It’s always interesting to look back over the last twelve months and think about which books have really stayed with me. Here are some of my favorite reads from this year, to which I’ve awarded the Emerald City Book Review Gem. Check out Top Ten Tuesday for many more lists (I couldn’t stick to just ten, but they don’t mind).
2016 releases:
Adult fiction – The Summer Guest
Children’s fiction – The Evil Wizard Smallbone
Nonfiction – The House by the Lake
Books everyone should read: Just Mercy; Being Mortal
Children’s/YA: Johnny Tremain; The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing
Fantasy: Wyrd Sisters
Memoir: My Family and Other Animals; Unearthed; Carry On
Historical: A Man of Genius
Classics: The Makioka Sisters
Graphics: The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage
New-to-me author: Frances Hardinge
Rediscovered author: Betty MacDonald
Small Press: Hidden View (Green Writers Press)
The Emerald City Book Review Archive 
What a great mix of books. I am on board for Just Mercy and will hopefully read it in 2017. There are several here that I am not at all familiar with, so I will be sifting through on GR this morning. Thanks for sharing this list, Lory.
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I have no hesitation in recommending Just Mercy to everyone. I’m glad you’ll look into my other picks — some are really overlooked gems.
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I always find that so interesting looking back at what I’ve read throughout the year! I definitely going to have to get my ‘Best of 2016’ post up soon.
I glad you’ve enjoyed so many books this year! I’ll have to check some of these out 🙂
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Yay, I love reading other people’s “Best of” lists.
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I haven’t read any of these, but I’ve heard really good things about The Summer Guest and Just Mercy!
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I’m always glad to hear of more love for my favorite books.
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I gave some copies of The Evil Wizard Smallbone for Christmas, and not just to children.
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Great idea. I sent one to my dad. 🙂
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You have a really eclectic list and I love that! I haven’t read any of them, but see a couple I’ve been curious about, especially The Summer Guest.
Happy New Year!
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Eclectic is my middle name when it comes to reading…glad you found some titles that intrigued you.
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I loved The Summer Guest and Just Mercy — and thanks for cluing me in to some undiscovered gems! Happy New Year!
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It’s always exciting to find something that’s been overlooked…and try to encourage others to discover it too.
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Oh, my!
I haven’t read a single one of these are there are several I hadn’t even heard of. The TBR grows and grows…
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Oh, I know. I shouldn’t even look at year end lists… but how can I resist?
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You always read such interesting books! I can’t say I know much about any of these, but I will definitely look them up, especially The Summer Guest and Just Mercy. Happy new year!
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I loved both of those in particular.
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I love both Johnny Tremain and My Family and Other Animals. Have you seen the TV movie of the latter? It’s hilarious! I watch it regularly and it never fails to give me laughs. And the scenery of Corfu is gorgeous!
Happy reading in 2017!
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I have not seen the movie, but would love to see images of Corfu — it sounds like an amazing place.
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I love that you have such an unusual mix of books- each gem of your sparkles for a different person!
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I love the thrill of discovering a different mix of books and authors each year.
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I am so pleased to see Wyrd Sisters on your list 😀
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I’m so glad I read it this year!
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My mom read The Lie Tree and wasn’t a fan, but I’ve read amazing things about it, so I’m still thinking I’ll give it a try. I’ll have to go check out your review.
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I can see it not being to all tastes — in some ways I liked Cuckoo Song even better. I need to read more Hardinge to see what else I could recommend.
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Aw, and I love that you’re highlighting a press as well! You had a wonderful year in reading, it looks like, and I am of course especially delighted that you discovered Frances Hardinge. She’s great. I think Cuckoo Song remains my favorite of her books so far.
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Me too – although I’ve only read three of them.
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I love how you’ve formatted this AND that The Summer Guest was a favorite. I thought it was so poignant. I admit, I have not read Just Mercy and am going to my library catalog right now to put it one hold.
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You will not be sorry, I promise you.
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Oh, I had forgotten about Hidden View! And I’m glad to see Man of Genius on your list. I love seeing best-of lists with books that aren’t getting as much attention as they should! 🙂
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Even though I’m intending not to do so many review copies next year, those are two that I would not have read if the publishers hadn’t sent them to me — and I’m very glad they did.
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I love it when that happens!
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