Category: lists

Top Books of October


Here are my top reads for this month!

  1. The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber
    This was the second in the “Once Upon a Broken Heart” trilogy and I really enjoyed it! Evangeline has promised herself to never trust Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, again, not after what happened last time. But when she’s cursed again, he’s the only one who can help her. I really enjoyed this book and its plot! It was really well-written and all the characters were wonderful!
  2. A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber
    This was the final book in the aforementioned trilogy and it was a really good read! Evangeline, now without her memories, must fight to remember who she is and why she feels like this. It was such a good conclusion to the series and I enjoyed it a lot!
  3. A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
    This was such a beautiful book! Effy is the only woman at her college and she lives knowing that she has to prove herself against the teachers who believe she is unfit for the school. She gets the opportunity when she applies, and is selected, for a competition to redesign her favorite author’s house. I really enjoyed this book and how well written and beautiful it was!
  4. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
    This was a classic that I was so excited to read! When Carmen got a new pair of jeans, she shoved them to the back of her closet without thinking about it. But now that her and her 3 best friends are going to be apart this summer, the jeans are their good luck charm. I really loved the plot of this book and I thought it was really well done!
  5. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
    This book was really well written!

Top Reads of August and September

  1. I Fell in Love with Hope by Lancali
    This was such a beautiful and heartbreaking book. It tells the story of 5 teens, each with an illness that causes them to waste away- one with one lung, another with a failing heart, and so on. They all find solace in each other and learn to love through each other. I loved their journey and the prose in this book was also beautiful. It was such an amazing read and I really enjoyed it!
  2. Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
    This was such a magical book! Evangeline has always believed in true love and happy endings, but when her true love marries another, she knows something has to change. So she seeks out the Prince of Hearts to make a deal, not realizing that it would change her whole life…This was such an amazing book and I loved the magic and fantasy embedded in it!
  3. Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
    Daisy Jones has always had a talented voice- naturally talented. But with a less than wholesome background and no one to really support her, she never blossomed out as a singer. However, as The Six, a new band, gain popularity, she’s called to feature on one of their songs which gains massive popularity. This story was told in the format of interviews and was impossible to put down. I really enjoyed it!
  4. The Last Song of Penelope by Claire North
    This was such a beautiful book! It told the story of Penelope, queen of Ithaca. Her story is told so clearly, with an emphasis on her and what she’s feeling, which isn’t really shown in the Odyssey. I loved the whole book and it’s theme of power! This was the last book in a trilogy, but even though I hadn’t read the two previous books, I was able to understand it quite well and so, I completely recommend it to you!

My Top Books of June

  1. I Was Born For This by Alice Oseman
    I really enjoyed this book! Angel’s whole life revolves around The Ark, an insanely popular band. Jimmy used to love being in the band, but recently everything is just overwhelming. The two meet by chance at first, but eventually they learn from each other and find new lives. I really enjoyed this book!
  2. Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches by Kate Scelsa
    This book was so cute! Eleanor isn’t used to being happy or having good things, especially after what happened last year. But when she meets Pix, she finds herself being open to a new life with magic. This book was so sweet and I loved the plot and the characters!
  3. Basil and Oregano by Melissa Capriglione
    This book was gorgeous! I loved the illustrations as well as the plot. Basil is such a sweet character and incredibly relatable! I loved learning about her adventures in (magic) culinary school as well as her adventures with her friends. It was a great book!
  4. Big Nate books by Lincoln Peirce
    Recently, I’ve been reading more relaxed/not as serious books and the Big Nate series is one of my favorites! Nate is just trying to have a fun time- at school and with his friends, but something tends to go wrong…though he’ll have a blast along the way. It was a super fun read!
  5. Out of the Blue by Jason June
    This book was perfectly sweet! Crest is a merman and so, to fulfill their quest, they must go to Earth and help a human. Sean agrees to get Crest’s help and the two embark on a spectacular journey. I really loved the characters in this book as well as the ending. It was a great book!

Top Books of January
Top Books of February
Top Books of March
Top Books of April
Top Books of May

My Top Books of May

Here are my top books for this month!

