YA and Beyond discussion

Well the year is winding down. Looking back what were some of the best books you have read this past year (current releases or not:)

I think I might have a few of our hidden gem book reads on my list.

Holy crap it's December. I'll have to go look at my list/s lol

Yikes, I can't believe it's already December! Well, here are a bunch of books I enjoyed reading this year. Some are from this year, others are older. :D



Hopefully I'll have a few more to add by the end of the year. ;)

It was a good year of cozies for me. Here are some of my favorites reads of the year:

A Fright to the Death Magic Breaks Horse of a Different Killer In Your Dreams Death Comes to London Out of the Easy Naughty in Nice First Frost Keeping the Castle Blood of My Blood UnDivided Winger Wild Rover No More: Being the Last Recorded Account of the Life & Times of Jacky Faber

Glad to see Winger was one of your faves, Heidi! And you must read the sequel, it's so good. :D I need to finish the Unwind books ... that's one of my goals for 2016, haha.

I have the sequel in my upcoming line up Brigid! Thanks to you for nominating it :) Yes. Must finish Unwind.

Hooray! I'm excited to see what you think of it. :)

FINISH UNWIND. That series is IN. CRE. DI. BLE.

my list--
- this whole series was phenomenal
- same for this trilogy
- and this one
- very emotional and beautifully written
- can't wait for the movie!
- I'm a sucker for Pocahontas stories and this one was awesome
- books. LOVE.
- such a good biography
- this one too! LOTS of research.
- awesome book about someone I never knew existed
- wrecked me
- also wrecked me
- SO GOOD
- Love this world!
- snarky MCs ftw
- this whole series was fantastic

This year changed me as a reader. I read one book that had a huge impact and then started looking specifically for inspiring stories. These are my favs. , , , , and . I highly recommend all five!

Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "FINISH UNWIND. That series is IN. CRE. DI. BLE.

my list--
- this whole series was phenomenal
- same for this trilogy
[bookcover:The Girl wit..."

I WILL. :D

I haven't read many of those, but I agree with the ones I have read! The rest I will have to look up, there's a bunch I haven't heard of before. :)

Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* wrote: "Yikes, I can't believe it's already December! Well, here are a bunch of books I enjoyed reading this year. Some are from this year, others are older. :D

[bookcover:Yes ..."

I need to get to Stand Off and Yes Please!

Liz wrote: "This year changed me as a reader. I read one book that had a huge impact and then started looking specifically for inspiring stories. These are my favs. [bookcover:Dirty Secrets of the World's Wors..."

That is great Liz! I love when books are transformative! I felt that way about the book Quiet!

Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "FINISH UNWIND. That series is IN. CRE. DI. BLE.

my list--
- this whole series was phenomenal
- same for this trilogy
[bookcover:The Girl wit..."

As you likely know I loved TGWTDT series and also loved Unwind!

1545]

Liz wrote: "This year changed me as a reader. I read one book that had a huge impact and then started looking specifically for inspiring stories. These are my favs. [bookcover:Dirty Secrets of the World's Wors..."

I really want to read I Am Malala!

Heidi (Yup. Still here.) wrote: "Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "FINISH UNWIND. That series is IN. CRE. DI. BLE.

my list--
- this whole series was phenomenal
- same for t..."

omggg the Millennium trilogy was SO. GOOD. Especially the trial in the last book (which it took FOREVER to get to) but ahhhh it was perfect. I still need to watch the movie. I do think the books could have used editing but by the end I really came to appreciate his writing style nonetheless.

I agree Ashley. The books could have been edited down some (I understand why they weren't since the author passed before they were published) but I forgave them of all that because the rest was so so good :) Did you listen to them all? I know you listened to the first one (I think).

Jenny wrote: "[bookcove..."

So happy Sarah Addison Allen made your list twice! Her books are my happy. Also glad the Monstrumologist and Jasper Dent are there. They are both so unique and well written.

nice topic, Heidi!

Here are my top read for this year ^_^



wow, looking back on my best reads, its not that many. I don't know if I was just pickier this year, or nothing stupendous stood out.

Heidi (Yup. Still here.) wrote: "Jenny wrote: "[bookcover:Heir of Fire|2061..."

I just started reading her books this year, and she is one of my fave authors now! I need to get to some of her other books :)

Do it Jenny!

If it's a series, I'll link all the books(up to the most recent one I've read), even if I didn't read this all this year just in case someone wants to click book 1.

, ,
BL,LB is probably my least favorite of the series so far, but, man, did it make me excited for the final book.


Just gold.

, , ,
For the most part a good, solid series, but the ending of the final book is just amazing.

, , ,
One of the few comics I recommend to people who are iffy about getting into comics.

, ,
Maybe the most under-loved series I've read. I'm surprised these babies aren't big time best sellers.

