Best Books of the Year

As the year draws to a close, I enjoy reflecting on my reading from the past year, evaluating what worked and what didn’t. So many fabulous books were published, but after much deliberation, I narrowed down my favorites across three categories. These novels resonated the most with me, and I still think about each of them regularly.

Historical Fiction:

The Queen of Sugar Hill by ReShonda Tate Billingsley – The Queen of Sugar Hill opens with the night Hattie McDaniel becomes the first Black woman to win an Academy Award for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind and follows her life until her death from cancer at age 52. Tate brings Hattie McDaniel to life in a sympathetic but honest manner that had me rooting for her even when I didn’t agree with her decisions. This is such a fascinating time period in Hollywood, and I headed down numerous rabbit holes researching the people and events contained in the book. 

The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley, a story about a 1990s grunge duo, years after they flamed out in a very public way. (Photo: Cindy Burnett)

Contemporary Fiction:

The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley – This unique and compelling book follows Jane Pyre, the former lead singer of The Lightning Bottles, one of the most popular rock ‘n’ roll duos of the 1990s, as she seeks to discover what happened to Elijah, her husband and the other half of The Lightning Bottles, who disappeared years before. Readers who grew up in this era will revel in nostalgia as they read this book, which references maps, call-in shows and countdowns, Walkmans, and music trivia and details from the time period. This book is a good fit for music lovers, mystery readers, and those who enjoy a walk down memory lane.

The Wedding People by Allison Espach – Phoebe Stone shows up at a hotel and mistakenly gets swept up into wedding festivities right when she is at her lowest. She begins her day by thinking this is the last day of her life and instead she sets down a totally different path with the help of an unexpected group of people. In this touching tale, Espach tackles many timely issues: marriage, infidelity, infertility, loneliness, death, friendship, and disappointment. While these issues can be heavy, the book is heartwarming, thought-provoking, and hilarious, and it often went in directions I was not expecting. 

Under Your Spell by Laura Wood – The daughter of a self-absorbed older rock star finds herself unexpectedly “babysitting” the most popular (and handsome) musician in the world and is unsettled when their relationship becomes more personal – especially since she swore she’d never date someone famous. Wood’s dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny without feeling forced; the main characters’ banter is spectacular; and the way Wood crafts a strong sense of place with the English countryside setting is outstanding. 

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood – I loved Wood’s previous book The One-in-a-Million Boy, and this is a stellar read as well. A woman who is recently released from prison tries to find her way back in the world while also trying to atone for the crime that landed her in prison. The characters are well crafted, and it is such a thought-provoking and interesting exploration of both grief and forgiveness as well as coming to terms with the past and our memories.

Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin – Frankie O’Neill is an ornithologist working to save her dissertation about the spotted owl following trouble with her advisor. When she heads to her family’s summer home in the dead of winter, she encounters Anne Ryan; their unexpected friendship develops against the backdrop of life on a remote Pacific Northwest lake. Garvin weaves in engrossing details about the sophisticated communication of crows and how engaging with the natural world is healing. Crow Talk is a beautiful story about hope, love, grief, the importance of friendship, and the healing power of nature.

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio – This delightful and unique debut novel explores the possibilities and ramifications of endless choice. Lauren, an unmarried young woman, arrives home to find a stranger ensconced in her flat, claiming to be her husband. While Lauren is coming to terms with this, her new husband goes up into the attic and promptly disappears with a new man taking his place. Realizing that her attic is providing her with an endless supply of husbands, Lauren evaluates how to decide when enough is enough. The Husbands will appeal to readers who like clever and thought-provoking reads as well as those who enjoy creative premises.

Dixon Descending by Karen Outen – When Nate suggests to his brother that they attempt to become the first Black Americans to summit Mt. Everest, Dixon agrees, even though their family and friends disapprove. During the climb, the weight of their decision weighs Dixon down as Nate develops increasingly serious health complications. After things go horribly awry, Dixon returns home a changed man, constantly replaying his decision to climb the mountain. Outen’s detailed accounts of climbing Everest are so engrossing, and her depiction of grief and the many different forms it takes and the burdens it creates are compelling and insightful. 

