As the year comes to a close, publications of very ilk like to make lists of their best-selling or favorite books of the year, and while I certainly am not making a definitive list — because I FOR SURE would forget something and I am certain, in fact, that I did — this seems like an excellent time for us all to talk about some of the most enjoyable books we’re all read this year. Here are some of mine, in no particular order. (And they definitely didn’t all come out this year, even.)
Nina Rigg’s The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying, which was incredibly moving and meaningful for me. (The author had a terminal cancer diagnosis, and she died before the book came out, but it is not as depressing as you might think from reading that sentence. It is really, really beautiful.)
Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing: A Novel, which is one of those books I keep thinking about even though it’s been nearly a year since I read it.
Helen Simonson’s The Summer Before the War, which was delightful and fewer people died in it than I anticipated if that’s something you like to know before you read something.
Alyssa Cole’s An Extraordinary Union, which I could not put down.
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which is so extremely entertaining.
Jasmine Guillory’s The Wedding Date. This isn’t out yet, but it comes out in six weeks and you should put it on your list! It is great.
Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere, which is just as good as you’ve heard. I read it in like two straight days.
Amor Towles’s A Gentleman in Moscow, which is just charming.
Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give, which is ALSO has good as you’ve heard — plus, you’re going to want to read it before the movie comes out.
Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale , which you’ve all probably read, since it came out in 2015 but if you HAVEN’T, you should.
Robin Benway’s Far From the Tree, which is a National Book Award winner!
Brandy Colbert’s Little & Lion which is layered and moving and so great.
Ben Macintyre’s A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal. (I randomly picked this one up at the library and it is SO GOOD and juicy; it reads like a novel.)
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