Even though this year has been very eventful, I have managed to probably break a personal record of the number of books I’ve read! I’ve lived up to my bookworm trait and have read books from romance to dystopian to sci-fi to others, series and single books. Here are some of my favourite books and series that I have read this year, which you may have read, or may want to read in the future, or even ask for Christmas. Some of these you might recognise from my previous reviews, but either way, get comfy, and let’s talk about books!
1. Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
I started this series last year and finished all of the books (so far) at the beginning of this one. This series is always one I mention whenever I get asked my favourite books (which is one of the worst questions to ask a bookworm), as it isn’t only a really thought-provoking series and makes you ask yourself questions, but it is one full of everything you would want in a Young Adult novel: laughs, cries, cringes, and heartthrobs. This Young Adult Dystopian Romance novel covers issues such as racism, prejudice, and inequality. I recommend it to anyone; it is such a prominent book that I will always hold dear to my heart.
If you want to read my full review, click here: https://www.girlguidinglaser.org.uk/news/the-book-corners-book-series-of-the-month-noughts-and-crosses-by-malorie-blackman
2. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
I’ve attempted to read this book before, but never really got anywhere with it. This time round, though, I literally demolished it in 3 days. I wasn’t expecting much, but this book delivered more than I could ever wish for and will always be held up as a book that completely topped my expectations. I couldn’t put it down and got so emotionally attached to it that I felt I was there with them. This book isn’t just a story about two lovers who only have a day, but also has added details about culture, and the future of other characters. It was definitely a book with tissues involved and made me just lose myself, especially in the middle of our first lockdown. I recommend this book, especially if you have a few free days or a weekend, because you may never want to put it down!
3. All of the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
This book has been on my list to buy and read for a while now, so when I finally got it, I was reading to read and disappear into another story. The book lived up to its expectations, but one of the best parts of it was the ending: I may have been crying for most of it, but the beauty and structure of it was painfully lovely, and I felt so connected to the story and the character. It’s one of those books you could never get old of, and the basis of the story tackles some prominent issues in society today, from judgment to grief and suicide. Some of the imagery was the best I’ve ever read, and especially as an English Literature and Language A-level student, I really felt the beauty of it. I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves more than just a typical love story and wants to have a good one-off read (another book you won’t want to put down).
4. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
This was probably one of the best Birthday present I got this year. I disappeared into this trilogy for a few weeks, and it was some of the best reading days I’ve had. The storyline and depth of characters was amazing, and I was struggling putting the book down to do anything. The characters became my friends, and the story became and comfort when all of the world wasn’t going the way we all want it to. It’s very relatable and full of laughs and cries.
If you want to read my full review of this series, the link is here: https://www.girlguidinglaser.org.uk/news/book-series-of-the-month-to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before
5. Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus
I’m not normally someone who enjoys reading crime novels, or anything of that nature, but this book is definitely one I loved. The dual narrative all of the way through the story was not only helpful but wasn’t too daunting and allowed the story to move on. The cliff-hangers and one liners put me on edge, and I was constantly wanting to know what happens next, even at the end! I had read one of the author’s books before, but I felt that I preferred the structure and storyline of this book: you never knew what the outcome would be until a few pages before. Definitely worth a read!
So, here are five books/series that I have read and enjoyed this year. There are many others, which I’ll hopefully get round to reviewing soon. If you decide to get one of these, then I hope you enjoy reading them 😊.
Don’t forget that if you want to review or maybe even make your own list of books for the year, you can send them to The Hive for a chance to be published on the website. I would love to hear them! Here is the link to find out more: https://www.girlguidinglaser.org.uk/challenges/report-for-the-hive.
Merry Christmas and happy reading!