Tag: best books

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

2022 Top Books

Here are my overall top books of 2022!

  1. If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch
    This was such a amazing book! Clark is stuck in a time loop. No matter what he tries to say or do will get him out of it and he is sure this is how life will be forever. Until he meets Beau. Beau walks into his calculus class one day and creates a ruckus, so Clark knows that he has to follow Beau. Beau introduces him to a life filled with love and joy and Clark realizes how much Beau means to him. But the next day, Beau is missing and Clark can’t find him anywhere.

    I really enjoyed this book because of how beautifully detailed the story was. It was an amazing ride and I loved the whole story from start to finish.
  2. Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole
    I really loved how powerful this book was. Alicia has gotten used to being bullied, being an outcast, her only friend being one she made in detention. But when she gets to meet with a mentor, she learned just how to channel that anger out and how to become the most powerful version of herself.

    I really enjoyed this book because of how the eloquent the writing style flowed. The poetry was beautiful and there were a lot of beautiful lines and quotes. The book also displayed sexual abuse very well.
  3. Dear Mothman by Robin Gow
    This was such an interesting book! Noah and Lewis used to be best friends. But when Lewis dies in a car accident, Noah is forced to survive alone. He decides to do his science project on Mothman to honor Lewis’ legacy, but when his teachers and his parents start to doubt him, he knows he needs real evidence. As he continues his search for the legendary creature, he learns how to make friends and move on while honoring Lewis.

    I really enjoyed this book and the portrayal or LGBT+ characters. The writing style, in letters and poetry, was incredible and I really liked the drawings. The story flowed incredibly well and I loved the quotes I got from it too.
  4. The Insiders by Mark Oshiro
    This was such an amazing book! Back home, Héctor being gay didn’t change anything. But now, when he gets bullied relentlessly, he needs a safe space…and finds it in the janitor’s closet that isn’t exactly what it seems. Soon he meets 2 other students who also don’t exactly fit in at their schools. The Room gives them a safe space, but they have to learn to face their problems on their own too.

    I really enjoyed this book and the way that Héctor and his friends are written. They are all incredibly lifelike and I loved the LGBT+ representation. The story was beautiful and can easily help people feel more welcome.
  5. Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
    When Hani comes out to her friends as bisexual after they try to set her up, they don’t believe her. When they confront her about it, she panics and claims she’s dating her friends’ enemy- Ishita Dey. Ishita agrees on pretend to date Hani on one condition- she helps Ishita win the election to be head girl. But as Hani and Ishu get closer, Hani’s friends get jealous, punishing her and pushing her out.

    I really enjoyed this book because of how realistic the two main characters were. The representation was also beautiful and I enjoyed the book a lot.
  6. Loveless by Alice Oseman
    This is such a great read. Georgia has never had a crush, only one that she’s forced onto herself. So when university starts, she is determined to date someone. But when no one, male or female, appeals to her, and she joins the LGBT+ soc in her school, she realizes that maybe she’s a little different. I really loved coming along on the journey of Georgia figuring out who she is, while navigating her friends and their own feelings.

    I really enjoyed this book because of how beautifully Georgia’s college life is portrayed, especially as she and her friends learn how they are. It’s such a nicely written book.

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of 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: click here
Top Books of October: click here
Top Books of November: click here
Top Books of December: click here

Top Reads of December

Here are my top reads of December!

  1. Nothing More to Tell by Karen McManus
    This is such an amazing book! When Brynn moves back to her hometown, she’s sure nothing good can happen. That is until she gets a job at a murder investigation podcast by pitching the story of her dead teacher. I really loved this story and the way the plot unfolded. It was a great read!
  2. The Dead Queens Club by Hannah Capin
    This was such a great book! Annie, or Cleves, as she’s known, has been Henry’s best friend for a long time. She’s seen him go through a girlfriend, get angry at the slightest mention of her cheating then break up with her. But as her friends propose a theory that is certainly possible, she has to figure what is right or wrong. This is such a great book!
  3. All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue
    This was such a cool book! When Maeve’s temper gets her into detention, where she has to clean an old storage cupboard, she’s horrified. But when she finds a deck of tarot cards that call to her, she’s suddenly immersed in a world of magic and her life begins to change for the better. Until she accidentally makes someone disappear. I really enjoyed this book and I totally recommend it to you!
  4. If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch
    This was such a amazing book! Clark is stuck in a time loop. No matter what he tries to say or do will get him out of it and he is sure this is how life will be forever. Until he meets Beau. Beau walks into his calculus class one day and creates a ruckus, so Clark knows that he has to follow Beau. I loved this story and how it was written! I totally recommend it to you!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of 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: click here
Top Books of October: click here
Top Books of November: click here

