In 2016 I read 52 books. I did this because I wanted to expand my knowledge as a citizen of the world. Kidding. I did this because Megan challenged me to do it when we were talking about New Year’s resolutions. And I read a lot anyways so why not?
I was only at 41 books in the beginning of November so I powered through and read 11 books in November and December as to not lose the self-imposed “challenge.”
I’m a little nervous to share my 2016 book list and recommendations. I didn’t go for literary classics – if I’m going to spend all this time reading, I want to be entertained. And in scanning my list of books, it seems like I am most entertained by food-related novels or memoir-ish books written by females and female celebrities. Not exactly high-brow.
Though I am sharing my books, I will not be sharing the playlist Spotify made me with the top songs I listened to in 2016 – that is incredibly embarrassing. I did share it with some family members who advised I keep my listening habits to myself (how many times can one person listen to the song “Man in the Mirror” in one year? It turns out, a lot).
Best book that you probably haven’t heard of:
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
This piece of historical fiction had more twists, turns, and drama than most thrillers and mystery novels. This is the perfect book if you are easily bored while reading. There just isn’t a good place to put this one down.
Best book if you want to think:
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond
An easy read that makes you feel smarter and hopeless all at the same time. I enjoyed the profiles of the tenants and landlords and the specific details that the author went to great lengths to include.
Best book if you don’t want to think:
White Dresses: A Memoir of Love and Secrets, Mothers and Daughters by Mary Pflum Peterson
Super fascinating and lots of Wisconsin references!
Best book if you don’t want to think, runner-up:
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
Liane Moriarty mostly owns the beach-read category and her newest book did not disappoint.
Best female celebrity memoir-ish book:
The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer
People have polarizing opinions about Amy Schumer. No matter what you think of her, this book was smart, funny, and has the perfect balance of thought-provoking essays and celeb dirt. Everything I want when I read a female celebrity memoir-ish book.
Best female celebrity memoir-ish book runner-up:
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
I liked this more than her last one, it’s funny too!
Worst female celebrity memoir-ish book:
Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick
This was just not well-written. Anna, consider a better editor. And if she tells me ONE MORE TIME just how little, petite, and young-looking she is…ugh. It was hard to finish this one.
Best books about food:
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
Just a super great book. Perhaps my 2016 overall favorite read.
Any book by Ruth Reichl
Garlic and Sapphires is worth it for the spaghetti carbonara recipe alone.
Best young-adult book:
Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Yes I’m adult. Allegedly. But you know what makes for a quick read when you’re trying to read 52 books in one year? Young-adult fiction. I read a number of young-adult books this year and this one is my favorite.
Books that I liked that are also movies:
The Martian by Andy Weir
Mystic River by Dennis Lehane
Books that I didn’t like that are also movies:
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
Other good books I read in 2016:
Modern Lovers by Emma Straub
The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
Tell Me Something Real by Call Devlin
Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz
Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple
Purity by Jonathan Franzen
My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me by Hilary Winston
Kailey Bender 