If you know me in person you'll know that I'm the biggest bookworm! Last year I read 55 books and the year before that 117. So after all that reading, I thought I'd share with you my absolute favourites.
Fiction
I couldn't start this list without mentioning my number 1 favourite series to date—The Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas.
Deathly dangerous but charming faeries, forbidden love, an ancient curse and courts at war with each other... The first book is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and the second one is based on the story of Hades and Persephone. This series is being adapted into a movie so be sure to read it before it hits the big screen!
Another incredible fantasy duology, soon to be series is Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. A crew of six deadly people including a sharpshooter, a convict, a spy, a runaway, a heartrender and a thief embark on an epic heist. Many people compare these books to Ocean 11.
This Mortal Coil series by Emily Suvada. If you're up for a fast-paced genetic science-fiction novel than this book is for you! I had the pleasure of meeting Emily Suvada at an author event and said she plans her book as a series of mini cliffhangers, she always knows the last line of every chapter beforehand! No wonder I found this book utterly unputdownable. After finishing this book you'll instantly need to grab the sequel This Cruel Design!
Now onto thrillers, To Catch A Killer by Sheryl Scarborough is one of my favourite young adult mysteries. This story followers a girl whose mother was murdered alongside her as a toddler. Years later she finds herself in the centre of a brutal homicide and the murderer might be after her next... Inspired by her uncle who's an FBI agent, she begins to investigate the case herself before authorities start to turn to her.
Onto a more raw, brutal thriller The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson is a book that can be devoured in one sitting! It begins with a man and woman who meet in an airport bar, after complaining about his cheating wife and jokes that he wants to kill her. Without missing a beat the woman offers to help and they embark on a twisted journey of murder and games of cat-and-mouse.
I'm ending the Fiction section with my favourite contemporaries, and first up is The Astonishing Colour of After by Emily X. R Pan. After her mother's suicide, Leigh goes on a journey of through her memories and past in order to remember the truth of her family. A delightful mix of magical realism, the exploration of grief and friendship, the writing in this book will bring you to tears.
Another tear-jerker contemporary which a lot of you would've heard of is Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. This book explores the relationship between Louisa Clark and Will Traynor who, after a motorcycle incident, is bound to a wheelchair with quadriplegia. It's a heartbreaking story about the beauty and fragility of life, be prepared with a box of tissues with this one!
Non-Fiction
I have to thank The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod for helping me to become a morning person and changing my life for the better. If you want to boost your productivity or get some extra hours in the morning by being an early riser this will help shift your mindset and break through any barriers that are stopping you. It also explains how to create your own morning routine (and stick to it) so you can become a morning warrior!
Due to all the current rage about this Netflix series I'm sure you've heard about this one, yes it's The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. I read this 2 years ago when it was taking off in the bookish world and yes this one is a life-changer! It made me re-evaluate my mindset towards material items and yes I got to de-cluttering right away! Although I've gone in and out of phases since reading the book (I wouldn't really call myself a minimalist anymore) I'm a lot more conscious of the items I bring into my home.
I hope I've given you a recommendation (or two) for the next book you pick up. Happy Reading! xx