This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic is the best books we’ve read this year to date. So far, I don’t think I’m adding any books to my list of all-time favorites, but I have had some excellent reads this year! Here they are, in no particular order:
1.Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding — Amazingly fun romp of a sci-fi novel that’s very reminiscent of “Firefly” (but not so close that it’s a ripoff!). Fortunately, there are sequels! I’m hoping to get to The Black Lung Captain later this year.
2. The Giver by Lois Lowry — How did I miss reading this book as a kid? I finally got to it earlier this year and was so impressed by the subtlety with which the dystopian world unfolds. The ending is a bit of a head-scratcher, but it didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the rest of the book.
3. The Complaint of the Dove by Hannah March — First in a mystery series set in Georgian England. I really enjoyed the period detail and look forward to reading more about gentlemanly sleuth Robert Fairfax. Also, fun fact: Hannah March is the same person as Jude Morgan, whose Regency novels I also really enjoy!
4. One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by B.J. Novak — I was a fan of Novak’s clever writing on “The Office,” and he doesn’t disappoint in his first book. The stories are very short, which might put some people off, but I really liked the fact that I could read a whole story in just a few minutes! There’s a lot of comedy here, but a lot of darker moments too.
5. Jackaby by William Ritter — This was one of my BEA acquisitions, and it’s a very quick and entertaining read. It certainly owes a lot to the BBC’s recent conception of Sherlock Holmes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! It’s the first book in a series, and I definitely hope to read more about Jackaby and Abigail’s adventures!
6. Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson — If you’re looking for a perfect summer read, this is it! The book has everything: a protagonist on a mission, a slow-building romance, a lovely summery setting, and a really interesting examination of friendship and identity.
7. Unsticky by Sarra Manning — This may be a chick-lit novel, but it’s a lot more intense than many offerings in the genre. Penniless Grace agrees to become the mistress of wealthy, older art dealer Vaughn…but in a relationship that is defined by contracts and money, how can they build anything real? This is a love story that really made me think.
8. Young Miles (omnibus) by Lois McMaster Bujold — I had read Shards of Honor and Barrayar several years ago and really liked them, but for some reason I never continued with the series. These installments in Miles Vorkosigan’s early life are excellent space opera and all-around good fun. Looking forward to reading about more of his exploits!
9. Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein — This is the companion novel to Code Name Verity, which I absolutely LOVED. I didn’t quite have the same reaction to this book, but it’s also a very moving, well-written story about a female pilot trying to survive World War II. Rose is irreparably changed when she is captured by the Germans and sent to Ravensbrück, but her horrific experiences also give her life a new purpose.
10. The World of Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse — Silly British humor at its most ridiculous, sparkling best. If you haven’t read Jeeves & Wooster, what are you waiting for?!
You Book Me All Night Long 
On #7 – I recently read “You don’t have to say you love me” by her and LOVED it! I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Yes! That was my first read by Sarra Manning, and it definitely motivated me to track down more of her stuff!
I really want to read Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire, as well as Since You’ve Been Gone 🙂
Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic
My TTT Post!
Ooh, they’re all really good! Fair warning, though — Code Name Verity will make you cry!
I never got around to The Giver either growing up–glad to hear it was good! Retribution Falls sounds familiar, I think I may have come across the book in the bookstore before…
Great list! My TTT
You should definitely try Retribution Falls! It’s so much fun, and I hear the sequels are really good too.
I used to teach a university course on literature for education majors, and we always had the best time with The Giver. Students loved it, and we picked that ending apart. 🙂
Haha, I can imagine! I almost wish I’d read it for a class so that I could get a better handle on that ending!
So glad that you read The Giver! We’ll never forget reading that as kids.
Our Ten Top Tuesday!
I wonder how I would have liked it as a kid. But it’s nice to know that it holds up for adults, even those who are reading it for the first time!
I had One More Thing checked out from the library, but had to return it before I got to it. (So many books, so little time . . .). Thanks for the reminder that I need to try it again!
Don’t you hate it when that happens? 🙂 Hope you are able to get your hands on the book again!
I can’t wait to read Jackaby now. Nice list.
I think it was your comments about how much you were looking forward to Jackaby that made me read it right away! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed — it’s a fun one!
Yay!