My Year In Books 2016

January 10, 2017

I wish I could just pop my Goodreads year in books in here as it looks so pretty, makes me happy to look at it. It’s been a good year for reading, I’d set a target of 24 and managed to read 50 in the end. I’m not sure what happened this year that made me read so much more, I just fell in love with it again. I only read books that I really wanted too which sounds simple enough but I think sometimes you read a book because you feel like you should or if everyone has been talking about it.

I won’t go through all 50 books here but there are some that stand out from the past year that I still think of now, some I could re-read and some that I want to shout about from the rooftops and tell everyone to read it. There are only a couple that I really didn’t like – if I wasn’t getting into a book I just stopped reading it. If I’ve done a proper review of the book I’ve linked to it if you’d like to read more.

One of my first books of the year was North and South  I only read it as I’d watched the TV show on Netflix and fell more than a little in love with it. I was surprised at how easy it was to read, it’s so, so good, if you love period classics it’s well worth reading. I discovered a whole load of books that were new to me, even though they’ve been out for years – Water for Elephants, The Night Circus and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society were all amazing. I’d got The Night Circus on my Kindle and had to buy a proper copy too, it became one of my favourite ever books. It’s different to anything I’ve read before and is beautifully written.

I re-read Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone as I got the illustrated edition as well as Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice. They’re books I can’t help picking up every few years, usually after I’ve watched the television shows. There is a reason that so many people love them and I never get fed up of reading them.

A Year of Living Danishly was one of my Kindle bargains and it is one of my favourites from the year, so much so that I wrote a whole post about it and started planning my imaginary move to Denmark. A Man Called Ove was probably the most moving book I’d read all year, I was holding back tears from the start but it also so sweet and charming. It’s such a lovely book and one I’d definitely read again.

I started a few fantasy series’ this year which I tend to get carried away with and then I’m disappointed to realise that they aren’t finished yet. I’m waiting on a few new releases in 2017! The Patrick Rothfuss books are amazing but incredibly long and quite slow paced, my brother recommended them to me and the story is really something else. I started The Red Queen series and both of the Sarah J Maas series’ and I flew through them all – they really bumped up my reads this year. I’ve fallen in love with The Court of Thorns and Roses books – they have fangirl written all over them and my husband rolls his eye when he sees me reading them but I can’t get enough. Books like that are such a guilty pleasure for me.

Towards the end of the year I finally gave in and read Me Before You. I kept putting it of as I didn’t think it was the kind of thing I’d enjoy and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I’d heard about the story and thought it was going to be bleak but it wasn’t, not at all. I can’t wait to see the film now and the same goes for A Monster Calls which is another favourite from this year.  A book that still stands out to me is The Art of Being Normal which is about transgender teens; it was incredibly thought-provoking and one of those books that you feel like could really help people. I found Alan Cummings autobiography, Not My Father’s Son, such a hidden gem. I don’t always like autobiographies but this was very well written and full of charm, just as you would imagine.

Now I’ve started this there are so many more I could talk about, I really have enjoyed nearly every book I’ve picked up this year. I’ve had a slow start reading in January but I’ll be sharing my TBR pile soon and I’ll be tagging my books photos on Instagram with #HFHreads2017 so have a peek if you want to see what book I’ve currently got on the go.

I’d love to know what books you enjoyed reading last year!

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13 Comments

  • Vicki

    Loved this post – you managed to read so many books in 2016. It reminds me there are so many books I want to read. I am hoping to tick quite a few off my list this year. I adored The Year of Living Danishly, as you well know & Water For Elephants was a book I read a few years ago & loved too – I made my Mum read it too. I am excited to see what gems you read in 2017 x

    January 10, 2017 at 3:03 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      It’s nice to look back on as I’d forgotten some of the great books I’d read this year, it has inspired me a little more for this year to keep it going. Looking forward to seeing your reads this year too!

      January 11, 2017 at 9:31 am Reply
  • Mrs H

    This looks like a fantastic list of books. And now I have some fabulous recommendations to read this year. I love your fan girl recommendations. Hugs Lucy xxxx

    January 10, 2017 at 3:18 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      Thanks Lucy, I know they are not everyone’s thing but at the same time there are so many people out there who love them! Let me know if you read any, I’d love to know if you like them xxx

      January 11, 2017 at 9:32 am Reply
  • Notmyyearoff

    Ah love this and I think I need to join Good reads. I read so much more last year than I usually do. Lots and lots was chick-lit but i read some really good thrillers too and I’m not actually sure how many I read when I try to look back.

    January 10, 2017 at 8:34 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      You should join goodreads – something about being able to look back on a list of books you’ve read makes me happy – well lists of anything really, haha! Then I’d get to nosy at what you’re reading too 🙂 I don’t read a lot of chick lit but I’m trying to branch out more and my Nana has leant me a couple of thrillers so I’m looking forward to trying them.

      January 11, 2017 at 9:45 am Reply
  • @BySarahMostly

    I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed reading this! Well done on reading 50 books that really is brilliant. It sounds like you really got the bug for it last year so no doubt it will carry on this year too so I’ll be stalking your pics on Instagram! I loved A Year of Living Danishly too it made me want to pack a suitcase immediately. You’ve reminded me that I have The Night Circus on my to be read pile too, I really must bump it up to the top.

    January 10, 2017 at 8:35 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      Oh you must, I think you’d love it! I’m thinking of reading it again after writing this. I’ve got your book post bookmarked so must get round to reading it this week, I love to see what others are enjoying.

      January 11, 2017 at 11:02 am Reply
  • Gail

    Really enjoyed this post Hayley, there are a couple of my favourites from last year in here and also a few I haven’t heard of – I’m off to investigate. I’ve had to start a list of all the books I want to read though as I just can’t buy/borrow any more until I’ve got through the pile I’ve been accumulating! x

    January 11, 2017 at 11:28 am Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      Yes, I’m getting the same way! I’ve got a list of what I actually have in the house/on kindle to read so will have to tick off a few of those first. Love having a nosy at what everyone is reading though! xx

      January 12, 2017 at 3:21 pm Reply
  • Esther @ Inside Out & About

    All your reading makes me so jealous! and your blog is the first place I look whenever I am searching for a new read, especially for holidays. I used to read so much as a teen, and sometimes I really miss it! Blogging seems to take up my evenings, and I find there is always more to do! It can be a little frustrating sometimes! x

    January 15, 2017 at 9:33 pm Reply
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  • Jenny

    Wow you have read so much. Wish I had more time to read but I have been doing on the start of this year. I have made note of a lot of these to read from you this year. Thanks for recommending.

    February 5, 2017 at 6:14 pm Reply
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