Top Reads of November

Here are my top reads of November!

  1. The Song of Us by Kate Fussner
    This was such a beautiful retelling of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Olivia and Eden’s home lives are hard, but they can find solace in each other, always. Until Eden begins to make new friends and Olivia accidentally pushes Eden away, the very opposite of what she wanted to do. I loved how the poetry flowed and the way the story unfolded. The prose was written really well and I enjoyed it a lot. I totally recommend it to you!
  2. Dear Mothman by Robin Gow
    This was such an interesting book! Noah and Lewis used to be best friends. But when Lewis dies in a car accident, Noah is forced to survive alone. He decides to do his science project on Mothman to honor Lewis’ legacy, but when his teachers and his parents start to doubt him, he knows he needs real evidence. I really enjoyed this book and the portrayal or LGBT+ characters. It was a great read!
  3. Dear Medusa by Olivia Cole
    I really loved how powerful this book was. Alicia has gotten used to being bullied, being an outcast, her only friend one she made in detention. But when she gets to meet with a mentor, she learned just how to channel that anger out and how to become the most powerful version of herself. I really enjoyed the writing style of this book and how well sexual abuse is shown. This is an amazing book!
  4. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
    The way this story was built was so cool! Every so often, 6 medians from around the world are chosen to be apart of the elite Alexandrian Society. The catch? Only 5 of them can actually be initiated. I loved the world building and how we got to see each of their powers grow as they accepted their role. I also enjoyed watching them progress past the tests. It was a really great book!
  5. Lore Olympus (vol. 1) by Rachel Smythe
    I’ve been following the Webtoon for a while, but it was nice to have a physical copy of the book and to be able to flip through its pages. Persephone’s mother, Demeter, is incredibly overprotective, but she eventually lets Persephone live with her friend, Artemis. However, at a party, Persephone catches Hades’ eye and it’s never a good idea when you get noticed by one of the Big 3…
    This was such a great book and I really enjoyed it. I cant wait to read the rest!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of 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: click here
Top Books of October: click here

Top Reads of October

Here are my top books for October!

  1. The Town with No Mirrors by Christina Collins
    This was such a cool book! It’s set in a town where mirrors, or any way you can see your reflection, are not allowed. Yet, Zailey keeps having superficial thoughts, telling her to draw what other people look like and wonder about how exactly she looks. However, before she figures herself out, something happens that changes her life forever. I really liked the dystopian element in this book and how it unfolds. It’s a great read!

  2. Harley Quinn: Ravenous by Rachael Allen
    I really enjoyed this book! This is actually the second book in a series, but you can read it by itself, without any prior knowledge. When Harley Quinn wakes up in a hospital room with no memory of where she is, how she got there, or who the people surrounding her are, she knows she needs her memories back. She was interning at a college when…something happened. This was such a great book and I loved the LGBT+ rep!

