16 BOOKS I NEED TO READ IN 2016

I know this post is really late in the game, but that's life. At least mine.

I need books, and more books, and more and more books. Books. Books. Books. BOOOOOKS. What? I'm not obsessed...

*This list is in order of crazy need, kind of... All comments on the books are my own, but the synopses are from Goodreads, because I'm really lazy and not that creative.

16. The Shadowhunters Series by Cassandra Clare

The Need  is Strong: 

It is about time. There's like a thousand diferent books in this series, like hundreds of prequels, sequels, spin-offs and companion novels. A movie and a tv show. The only thing that they have left to do is a freaking theme park, but lets just give them time...

Apparently everyone has read the books but me, so I just have to do it, you know? I don't wanna feel left out...

And besides, the books are about cool people with cool "tattoos" and cool leather clothes that kill a bunch of cool weird stuff. What's not to like?


City of Bones 

Series: The Mortal Instruments #1

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance...

Synopsis:

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder― much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

ADD to Goodreads


Clockwork Angel 

Series: The Infernal Devices #1

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Steampunk...

Synopsis:

In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever.

The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans.

Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them...

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15. You by Caroline Kepnes 

Series: You #1

Genres: Thriller, Contemporary, Mystery, Adult...

The Need  is Strong: 

Creeptastic!!!

This series is about a weird-ass dude that obssesses just a little bit too much about a girl.

So you have the opportunity to put yourself in the loony's shoes, in addition of the victim's, without risk of lose your marbles in real life .

Isn't it fun being a fictional psychopath for a couple of hours a day?

Synopsis: 

When a beautiful, aspiring writer strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he Googles the name on her credit card.

There is only one Guinevere Beck in New York City. She has a public Facebook account and Tweets incessantly, telling Joe everything he needs to know: she is simply Beck to her friends, she went to Brown University, she lives on Bank Street, and she’ll be at a bar in Brooklyn tonight—the perfect place for a “chance” meeting.

As Joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of Beck’s life, he orchestrates a series of events to ensure Beck finds herself in his waiting arms. Moving from stalker to boyfriend, Joe transforms himself into Beck’s perfect man, all while quietly removing the obstacles that stand in their way—even if it means murder.

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14. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff 

Series: The Illuminae Files #1
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance...

The Need  is Strong: 

There's pictures and things and stuff. It's different and looks cool. And that is the main reason (or the only one, if I'm being totally honest) why I want to buy the book.

The synopsis sounds a little bit meh and I think it's gonna be too lovey dovey for me. Who cares about your ex-boyfriend? It's the end of the world, girl!

But I'm going to give it a chance, maybe it surprises me. And you know... Cool pictures and things and stuff. I'm not that demanding.

Synopsis:

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

ADD to Goodreads

13. Saga Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

Series: Saga #1
Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Science Fiction...

The Need  is Strong: 

I don't read a lot of graphic novels, mainly just Buffy the Vampire Slayer, because fangirl, but I want to change that.

So no terrestrial monsters for me this time, just extra-terrestrial ones.

In this graphic novel there's doomed, impossible love, Romeo & Juliet style, crazy alien wars and sexy times. Yeah, I want.

Synopsis:

When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe.

Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds.

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12. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Series: Six of Crows #1

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult...

The Need  is Strong: 

Whaaaat? It's this like Ocean's Eleven with magic? Whaaaaat? Sign me in, damn it.

Let's just go to rob some casinos or whatever to Las Vegas from Fantasyworld (that is just like Las Vegas, but with less strange creatures) and do magic and just be super-cool.

I know this book is like a spin-off or something of The Grisha Trilogy, but I don't know if I'm gonna read them before Six of Crows, because Ocean's Eleven with magic wins to whatever the others are about. So... Yeah. Want.

Synopsis:

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.  A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

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11. The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Series: The Young Elites #1

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance, Adventure...

The Need  is Strong:

The main character has silver hair and a big-ass scar where her left eye should've been!!! And it looks like she is a powerful vengeful bitch!!! With silver hair and no left eye!!! What can I say...? I'm weak.

