Hello, friends! How is it possible that we've reached the end of another year? I think I said something similar in last year's rewind post, but 2016 has been so insane, you'll have to forgive my memory lapse. XD
Every year has its ups and downs, but 2016 was particularly heavy on the downs. I promise not to go on whining about real life stuff, lol. Said stuff did creep into reading and blogging, though, and pretty much brought both to a standstill. It is what it is, but I'm so, so, so, so, so, so ready to bury 2016 in the trash then set it on fire. And then possibly run over it with a bulldozer, just for good measure.
Unsurprisingly, I missed my Goodreads challenge by like 10 books for like the third year in a row. I've lost track of the consecutive number of years of failure because it's become the norm, lol. Ah, well—maybe next year, because by default, 2017 HAS to be better than 2016!
2016 did manage to provide a few bookish highlights, including meeting Maggie Stiefvater and returning to YALLFest with Ally and Melissa. I was thrilled to meet the lovely Victoria Schwab at YALLFest as well as see Alexandra Bracken again.
While I didn't get to read a lot of books this year, I LOVED quite a few of the ones that I did get to:
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
This was my most anticipated read of 2016 and the front-runner for favorite book of 2016, and The Raven King did not disappoint. I savored every word of this baby, as was its due. All hail The Raven King and its ingenious queen, Maggie Stiefvater.
The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
I technically read this one at the very end of last year, after I'd already written my 2015 rewind post. So now I must shower it with infintite love in the 2016 rewind. Do you love paranormal? Do you love Jane Austen? Do you love witty heroines who circumvent the restrictions of their eras? Do you love brooding male characters with a hint of danger to them? Do you love beautiful prose? Then The Dark Days Club is for you!
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
I LOVE morally gray characters, and Vicious is one of the best books I've ever read that features them. The story is absolutely mesmerizing from start to finish.
A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
Oh look—it's V.E./Victoria Schwab again, LOL. Her follow-up to last year's A Darker Shade of Magic totally delivers. If you love Avatar: The Last Airbender, you'll totally dig the elemental magic in this series. Plus there's time travel, alternate Londons, and pirates!
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
And here's SJM again, LOL. While this installment felt a wee bit off in the pacing department, it was still one hell of a read with an ending that is guaranteed to utterly destroy you.
Poison or Protect by Gail Carriger
This wonderful novella is a perfect introduction to Carriger's Victorian steampunk world of supernatural creatures, tea, and lots of wit. It's also the perfect complement to readers already familiar with her Parasol Protectorate and Finishing School series.
Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
I admit to being a tad skeptical of yet another Shadowhunters series, but Lady Midnight was a most pleasant surprise and left me eagerly awaiting its sequel, Lord of Shadows.
How did your 2016 in reading/blogging go? I wish all of you a very, very Happy New Year, and all the best in 2017! :D
2016 sucked the big one for everyone it seems! 2017 MUST be better. We WILL make it so! Obviously, you know I agree with you on The Raven King (OH THE FEELS), ACOMaF, AGoS and EoS for this year! Even with the issues I had with EoS it still made my favorite list too XD I'd read Vicious in 2015 (I think?) but I adored it and it'd made my list that year. GAH! I PROMISE to read Dark Days Club in 2017 ok?! LOL! AND Carriger!
ReplyDeleteI'm still so happy for you that you got to meet Stiefvater too - and Schwab of course! Meeting those ladies is still a highlight of my life so I'm glad you feel the same...though not surprised LOL! All the best to you in 2017 my friend - and to the world at large. Let's make it a great one :D Though with ToG6, ACoL and ACoWaR coming up, we should be all set ♥♥♥
Yes, we are TOTALLY going to make 2017 a better year! :D
DeleteAt least 2016 gave us some incredible reads- TRK, both Maas books, and AGoS! EoS was one HELL of an emotional ride; I don't think I can handle the finale! :O
Hehe, I can't wait for you to read The Dark Days Club! I hope you adore it as much as I did. XD I'm counting down the days until the sequel releases this month! I think you'll love the wit of Carriger's books; they're always so much fun.
All the best in 2017 to you, too, Micheline! ♥ We do have some AMAZING releases to look forward to in the coming months, don't we? :D