  3. Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind by Misa Sugiura
    Momo isn’t the most popular person in school by a long shot. She’s often bullied and mocked for being “out of date” or for the traditional mythology stories her mom would tell her. But when a fox who can shapeshift shows up at her door telling her to follow him to save her mother, Momo has no choice but to follow him, teaming up with her worst enemy throughout the way. This is such a great story!
  4. Cat’s Cradle: The Golden Twine by Jo Rioux
    This was a great book! Suri has always wanted to be a monster catcher, so when someone in her caravan brings in a giant cage, presumably holding a monster, she jumps at the chance to meet it. But when an encounter with a strange boy goes wrong, things start to get hecticc. This was such an interesting story and I totally recommend it to you!
  5. Attack of the Black Rectangles by A. S. King
    This was an amazing book about censorship! Ms. Sett isn’t the best teacher. She has always been on the lookout for people who aren’t following the town’s precise rules. But when Mac gets her as his teacher, she seems nice. That is, until she begins blacking out words in their class copy of “The Devil’s Arithmetic”. Mac and his friends are outraged and immediately begin to fight against this. I really enjoyed this book and totally recommend it to you!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of 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: click here

Top Books of September

Here are my top books of September!

  1. Salt Magic by Hope Larson
    This was such a cute book! It has a perfect Studio Ghibli style to it and the drawings are amazing. I also loved the story line and the way the story flowed. When Vonceil’s brother, Elber, returns from war, now more serious, and proposes to his girlfriend, Vonceil is shocked. She was hoping for him to meet someone new and different. When Greta, a stranger to all except Elber, shows up, she doesn’t except for Elber to be married. In a fit of jealous rage, she curses their spring, the only thing that keeps them alive, to spew salt water. Vonceil goes on a journey to fix this, making friends, and learning new stories at every turn. This is a great book!
  2. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
    I really loved this book. Addie was cursed to be forgotten. When a new day began or a door was closed, people who used o know her would forget. That was the price of her immortal life. That is, until she meets Henry, who remembers her. Who knows who she is and loves her for it. But the creature who laid that curse on her keeps returning, asking for her soul. I really enjoyed this book! It was really descriptive and the word choice was both beautiful and perfect. I totally recommend it to you!
  3. Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
    I read the graphic novel retelling of one of my favorite books, Aru Shah and the End of Time. Revisiting this book was amazing, especially seeing some of my favorites scenes reimagined and defined in color and pictures. When Aru breaks a lamp and releases a trapped demon. An ancient mentor decides to help her put the world back in order, but along she way, she discovers secrets she never thought could be true. This is such a good book and I totally recommend both the original book itself and the graphic novel to you!
  4. The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat
    This was an amazing graphic novel. When Christina first sees the cheerleaders, she is in awe. They hold power and don’t get bullied or harassed. So when cheerleading tryouts start, she and her best friend, Megan, sign up right away. I really loved this book and how it was about being a POC in a majority white school. It’s a great read and I totally recommend it to you!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of May: click here
Top Books of June: click here
Top Books of July: click here
Top Books of August: click here

Top Reads of August

Here are my top books of August!

  1. The Insiders by Mark Oshiro
    This was such an amazing book! Back home, Héctor being gay didn’t change anything. But now, when he gets bullied relentlessly, he needs a safe space…and finds it in the janitor’s closet that isn’t exactly what it seems. Soon he meets 2 other students who also don’t exactly fit in at their schools. The Room gives them a safe space, but they have to learn to face their problems on their own too. I really enjoyed this book and totally recommend it to you!
  2. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
    This was a great book! Linus has always lived a quiet, ordinary, even boring, life, checking to make sure magical orphanages are up to standard. So when he gets assigned an extra special assignment, he figures he can get it over with and go back to his everyday routine. But when he actually meets his kids he’s supposed to check on, he realizes they’re quite different from the other magical kids he’s used to looking after. And as he gets to know the kids, he also gets to know the owner and his special secret. This is such a great book!
  3. Hani And Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
    When Hani comes out to her friends as bisexual after they try to set her up, they don’t believe her. When they confront her about it, she panics and claims she’s dating her friends’ enemy- Ishita Dey. Ishita agrees on pretend to date Hani on one condition- she helps Ishita win the election to be head girl. But as Hani and Ishu get closer, Hani’s friends get jealous, punishing her and pushing her out. I really loved this book and the LGBT+ representation. I totally recommend it to you!
  4. A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
    This was an amazing book inspired by Sleeping Beauty. Zinnia’s going to die soon. Ever since she was diagnosed with an industrial illness, she’s known that she won’t live past 21. So on her 21st birthday, she pricks her finger, mimicking Sleeping Beauty, as a joke. Except soon she is falling through different worlds, landing in a universe where Sleeping Beauty is an actual princess and the curse of the spinning wheel is real. I really loved this book and how Charm and Primrose developed their relationship. This is such a great book!
  5. The Trouble With Robots by Michelle Mohrweis
    I really enjoyed this book! The only thing keeping Evelyn sane has been robotics. But when none of her teammates seem to be helping, she feels like there’s nothing else she can do. And then Allie joins. Allie’s been kicked out of all her previous classes because of her temper, leaving robotics as the last resort. Evelyn, at the beginning, isn’t sure what to think of Allie, only seeing her as someone who could disrupt things even further. Soon, though, Allie and Evelyn help each other and they form a mutual relationship, working through everything together. I also loved their diversity and how Allie was aroace and Evelyn was queer. This is 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: click here
Top Books of May: click here
Top Books of June: click here
Top Books of July: click here

