My Top Favorite Books So Far This Year
This is just a small compilation of the books I have enjoyed so far this year. I tried to include a few books from every age group, and a variety of different genres. You might just find something that sparks your interest.
Fiction
If you want a book that reads like a Chinese drama, this is the one for you. Liyen, the main female character, ascends the throne when her grandfather passes away. However, she ventures to the Immortal Realm to strengthen her kingdom against the perils it faces and confronts the God of War.
Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan
genre: fantasy, romance
page count: 464
A group of five students plots to steal back China’s lost sculptures scattered around the globe. Each of them is in it for a different reason, but will they successfully pull off the heist?
Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li
genre: mystery
page count: 375
Nonfiction
Maybe you have heard of the Murdaugh family and the violent events that brought down a dynasty. Power and influence in the Murdaughs’ hometown shaped years of privilege and evasion of the law.
The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty by Valerie Bauerlein
genre: true crime
page count: 480
A powerful story about Eddie Jaku and the horrors he faced in Buchenwald, Auschwitz, and the Nazi death march. In his biography, he shares how he overcame the trauma and found a path to living his life to the fullest.
The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku
genre: biography, history
page count: 200
While World War II raged, Japan raped, tortured, and murdered over 300,000 Chinese people. The book details these historical events from the perspectives of Japanese soldiers, the Chinese, and the Europeans and Americans who established a safe zone in the city for many Chinese civilians.
The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II by Iris Chang
genre: history
page count: 290
Young Adult
In the first book of a trilogy, the author creates a harsh and unforgiving world for women and those who wield magic. Elsa, the main protagonist, lives in fear of anyone discovering her gift of songlight. One day, she meets another girl who also possesses the gift, and their actions put them in danger as they are thrust into the middle of a war.
Songlight by Moira Buffini
genre: fantasy
page count: 384
Juvenile
Orion is a little afraid of the dark. When Dark visits and takes him on an adventure, Orion gradually overcomes his fear.
Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett
genre: fantasy, adventure
page count: 40
Dr. Morley is in search of the legendary giant Arctic jellyfish. Is it even real? She explores the Arctic extensively in hopes of catching a glimpse of this elusive creature.
The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage
genre: adventure
page count: 32