14. Gone Girl by
Gillian Flynn
I just recently read (and saw the
movie adaptation) of Gone Girl. It was amazing! The story is riveting and it
has so many great plot twists. I do have to say that it is not something I
would probably ever feel the need to reread though.
13. Orange is the New
Black by Piper Kerman
This is the non-fiction memoir by
Piper Kerman that the tv show (which I also love) by the same name is based
on. The memoir was much less sexual and
much more “dry” – not as much exciting story line – than the tv show is, but I
found that listening to the audiobook was still entertaining while I drove on
long car rides.
12. The Giver by Lois
Lowry
This was a reread for me this year,
because I hadn’t read it since I was in 7th grade and knew that I
loved it. I didn’t remember the main characters being as young as they are, but
the story is such a classic, and I will definitely be continuing with the series.
11. Okay for Now by
Gary D. Schmidt
This was such an unexpected story
for me! The main character is young, and so some of the language he used was
odd, but ignoring that, I absolutely fell in love with the very real and
painful living situation he lives in, and I love the fact that art plays such
an important role.
10. We Were Liars by
E. Lockhart
This book was overhyped, and so
there is some stigma surrounding it, but I found that the plot twist and the
big reveal of what happened with the group of main characters was so shocking,
that I was just so emotional. And that is always a very good thing for me.
9. Warrior Heir by
Cinda Williams Chima
The world building in this first
novel of the Heir Chronicles is glorious! I loved the protagonist, and his
friends who play a big role in the story. There are some hilarious moments in
the story as well as dramatic moments.
8. Revolution by
Jennifer Donnelly
This was a book that I started
without having ever heard of it, I was just looking for a Jennifer Donnelly
book. And I was most definitely not disappointed.
7. Wonder by R.J.
Palacio
This was just a feel good book to
the max. The main character and most of
the other important characters are very young – in 6th grade – it
doesn’t feel like only young children should be reading it. It was for me.
6. The Ocean at the End
of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
This was a beautiful story. It was weird, and it crossed between the real
and an unnatural world and it was fascinating for it.
5. Across the Universe
by Beth Revis
This plot was glorious! They went
into such detail, talking about the evolution of the language used on the ship
years after they’ve left earth, and about how nobody looks like different races
and everything else. I just couldn’t get
enough. I cannot wait to continue with
the series.
4. Night Circus by
Erin Morgenstern
The writing in this story was
beautiful. I’ve said it before in videos
but it was like reading a dance. That’s
how it felt. There wasn’t much of a plot, it was more about the descriptions of
the circus that only came at night and what magic went on there. It was
amazing.
3. Winger by Andrew
Smith
This one was heartbreaking for me,
but it was wonderful nonetheless, and it just hits hard. The characters were very real to me and it
was beautiful.
2. Ready Player One by
Ernest Cline
This entire world was just – wow – I
still can’t believe how real it seemed, and there were so many layers to the
world, the characters, and everything else that’s involved with this story. It
really makes you think about where our future is headed.
1. Vicious by V.E.
Schwab
THE SUPERHERO STORY. I thought this was going to feel too young
for my taste, but it was an adult superhero story at its finest. The characters are well developed, twisted,
and there were no good men in the game. There were no black and white good or
bad guys. Everyone was a little fucked
up and it was simply a matter of who was more fucked up. Amazing.
BONUS: The Vagina
Monologues by Eve Ensler
This is a written play of short
stories that Eve Ensler heard from real women and then performed as a one woman
show all together in one play. I think
every woman, but really every human should read (or go see it live!) this book!
It just tells a whole lot about women and how well we may or may not know our
vaginas.
