Top Ten Tuesday is a feature run by BrokeAndBookish each week – I’m thinking I might not take part every week but just see if a week takes my fancy. Where has this year gone?! As we’ve only got a few weeks left, here’s the ten books I’ve loved the most this year. In June I talked about my favourite books I’d read so far this year so if you want to know about some other awesome books and to see which ones made both lists shimmy over here.

For once I’ve put these in order, going from ten to my number one book of the year.

10. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I love me some thrillers with unreliable narrators and The Girl on the Train certainly has that! I loved how Rachel wasn’t reliable or even likable a lot of the time and it was one of those mysteries that left me guessing till the gripping finale.

 
9. Fear and Loathing in La Liga: Barcelona vs Real Madrid by Sid Lowe
Barcelona and Real Madrid’s rivalry is legendary and Fear and Loathing in La Liga delves deep into both clubs history and looks at Spain’s history too. This was a fascinating read, it was sometimes a bit dense and a little dull when it was talking about players I didn’t know about but on the whole it was great read.

 
8. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
I thought A Monster Calls was just a children’s book and I was so wrong! Yes it has illustrations and is about a young boy but it deals with grief and death and abandonment so well. It really makes you think and the beautiful passages go so well with the often scary drawings.

7. Five Ghosts Vol. 3: Monsters & Men by Frank J. Barbiere, Chris Mooneyham and Lauren Affe
This is one of my favourite comics I’m reading at the moment and Monsters & Men was a great chapter in the story. I just love the art style so much and it’s full of action and adventure! Plus, this book had Van Helsing in it and he was awesome!

 
6. Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates
The Everyday Sexism project is fascinating and Laura Bates has turned the stories from the project into a book that examines sexism in the workplace, at school, in public spaces and in the media. It’s an eye opening read and really makes you think.

 

5. Techbitch by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza
Techbitch is all about the modern magazine and how people don’t always read magazines and prefer the app version. Imogen is the editor who is a bit like a fish out of water but soon gets better at the technobabble, I loved Imogen and how she learned throughout the book. It’s also a really fun quick read which is something I always like.

 

4. Winter by Marissa Meyer
I read the entirety of The Lunar Chronicles these past few months and while I loved them all, Winter was certainly a highlight. The finale of a series often has a lot to live up to and Winter certainly delivered. There was loads of action and intrigue and great characters flourish. A great and satisfying to a brilliant series.

 

3. Secret Avengers by Ales Kot and Michael Walsh
Secret Avengers is a lot of fun. The characters are great, the story’s exciting and fun, and the art is wonderful. If you’re not sure where to start with Marvel comics – give Secret Avengers a go. I love this series a ridiculous amount and everyone has their time to shine.

 
2. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
Bad Feminist is a collection of essays about feminism and it’s an engaging read. It makes you think about the media, society and politics but it’s all easily accessible and there’s some humour in it too – in many senses you’ve got to laugh or else you’ll cry.

 

1. The Martian by Andy Weir
I loved the humour in this book. Mark Watney has such a realistic voice, I can image him being on Mars and being like “Well now what? Guess I’ll grow some potatoes and science the shit out of this!” All the characters were interesting and flawed and the story was gripping and funny. The Martian is also one of my favourite films of the year and it’s definitely one of the best book-to-film adaptations I’ve seen in a long time. I just love this book OK!

What are your favourite books of the year?