It’s not even a contest.
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Category Archives: best of
Best of 2016: Mystery
This category includes everything within the same zone: thrillers, suspense, detective fiction, crime fiction. If it’s related, I’m rating it here. I expected this to be my toughest call because I read so many books of this genre, but when I had a look at the original titles I’d seen this year, and then eliminated those crossover novels that had already been awarded as the best of some other genre on this site, it was down to three books. Unbelievable…but not at all mysterious.
MY TOP THREE:
Best of 2016: Historical Fiction
There weren’t a lot of outstanding historical novels this year, but those that are good are oh, so good. Every single one of these five titles owned me until the story was done; for awhile afterward; and a little bit still.
#1 
HONORABLE MENTION:
Best of 2016: Literary Fiction
I’ll bet you do it too! I’ve found myself postponing the most crowded or hotly contestable categories for last, and literary fiction has been strong this year. It’s a really tough call, but in the end, I went with consistency and charm to break what is almost a five way tie.
#1
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Best of 2016: Horror, Short Stories, Fantasy, and Science Fiction
Best Horror Novel:
Best Short Story Collection:
This category is limited only to original short story collections. Please also note that the new collection by EL Doctorow reviewed on this site has had its publication date pushed to early 2017, which is why you don’t see it here.
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#2 ALSO EXCELLENT, AND INCREDIBLY BRAVE:
Best Fantasy Novels:
ORIGINAL POST:
I hate to declare a tie, which seems like a wimpy thing to do, but I just can’t stand for either of these matchless titles not to receive the honor. One of them has not yet been reviewed here, but it will be soon, so stick around!
LATER NOTE: THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE, ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO BE PUBLISHED IN DECEMBER, HAS BEEN BUMPED TO JANUARY, SO THERE IS NO LONGER A TIE. MITCHARD OWNS THE CATEGORY THIS YEAR.
Best Science Fiction: #1
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#2 ALSO EXCELLENT:
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Best of 2016: Nonfiction
I didn’t have to think twice about this one. This category includes any nonfiction published for the first time this year except for biographies and memoirs, which have their own category on this site. If you haven’t read this one, you should. It’s not only important, but oddly fascinating.
Best of 2016: Humor
I tried. I really did. The fact is, 2016 was a hilarious year, at least where new books are concerned. Each time I chose one, I felt terrible about the excellent titles I wasn’t choosing and that would win in a different, less competitive year. So here’s my #1 choice in this genre, but I also want to remind you of the other 5 star books that made me laugh out loud this year:
#1
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Also outstanding:
Best of 2016: YA
Young adult novels are no longer my life’s work, and I was looking forward to putting the genre behind me entirely. However, once in a rare while a YA title will generate such buzz that I reach for it anyway. My rule for myself with YA books is that for me to feature it, it has to be strong enough to stand on its own with adults as well. This year’s best YA novel is a slam-dunk:
Best of 2016: Memoirs
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR, AND THIS YEAR SEATTLE BOOK MAMA WILL OFFER UP THE YEAR’S BEST, ONE GENRE PER DAY, CONCLUDING WITH THE OVERALL BEST OF THE YEAR. TODAY WE’RE LOOKING AT BEST MEMOIRS. THE YEAR’S BEST:
Best Memoir of 2016
Sometimes ordinary people write the most extraordinary memoirs; Hazzard’s is a case in point. If you haven’t read it, you’re missing a great read, and at times, very funny as well.
A Thousand Naked Strangers: A Paramedic’s Wild Ride to the Edge and Back by Kevin Hazzard *****
Honorable Mention:
Those that enjoy watching Carol Burnett will love this memoir, and those that don’t know who she is need to climb on YouTube and find out. Or click the video included in this review:
In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox, by Carol Burnett****
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