It sounds really good, but I'm a little bit scared because it seems like it's going to include a love triangle and... Yeah, no thanks. But I'll deal with it, like I do with (almost) EVERY SINGLE ONE of YA books nowadays.

Synopsis:

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was.

Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

ADD to Goodreads

10. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Series: Me Before You #1

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Drama...

The Need  is Strong: 

Sad. Cry. Cry. Ugly cry. Feelings.

I usually don't read a lot of sad books or contemporary ones, but everybody speaks so highly about this one that I'm gonna trie it, because I don't have any personality at all, it seems like.

And also because Emilia Clarke, my Khaleesi and yours, is in the movie. And you know... Love.

Synopsis:

Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

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9. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #1

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, New Adult...

The Need  is Strong: 

Faeries. Yeaaah... I don't do faeries... Usually. I don't know... It's not like I'm a faerie-hater, they're really cool, don't get me wrong, with their big, sparkly wings, and their long, long, lovely hair covered in flowers and their ethereal almost transparent dresses...

Ummmm... Maybe that's the problem... I can't imagine faeries being that scary or you know... Male. But, whatever, It looks like I will make an exception with this one, because Beauty and the Beast. And I love me some Beauty and the Beast.

Synopsis:

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it... or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

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8. Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

Genres: Non Fiction, Mental Health, Autobiography, Memoir, Adult...

The Need  is Strong: 

I would like to read more non fiction and memoir books because it's seems really interesting to me to know more about peoples lives and thoughts, I don't know why I don't do it more.

This looks like one that I could love. I.ve heard that the author, who suffers from anxiety and depression, takes a very serious topic like mental illness, and puts a funny spin on it. I really need something like this.

Synopsis:

I want life. I want to read it and write it and feel it and live it. I want, for as much of the time as possible in this blink-of-an-eye existence we have, to feel all that can be felt. I hate depression. I am scared of it. Terrified, in fact. But at the same time, it has made me who I am. And if - for me - it is the price of feeling life, it's a price always worth paying.

Reasons to Stay Alive is about making the most of your time on earth. In the western world the suicide rate is highest amongst men under the age of 35. Matt Haig could have added to that statistic when, aged 24, he found himself staring at a cliff-edge about to jump off. This is the story of why he didn't, how he recovered and learned to live with anxiety and depression. It's also an upbeat, joyous and very funny exploration of how live better, love better, read better and feel more.

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7. The Archived by Victoria Schwab

Series: The Archived #1

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Science Fiction, Dystopia...

The Need  is Strong: 

Dead people are stored is shelves like books!! Or soup cans!! Fun. Fun. Fun. I honestly hope the main character doesn't like to do shelfies. Because... no. 

It sounds so different, cool and amazing!!! I cannot wait!!! Welll... I guess I can wait, because I haven't bought yet... because lots and lots of good books in life and no money at all, but you get me, right?

Synopsis:

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was: a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous—it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost, Da's death was hard enough, but now that her little brother is gone too, Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself may crumble and fall.

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6. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Series: The Darkest Minds #1

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Young Adult, Fantasy...

The Need  is Strong: 

Girl with powers. Evil government "rehabilitation camp". Sanctuary for odd kids. Brave, swoonworthy guy falls for girl. Girl says no, dude, I'm dangerous; but ok, let's hook up; but no, dude, I'm dangerous. But yes. I will love it.

I get the feeling the only thing I'm saying in every book I talk about is: "It sounds really really cool. I really really wanna read it. (Insert some kind of dumb joke.) The End." I don't even know anymore. Sorry. (Sigh)

Synopsis:

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living.

ADD to Goodreads

5. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Series: Red Queen #1

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy...

The Need  is Strong: 

The cover. Oh, God. The cover. With that crown and the red blood dripping. Nice and beautiful and sweet things.

Sometime ago I debated with myself if I wanted to read this one or Red Rising because they sound almost exactly the same, only in Red Rising there are Golds instead of Silvers.

