It’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is Top Ten Best Books Of 2016. Now, while I may have read over 100 books this year, only a dozen have been 2016 releases. So. This isn’t the best 2016 books I’ve read in 2016 but the best books in general (in no particular order) that I’ve read this year. Okay, here we go!

And I Darken by Kiersten White (Add it to Goodreads)

In my efforts to read more historical fiction, I totally hit the jackpot with this read. This is Kiersten White’s best to date and I gush all about it in my review here. And I Darken has everything in a novel that makes me fall in love with characters, world building, voice, and story. What a fantastic read!

The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh (Add it to Goodreads)

I also strove to read more fantasy this year and am so, so glad that I decided to pick up The Wrath & the Dawn. This book was everything that I heard it was and more. Believe the hype. This book is all that! I talk about it in detail in my review here.

Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos (Add it to Goodreads)

You know when there’s a book high on your list but you just don’t get around to it? You should really get to that book. This reminder brought to you by me reading the contemporary novel, Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets and being so disappointed in myself for only just now getting to it when I knew that it would be good. I knew it. This book was everything I wanted and more. More in my review here.

Made You Up by Francesca Zappia (Add it to Goodreads)

Made You Up follows Alex, a schizophrenic, as she navigates her way through a new school in her senior year of high school and forms an unlikely friendship with the outcast at the new school, among other things. On every level, Made You Up is strange and tense, mysterious and funny, heart stopping and heart breaking. A definite must read if this sounds up your alley. Full review here.

Believarexic by J.J. Johnson (Add it to Goodreads)

This autobiographical contemporary novel tells the story of a fifteen year old girl in 1988 who is admitted into inpatient treatment for her eating disorder. Believarexic is the most striking, realistic portrayal of this subject matter that I have ever read. If this subject matter is a trigger, I’d skip it. Otherwise, prepare to sit down and read this in one or two sittings. Full review here.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (Add it to Goodreads)

This was the first book that I read by Jandy Nelson and she absolutely blew me away. I love a good sibling story and this was probably the best sibling story I’ve ever read as we follow twins, Noah and Jude before and after their falling out.Siblings experience so much together and so much apart and getting to see all of that with such depth was A+++. Full review here.

The Lonely Ones by Kelsey Sutton (Add it to Goodreads)

This is the only novel in verse on my list and the only middle grade title on my list. It’s a moving tale that explores the dynamics of children and parents, children and peers, children and the imagination…children and monsters. It’s wonderful. I have nothing but good things to say about this title and I can’t wait to read more from Kelsey Sutton. Full review here.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (Add it to Goodreads)

If you want a romantic comedy unlike any other, read this book. There was a ton of hype surrounding this book and I’m happy to confirm that it’s all true! This book is as hysterical and loving and heartbreaking and heartwarming as everyone talks about. Get to this book if for some reason, you still have not! Full review here.

The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma (Add it to Goodreads)

I read this book in January 2016 and knew then that it would be one of my favorite reads of the year. This story follows two girls – two friends (told from both of their POVs), one in a juvenile correction facility, the other living out their dreams of working towards being a ballerina. But it’s not that simple as we see follow their two very different lives that change on one very distinct night and are forever linked by one very incredible person, one very magical number. If you’re up for a fantastical and dark, mysterious read about a toxic friendship, this is the book for you. Full review here.

The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin (Add it to Goodreads)

This story tells a fictional account of a prodigy who died young and left behind questions of how she truly died along with questions of who she really was. The story is told in the form of interviews that a journalist has gathered for a biography of Addison Stone, including a few excerpts of interviews Addison once conducted and much of Addison’s art. I loved the writing, the voice, the characters, and the unconventional form of storytelling here. This was wonderful and I can’t wait to read more from Adele.

So what were your favorite reads this year?