\\ Favorite Books of 2016 (So Far) \\

We're more than halfway through the year, and I thought there'd be nothing better to do than do a round-up post of all my top reads so far for 2016. I hope you enjoy, and maybe even find a few new books to add to your tbr. ^-^

{all books are linked to goodreads or my reviews :))}

WE ARE THE ANTS + THE FIVE STAGES OF ANDREW BRAWLEY- SHAUN DAVID HUTCHINSON

After having my heart ripped out by both of these books, I have vowed to read anything and everything Shaun David Hutchinson writes from here on out. Both books are incredibly deep contemporaries, and I kind of, maybe, perhaps, cried a little???
I'm definitely a reader that prefers characters over plot, and while both books were fantastic on each end, the characters were just so real and intricate, and were my favorite part of the books. Not to mention that Hutchinson has a really raw way of writing; he never skims on anything, and tends to say stuff as it is, no matter how dark/depressing it may be, and that's something I love, and haven't been able to find often in books I've read this year. 

THE RAVEN KING- MAGGIE STIEFVATER

The finale to one of my favorite series, The Raven Cycle, came out in April, and although it was quite different from the end I expected, I adored the last edition of this series. The pynch scenes made my heart dance with joy + the recurring theme of the line, "depending on where you began the story--" was one of my favorite bookish quirks ever. I miss my little raven boys & blue so much, but the story was such a work of art and I firmly believe that Stiefvater couldn't have written anything more magnificent than this ending.

((she did however announce that she iS WRITING A RONAN CENTERED TRILOGY AND I HAVE NEVER FELT MORE ALIVE.))

A COURT OF MIST AND FURY- SARAH J MAAS

Come on, you knew it was coming. I've mentioned this book 4 (?) times in a row so far these past months, and I don't regret a thing, because it's my favorite and I'm obsessed. It has consumed me, and it's my #1 book of the year. 

(Empire of Storms is yet to come out, but still. THIS. BOOK.)

ALL THE V.E. SCHWAB BOOKS OF EVER (A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC, A GATHERING OF SHADOWS, THIS SAVAGE SONG, ETC.) 

Because hello hi yes I just really love this woman and her red hair and her gorgeous feels inducing books. I've yet to read Vicious this year (that's next on the list) but from all that I've read of Victoria's works, I can safely say that she is a.) a magician with words, and b.) one of the most terrific authors out there. All of her books are definitely my top favorites for the year. <3 

SIX OF CROWS- LEIGH BARDUGO

You guys have no idea how long I avoided reading this. It's been sitting on my shelf for almost a year, and I could just never pick it up. The hype for it is out of this world, and to be honest, that scared me to death. But Crooked Kingdom comes out soon, and I finally figured that I better read it before then aND NOW HERE I AM, WITH SO MUCH LOVE FOR THIS BOOK + IT'S CHARACTERS.
Six of Crows was such a mind-blowing book. It's a heist book at its basis, and it's a really smart one at that. The plot was absolutely insane, and I wish I had half of Kaz Brekker's brains. honestly i just wish i had kaz brekker   There were so many plot twists that left me flailing, and the connection between all of the characters + their banter was phenomenal. I could go on for daaaaays about this book.

((Also, Leigh Bardugo is a total sweetheart, and her instagram stories + her excitedness give me life. She's so terrific, and just makes me so much happier about her books.))

 

ILLUMINAE- JAY KRISTOFF + AMIE KAUFMAN 

How to know when you've written a good book: when you can make the most unfeeling girl of ever (*cough*me*cough*) cry over a damn computer. I went into this book expecting to hate it, and I came out of it with tears and the inability to breathe + function normally. This was so freaking good, and like Six of Crows, was one of those 2015 releases I kept pushing off because I was afraid of the hype. 

Note to self: stop doing that.

And, I mean, of course, these aren't ALL of my favorites for the year so far, but I figured I could only ramble for so long. ;) 

That being said, here are a few more. 

HONORABLE MENTIONS: 

Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli// The Serpent King- Jeff Zentner// The Foxhole Court- Nora Sakavic// The Infernal Devices Trilogy- Cassandra Clare// Symptoms of Being Human- Jeff Garvin//

And there we go! Those are my favorites books of 2016 so far! I hope you enjoyed, and that you're having a lovely time, wherever you are. ^-^

CHAT WITH ME. Have you had a good reading year so far? What are your favorites? Favorite series? Favorite stand-alone? Have you read any of the books on my list? Tell me everything!