My Top Reads of July

Here are my top reads of July!

  1. Loveless by Alice Oseman
    This is such a great read. Georgia has never had a crush, only one that she’s forced onto herself. So when university starts, she is determined to date someone. But when no one, male or female, appeals to her, and she joins the LGBT+ soc in her school, she realizes that maybe she’s a little different. I really loved coming along on the journey of Georgia figuring out who she is, while navigating her friends and their own feelings. I really enjoyed this book and I totally recommend it to you!
  2. Out of Range by Heidi Lang
    This was such a good book! Abby, Emma, and Ollie are done with each other. Even though they’re sisters, each one seems to hate the others more. When they’re dropped off at a wilderness camp together, they know it won’t help the situation. Until they’re forced to go on a hike together and Abby leaves the guide behind. Soon, they’re lost and none of them know what to do, especially after Emma almost drowns. This is such a great book and I really enjoyed it! I totally recommend it to you.
  3. Grounded for all Eternity by Darcy Marks
    This book was so enticing! Mal and his friends live in Hell, a generally safe place. So when the bells go off and the fire wall is raised for more than 5 minutes, they realize that someone has escaped. After being stuck at home, Mal, Lilith, Crowley, and Alistair find a portal that’ll take them to another dimension and soon find themselves tumbling through it, but unable to get back without capturing the escaped spirit they bought with them. I really enjoyed this book and the way that it flowed. It’s a great read!
  4. The Rise of The School For Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
    This prequel was so satisfying and amazing! Usually, there is one School Master. But this time, two brothers, Rafal and Rhian, have been named, one for Good and one for Evil. Soon Rafal leaves and Rhian is forced to carry the burden of leading two schools, a task he soon realizes isn’t easy. He soon realizes he needs help. But who he chooses sets a grim fate for the rest of the students. I really enjoyed this book and the way the ending was twisted! I also love how Rhian was queer-coded and totally recommend this book to you!
  5. The Prince and The Dressmaker by Jen Wang
    This was such an empowering read! Frances has always loved designing powerful, silly dresses, so when she gets called to the castle to design for them instead, she is shocked. Soon she learns that her client is the very own Prince Sebastien who loves dressing up and going out. Soon, he is himself, but Frances she decides she’s had enough of an anonymous life and leaves. I really enjoyed this book and the powerful message behind it. I totally recommend it to you!


    Top Books of January: click here
    Top Books of February: click here
    Top Books of March: click here
    Top Books of April: click here
    Top Books of May: click here
    Top Books of June: click here

My Top Reads of June

Here are my top reads of June!

