2016 was a whirlwind of activity for my family. Several weddings, a couple of bucket list trips, and relocations led to a very busy year. Amid it all I did manage to read some great books — some new releases and some new to me. So, I am supposed to narrow my list to just 10. Hmm . . . can’t do it. š So I have come up with two lists — Contemporary Fiction and Historical Fiction. No matter your preference of genre, there is something for you on these lists. To see what other bloggers consider their best of the best, please visit The Broke And The Bookish.
Top Contemporary Fiction of 2016
Of Stillness and Storm by Michele Phoenix
Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon
Seeing Things by Patti Hill
Since You’ve Been Gone by Christa Allan
Sister Dear by Laura McNeill
Song of Silence by Cynthia Ruchti
Sycamore RowĀ by John Grisham
Water From My Heart by Charles Martin
When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks
The Witnesses by Robert Whitlow
Top Historical Fiction of 2016
Anchor in The Storm by Sarah Sundin
AD 30 by Ted Dekker
A Day And A Life by Penelope Wilcock
Forest Child by Heather Day Gilbert
The Inheritance by Michael Phillips
The Lady And The Lionheart by Joanne Bischof
Like A River From Its Course by Kelli Stuart
The Memoir of Johnny Devine by Camille Eide
Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin
Within The Veil by Brandy Valance
Best of The Best of 2106
There were two books that I gave Very Highly Recommended ratings to in 2016. Both were from author Mike Nappa. These are great books I would recommend to everyone!
Annabel Lee
Fourteen miles east of Peachtree, Alabama, a secret is hidden. That secretās name is Annabel Lee Truckson, and even she doesnāt know why her mysterious uncle has stowed her deep underground in a military-style bunker. Heās left her with a few German words, a barely-controlled guard dog, and a single command: āDonāt open that door for anybody, you got it? Not even me.ā
Above ground, a former Army sniper called The Mute and an enigmatic āDr. Smithā know about the girl. As the race begins to find her, the tension builds. Who wants to set her free? Why does the other want to keep her captive forever? Who will reach her first?
Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill need to piece together the clues and stay alive long enough to retrieve the girlābefore itās too late.
The RavenĀ
As part of his regular street performance, a deception specialist who goes by the name The Raven picks his audienceās pockets while they watch. Itās harmless fun ā until he decides to keep the spare wallet a city councilman doesnāt seem to miss, hoping for a few extra bucks. When he finds not money but compromising photos of the councilman and his āpersonal assistantsā, The Raven hatches a plan to blackmail the man. However, he quickly finds himself in over his head with the Ukrainian Mafia and mired in a life-threatening plot code-named, āNevermoreā.
Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill must scramble to sort out the clues ā and their complicated feelings for each other ā to rescue The Raven and save hundreds of lives from a wildcard bent on revenge.
Thank you! I’m in such esteemed company. It’s an honor.
You are welcome. Thanks for a great story!
Thank you! I am so honored!
-blessings,
Carrie Stuart Parks
You are so welcome! Love Gwen and looking forward to more great books.
I’m hoping to compile my top books for the year later this week. I have Though Waters Roar and hope to get to it. If I could just schedule a vacation for reading, that would be lovely. š Love all of Sarah Sundin’s. I’ve read a few of some of the authors listed here and want to read more.
Ahhh … A reading vacation! š
VERY honored to see Forest Child on your list, Beckie–I know you read and review SO many books each year! And I’m especially thrilled to see so many indie authors on your list! š
Love Indie authors! I’m especially excited the Inspys will be including them this year.
Forest Child was great wasn’t it? I have all six of the continuations of Pelelope Wilock’s Hawk and Dove Series, including Day and A Life. I hope to blitz them nexy year.
I missed a couple of the books in Wilcock’s series. Not sure how. I have to go back and read them. And yes, Forest Child was great!
Great list! I especially like your idea to include 10 of each in contemporary and historical. I see several on your list that I loved too, and several I’ve been wanting to read. š
I couldn’t narrow them down this year, hence the 2 lists! š I liked your audiobook list too. Happy reading in the New Year!
LOTS of these are books I haven’t read, but I do spy a couple favorites from that historical section. š So many great releases in 2016, and I’ve got all good feelings that 2017 will be just as amazing.
Rissi, I think you are right about 2017!