I like silver jewelry more, so I chose this one. That's the way I make decisions, sometimes.

Synopsis:

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart...

ADD to Goodreads

4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass #1

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Adventure...

The Need  is Strong: 

I'm sooo late to the party that the party is over and everybody is dead. Or... you know... reading the fourth book in the series, like normal people.

I just bought this one so maybe this month it's the month! I will try, I really will, but so many books, so little time.

It looks so good that I can't deal with my life. She is an assassin and has two giant swords on the cover. Aaaaaahhhhh!!! It's ok. I'm ok. Just breath. Ok. It's just a book. It's just a booooooaaaaaaahhhhh!

Synopsis:

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

ADD to Goodreads

3. Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fairy Tale Retellings, Romance...

The Need  is Strong: 

If I'm totally honest I don't know what to say anymore. There's too many books in this list and my brain it's just a brain. But, here we go...

Why? Why I need to read this book, you ask? (Probably not, but anyway...) Let me tell you the reasons...

Marissa Meyer. Fairytale retelling. Queen of Hearts. And she's a baker. What? Enough said.

Synopsis:

Long before she was the terror of Wonderland — the infamous Queen of Hearts — she was just a girl
who wanted to fall in love.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king's marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship.

Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

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2. UnBound by Neal Shusterman

Series: Unwind Dystology #5

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Short Stories...

The Need  is Strong: 

I haven't bought this book yet because it's out only in hardback and I'm cheap as heck, so I'm waiting for the paperback. I hope it's out soon, or i'm gonna start tearing people apart. Nicely.

This is the last book (even if it's only short stories and the main series it's already over) in one of the firsts series that I read and loved. Unwind, you will be missed. Sniff, Sniff. But rereads are a thing, so I'm a-ok.

Synopsis:

(Maybe Spoilerific if you have not read the rest of the series)

In the New York Times bestselling Unwind Dystology—Unwind, UnWholly, UnSouled, and UnDivided—Neal Shusterman thrilled readers with the story of a society that deals with its out-of-control teens by “unwinding” them—transplanting more than 99% of their bodies into other people.

In the latest installment of this sequence, Shusterman—along with collaborators Terry Black, Michelle Knowlden, Brendan Shusterman, and Jarrod Shusterman—explores even more aspects of a world that has accepted the unacceptable. These short stories examine the world of unwinding in a way we haven’t seen before, providing a fresh framework, new characters, and a different take on some events.

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1. Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

Series: The Lunar Chronicles 0.5, 0.6, 1.5, 3.1, 3.6

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction...

The Need  is Strong: 

I adore this series so much I wanna marry all the books and live happily ever after in our little polygamist family of weirdos.

Like with UnBound, the main series of the Lunar Chronicles is over, and we all have cried about that already. But we still have this one, with short stories old and new and an epilogue with a wedding. Oh, dear. Gimme.

Synopsis:

(Maybe Spoilerific if you have not read the rest of the series)

The enchantment continues....

With nine stories—five of which have never before been published—and an exclusive never-before-seen excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s upcoming novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles.

The Little Android: A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles.

Glitches: In this prequel to Cinder, we see the results of the plague play out, and the emotional toll it takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch….

The Queen’s Army: In this prequel to Scarlet, we’re introduced to the army Queen Levana is building, and one soldier in particular who will do anything to keep from becoming the monster they want him to be.

Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky: Thirteen-year-old Carswell Thorne has big plans involving a Rampion spaceship and a no-return trip out of Los Angeles.

The Keeper: A prequel to the Lunar Chronicles, showing a young Scarlet and how Princess Selene came into the care of Michelle Benoit.

After Sunshine Passes By: In this prequel to Cress, we see how a nine-year-old Cress ended up alone on a satellite, spying on Earth for Luna.

The Princess and the Guard: In this prequel to Winter, we see a game called The Princess

The Mechanic: In this prequel to Cinder, we see Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective.

Something Old, Something New: In this epilogue to Winter, friends gather for the wedding of the century...

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