

I read this book through the night in one sitting despite the fact that I was in a hotel room and looking at a several hour road trip the following morning during which I had nothing else to read. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli All seven characters are well developed and lovably flawed, and the novel as a whole has the same diversity and nuance that I loved so much in Noteworthy.ģ) Simon vs. Redgate manages to balance seven narrators each has his or her own distinct voice and storyline. I was so impressed by it that I bought Seven Ways We Lie without bothering to read the synopsis, and ended up liking it even better. I thought it would be a frothy, surface-level read and was surprised by how poignant it was. I had never heard of Riley Redgate when I picked up her novel Noteworthy at the library a few months ago. The mystery is fun, but it is the novel’s voice and characterization that really shine. The depiction of Aza’s mental illness is sympathetic and terrifying. John Green is one of my favorite writers, and Turtles is gaining headway it may actually eventually pass Paper Towns and An Abundance of Katherines as my favorite John Green book, but it’ll have to undergo one or two rereads before I can say that confidently. I’m fascinated by Julian’s extreme selfishness and ruthlessness, as main characters/primary love interests are rarely permitted to be selfish and ruthless.ĥ) Turtles All the Way Down by John Green I love the increased darkness in the world the risks are bigger this time around, which makes for a more exciting read plot-wise. The Dark Artifices hasn’t quite reached The Mortal Instruments for me since I prefer the tMI gang (I love Alec, Izzy, Simon, and Magnus too much for Clare’s new heroes to be anything but poor replacements), but it has gotten pretty close. I absolutely love Cassandra Clare’s shadowhunters. It is first and foremost an excellent novel, but its greatest strength is probably in the way that it pulls the reader into its main character’s life and allows us to see the world through her eyes. It does a great job of addressing divisive issues without coming across like an After School Special. It is immensely powerful and tackles hard subjects head-on.

There’s not a lot to say about this novel that hasn’t already been said. Taking recommendations is always a risk (I also read some major duds off recommendations this year), but this one paid off big time. Once I got started, though, it no longer felt like an obligation.

A coworker was shocked that I’d never read it (I’d never even heard of it!) so I felt I had to read it to defend my honor.
#Ellen raskin movie#
I managed to read this just before the movie mania kicked in. Making musical references is an easy way to win me over. I also loved the insights into the writing because I am 1) a wannabe writer and 2) a giant Broadway nerd. That being said, I got really into Hamilton the musical this year, so reading all the lyrics and seeing pictures of the cast/set was a lot of fun (I am one of the approximately eighteen billion Hamilton fans who has never actually seen the show). I am usually not a nonfiction person at all, so the fact that there’s a nonfiction book on this list is a huge surprise to me. It is relatable and feminist and I coincidentally finished it the day before I attended my first Comic-Con, which gives it extra memorability points.ĩ) Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter It’s not a mind-blowing book, but it is cute. I’ve been seeking them out and reading them, and this was my favorite one that I read this year. I got really into books about fans and fandom this year. 10) The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash
