2016 Book List
2016 Book List
Fiction - Adult
And Again by Jessica Chiarella
In the near future, three terminally ill people and one car accident victim are given a second chance in life, and they make some unexpected decisions once they are well. Very good writing, especially the first chapter, and an interesting concept. Recommended.
My Real Children by Jo Walton
A story of a British woman who begins life pre-WWII and then, when she is in her first teaching job, her life path is diverted into two realities, told in alternating chapters. In one life, she marries a man, and in the other, she doesn't. Each reality has different historical milestones. While much of the prose is just day to day details, it is the little bits that truly tell the story. Recommended.
Morning Star by Pierce Brown
The final book in the series (after Red Rising and Golden Son) delivers in everyway possible. It's captivating with deep characterization and amazing (!!!) plotting full of twists and turns. SO GOOD! You must read this series! Recommended!
Every Anxious Wave by Mo Daviau
This is a present-day tale of a 90's rock band guitarist who discovers a wormhole that can transport him--and others--in time. It's the author's first novel, and there are places that the pacing suffers. The premise is interesting, the time travel is cautionary, and the characters are developed. Recommended.
The Walking Dead - Days Gone Bye (Volume 1) by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, and Cliff Rathburn
Graphic Novel, the basis for the AMC show.
The Walking Dead - Miles Behind Us (Volume 2) by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, and Cliff Rathburn
Graphic Novel.
Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
Chick Lit. Meh.
Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson
Fantastic tale of a generational ship arriving at its destination. Excellent all around. The ending dragged on a bit, though, but I suppose the author wanted to give the ending a similar pacing as the rest of the book (since it was in space), and the characters had to a figure out a way to adjust to being on Earth for the first time.
Nexus by Ramez Naam
Didn't finish. Might go back to it. (Just adding a record here.)
Join by Steve Toutonghi
Didn't finish. Might go back to it. (Just adding a record here.)
Murder in Time by Julie Mcelwain
Didn't read. Might go back to it. (Just adding a record here.)
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
Early 80's Brown University grads. Good characters, good ending.
Blindsight by Peter Watts
The future! Space travel! Strangeness! Aliens! (Anything else would spoil it.)
Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
The Lost Time Accidents by John Wray
Didn't finish. (May come back.)
Crosstalk by Connie Willis
I kept waiting for something really cool to happen, but it never did. I didn't even read the bland ending, after reading 95% of it. I guessed every 'surprise' chapters beforehand. The world was the same as ours except that some people had telepathy (not fully explored) and a doctor performed brain surgery to make couples emotionally closer (also not fully explored!). It was bland, which was a disappointment since on the cover it said that this author won a Nebula award for Blackout, which I haven't read and probably won't now.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
After reading Crosstalk, I realized what a pleasure it was to read a book with rich world building, interesting characters, and a good plot. Enough said. I wonder if there's a sequel because the world building is so good and there are many unexplored avenues, and it seems like the author was holding back a bit. Hmmm... Yes, there is a sequel called A Closed and Common Orbit that was published on October 18, 2016.
Touch by Claire North
(Now reading)
Fiction - Young Adult & Middle Grade
- Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
This much lauded book of 2015 has good writing for YA and will appeal to young fantasy readers. It's clear that a lot is borrowed from other milieu, including 'bending' from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Still, it's enjoyable if you overlook the heavy handed abundance of abilities. I did like the characters, and it has some great twists. I will read the sequel. (Recommended by my daughter.)
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
The first book in the Lunar Chronicles is a retelling of Cinderella but in the future. Oh, and Cinder is a cyborg! (Recommended by my daughter.)
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
The second book in the Lunar Chronicles is a futuristic take on Little Red Riding Hood. It includes the characters, world, and plot lines from the previous book. (Recommended by my daughter.)
Cress by Marissa Meyer
The third book in the Lunar Chronicles is a futuristic take on Rapunzel. It includes the characters, world, and plot lines from the previous book.(Recommended by my daughter.)
Winter by Marissa Meyer
The fourth book in the Lunar Chronicles is a futuristic take on Snow White. It includes the characters, world, and plot lines from the previous book. (Recommended by my daughter.)
Lament: The Faerie Queen's Dilemma by Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater is one of my favorite YA authors. I believe this was Maggie's first book, and you can see hints of what her writing will become in this faerie tale. Still, it has a solid plot with Maggie's signature mysterious characters and the beginning of her lyrical prose. (I recommend all of Maggie's books.)
Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
The second book in a planned four book series. The lead character is no Mary Sue, but she seems to be reacting to the story rather than driving it. The plot dragged. These stories take place 1,000 years after a nuclear war. My daughter and I realized that Naercy was New York City, The Wash was Washington, Harbor City had to be Boston, and Tuck was Nantucket (I guess the ice caps didn't melt after all!).
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
Australian teen's struggle as her deals with her mother's depression, a transfer to a new (almost all-boys) school, and teen drama. Very good.
Raven King by Maggie Steifvater
The last in a wonderful series by my favorite YA author. Excellent ending.
Last Star by Rick Yancy
Seven Black Diamonds by Melissa Marr
Decided not to read.
Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke
Very book.
Half Lost by Sally Green
Non Fiction
- In Defense of a Liberal Education by Fareed Zakaria
Read for a book club. Meh.
Untangled by by Lisa Damour, Ph.D.
If you have a tween or teen girl in your life, then you need to read this. You'll be pleasantly enlightened.
The Conscious Parent by Shefali Tsabary
Reading next.
Designing Your Life by William Burnett and David Evans
Will read for a book club