Christmas Countdown - Books in Review

It's Christmas Eve and I'm sure a lot of you are ticking down the last minutes till the end of the workday or some may have started their holidays already! Perhaps you're traveling to see loved ones or staying put and welcoming guests into your home. Or better yet, perhaps you've got time off to snuggle under cozy blankets and catch up on some great reads.

If the latter is in your near future, here are a few books that made the top of my list this year. Not all YA but sure to knock your socks off. 

ROOM by Emily Donoghue

I watched the movie, then quickly ordered the book. Word of advice if you happen to watch and read in that order: if you are a sleep deprived mother at one of those schmancy theatres where they let you drink win at your seat, WARNING! Your eyes will become overflowing reservoirs of salty liquid for TWO HOURS!

EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU by Celeste Ng

Reading Ng's debut is like listening to Adele for the first time. I know, that's a mighty comparison but you don't make it to the top of Amazon's list of 100 Best Books in 2014 because you're average. Ng's story is about characters that love and live and make you want to hug your child. 

I think I'm noticing a trend here?

THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristin Hannah

A story of two sisters during WWII who couldn't be more different. The author makes writing strong female characters seem easy - but that's because she does it so well. If you're looking for a study in conflict, this is the book. 

Two non fiction books also made my list.

YEAR OF YES by Shonda Rhimes

Shonda, Shonda, Shonda. As blogmate Lauren mentioned, I recommend audio booking this one because Rhimes' voice is like butter and she invites you to drink wine with her. A glass of wine in one hand and Rhimes' voice dancing in your ear and singing words of wisdom (or drink more wine). It's a fabulous treat. 

Apparently wine is another trend in my life.

JUST MERCY by Bryan Stevenson

Real, intense. We take a journey with the author as he battles the broken system that is death row. Hooked by the first page.

PAPER TOWNS by John Green

An oldie but a goodie.  My YA pick for the year. It's young, it's fun and if you finish the book, you can pick up the movie and compare.

What were your picks of the year?

Happy Holidays!

To Fiction or Non-To Fiction

Truth be told, I've spent a lot of time these past few weeks reading adult non-fiction and it's been intense and eye opening.  From JUST MERCY by Bryan Stevenson to UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand (which coincidentally also has a young adult adaptation) to my most recent read BEING MORTAL: MEDICINE AND WHAT MATTERS IN THE END by Atul Gawande. BEING MORTAL speaks to how we deal with the end of our long lives - talk about an issue that's at the totally opposite spectrum of what our youth are thinking about today. 

We've discussed many young adult fiction novels here at Thinking to Inking, but there are many great non-fiction titles that evoke stories of strength against adversity, unbelievable circumstances and take you to a place you've never been before. 

The winner and finalists of the 2015 Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) do all of the above.  LAUGHING AT MY NIGHTMARE by Shane Burcaw details with humour how he deals with the trials and tribulations of living with spinal muscular atrophy.  INDA M. TARBELL: THE WOMAN WHO CHALLENGED BIG BUSINESS - AND WON! by Emily Arnold McCully is especially poignant given how far we've come from the 1800's and yet in some cases, how easy it is to slip back (Bratz toys anyone?). This story is sure to inspire any young girls and her pursuits.  

A biography was just recently published by Eric Braun about everyone's favourite YA author John Green.  That's at the top of my reading list. 

So what non-fiction YA books are you reading right now?  I'd love to know!