  1. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
    I really enjoyed this book! It was incredibly well written, with gorgeous prose, as well as an enjoyable plot. Only 6 students at Hampden college learned Greek, but as soon as Richard arrived, he knew he wanted to be one of them. However, as he joins them, he learns that they have secrets and are planning something even worse. I loved all the characters and getting to see them. It was a really interesting book and I enjoyed all of it.
  2. Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody
    This was also an incredibly amazing book, set in a fantasy world where currency is volts- orbs of energy. Enne’s mother left for New Reyes, aka the City of Sin, and isn’t back yet. Enne, determined to find her, follows her mother’s note and goes to the City, not expecting what she would find there. Levi has been forced into a bad deal and just when he’s ready to be out of it, he gets in even more trouble. It was very well- written and I loved all the characters as well as the plot. It was a great book!
  3. Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson
    I really enjoyed this mystery! Stevie finds that she can’t concentrate back in school, so when David invites her and their friends to Britain, she’s incredibly excited. However, as predicted, she gets caught up in another mystery, one from a few years ago, affecting a friend’s aunt. This story was really interesting and I really enjoyed the mystery!
  4. All of us Villains by Amanda Foody
    This was an amazing book! Every generation, seven families compete to win control of the town’s supply of magic. However this year, it’s not a secret anymore, thanks to a book published by one of the citizens. Still, the families must compete. I loved all the characters as well as the way that they chose to write their own story instead of following the past. It was a great read and I enjoyed the second book as well!
  5. Dead Poet’s Society by N.H. Kleinbaum
    This was a book based off of the movie (of the same name). I really enjoyed the story told and how moving it was! When Mr. Keating arrives at Welton Academy, he strives to change the way the boys see the world. As he shakes up their perception of life, they find themselves reforming the “Dead Poet’s Society”, which changes all of their lives. The ending was incredibly touching and I really enjoyed the book!

    Top Books of January
    Top Books of February
    Top Books of March
    Top Books of April

My Top Books of April

Here are my top books of April!

  1. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
    This was such an amazing book set in a fantasy world! It is told in multiple perspectives, with the main ones being Ead, from the North, and Tane from the East. I loved both of these perspectives and the way that their stories were so intricately woven together. It was so wonderful to read and I really enjoyed it!
  2. It’s Only a Game by Kelsea Yu
    This book was action packed and full of mystery and intrigue! Marina has left her old life behind. Now, she’s thriving and happy with who she is and the friends she has made. But when someone starts threatening her and her friends, forcing them to uncover secrets. It was really fun to read and the ending was spectacular!
  3. Sadie by Courtney Summers
    I really enjoyed this book! It was told in two perspectives- one of Sadie, whose sister has been killed and now she’s looking for the killer- and one of a podcast, 5 months later, which is trying to track down Sadie. The dual perspectives are really interesting to read and the story as a whole was really interesting!
  4. Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
    This retelling of Snow White was really sweet and a lot of fun to read! The whole story is infused with magic- Mina, the stepmother, has a heart of glass, and Lynet, her “daughter” is made out of snow. Additionally, the stepmother, instead of being portrayed as evil, is just trying to keep her kingdom hers. It was a lovely book and I really enjoyed the reimagining!
  5. Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
    This was a really amazing book! Maia is a gifted tailor, one of the best, and she knows it. But women can’t be tailors. So when her father is called to court, but is unable to go, she disguises herself as her brother and enters the competition to be the new Imperial Tailor. It was a really wonderful book to read and I loved its fantasy!

Top Books of January
Top Books of February
Top Books of March

Top Books of March

Here are my top books of March!

