It is a truth universally acknowledged that when you’ve had a good reading year, you have to pick your favorites and recommend them to others. The year 2016 is my best reading year so far. I attribute it to discovering BookTube and online lists of books to read before you die. I read a total of sixty-one books that year, and here, I talk about my favorites.
10. Claudia and the Middle School Mystery by Ann M. Martin
Children’s books tell predictable stories, and only children would find them fascinating. This was exactly what I thought before reading the Baby-Sitters Club books. You might be familiar with the story because it has had a few film adaptations in the past years. I personally have not watched any of them, but if they give the books justice, I’m sure I’ll love them.
Claudia and the Middle School Mysterywas the first book I read in the series. It talks about how Claudia was accused of cheating on her exam and how she proved that she got the grade fair and square. The whole Baby-Sitters Club helps her in her dilemma and were supportive all the way. Every time I read any book in this series, I feel like I’m a kid again. It’s such a wonderful feeling when you’re able to join a couple of teenagers go about their lives and having problems that are similar to those you faced when you were younger. It reminds me that no matter how big the problem you’re facing is, it will be easier when you have people who care for you and who support you. Everything will pass, and someday, you’ll have a good laugh about it.
9. Rizal Without the Overcoat by Ambeth Ocampo
When I was looking at my aunt’s bookshelf one night, I came across her copy of Gregorio F. Zaide’s José Rizal: Life, Works and Writing. I started reading it, and after a few pages, I had to ask if I could have the book. I read it about three times already. I became fascinated with Rizal’s life and all his accomplishments. So when I heard about Ambeth Ocampo’s book, I kept an eye out for it whenever I go to a bookshop.
We got to learn a lot about José Rizal from our mandatory lessons in school. We were even required to read his two masterpieces, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. But despite all these, there’s still a lot of things we don’t know about the Philippines’ national hero. In Rizal Without the Overcoat, the author digs deeper into Rizal’s life, studying what he was like before he became a legend. It discusses a few theories about Rizal (and debunks some of them) and scrutinizes his spending habits as well as his food choices. This book will have you laughing and amazed as well as informed.
8. The Hex Hall Trilogy by Rachel Hawkins
Sophie is a witch. But having powers does not make you instantly free of trouble. In Sophie’s case, it actually attracts some more. She is sent to a boarding school for troubled magical children, where she befriends a vampire who is obsessed with pink, falls in love with a badass warlock, and picks fights with fairies. When it comes to world building, I can’t say this book is special. But because it is set in a school for magical children, it does give out that Harry Potter vibe. What I loved about this series is its humor. Every now and then, I can’t help but chuckle at the characters’ witty dialogues and absurd circumstances. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, this series is for you.
7. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
This is the second book of the Throne of Glass series. I had to mention this one since this is the best book in the series that I’ve read so far. This fantasy series centers around Celaena Sardothien, who had to toil in the mines after being captured in a war. But after a year of slavery, she is offered the chance of liberty by being the prince’s champion. She had to battle against the best assassins in the kingdom to emerge as the victor and win her freedom. Even though she was the best in the land, the feat proved difficult because somewhere in the glass castle lies a power so evil that even the best assassin could not defeat alone. The plot twists in this series will leave you dumbfounded, while the variety of swoon-worthy men brighten up each encounter. The series definitely takes a lot of unexpected turns, and nothing is ever predictable. We are introduced to a lot of characters—some delightful, others just plain evil. Filled with faes, witches, and ancient powers, this is a world that is definitely worth a visit.
6. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
This story is about betrayal, atonement, and the length someone would go through to keep his loved ones safe. It tells the story of Amir and Hassan, their wonderful childhood, and their very trying adulthood. Amir was born rich, while Hassan was born to the house help. But despite their differences, they found a best friend in each other. However, that friendship is cut short by traumatic events, jealousy, and lies that separated the two boys. It is a historical fiction set in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and California. It does have a lot of violence, so if you’re planning to read this book, prepare your heart. This novel gives us an insight of what Afghanistan was like before it was broken by war. We get to see a relatively peaceful country and the wars that it had to go through, leading up to the creation of the Taliban. This book painted a picture of how wars break and strengthen relationships and the lives of those who had to go through it.
5. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
This is one of those rare books that made my jaw (literally) drop. I didn’t know anything about the story before reading it, and I think that it’’s the best way to go. The book is very short (less than a hundred pages in my copy), but it packs a lot of punch, especially in the end. What makes this story interesting is that it talks about mental disability, a topic that was not often discussed. Set in the Great Depression, it tells the story of childhood friends George and Lennie, two migrant workers who are looking for work. It shows the external effects of having a mental disability and gives the reader a glimpse of the inner workings of their minds and the struggles of those who love them. This is a wonderful story of friendship and—even though it was darkly portrayed in this book—the things we do for love.
4. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
When I googled “Best Movies of All Time,” the Wizard of Oz was at the top of the list. It’s a shame that I have not watched the movie yet. I had a glimpse of it when I was a kid, but when I saw a talking robot (that’s what I thought it was), a man made of straw, and a lion, with an amazingly naïve girl, I stopped watching. Weird things like that creeped me out. But being constantly bothered by the many book recommendations, I made the decision to try it out. Boy was I surprised! I had a hard time putting it down. I can’t quite tell if it was the writing or the story. Maybe it was both. It just captivated me so much that I felt like I was walking down the yellow brick road with Dorothy and the gang. I understood then why it is a classic and why everyone should read it.
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
There are those moments when you watch a movie and it affects you so much that it becomes a favorite. Then later on, when you find out that that movie is based on a bestselling book, you silently curse yourself for not knowing that and not reading the book before watching the film adaptation. This was the case for the Book Thief for me. It would have ranked higher in this list if I hadn’t watched the movie first. It spoiled the beautiful parts (a.k.a. the whole book). But even though I knew what would happen and there were no surprises whatsoever, it still made me cry. The story of Leisel—of her struggles, happiness, and discoveries—was so beautifully written that every word feels precious. The fact that it was told by Death was enough to get me hooked. Because the story is told using World War II as the background and setting, this book is informative as it is impactful. We get to see what it was like to live as well as die during the times when people were discriminated against just for being who they are.
2. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Kahleid Hosseini is the only repeated author in this list, and that’s saying a lot about this writer’s ability. Hosseini was able to make me cry multiple times in this masterpiece about two women in Kabul who are trying to survive in a society where war is unending and being a female is a disadvantage. We get to follow Mariam and Laila, two women from different generations, since their childhood and see the everyday struggles they faced through the years. They are two very different women whose lives are intertwined due to unfortunate events. This book paints a picture of what Afghan women have to go through every day and their inner struggles to make sense of a life where they have no choice but to love, serve, and obey. The honesty and the emotions portrayed in this novel was so intense it made my heart ache.
1. The Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling
To be clear, this is not a reread. I read Harry Potter for the first time in 2016. I first watched the movies in 2011, just after the last installment was released. It took me nineteen years after the first publication to read the first book. I did not really care for this series before. I had kept putting it off because I wasn’t into fantasy, especially ones that involve a lot of magical creatures and a complex world. But with the urge of the many BookTubers I watched, I finally decided to rent the first book and started reading. I was hooked from the first chapter. Since then, I never stopped reading about the adventures of Harry, Hermione, and Ron until I got to Deathly Hallows. The best thing about this book series for me is the school and its setting. J. K. Rowling is such an incredible storyteller that I felt like I was in the classroom when Neville was messing up his potions and in the library when Hermione was researching about the Chamber of Secrets. I’m still hungover with the emotions this series had made me feel. I’m sure I’ll be rereading it soon.
How about you? What books have you read in 2016 that have stuck with you and impacted you the most? Tell me in the comment section below, and feel free to leave any book recommendations.
Photo Credits
Claudia and the Middle School Mystery
Rizal Without the Overcoat
The Hex Hall Trilogy
Crown of Midnight
The Kite Runner
Of Mice and Men
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Book Thief
A Thousand Splendid Suns
The Harry Potter Series
It's a Ping Thing 