That’s right I said eight reads. Why 8? Because I did 8 last year and why not keep that going eh? These are the books and graphic novels that stuck with me throughout the year and yeah you may be surprised by some that are (or are not) included…
**PLEASE NOTE: my reviews may contain spoilers. Review links lead to Goodreads and Amazon links lead to my Amazon affiliated account**
Book: The Tea Dragon Society
Author: Katie O’Neill
Links: Goodreads // Amazon // Review
Why? The artwork is beautiful, the story is one of acceptance and understanding, without beating you over the head with the idea of it and TEA DRAGONS.
Who doesn’t want a Tea Dragon, come on.
Book: Want
Author: Cindy Pon
Links: Goodreads // Amazon // Review
Why? Futuristic Taipei that feels way too close for comfort in its societal views, look at that gorgeous cover and Daiyu. Just…guys, Daiyu.
She’s spends much of the book understanding that she was blind to some awful realities in her life. Zhou begins to understand that broad sweeping generalizations are almost as problematic as the bad behaviors themselves.
Book: The City of Brass
Author: S. A. Chakraborty
Links: Goodreads // Amazon // Review
Why? Nahri – mostly Nahri, I won’t lie. Though Dara :heart eyes:
Also, how atmospheric and immersive Chakraborty’s writing is. I’ve never been to Cairo, but I’d swear I could smell the incense that Nahri mentions or the sulfur from the Ifrit’s stench. The wonder that is the City of Brass, through Nahri’s eyes and Chakraborty’s writing, made me wish I could see it for myself.
Book: Strange Practice
Author: Vivian Shaw
Links: Goodreads // Amazon // Review
Why? It was the cover that caught my attention originally (and the actual Diorama of it, that I saw at Book Expo 2017, is even more fabulous). The story started slow and I was uncertain, but I found myself really enjoying Greta’s voice. She’s no nonsense, but the clinical precision starts to waver when introduced to something that piques her interest. Which happens a lot in this book, for good and bad.
Book: Slouch Witch
Author: Helen Harper
Links: Goodreads // Amazon // Review
Why? Complete surprise to me and my friend, this book (and the series in general) is just FUN. Ivy is my kind of heroine – super powerful, but super lazy. Most of the magic she performs is in service to not having to get out of her PJs (though it almost always backfires). The fact she manages to save the known world isn’t as important as the fact she gets to just lay on her couch for one more hour. I love it.
Book: Waters of Salt and Sin
Author: Alisha Klapheke
Why? Currently in a re-read for this one, that’s why there’s no actual review, but I was drawn in by the original cover (seen here). The new cover is very good indicator of the novel itself however. I enjoyed reading how Kinneret wasn’t going to let anyone tell her how to live – that she would forge her own path if she had to.
Book: Sufficiently Advanced Magic
Author: Andrew Rowe
Links: Goodreads // Amazon // Review
Why? This one comes with a bit of a caveat – it really is the kind of book most RPG’ers would like and understand. Its long, it rambles into trivial side quests and ultimately the end game for our main character is so very unlikely to happen its laughable.
That being said, I also think this is good for readers who enjoyed the try, try again aspect of books like Harry Potter. Corin isn’t the strongest in the group, but he’s the most persistent and he gathers those he can rely on who are stronger.
Book: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
Author: Becky Chambers
Links: Goodreads // Amazon // Review
Why? I originally listened to the audiobook of this and I think that helped to keep me engaged. The opening is slow, as we’re given the necessary details to navigate the world and situations. There is a lot to unpack in this book – including how we as humans view alien cultures, how being accepting is not always the same as understanding another’s culture or needs and the impact of relationships both large and small. This is a thoughtful book who’s action is grounded not so much in the (very scary) fight that our crew finds themselves embroiled in, but what it means to connect with others.
There’s my top 8 list – what’s everyone else still thinking about/raving about?
For the Sake of Reading 
I love The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet – it was just such a lovely story.
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