  1. Thirsty by Jas Hammonds
    This was such an amazing, well-written book. I loved Blake and Anita and the way that Blake learned how to grow and become a better version of herself as she found out who she really was. It was a heart-wrenching book, one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I totally recommend it to you!
  2. The Worst Perfect Moment by Shivaun Plozza
    This was such a beautiful book about death and the people who love you. Teagan has just died, and now she’s supposed to be living in her favorite memory forever. The problem is, Zelda, her assigned angel, has put her in her worst memory. As Zelda and Teagan go on a quest, everything starts to click into place. I really enjoyed this book!
  3. Five Survive by Holly Jackson
    This was an amazing murder mystery! When Red and her friends are trapped in a van during Spring Break, they don’t think it can get much worse than that. But there’s a sniper outside who won’t let them go until they reveal a secret. As the night goes on, enemies are made and secrets are spilled. I really enjoyed this book!
  4. The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
    This was also a great read! Bel and her dad have lived alone for 16 years, when her mom suddenly disappeared. Now, after they’ve all moved on, the last thing anyone expects is Rachel, Bel’s mom, to turn up again. But Rachel’s story doesn’t add up and doesn’t make sense. This was a great read!
  5. The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
    This was a really fun book! Jameson, Grayson, Nash, and Xander have always been competitive. But now, Grayson has to learn how to truly love and care and Jameson has entered into a game with even higher stakes. I loved reading this book and putting together all the puzzle pieces. I totally recommend it to you!

Top Books of January
Top Books of February

Top Books of February

Here are my top reads for this month!

  1. Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
    This was an incredible second book! I loved diving back into the world of Oath, except this time with a more direct view of the battle as we get to see Dacre, one of the leading forces and Enva, his opponent. It was beautifully written and I loved reading about Iris and Roman again. I really enjoyed this finale to the duology!
  2. Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win by Susan Azim Boyer
    I really enjoyed this book! Jasmine needs to get out of California and into NYU asap. And she knows she can do it, but only if she becomes Senior-Class President. And it should be easy! But when her heritage is suddenly all anyone can talk about, she needs to pick between standing up for who she is and her future. I really enjoyed this book!
  3. The Kinder Poison by Natalie Mae
    I really loved this book! Zahru just wants adventure. So when she gets the chance to sneak into the palace to watch the Crossing, she’s more than ready. But she gets confused for a competitor, she’s suddenly thrust into a dangerous world filled with dangerous people. This book was really fun to read and I really enjoyed it!
  4. The Other Merlin by Robyn Schneider
    This book was amazing! Emry knows she’s good at magic, better than her brother. But girls are forbidden to learn or practice magic. When a summons from the king comes, to find his next court wizard, Emry leaps at the chance. I really enjoyed this book!
  5. Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night by Sophie Hannah
    This book takes Agatha Christie’s characters and imagines them in a completely new murder mystery- this time in Norfolk-where a seemingly impossible murder has occurred. I really enjoyed this book and the new writing of Hercule Poirot!

    Top Books of January

January Top Reads

Here are my top reads for January!

  1. Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
    This was a sequel to “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” and I really enjoyed it! I loved the prose and the way that we got to see so much character development and love from Aristotle (Ari). It was such a sweet and beautifully written book and I really loved reading it!
  2. Castles in Their Bones by Laura Sebastian
    This book was amazing! Sophronia, Daphne, and Beatrix have been raised since birth to be the perfect queens. Not to rule, but to stop the rulers, bringing down the monarchies of each of their nations so that their mother can claim more land. I really enjoyed this book and each character!
  3. The Perfect Guy Doesn’t Exist by Sophie Gonzales
    I really enjoyed this book! It was wholly based on fanfiction, which I absolutely enjoyed. Ivy is looking forward to having the house for herself, but when she wakes up with her favorite character from her favorite tv show, everything spirals out of control. Suddenly, her fanfics start coming to life! I really enjoyed this book!
  4. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
    Death-cast tells people when they’re going to die. And so, when Mateo and Rufus get the call, they know they have to live their last day perfectly. And so, as they find each other, they live out their last day together. This book was perfectly sweet and sad and I really enjoyed it!
  5. Zhara by S. Jae-Jones
    This was a really good book! I loved meeting Zhara and learning about who she is and what she would do for her loved ones. It was amazing to see her character development and how that bled into her becoming the strongest version of herself. I can’t wait to read the next book!

This month I read 15 books!

Top Books of the Year

  1. The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
    This was such a good book! Teo is just a Jade, so he’s ready to sit back and watch The Sunbearer Trials while the Golds participate. But when he and another Jade get selected, suddenly his life is torn apart. Teo has to learn to believe in himself and who his real friends are while trying not to get last and be sacrificed. This was such an amazing book and I can’t wait to read the next one!

