BookCrushin’s Deck the Shelves Giveaway –
Best Reads of 2016

Welcome to our 5th Annual Deck The Shelves Giveaway! At the end of each year we do few year end posts and we combine that with giveaways to our readers to help them Deck the Shelves! This year is no different, except we have new bloggers on board to help us create bigger lists! WooHoo! So without further ado, today we bring you our Best Reads of 2016! 

Be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the page, the only requirement is leaving a blog post comment, telling us what your favorite read was this year, and or chatting about our picks!

We will also be posting our Most Anticipated Books of 2017, so check back for another chance to Deck the Shelves.

Be sure to check out our Instagram for another chance to win!

 

Kelly’s Best Reads 2016:

Picking my 5 favorite books I read in 2016 is a task in futility. I love so many books, and I am the kind of reader that is easy to please. I made a short list of 10, and to pare it down is impossible, so I decided since I had the luxury of seeing everyone else’s choices, I would use that as a way to reduce my list as well. I also decided that ACoMaF just doesn’t count because it surpassed everything else I read all year anyways, so it stands above. All my picks are 2016 releases and they all are amazing and I hope you had a wonderful year filled with books!

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
This book destroyed my entire month of May. I couldn’t read another book, nothing was good enough to get my mind out of that damn world, bookhangover at its worst. It is no surprise it won all of my bloggers hearts but also the Goodreads Choice Award for best YA Fantasy of 2016! Just a reminder there are mature themes in this book/series.

1. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Besides ACoMaF, Crooked Kingdom was probably my 2nd most anticipated book of the year, sequels are always hard to recommend, because if the person hasn’t read book 1, than you have to sell them on both books, but let me tell you, I loved Six of Crows and I FLOVED Crooked Kingdom. So much pain, that was so damn relatable, had me in tears, real honest tears for some of this book. I am not OK with saying goodbye to this series or characters. I DEMAND MORE.
Amazon ** Goodreads

2. A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

Holy crap this series is amazing. I was not expecting book 2 to take the turn it did, but damn…it was dark yet hopeful. I loved getting back into the minds and dangers of this world. The only thing that hurts more is that book 3 will not be released until 2018!
Amazon ** Goodreads

3. We are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

I just finished this book and if it wasn’t for other blogger friends it may totally have missed my radar. But boom – blown away! I had to make room on my list for this one. This is contemporary setting and feel but with a slight sci-fi element. It has serious themes and issues that are being dealt with meanwhile the future of the Earth is in the hands of one teenage boy and the aliens who keep snatching him. There is so much heartache and pain and the narrative was so beautifully written. Dear lord more people need to read this book!
Amazon ** Goodreads

4. Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

This book wasn’t on my radar at all in 2015, and than it was everywhere! I loved the raw, realness of this assassin’s tale. It is gritty and bloody. The community uses this hashtag, #stabstabstab, not sure if anything could be more telling as to what kind of book you will be reading. There is the perfect amount of snark and all things dark in this one. As much as I love a bright happy assassin, this is not that book.
Amazon ** Goodreads

5. Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

I actually read quite a few contemporaries this year, as I do each year, but honestly my reading material is mostly sci-fi and fantasy. But Jennifer Niven has this beautiful way of writing that envelopes you and makes you feel whole again. I needed this book in my life when I read it. It was so powerful and uplifting that I wanted to twirl around in a purple bikini! But jokes aside I think this is a book every high schooler should read, bullying has grown exponentially in the digital age, and this book really exposes how it hurts, but also how to overcome.
Amazon ** Goodreads

 

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Shannon’s Best Reads 2016:

So this year was my lowest readership ever. It may have something to do with having a baby (crying newborns wait for no one!). I won’t even make my Goodreads challenge goal! Because of that I don’t really have a plethora of books to choose from because I just didn’t get to read that many. So these top 5 are special because they held my attention through pregnancy tiredness and sleepless nights with a baby. So without further ado:

 

1. Walk The Edge by Katie McGarry

It’s no surprise that Walk the Edge should make my best of list as Nowhere But Here (the first book in this epic series) made my list last year. Razor and Breanna blew Oz and Emily out of the water as sexiest YA couple. This series has drama, romance, tension and a ton of heart. Did I mention the sexy boys in the motorcycle club? Yeah that doesn’t hurt either. If you haven’t read the Thunder Road series I suggest you start as book three will be making it’s way onto shelves in 2017.
Amazon ** Goodreads

2. The Deal (Off Campus #1)  &  3. The Score (Off Campus #3) by Elle Kennedy

I read the Off Campus series by Elle Kennedy at the very beginning of this year and to date I have yet to come across a better bunch of NA reads. The Deal (Off Campus #1) and The Score (Off Campus #3) were on another level of hotness (sorry The Mistake you didn’t make the cut). A series that centers around sexy hockey players and the bad ass girls that tame them? Yes, please. I love this series so much that I just bought book #4 The Goal as I was typing this up!
Amazon ** Goodreads

4. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

This is not one of the traditional books we read over here at Bookcrushin as it is not YA or NA but I came across this amazing sci-fi and was blown away! Although the main character is a married man with a teenage son, the themes that we love so much in some of our much beloved YA novels are all here, a complex main character, mystery, mind blowing sci-fi elements, and of course romance. I cannot recommend this book enough and know that lovers of YA sc-fi and fantasy will still find this a deeply satisfying and fast read.
Amazon ** Goodreads

5. A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorn and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas

I saved my all time favorite read of 2016 for last. I feel like this one will be on A LOT of best of lists for 2016. A Court of Thorn and Roses made my list last year. I have a feeling the next book in the series, A Court of Wings and Ruin will be on everyone’s must read list for 2017. This is bar none, one of my all time favorite fantasy series. I was team Rhys in book one and he literally stole the show in book two. Seriously Rhys and Feyre FOREVER. If you haven’t read this series, make it the top of your to-do for 2017.
Amazon ** Goodreads

