I loved many of the 50 books I read in 2016 and liked even more. But I forced myself to pick my top five. Here they are in no particular order! (There are Amazon affiliate links in this post.)
WHEN BREATH BECOMES AIR by PAUL KALANITHI
When Breath Becomes Air is a beautifully written memoir about life, grief, and so much more. Deserving of every bit of praise. Have a box of tissues handy.
DEAR MR. YOU by MARY LOUISE PARKER
A book of essays in the form of letters to various men. I’m not doing the book justice with that description. It was astute and all around excellent. I skimmed some of the letters, but the ones I savored made this whole book worthwhile and definitely one of my favorites of the year. The whole concept was so original, which counts for a lot, too.
YOU’LL GROW OUT OF IT by JESSI KLEIN
Listened to this one and laughed out loud numerous times. I found Klein’s observations about life and specifically womanhood to be smart, original, and spot on.
THE BEAUTIFUL POSSIBLE by AMY GOTTLIEB
At Great New Books our team members each picked a favorite from 2016, and I picked Gottlieb’s fantastic novel. I’ve mentioned it numerous times this year in person and online.
A MAN CALLED OVE by FREDRIK BACKMAN
Great read with unexpected turns. Solid writing and a character I grew to love and have continued to keep thinking about months later. Have a box tissues handy for this one, too.
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13 Responses
I’ve already added The Beautiful Possible to my list after reading your recommendation at Great New Books. Can’t wait to get to that one.
I just finished Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple (of Where’d You Go Bernadette fame). Another winner! I’d recommend reading it rather than listening due to illustrations.
That one is on my list for sure. Tons of buzz about it. And good tip on print vs. audio. Thank you!
Thanks for the recommendations. I picked up “A Man Called Ove” at the bookstore the other day and was intrigued. I didn’t get it, but after reading your recommendations, I will add it to my TBR list.
I promise you will get used to the voice after 20 pages and grow to get the main character and he thinks.
I could totally see Jessi Klein’s book being even better as an audiobook. I am currently listening to Aziz Ansari read Modern Romance, and I am LOVING the fact that I get to hear him reading it. I am for sure adding your other pics to my “to read” list, although I am almost certain A Man Called Ove is already there, per (I think?) your GRB review of it. Same with The Beautiful Possible. Read on, sister!
I love our co-reading. 🙂
These sound great, Nina. I’m heading over to check out “You’ll Grow Out Of It” right now!
I recommend the audio for sure.
I just cannot bring myself to read When breathe Becomes Air. I just can’t:(. But I adored Dear Mr. You!
I hear you on that. Maybe stay away from that one.
You and I agree on many books, and not on others, but I always enjoy and appreciate reading your recommendations. I also loved You’ll Grow Out of It, and that will absolutely be on my top ten of the year. Liked “A Man Called Ove,” but did not love “Dear Mr. You.” I wanted to, but I jus had a tough time staying interested.
Not sure I’m ready to read “When Breath Becomes Air,” but “The Beautiful Possible” is on my list for early 2017.
I do think Dear Mr. You is my most random pick here. I think the letter form just really took me in. But I was really into letters at that moment. 🙂
LOVE! I am working on my book post round up from 2016, too, and I have two of those on mine! Some of these I haven’t read so adding them to my Goodreads.