  1. The Fear by Natasha Preston
    This was such an amazing book! It started simple, with a meme in which people shared their biggest fear. Yet, when people start dying in the way that they were scared of the most, it becomes less simple. Izzy is determined to find the murderer, but nothing seems to click. As she watches so many she knows and loves die, she realizes she must find out who it is, even if it’s just for her cousin and best friend. This was such an amazing book and the ending was perfect. I totally recommend this book to you!
  2. Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
    I absolutely loved this book! I’ve heard of Kaikeyi before, but only as a jealous mother who exiled Rama so he wouldn’t take the throne. This book completely changes my viewpoint on that in the best way possible. Kaikeyi has always known she wasn’t as wanted as her brothers, simply because she was female. So when she realizes she can do a magic that no one else seems to be able to see. When her father arranges her marriage, her world changes drastically as she moves from her hometown to a new world. I really loved this book and the new perspective of Kaikeyi. I totally recommend this book to you!
  3. One of Us is Next by Karen McManus
    This was such a great book! It’s been a few years since Simon’s death. But now, someone has started what he’s done again, this time with a new game- Truth or Dare. Phoebe was targeted first. By choosing not to play, her secret was revealed. After that is Maeve, then Knox. But by this time, the dares are deadly, meant to harm, or even kill. I really enjoyed this book and the way in which the author writes and flows through the plot. It’s a great book!
  4. Two can Keep A Secret by Karen McManus
    I really loved this book! Echo Ridge is a dangerous place to be prom queen, especially when 2 of them have died. So naturally, that’s what Ellery starts investigating when she and her brother, Ezra, move there. Yet, when Ellery is chosen as a candidate for Prom Queen, the stakes rise higher than ever and she knows she has to solve the mystery before anyone else gets hurt. I really loved this book and totally recommend it to you!
  5. Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
    I absolutely loved this book. Frances has been obsessed with a podcast, Radio Silence, for a while now. So, when she gets an invite to make official art for them, she is over the moon. Later, the same day, at a party, Aled, known for being studious and very introverted, reveals that he’s the Creator to her. As they start working together, Aled makes it clear that no one else can know who he is. But when people figure out who’s been doing the illustrations, discovery follows…. I really loved this book! It was so diverse and I loved all of the characters. It’s definitely one of my top reads this month!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of May: click here

My Top Books of March

Here are my top books of March!

  1. Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf
    I really enjoyed this book! The last time Najwa went to a Scrabble tournament, her best friend, Trina died. Now, she’s finally worked up the courage to go again. But when Trina’s Instagram starts loading with new posts and someone pretending to be Trina messages Najwa, she knows she has to solve the mystery of who killed Trina. This was such an amazing book and I really enjoyed it. The plot was amazing and the mystery was well-written.
  2. Just Roll With It by Veronica Agarwal and Lee Durfey-Lavoie
    This book was so amazing. Maggie is starting middle school this year. She’s so nervous about the school year and it doesn’t help that there’s a monster in the lawn that none of the adults seem to see. She’s also had a hard time making decisions, but her lucky dice helps with that. I loved Maggie’s journey and the illustrations were so cute. There’s also a ton of diversity, which makes this book a great read.
  3. Twelfth by Janet Key
    I loved this book so much. Maren is sure she won’t enjoy theater camp, or anything connected to her sister again. But as she goes through the camp and meets new people, she gets drawn up into the search of a diamond ring. With her friends by her side, she goes through a scavenger hunt-like puzzle, with clues alluding to the camp’s play-Twelfth Night. I really enjoyed the story and the mystery that was told along with it. It’s such a diverse and beautiful story and I enjoyed it a lot.
  4. One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
    This is a really amazing book. Simon, the owner of the biggest gossip blog in their school, died in detention because of peanut oil coating his cup. There were only four people who could have done it- Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, or Cooper. All of them were in detention for something they didn’t do and Simon planned to publish an entry about all of them the next day. So, it had to be one of them. But as they tell their stories, it becomes clear. There’s another part to this mystery. This book was so well-written and I can’t wait to continue the series.
  5. The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams by Mindy Thompson
    This book was absolutely amazing. Poppy’s family owns one of the many magical bookstores, created to keep the Light in favor and the Dark out. But when her brother’s best friend dies in war, it creates an open door for the Dark to come in. Soon, he’s corrupted, changing everything in Poppy’s life as she discovers secrets and new stories. This was such a great book and I totally loved the plot and the characters.

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here