by Niraja @ Fantastic Books and Where to Find Them

Best Reads of 2016 & Most Anticipated Releases of 2017

Happy New Year, everyone! I decided to welcome in 2017 by discussing some of my favorite books from last year, as well as the ones I’m looking forward to most this year. I did not set a reading goal for 2016, but my goal for this year is to read at least 100 books.

Top 5 Reads of 2016 (Released in 2016)

  1. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
  2. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J. K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany
  3. Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
  4. A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
  5. P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

Top 5 Reads of 2016 (Released in Previous Years)

  1. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
  2. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
  3. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
  4. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  5. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Top 5 Upcoming Releases of 2017

  1. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
  2. King’s Cage by Victoria Aveyard
  3. By Your Side by Kasie West
  4. Once and for All by Sarah Dessen
  5. What To Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

What were some of your favorite reads from 2016? Are there any books you’re looking forward to this year? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

38 thoughts on “Best Reads of 2016 & Most Anticipated Releases of 2017”

      1. I plan on being at the store before release day to get it because my local bookstore puts books out early, but I think I’ll try to find a detailed review of ACOMAF before I dive into ACOWAR because I don’t really remember everything oops :O

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  2. ACOWAR, King’s Cage, By My Side, Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare are some of my most anticipated 2017 releases. When I say some, I mean some because the list goes on!! 😂 Love ACOMAF, and pretty much all the books you’ve mentioned in your first list except one. Happy New Year and all the best to you in 2017! Can’t wait to hear what’s next! 😊❤

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      1. I despised The Tiger’s Curse by Colleen Houck. It was recommended to me by a friend because of the Hinduism religion throughout but good lord. It was poorly written, the heroine was weak minded, ignorant and needed the male love interest to make her decisions for her. AAGGHHH. This book. I definitely don’t recommend it.

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          1. You actually have no idea how relieved I am that you haven’t heard of it. A) because that would be really awkward if you loved this series and B) I never wish this book on anyone. Reading this is a frustration of a whole other level.

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  3. I really need to start Six of Crows soon! Also, Red Queen has been sitting on my shelf for months, oops!! I was a bit disappointed by The Cursed Child. Before reading it, I was sure it would make my top 10 of the year but it did not work for me.

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    1. I feel like The Cursed Child was one of those books that you either really enjoyed or were disappointed by; personally, my judgment was more than a little biased since I’m a huge HP fan. Looking at it from a more pragmatic perspective, however, I can see many flaws in it. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts if/when you start them! x

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  4. Great picks for this Niraja. I’m certainly glad to see Six of Crows and ACOTAR/ACOMAF on your favourites list because these were favourites of mine as well (have you read Crooked Kingdom yet?) Also I loved P.S. I Like You and A Torch Against the Night as well, and actually every book on your favourites list with the exception of Stargirl and Tell Me Three Things because I haven’t read those yet.
    I am so excited for all the books on your upcoming releases list too, there are so many amazing books being released this ear right? 🙂

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    1. No, I still haven’t finished Crooked Kingdom! I think part of me is stretching out the reading experience because I’m not ready for it to end!
      Stargirl is definitely a book I’d recommend, although it’s technically geared towards middle-grade readers (but so is Harry Potter, and that series is timeless!). Tell Me Three Things has some of my favorite, swoon-worthy tropes, and I think all fans of Kasie West would enjoy it. 🙂
      You’ll have to let me know if you decide to pick up either of those, Beth, and absolutely – there’s too many great books being released this year! x

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      1. I guess on one hand that is a sure sign you’re enjoying it, the fact that you don’t want it to then, but I think eventually you’ll become so addicted to this book you’ll have to carry on reading just to find out what happens next!
        There are a few middle-grade book I’ve really enjoyed so maybe Stargirl will be the same, and I love Kasie West so maybe I should pick up Tell Me Three Things, of course I’ll let you know what I think after I read them! 😀

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  5. I need to read Six of Crows this year, I hope I’ll love it as much as everyone else seems to 🙂 Also, I’m really eager to read this new Sarah Dessen book as well. Even if I haven’t read all of her books yet, I am planning to and I feel like she could easily become one of my favorite authors. Same goes for Kasie West 🙂 Happy reading, and wishing you a very happy new year ❤

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    1. I’m excited for you and can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the duology! I’ve only read a handful of Sarah Dessen novels, but I hope to get the majority of them read before the year ends; she’s truly a brilliant contemporary author. You should definitely let me know if/when you pick of some of these, and maybe we could buddy read them. You too, Marie, and thank you so much!❤

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  6. ACOMAF is killing it LOL. I’m pretty sure it’s been on every YA reader’s top 5 reads this year! I’m so glad you loved A Torch Against the Night and ACOTAR, too. I thought they were both great book. And YAS to Six of Crows. Such a great book! Like everyone else, I’m really looking forward to A Court of Wings and Ruin, too! And I’ve heard great things about All the Bright Places. I’ll be sure to check that one out 😀 Awesome lists, Niraja!

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  8. AHH, this is a great list of books! I first read Stargirl when I was in grade 5, and absolutely fell in love with it – it’s still one of my favorite books of all time, and it really isn’t talked about enough. I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed it! I also LOVED A Torch Against the Night, and Six of Crows, and really enjoyed Red Queen – you definitely had a great reading year 🙂 I hope 2017 is a great reading year for you, too!

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  9. I am also super, SUPER excited for Once and For All. Sarah Dessen is my YA contemporary queen and I’ll probably read her grocery’s list if I could, haha.

    And I really need to read some Kasie West! I tried The Distance Between Us but I couldn’t really get into it, but PS I Like You seems to be a popular one. 🙂

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    1. I hope to read all of Dessen’s novels before the year ends; she’s truly one of the best contemporary authors out there, if not the best. I love how her books are not only sweet but also moving and meaningful, too.
      I’ve read all of Kasie West’s novels except On the Fence, and so far, The Distance Between Us was my least favorite. West’s books tend to be lighter and more fast-paced than Dessen’s works, but I really liked how P.S. I Like You tackled some tougher topics, too.
      You’ll definitely have to let me know what you think of Once and For All and P.S. I Like You if/when you read them! x

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      1. I’m so glad to hear that! I think that’s a great goal, and yes, I agree – her books are sweet and summery but they also pack a punch in terms of messages. I love that about her.

        Oooh, if The Distance Between Us is your least favourite there’s hope for me still! What kind of topics did PS I Like You deal with?

        Will do! ❤

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  11. Six of Crows, P.S. I Like You, and A Court of Mist and Fury were some of my favorite reads too. Especially Six of Crows! That book was just so good. I’m going to need a reread of it sometime this year lol. I haven’t read A Torch Against the Night or An Ember in the Ashes, yet, but they’re both on my list for this year. Also, 1-4 on your most anticipated for 2017 are mine too! I’m so excited for A Court of Wings and Ruin in particular because I can’t wait to find out what happens. I’m also really excited for Lord of Shadows which releases is May too. I have a feeling May is going to be a great reading month. I hope you’re having a fantastic 2017 so far, Niraja! 💕😊

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