, ,
This series is more gears towards comics lovers. There's also a Hit-Girl mini-series that is very good. Behind the grit and gore, there's a nice bit of heart in this series.

, , , , ,
A comic unlike any. Another one I recommend to non-comic readers. Helps that it is done by novel royalty(Joe Hill, son of Stephen King).

, , , , , , , ,
The writing, the art, the drama, the humor. Jeff Smith is a comics genius.

, , ,
Solid horror, but even better character relationships/growth.

, , ,
Like I have to explain why these are good. Still looking forward to Winter.


Please read this!


Intensity level higher than 9,000!

,
So sad this series wasn't, like, three books longer.

, , ,
Not the best ending, but a great journey with great characters to get there.


I know a lot disagree, but I just loved the main character so much.

, ,
One more book to go. I'm like Jesse Spano on caffeine pills. I'm so excited!

Great reads in there Tommy. I read several of those in different years and am jealous of all the great reads you were able to have in one year alone!!!

Some really awesome series in there Tommy!

I agree with Heidi....makes me want to dust some books off...

Elora wrote: "I agree with Heidi....makes me want to dust some books off..."

Definately! Me too! :)

It's pretty crazy the amount of reads I got from last years best of. Probably gonna be the same this time around haha.

You can only hope Tommy!

Fantastic list, Tommy. A bunch of my favorite series are in there. :D

Oda wrote: ""

I am sure Kristen will be happy to see her book made your list :) I need to listen to the 3rd book in her series.

First comment in this group, but I just found it and I was just about to make this list for myself...

Tommy - I think I read those first towards the end of 2014, or I'd include the Raven Cycle on my list. I did re-read them this year, and got some friends to try them. :)



Much anticipated, and better than I could've hoped. Probably my best book of 2015.



Haven't read BOO yet, but I thoroughly enjoyed these.



Not YA, and not my first time reading it, but I loved this play for the first time in 2015, mostly because of Juliet.



Also not YA, but led me to another comfort-author - someone whose books are somehow so easy and warm and enjoyable that I have no trouble slipping into them.



Could not stop reading, and I'm still having twinges of emotion about the characters almost two weeks later. Also, I then read three more Maureen Johnson books after I finished these.



My enjoyment of this series stands as a reminder to stop judging books by the ominous rumbles of angsty romance in the cover copy.

Welcome Minna! No need to worry about listing only YA books - it can be any genre/audience. I really enjoyed Landline as well. Rainbow really knows how to bring on the feels in me.

I've read some great books in 2015!
. The Lunar Series
Started the Lux Series and started the Throne of Glass series and the Kricket series and I also read

Oh wow! You read all the Lunar Chronicles this year! No waiting for you!

I know, I loved them!!!

Minna wrote: "First comment in this group, but I just found it and I was just about to make this list for myself...

Tommy - I think I read those first towards the end of 2014, or I'd include the Raven Cycle on ..."

I just did kind of a double-take because my sister's name is Minna and I have literally never met anyone else with that name, haha. :D Welcome to the group!

And that's a good list! I also love Heroes of Olympus. I read Seraphina pretty recently and really enjoyed it, and I've been meaning to read Shadow Scale, so I'm glad to hear you liked it. :)

my favorites last year were:

Beautiful Series
Cinder & Scarlet (Haven't finished the series yet)
The Darkest Powers Trilogy
Elixir Trilogy
Matched Trilogy
The Help

I so loved the Help when I read it a few years ago.

Malori wrote: "my favorites last year were:

Beautiful Series
Cinder & Scarlet (Haven't finished the series yet)
The Darkest Powers Trilogy
Elixir Trilogy
Matched Trilogy
The Help"

I love Lunar Chronicles too! Although I also haven't finished the series yet. :) Ooh and I remember loving the Darkest Powers trilogy when I was in high school. It's been a while since I read those!

Brigid - I thought the name was made up (it's my internet pseudonym) until I met someone who uses the same username as me in a lot of places who told me it was her real name. Oops!

Shadow Scale was well worth it, definitely give it a try when you have time. :)

I haven't finished the Lunar Chronicles yet, despite the fact that I ordered the Winter e-book the second it came out. Sometime soon. Good to hear you liked the full series, Donna.

Oh so it's not your real name, haha. :D Well it is a real name! It's just very rare. I know my sister has only met a few people online with the same name as her.

Good to know! I've heard kind of mixed things about it, but I still want to give it a try. :)

I requested Winter from the library in November and it still hasn't come yet! I think it had like 800 holds on it, eesh. :P

@Brigid

I can't believe I miss out all this time on that Trilogy. I went out and bought a bunch more of her books lol

Malori wrote: "@Brigid

I can't believe I miss out all this time on that Trilogy. I went out and bought a bunch more of her books lol"

Haha, awesome! :D I haven't read any of her other books (although I know she's written a bunch). I should give some of them a try!