What I Read in 2016
I’m taking a break from food today and instead channeling my inner book nerd. I thought it would be fun to share What I Read in 2016.
While I often share updates and reviews on what I’m reading on my Facebook page and Instagram, it’s been awhile since I shared anything other than a recipe here on Mountain Mama Cooks. I always love hearing the feedback on my recommendations especially because I usually choose my next read based on a recommendation as well! I committed to the book challenge on Goodreads last year and am doing it again for 2017. I fell three books short of my goal in 2016 so am extra committed to hitting my goal this year! I’m hoping that the challenge will encourage me to pick up my book instead of zoning out in front of the tv or computer when I find myself with an extra few minutes.
While I didn’t do a full review on each book (you can check them out for yourselves by clicking on the link), I did give each book a rating, 1-5 and a one liner review. One being don’t bother and five being must read! ps- are you on Goodreads? If so, hit me up so we can be friends!
1. The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty- 3.2m
Classic Liane Moriarty. Not my favorite of hers but I still enjoyed it.
2. Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal -3.5
The perfect blend of foodie and coming of age. A quick read.
3. A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman -4.5
Sweet. Sad. Well written. All the feelings. Put this on your “to read” list!
4. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes- 3.8
Enjoyed the book, enjoyed the movie and any book that makes me cry did it’s job.
5. The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant- 3
Historical fiction. A quick, easy read…..could take it or leave it.
6. The Singles Game by Lauren Weisberger- 2.5
Chic lit. Mediocre writing. I wanted something brainless and that’s exactly what I got 🙂
7. The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck- 2
Chic lit. Too churchy for me but the story was cute. Super quick read.
8. All Dogs Go To Kevin: Everything Three Dogs Taught Me (That I Didn’t Learn in Veterinary School) by Jessica Vogelsang- 4
A must for any dog lover. I throughly enjoyed this!
9. Dreams of Joy by Lisa See- 4
I’m a huge fan of Lisa See books and this was not different. Loved it!
10. The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain -3
A good (but not great) mystery. It was an easy read. Middle of the road for me.
11. Open by Andre Agassi- 3.8
I really enjoyed this as I loved me some Andre during the 80’s and love the game of tennis.
12. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak- 5
Favorite book I read last year. This is a MUST read. Historical fiction A+
13. The Girls– by Emma Cline 3
Ick. Not my cup of tea. Well written but lift a pit in my stomach. Couldn’t do it.
14. The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah- 5
A close second as my favorite read of 2016. Historical fiction at it’s best. It’s a must read!
15. First Comes Love by Emily Giffin- 3
Chic lit. Cute. Take it or leave it.
16. The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson – 4
Quirky. Well written. Laugh out loud.
17. The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker- 3.8
Mystery. Quick read. Well written. Solid middle of the road read.
Without a doubt my two favorite books I read in 2016 were The Nightingale and The Book Thief. I’m a sucker for historical fiction, what can I say? Coming in just behind them were A Man Called Ove and The Harry Quebert Affair. I also really enjoyed Open. I think it’s a great read even if you don’t like tennis and it’s motivated me to pick at least one or maybe even two memoir/autobiographies this year. A month into 2017 and I’ve read 1 1/2 books. I have no less than 12 “books to read” between my kindle and nightstand. I’m hoping to get in at least 20 books this year. If you’ve read a really great book recently, please share in the comments below or email me!! Have a great week! xo, Kelley
16 Comments
Thanks for your recommendations and sharing your reads of 2016! I’ve added some of these to my 2017 list! I also read a Man Called One and absolutely loved it.
Some of my favs read in 2016….
Circling The Sun by Paula McLain: loved it, couldn’t put it down. If you like or loved Out of Africa, you’ll love this one too.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (warning, it’s a trilogy that might hook you, although I’ve heard this first book is the best): I’m not the person who loves vampire books but for some reason, this one got me – loved it. I don’t want to read the other two in fear it will take away from what I loved in the first book.
The President’s Shadow by Brad Meltzer: easy, fun for the brain mystery. Not my typical type of book, but I needed an intriguing easy read and fun book… it delivered!
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali: tough book, very intriguing and eye opening. not a fun book though.
City of Thieves by David Benioff: Benioff turns a tragic event of the Nazis’ brutal take over of Leningrad into an interesting and sometimes humorous story of friendship. A friend who has studied Russian history said that the details of the take over were very true to what actually happened. Quick easy read…
I look forward to seeing what you read in 2017! Happy reading!
So many good recommends. Thanks!!
I gave 5 stars to The Book Thief and The Nightingale too! I recommend It Ends With Us by Collen Hoover and I Liked My Life by Abby Fabiaschi. They aren’t Historical fiction but they were my favorites last yea
Thanks for the recommends. I haven’t heard of either!
Good list! I love most of Lisa See’s books but haven’t read Dreams of Joy. I LOVED Nightingale. Two of my faves last year were I’ll Be Seeing You by two authors, Hayes and Nyhan and also Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom. I’ll be seeing you has a good back-story about how the book was written by the two authors.
I’ll check both out, thanks!
Love the depth of the characters and history in Lisa See books, also Snow flower and the secret fan and China dolls.
Other historical fiction, Amandine by, Marlena de blasi,
And Honolulu and Moloka’i by Alan Brennert are based on amazing characters based on historical fiction. Enriching stories. Great reads that stay with you
Thanks for the recommends!
How are you listed on Goodreads so we can find you? I am “Shar Toliver”.
I’m Kelley Epstein!
Great list, I love to hear what others are reading and what they truly enjoyed. I’m on Goodreads too and have done the challenge again. LOVED the Book Thief and Nightengale. If your looking for historical fiction check out, anything by Geraldine Brooks… People of the Book, Year of Wonders… all her book are wonderful! Snow day here- going to spend it reading and cooking!
Great recommends. Thanks!!
The Nightingale, The Lost Girls, and a 50-year silence were some of my favorites that I read this year. The other books I read were just okay. I love historical fiction and accept all recommendations!
I just put The Lost Girls on my “to read” list on Good Reads. I’ll check out 50-year Silence as well too! Thanks for the recommends.
I love seeing what other people read so thanks for sharing! I also appreciate your ratings and blurbs re: each book.
We share many of the same ‘read’ books, but there were a few here I put on my ‘to-read’ list.
Thanks again for sharing!
You’re very welcome!