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In an effort to share more of myself with you guys I created Books for Life. I talk about my life outside of this sanctuary called the blogosphere. Hopefully you guys like getting to know the girl behind the blog a little bit more.

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Since it’s beyond the halfway point for 2016, and I’ve already read eighty one books, I thought I would share my top five. I could have made it a top ten, or a top nothing and just gone with all my favourites of the year so far, but these five are really the standouts for me. And here they are listed, in no particular order might I add.

1) The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

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I have never actually gotten around to reviewing this book because I’m not really sure that I could express how wonderful it is. I couldn’t have asked for more from the conclusion to one of my favourite series of all time. I didn’t feel underwhelmed or unsatisfied. Everything was simply perfect.

2) Kings Rising by C.S. Pacat

kings rising

I wrote a mini review for Kings Rising, and I am not even sure it made a lot of sense beyond THIS IS DIVINE. Because it was. As with The Raven King, it was a perfect conclusion to a perfect series. I was incredibly happy with everything that happened in this book, and I seriously cannot wait to revisit my babies and their ship again in the future.

3) The Cracks in the Kingdom by Jaclyn Moriarty

cracks in the kingdom

This book was absolutely gorgeous. Also: three of my favourites have the word “king” in them. This is weird and fantastic in equal measure. Pretty much my favourite thing about The Cracks in the Kingdom, and The Colours of Madeleine series in general is Elliot Baranski. He is an absolutely gorgeous character and my review is pretty much a love letter to him. I regret nothing.

4) Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas

dangerous girls

God, THIS BOOK. Is pretty much one of my favourites ever, and I just realised I only gave it four stars? What was I thinking? Its deserving extra star has now been given. This book has everything, and promptly spurred me onto my thriller binge (which I really need to get back to, pronto). Again, only small thoughts on this one. Why am I not doing massive flaily reviews for my faves? I need to rectify this in the second half of this year.

5) The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

the summer of chasing mermaids

I actually wrote a legit review for this one! *cheering* The Summer of Chasing Mermaids was so incredibly delightful, and the fact that it made it to this list is quite special, since it’s contemporary and those are not usually my favourite kinds of books. But this one is just special. In so many ways. I promptly bought a paperback copy after finishing my eARC because I needed this book in my life so I can go back and experience the magic again and again.

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What have been your favourite reads of 2016? Why?

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Posted on: July 12, 2016 • By: Chiara

12 Responses to Five Faves of 2016 (the half yearly edition)

  1. Emily Mead says:

    YESSS DANGEROUS GIRLS IS SO GOOD. And I LOVED The Cracks in the Kingdom series. As usual, Aussie YA is incredible :)

  2. Dangerous Girls WINS (ha! see what I did there? ;) ) at being one of the best YA thrillers out there. So twisted and brilliantly thought out. And I’ve heard so many great things about The Summer of Chasing Mermaids! Definitely going to have to give it a try. :) Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous choices! <3

    • Chiara says:

      It certainly does (and I did ;D). I don’t think I will ever be over Dangerous Girls, and I desperately want to try and find another mystery/thriller that I love as much!

      Ah, Zoe, The Summer of Chasing Mermaids is so incredibly special. If you get around to reading it, I hope you love it!

      No problem, dear <3

  3. I’m excited to see Dangerous Girls on here because I loved that one! I’m currently reading Blue Lily, Lily Blue so I’ll be to The Raven King soon!

    -Lauren

    • Chiara says:

      It’s such a great novel, and I will never stop talking about how much I love it, haha! Ah, I hope you love The Raven King as much as I did, Lauren :D

  4. jess says:

    ahhh I need to read the raven king but I haven’t even read blue lily, lily blue yet. I also need to start the captive prince trilogy haha so many books so little time. I will be adding the other books to my tbr immediately!

    • Chiara says:

      Yes, Jess! You need to read the rest of The Raven Cycle. And the Captive Prince trilogy is one of my faves ever. Yay! I hope you get around to reading them one day :D

  5. Romi says:

    CHIARA I’VE READ ONE OF THESE. And whilst it’s not my fave-fave, it’s still a five star read and so well deserved. You totally won me over with the Captive Prince trilogy. How, I’m not sure, but you did a sodding good job at it. *high fives you* And I’ve actually got a copy of Dangerous Girls coming to me now, which I am so utterly excited and thankful to you for, because I’ve been wanting to read it since I read the first reviews and I was so hesitant but again with the winning me over. You would be the best at a pep rally.

    On my tbr, also, are the other four, so that’s really something. If we weren’t real life friends, I think you’d still have convinced me to read them, because you are just really good and making me want to read books I otherwise hadn’t really considered, so A+ to you. You’re doing the blogging gig so well.

    I was surprised that Huntress wasn’t on here? Since you loved it so much, although maybe it’ll be on your next half of the year favourites? *gasps everywhere for a few seconds* But YAY for having so many loved books (and lordy 81? THAT IS INTENSE AND WONDERFUL and I’m a little daunted tbh) already this year, and your unintended love for books with “king” in the title. It’s interesting that you don’t really tend to write reviews for most beloved books, which we’ve discussed externally, because I kinda feel like with some books you just love them so much that you can’t really manage to review them. Everything is too intense and wonderful and it just doesn’t happen. And I also rather love that. xx

    • Chiara says:

      YAAAAY! I am glad I won you over with the Captive Prince trilogy because Laurent and Damen are such precious darlings, and I’m happy that you know them <3 Ah, yes. I am so excited for you to read it! I really hoep you love it as much as I do, or if not that much, then you at least enjoy it. Because it is pretty fabulous, on all levels.

      *struts around like a peacock* I feel great about you having the others on your TBR because I only recommend the best!

      Huntress would most likely have been number six on this list. But I decided to go with the books that went above and beyond for me. And although I did adore Huntress, it did not quite live up to the feels I had for the ones on this list. But had it been a top ten, it totally would have been in this post!

      I don’t even know how I have read 81 books, to be honest. Some are graphic novels and manga, though not many! :O

      Right? I mean, I might try and right reviews one day, but for now I just kinda wanna bask in my love for them, without trying to pick them apart and find things to write about.

  6. Oh! I have heard so many gorgeous things about The Summer of Chasing Mermaids – and, like you, contemporary has never been my favourite genre, but I’m thinking I may have to pick it up if it has received your approval <3 Thank you so much for sharing – I am infinitely excited to read it! Love always. xx

    • Chiara says:

      Oh, Topaz! I really hope that you pick up The Summer of Chasing Mermaids because it is infinitely gorgeous. The main character was a singer and is a poet, and I think you will adore her. I hope that you share your thoughts with me if it does make it into your hands! <3

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