    I really enjoyed this book because of all the representation and the way that mythology was re-imagined.

    Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit by Colby Cedar Smith
    This was such an amazing book! We get to see 3 different perspectives, Mary’s and her parents’. I loved the style of writing and the way poetry was eloquently used to tell the story of a French-Greek girl struggling to fit in. The author also included many beautifully written lines that still stick with me. It’s an amazing book!

    I really enjoyed this book because of the amazing writing and the quotes that stuck out to me. It was a great read told between dual perspectives.
  2. Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
    This was such an amazing book! I’d heard about it for a really long time and so when I was able to get it, I was really excited! This book is about Queen Clytemnestra, one of the most infamous characters in Greek mythology, as she murdered her own husband after watching him kill their daughter as a sacrifice. I loved the way Clytemnestra was portrayed in the book, especially as we got to see her early years and how that led up to who she is. It’s a great story!

    I especially enjoyed this book because of my love for Greek Mythology, especially the character Clytemnestra. I’d heard of this book for a while before it’s publication and I was so happy to be able to get it once it released and it definitely lived up to my expectations.
  3. Medusa’s Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear
    I adored this book! It takes the tale of Medusa, one that’s been told many, many times, and reimagines it from the perspective of her two sisters- Stheno and Euryale, who remain virtually unheard of. It takes the story of the Gorgons from the very beginning- since they were born. We learn who they were as they grew up- what made them happy, how they each changed to fit their environment, and so on. I really enjoyed this book and totally recommend it to you!

    Medusa is another character in Greek Mythology who’s often painted as the villain and there have been so many retellings of her story. This one was one that I hadn’t seen before and it instantly captivated me.
  4. Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington
    This was an amazing book! I loved the way that Adina grew, as she chose to make her own destiny and rules instead of falling in line with tradition. I loved the whole story and the stereotypes that it turned on its head. It was an amazing book and I totally recommend it to you!

    I loved the diversity of this book and the idea of making your own life- which was what this book was all about! It was filled with high stakes and competition and I really enjoyed it!
  5. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
    This was such an amazing and fun book, filled with dragons and daring. I really enjoyed the premise and the book didn’t disappoint! Reading about Violet was incredible and I enjoyed her journey with her dragons, Adarna and Tairn, the whole time. This was a great book!

    This book was amazing to read, especially with all the worldbuilding! It was a perfect blend of fantasy and romance and I really enjoyed it!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April and May: click here
Top Books of June: click here
Top Books of July: click here
Top Books of August: click here
Top Books of September and October: click here
Top Books of November: click here
Top Books of December: click here

Top Reads of December

  1. Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado
    I really enjoyed this book! It was an amazing horror read, with a hidden villain that was incredibly satisfying to take down. I loved reading about Raquel and her journey to save her mom and her crush’s cousin. But what seems like just myth and legend turns out to be very, very real. I really loved this book and the way that each character was fleshed out. It was an amazing read and I totally recommend it to you!
  2. Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare
    This was such a mystical book in which magic thrives. I loved reading about Kel and Lin and the way that they choose who to trust and who to believe in and if they can believe in the deals of the Ragpicker King, the criminal leader of the city. I really enjoyed this book and the way that the plot and characters were written. It’s a great book!
  3. The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson
    This was the final book in the Truly Devious series and it was amazing to read! Stevie has solved the mystery. The one that no one has been able to solve or even come close to uncovering. However, this victory comes when a series of murders has been attacking her own present-day life. I really enjoyed the final book in this trilogy and the way that it ended. It was such a great read!
  4. The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma
    This book was perfectly mysterious and I really enjoyed it! We got the story from multiple perspectives- Elena, the crown princess, Leo, her father, Yassen, her guard, and many others. It was an amazing book and I loved getting to know all the characters. I really enjoyed this book!
  5. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
    This was such an amazing and fun book, filled with dragons and daring. I really enjoyed the premise and the book didn’t disappoint! Reading about Violet was incredible and I enjoyed her journey with her dragons, Adarna and Tairn, the whole time. This was a great book!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April and May: click here
Top Books of June: click here
Top Books of July: click here
Top Books of August: click here
Top Books of September and October: click here
Top Books of November: click here