 

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Sara’s Best Reads 2016:

1. Frenzy by Casey L. Bond 
Holy cow. This fast-paced atypical vampire novel had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Amazon ** Goodreads

2. From Burning Ashes by Stacey Marie Brown
The perfect kickass conclusion to this perfectly kickass series. Stacey Marie Brown had it all in FBA: action, suspense, humor (Sprig), and sexiness. I will forever love Ryker.
Amazon ** Goodreads

3. A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess
Jessica Cluess knocked it out of the park with this amazing, transportative fantasy novel. Henrietta is a compelling heroine and the setting is its own character. I devoured the book and can’t wait for the sequel.
Amazon ** Goodreads

4. Riders by Veronica Rossi
What to say? This book was gripping, intelligent, and heartfelt. I couldn’t read it fast enough, and I can’t wait for the sequel, Seeker!
Amazon ** Goodreads

5. Remember Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram
Another perfect conclusion to one of my favorite series. How I love the Jamie Baker books! This one was an excellent addition to the series, full of the action, humor, and love I’ve come to expect. And Ryan Miller is book boyfriend perfection.
Amazon ** Goodreads

 

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Kelli’s Best Reads 2016:

1. ACOMAF by Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas slays again with the follow-up to ACOTAR. I was expecting brilliance, but this surpassed even my highest of expectations. I loved the further glimpses into Prythian and other fae and courts. Filled with action, emotion, humor, and sexy moments, Maas wove another phenomenal tale that left me thirsty for book 3!
Amazon ** Goodreads

2. The Only Thing Worse Than Me is You by Lily Anderson
So, this one doesn’t have much buzz around it. It’s pretty much under the radar, but it’s absolutely my favorite contemporary of the year. It’s a witty re-telling of Much Ado About Nothing filled with witty banter and geeky references. I knew I’d love it from the very first sentence. If you enjoy the enemies to lovers trope, check it out!
Amazon ** Goodreads

3. Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
The description of this book alone was enough to nearly gut me. But the words inside…poignant and real. I really felt for Charlotte, and was worried for her as if she were my real-life friend. I haven’t been this touched by a book since All the Bright Places.
Amazon ** Goodreads

4. The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
This one was a pleasant surprise, but I don’t mean that about the story. It’s far from butterflies, rainbows, and unicorns. It’s dark and gripping. It has adult themes and sensitive matters, but they’re written extremely well. And the ending… wow. Outstanding.
Amazon ** Goodreads

5. All the Feels by Danika Stone
I loved this for what it was: a fun, somewhat lighthearted read that showcased geeky fangirls. Plus, it included an awesome trip to DragonCon that had me über jealous! I think this has a little bit for everyone, romance is included. Super enjoyable and underrated.
Amazon ** Goodreads

 

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Nicole’s Best Reads 2016:

1. Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman
It’s not a secret that I love everything that has to do with pirates, so when I saw this debut, I knew I needed it. I read an arc a couple of week before it came out and I promptly gave my heart to Teach. The only downside? Longer time to wait for book 2!
Amazon ** Goodreads

2. Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas
No, I couldn’t leave this off the list. I waited a year for the fifth Throne of Glass book and I enjoyed every second of it. It was a perfect addiction to the series with a mix of old and new characters, new settings, more enemies and more badassery.
Amazon ** Goodreads

3. By Your Side by Kasie West
Okay, this book doesn’t come out until next year (1/31/17), but as a part of this blog, I got access to an arc of it and I finished it in very short time. The story is entertaining and probably every book lovers’ dream but it also deals with mental health, family and other serious issues. It might be one of my favorite books this year.
Amazon ** Goodreads

4. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
I finally picked this one up after letting it sit on my shelf for a year, and boy, did it surprise me! I loved the unique writing format the authors use. The story is compelling and it’s interesting to see everything that is happening through everyone but the man characters’ eyes. You certainly haven’t read anything like this space novel before and you won’t regret doing it now.
Amazon ** Goodreads

5. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
While this list is not in any particular order, I was still thinking about which one to choose: this one, or Ruin and Rising. I ended up picking Six of Crows because of the awesome diverse representation that is missing from Leigh’s other series. While the book is more character driven, the story isn’t boring either. I may be not as in love with it as everyone else, but it’s still up there with my favorite reads of 2016.
Amazon ** Goodreads

 

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Deck the Shelves Giveaway:

**To enter to win you just have to leave a meaningful comment about your Best Reads of 2016, or comment on one of ours…like did we inspire you to add anything to your TBR? Did you purchase it right away? Bumped up reading the book or series after our fangirling?

**To earn additional entries, please follow our blog and in your comment, tell us how you followed, email, bloglovin, twitter, facebook, instagram – and you will earn an additional point for each form of follow!

There will be plenty of books to give away during our Deck the Shelves weeks but here is a sample of what we have on the giveaway pile, we also have some arcs and swag to giveaway with the books:

A Court of Mist and Fury SIGNED by Sarah J. Maas
Riders SIGNED by Veronica Rossi
Reign of Shadows SIGNED by Sophie Jordan
Truthwitch SIGNED by Susan Dennard
Crooked Kingdom SIGNED by Leigh Bardugo

We will pick a few winners for each giveaway post, must follow rules for each post, first winner for each post gets choice, in order, than 2nd winner, 3rd winner and so on. For our International entrants, we will gift the book from Book Depository, as long as BD ships to you … sorry it won’t be a signed copy 🙁  please, feel free to enter to win!

EDIT: This post’s giveaway will close on 12/31/16 at midnight (HNY!).