My Favourite Books of the Year So Far!

Hello everyone!! I’ve read 70 books so far and most of them were amazing! I usually do give a lot of books 5 star ratings but here are a few books that I REALLY REALLY loved and are very close to me </3

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Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating: Alright. So, the amount of serotonin this book gave me is indescribable. Two South Asian queer girls fake dating?? I think yes. I loved this book so much and I was so happy to finally read a YA contemporary romance with two very loveable South Asian characters </3

Iron Widow: So I was granted the ARC of Iron Widow a few months ago and it’s safe to say I will never ever stop talking about this book. The pitch was stunning and I loved reading about a strong main character inspired by China’s only female emperor, Wu Zetian. The book explored so many aspects and also included historic practices in the otherwise futuristic world of Huaxia!

Jade Fire Gold: Okay, so *insert some incoherent screams* Jade Fire Gold is one of my favourite books. I was granted the ARC earlier this year and I LOVED IT SO MUCH! I loved the characters, the setting, the descriptions, and inspirations. Jade Fire Gold is a YA fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology as well as Xianxia and Wuxia elements. I had never actually read a book like Jade Fire Gold before but the author has explained where it got its inspiration, any aspects that are inspired by history and a lot of other things via her Instagram. So check that out if you want any information about what Jade Fire Gold is really about : ) Also Ahn’s adoptive grandma reminded me a lot of my grandmother whom I was very close with, so that was another thing that made me very happy while reading it!

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Not Here to Be Liked: I read the ARC of this book a few months earlier and it was perfect! I loved how NHTBL was based on feminism but it also talked about intersectional feminism which is super important. Eliza was described as an “unlikable” character, but in my opinion she was one of the best character’s I’ve ever read about! The romance was pretty cute too </3

These Violent Delights & Our Violent Ends: Look I can’t form coherent thoughts so i’ll just leave it at this. 1920s, Shanghai, two rival gangs, the heirs of those gangs are former lovers turned to enemies, they have to work together or their city will be destroyed, SO. MUCH. ANGST. These books have caused me a life time of pain and trauma, but will I stop recommending them? No : )

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Ace of Spades: I don’t read thrillers BUT THIS BOOK, this book was fantastic. Everything was so unpredictable and the characters were really well developed. The ending was spectacular and I will definitely be reading any other book written by Faridah!

Heartstopper: These graphic novels are the most wholesome thing I have ever read. I pretty much read them at every minor inconvenience, so I mean?? Nick and Charlie are the best people to ever exist and Alice Oseman deserves every award there for writing these books and sharing them with the world!!

Sisters of the Snake: This was one of the first Indian YA fantasies I have ever read, and I LOVED IT. I loved how little aspects from Indian culture were incorporated into this book, it was just all so familiar and comforting!! Usually fantasies with South Asian protagonists don’t talk much about culture’s from actual places, because OF COURSE it’s a fantasy book, but I loved how Sasha and Sarena were able to include a lot of Indian inspired things in Sisters of the Snake!!

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So yes those are my favourite books of the year so far!

Have you read any of these books? What have been some of your favourite books of the year so far? Let me know in the comments below!

Sending incoherent screams as always,

– Kashvi