The first half is all the books I read & recommend.
The second half are books I started reading / read but do not think highly enough of to recommend (although some I had to finish simply because I got too invested in what was happening and needed to know the ending).
No book links because I thoroughly encourage you to use a library or a local, independent bookseller and absolutely by all means possible, avoid Indigo/Chapters, and Amazon.
If you need one that delivers in Canada, I very much like McNally Robinson. They can order any book you like.
WHAT I RECOMMEND
The Frozen River: Ariel Lawhon
Murder – Small community values
Another good mental thriller of Martha Ballard, based on a renowned 18th century midwife who investigates a murder in her small community. Truly spellbinding.
The Masterpiece: Francine Rivers
Artist – Assistant – Fraught love story – Emotions and struggling to find yourself
A love story of a tortured artist with someone who won’t take his crap. Then the journey of this man child learning how to face the demons he has and come to terms with who he is, while letting her be who she is.. perfection. Teaches a lot about emotions, struggling to find yourself and coming to terms with who you are.
Midnight on the Celestial: Julia Alexandra
Dark Fantasy – Facism – Desperation – Hunger Games vibe – Elitism
WOW. It reminds of me of like a Hunger Games kind of vibe, in terms of it being so well-written, thrilling and absolutely unexpected for a fantasy novel. If you like V.E. Schwab or Anne Bishop or any of those kinds of dark fantasy books, this is for you. Essentially, people who were considered “dangerous” and who did not pass a test were went to be enslaved on a ship to then earn their freedom back by serving the elites with their “dangerous” powers. It is quite a good read, I couldn’t put it down.
Pages to Fill: Travis Baldree
Orc and Friends of Orc – Fantasy – Comedic – Heartwarming – Thoughtful – Friendships
I started with this first book, was hooked and decided I had to read all of his other books because I loved his writing so much. It was really quite funny and a nice teaser to the rest of his books, the prequel to his first.
Want more book recommendations?
All of my previous book recommendations are here.
If you’re lazy like me, here are my YEARLY book roundups from each year.