
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
This book was funny and sexy. I love the enemies to lovers trope. I loved how they purposefully used the wrong names to address each other. Oh, don’t even get me started on that massage scene! I cannot wait to see what they do with the movie.
TWO
The Savior’s Champion by Jenna Moreci
The only fantasy on this list. I’m not big into fantasy, but this book pulled me out of a slump. It’s gruesome, sexy, gory, ugly, nasty, and I loved almost every minute of it. I didn’t care too much for the constant use of c***. I don’t mind swear words in my books, I use them in the ones I write, but there’s something about the crude nature of it. And I have a hard time believing royalty to use it in such a derogatory fashion too.
ONE
How easy would it be for me to say the obvious, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell? But I’m going with The Giver by Lois Lowry
This is one of my two five star reads (Dumplin’ is the other) I love everything about this book. The idea of being able to pass through memories of the past, and having one carrier for it to keep the rest of the community safe. I think the importance of this book is teaching children that it’s okay to question people, authority, parents, teachers etc. The rest of the quartet does not hold up to the first one, though all good in their own way.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Vox by Christina Dalcher; it really showed how far people are willing to go to get control. The men in this book were so real, they were people you see in the media, wanting to get control over everyone. I was angry the whole time a man came in.
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell; is a very Harry Potter-esque fantasy novel. The Simon Snow series reads like a fanfic (in the best way), it’s a fun and fast read, wizards and vampires falling in love. I can’t wait to get into the rest of the series!
The Selection by Kiera Cass. The idea of this series is so interesting, and I was so excited to get into it, but what I couldn’t deal with was the love triangle that lasted for three books. The constant back and forth, and I didn’t feel like I cared enough about Aspen to want her to risk everything to see him.
A Book's Nook 