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy – Over the course of two weeks in a small English town, a reclusive widow discovers an unexpected reason to live when she stumbles across a mouse and decides to care for it. This short novel packs a big punch. I am a huge fan of stories about the importance of community and our need for connection, and Sipsworth is one of the best that I have read in a long while. This will appeal to fans of tales about found family and stories that are uplifting.

The Wedding People by Allison Espach, a thought-provoking and funny look at the importance of community and human relationships. (Photo: Cindy Burnett)

Mystery/Thriller:

The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd – This twisty mystery revolves around a cursed wealthy family and the Surrealist painting which is linked to three suspicious deaths over the course of many years. The book weaves together mystery/thriller elements, art history and the world of art, love affairs and tragedy, family history, and the strong driving force of obsession, along with an examination of how women’s stories are often left out of history. 

A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh – Set in Wales, this story revolves around the filming of a reality show. While billed as a Survivor-styled show, the contestants quickly learn that not only are they competing for cash, but also to keep each of their very own personal secrets hidden. A day after the first episode airs, a contestant goes missing, followed by a murder on set. This well-written and fast-paced thriller tackles timely topics, including society’s obsession with reality TV, how scripted these shows actually are, and the lengths people will go to be famous. While this is book two in a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. 

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston – Evie Porter is a con woman who works for Mr. Smith, her mysterious boss who communicates with her via postal boxes. He sends her the latest target with little initial knowledge about the ultimate goal, and she insinuates herself into the target’s life and then waits for her next instructions. The story is flawlessly plotted, and the twists and turns come at just the right points. Every time I thought I had it figured out, the plot went in a different direction. I recommend going in blind to not have anything spoiled. 

Favorites from Buzz Readers: 

In addition to compiling my own list, I reached out to some Buzz residents to hear what they loved this year. Our lists have some overlap: The Women by Kristin Hannah and Family Family by Laurie Frankel both made my list as well and are highlighted below. 

Nicole Anderson: The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys – “This is a book I would not have picked up on my own but was part of a book club event with my travel club. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their personal struggles set in the historical time of the 1950s in Spain while it was under a dictatorship. I thought the author did a wonderful job developing the characters in her descriptions and their experiences.” 

Amanda McGee: “Believe it or not, The Women was my first Kristin Hannah novel, and it did not disappoint. This is the first historical fiction book I have read about Vietnam and being the age I am, it truly resonated with me having had family serve in Vietnam. Also, while this book is historical fiction, it has an amazing love story, with twists and turns throughout. Rarely do I find a book that touches my heart, makes me laugh hard and cry just as hard, and is written beautifully.” 

Lori Fisher: “My favorite book of the year so far is The Women by Kristin Hannah. This historical fiction book pulls you in right away and was so hard to put down. I learned so much about the Vietnam War and the aftermath for veterans, especially women veterans. It is a story that sticks with you long after you finish reading it.” 

Celia Anderson: “Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout – This is absolutely the best book I have read recently! A new book by Elizabeth Strout is like a cozy chair and a glass of wine! Her collection of quirky characters are old friends you’ve been missing. It’s nice to read her books in order but equally satisfying to start with this new one. The interconnections and deep-felt kindness stand out and makes me feel better about humanity. Almost makes a person want to join them in small town Maine. Priceless!”

Kelly Hogan: “Family Family by Laurie Frankel – This book was so surprising. This book gives the reader so many points of view about motherhood, when it comes to being one and when to choose being one, and does it so successfully. It is not overly complicated and all the characters come together so beautifully.”

Editor’s note: Book reviewer Cindy Burnett also writes our weekly Page Turners column. She hosts an award-winning book podcast entitled Thoughts from a Page Podcast www.thoughtsfromapage.com, runs the Instagram account @thoughtsfrompage, and regularly speaks to groups about books