I’ve read so many books over the last year. I’m sure that I’m not the only person who feels like this year has passed in a flash. I’ve discovered so many new books in 2019! I’ve found some new authors that I’ve grown to love and read some stories that have really changed me as a person. So here is a list of books that I have absolutely loved this year! Happy New Year everyone!

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Set in a dark vision of the near future, a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called The Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed. When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her younger sister’s place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature. 

I was inspired to read this book after me and one of my friends had a discussion about the films and then my friend was appalled when I admitted that I hadn’t actually read the books. For me it was something that I hadn’t necessarily thought to read as I’d watched all of the films and thought that reading the books would have been pointless due to the fact I was already familiar with the plot. However it was far from pointless and turned out to be one of the most enjoyable reads of the year. I have to say that this is now one of my favourite trilogy’s… EVER!! The books had ten times more detail and was so beautifully written i just couldn’t help devouring all three books in under 2 weeks!!

Are We All Lemmings and snowflakes by Holly Bourne

Welcome to Camp Reset, a summer camp with a difference. A place offering a shot at “normality” for Olive, a girl on the edge, and for her new friends, who are all dealing with their own battles. But as Olive settles in, she starts to wonder – maybe it’s this messed up world that needs fixing, and not them. And so she comes up with a plan. Because together, snowflakes can form avalanches…

Holly Bourne is one of the authors that I discovered earlier on in the year and she has become one of my true favourites in young adult fiction!! Each book I have read by her has an overall theme of equality and kindness. I’ve read every single one of her books and I think that her books really could change the world if everyone read them. She is such an underrated author and is one of my new all time favourites. This book is one of my favourites because it helped to normalise the stereotypes surrounding mental health which is so important in this modern world. Every single character is so easy to love and I know that whenever I pick a Holly Bourne book of the shelf its gonna be a winner!!

One by Sarah Crossan

Grace and Tippi don’t like being stared and sneered at, but they’re used to it. They’re conjoined twins – united in blood and bone. What they want is to be looked at in turn, like they truly are two people. They want real friends. And what about love? But a heart-wrenching decision lies ahead for Tippi and Grace. One that could change their lives more than they ever asked for… 

This book was one of my absolute favourites of the year and actually introduced me to a completely different style of writing. This book is written in free verse which is a type of poetry. I’m far from ashamed to admit that this was the first ever book to make me cry. I’m never normally a person to sob while reading books but this was a whole new level of emotion. The story follows a pair of conjoined twins and the challenges they face. This book was so heart-warming, poignant and emotional but one of the best books I’ve ever read.

Under A Dancing Star by Laura Wood

In grey, 1930s England, Bea has grown up kicking against the conventions of the time, all the while knowing that she will one day have to marry someone her parents choose – someone rich enough to keep the family estate alive. But she longs for so much more – for adventure, excitement, travel, and maybe even romance. When she gets the chance to spend the summer in Italy with her bohemian uncle and his fiancee, a whole world is opened up to Bea – a world that includes Ben, a cocky young artist who just happens to be infuriatingly handsome too. Sparks fly between the quick-witted pair until one night, under the stars, a challenge is set: can Bea and Ben put aside their teasing and have the perfect summer romance? With their new friends gleefully setting the rules for their fling, Bea and Ben can agree on one thing at least: they absolutely, positively will not, cannot fall in love… A long, hot summer of kisses and mischief unfolds – but storm clouds are gathering across Europe, and home is calling. Every summer has to end – but for Bea, this might be just the beginning. #

I read this book when I was on holiday in Croatia and it was so atmospherical. I loved sitting on the beach in the sun while reading this. Laura Wood is one of those authors that can describe even the simplest things and make them seem like the most beautiful in the world. I loved how this book was roughly based on the Shakespeare play ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. I also loved all of the characters and it must be one of the only YA romance novels that has a happy ending! It’s quite rare to find such a happy ending like this and it was such a perfect book to read whilst on holiday.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

It is 1939. In Nazi Germany, the country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier – and will become busier still. By her brother’s graveside, nine year old Liesel’s life is changed forever when she picks up a single object, abandoned in the snow. It is The Gravedigger’s Handbook, and this is her first act of book thievery. So begins Liesel’s love affair with books and words, and soon she is stealing from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor’s wife’s library . . . wherever there are books to be found. But these are dangerous times, and when Liesel’s foster family hides a Jew in their basement, nothing will ever be the same again.

I read this book while visiting Berlin and Krakow with the school to learn about World War Two. Being able to read the book and then imagine it taking place in my surroundings was more than emotive. This book was presented in such a different way and was beautifully written. The characters were so easy to like and I really thought that this book is one of the most well written books that I have ever read. It was so emotional and powerful and really helped to show a different side to what it was like living in the time of World War Two.

Floored by Various Authors

When they got in the lift that morning, they were strangers. Sasha, who is at the UK’s biggest TV centre desperately trying to deliver a parcel; Hugo, who knows he’s by far the richest – and best-looking – guy in the lift; Velvet, who regrets wearing the world’s least comfortable shoes to work experience; Dawson, who isn’t the good-looking teen star he was and desperate not to be recognised; Kaitlyn, who’s slowly losing her sight but won’t admit it, and Joe, who shouldn’t be there at all, but who wants to be there the most. And one more person, who will bring them together again on the same day every year…

I really enjoyed this book due to the fact you got to see each character grow and change over time. You could really see the love and care that was put into the book and I just really loved the way the book changed from one characters perspective to another. I thought that this book was so clever, funny, and heartwarming and is one of my top reads this year!

The Opposite Of Always by Justin Reynolds

When Jack and Kate meet at a party, he knows he’s falling – hard. Soon she’s meeting his best friends and Kate wins them over as easily as she did Jack. But then Kate dies. And their story should end there. Yet Kate’s death sends Jack back to the beginning, the moment they first meet, and Kate’s there again. Healthy, happy, and charming as ever. Jack isn’t sure if he’s losing his mind. Still, if he has a chance to prevent Kate’s death, he’ll take it. Even if that means believing in time travel. However, Jack will learn that his actions are not without consequences. And when one choice turns deadly for someone else close to him, he has to figure out what he’s willing to do to save the people he loves.

This was such an unexpectedly awesome book! I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. I bought this book for my birthday when in London and little did I know how powerful this book would be. This book was so beautiful and run on themes of love, family and friendship. It had such a happy ending and I honestly enjoyed every single moment of this book.

Solitaire by Alice Oseman

In case you’re wondering, this is not a love story. My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year – before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people – I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that’s all over now. Now there’s Solitaire. And Michael Holden. I don’t know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don’t care about Michael Holden. I really don’t…

This book was amazing!! Alice Oseman is an author that I have only recently discovered but she has soon become one of my favourites! Her characters are always so diverse and beautiful and I have no words to describe how brilliant the story lines are. Solitaire was my favourite book that she has written (that I have read so far). There was such an element of mystery and surprise I couldn’t help devouring the book in one sitting… such a beautiful book!!

Meet Cute by Various Authors

Readers will experience Nina LaCour’s beautifully written piece about two Bay Area girls meeting via a cranky customer service Tweet, Sara Shepard’s glossy tale about a magazine intern and a young rock star, Nicola Yoon’s imaginative take on break-ups and make-ups, Katie Cotugno’s story of two teens hiding out from the police at a house party, and Huntley Fitzpatrick’s charming love story that begins over iced teas at a diner. There’s futuristic flirting from Kass Morgan and Katharine McGee, a riveting transgender heroine from Meredith Russo, a subway missed connection moment from Jocelyn Davies, and a girl determined to get out of her small town from Ibi Zoboi. Jennifer Armentrout writes a sweet story about finding love from a missing library book, Emery Lord has a heartwarming and funny tale of two girls stuck in an airport, Dhonielle Clayton takes a thoughtful, speculate approach to pre-destined love, and Julie Murphy dreams up a fun twist on reality dating show contestants. This incredibly talented group of authors brings us a collection of stories that are at turns romantic and witty, epic and everyday, heartbreaking and real.

This book is an anthology of stories about young teen couples and how they met for the first time. This book was so so cute! I fell in love with each individual story. They were all different yet beautiful! I borrowed this book from my best friend and I’m so thankful for her lending it to me because this book was absolutely stunning.