Our Favorite Books of 2016Like this list

80 items

• Another Brooklyn

  Woodson, Jacqueline

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  2 votes! I've loved all the Jacqueline Woodson books I've read but this is definitely one of my favorites. She truly works magic with words- every sentence feels important, every paragraph naturally poetic and meaningful. She smoothly…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Underground Airlines

  Winters, Ben H.,

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  This is a provocative alternate history that re-imagines our world if the Civil War never happened and slavery were still state-sanctioned. The book reminded me in its style and the immediacy of its first-person narration of Margaret…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Journey to Munich

  a Maisie Dobbs Novel

  Winspear, Jacqueline, 1955-

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• The Underground Railroad

  Whitehead, Colson, 1969-

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  Has Oprah ever steered us wrong? Well, fine, but this book…this book. Cora is so layered and complex, the plot is often nail-biting, and the alternate world (in which the underground railroad is a literal railroad, among other fantasims)…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Miss Jane

  Watson, Brad, 1955-2020,

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  My kind of story- beautifully simple with amazingly memorable characters. Extra points for it being historical and southern. I was not familiar with Brad Watson but will definitely seek out his other works. (Krystal)

• The Sound of Gravel

  a Memoir

  Wariner, Ruth

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  A powerful and riveting memoir that you won't be able to put down. Be prepared to experience all the emotions. (Amanda)

• Archie

  Waid, Mark, 1962-

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  Great, fresh re-imagining of the classic comic. (Molly)

• Vinegar Girl

  The Taming of the Shrew Retold

  Tyler, Anne,

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• Thug Kitchen

  Party Grub

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• The Hating Game

  Thorne, Sally, 1981-

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  It’s an office rom-com meets a romance novel. And it’s hilarious. (Martha)

• A Study in Scarlet Women

  a Lady Sherlock Mystery

  Thomas, Sherry (Sherry M.)

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  Genderswapped Sherlock Holmes! What’s not to love? This is sharp and witty and an excellent set-up for a new series. (Martha)

• Safe in a Storm

  Swinburne, Stephen R.,

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  Beautifully illustrated, with sharp colors, and a different cast of animal characters. It’s all about little animals being cuddled by their parents, during a bad storm. (Christie)

• The Wicked Boy

  the Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer

  Summerscale, Kate, 1965-

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  True Crime. Victorian Child Murderer. Atmospheric. Historically accurate. (Susan N)

• My Name Is Lucy Barton

  Strout, Elizabeth

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• Lady Cop Makes Trouble

  a Kopp Sisters Novel

  Stewart, Amy,

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  The word "charming" pales as a description of the delightful Miss Kopp, who, along with her sisters, offers an amazingly realistic window to her time and place. Fans of historical mysteries and gentle reads like A.J. Fikry or The Rosie…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• I Love Lemonade

  Sommerset, Mark, 1968-

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  My kids thought this one was hysterically funny—a turkey tries to play a naughty trick on a sheep, and it backfires. Needless to say, it ain’t lemonade in that glass!! (Christie)

• The Last Painting of Sara De Vos

  Smith, Dominic, 1971-

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  Detailed intrigue. Amsterdam 1600's. New York City 1950's. Sydney, Australia, present day. (Susan N)

• Poo in the Zoo

  Smallman, Steve,

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  The title says it all(!) It’s about a pooper-scooper in the zoo, who’s fortune is made when he comes across some neon-green poop. (Christie)

• The Crown's Game

  Skye, Evelyn

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  I wasn't sure what to expect from this one. It was recommended to me by a patron, so I gave it a try. I absolutely have to agree with her assessment. It's fast paced, following the two main characters that you get to see grow and handle…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Eligible

  a Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice

  Sittenfeld, Curtis

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  2 votes! A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice that is total fun. Bingley is a reality TV star, Elizabeth has moved back home to manage her parents, and Kitty and Lydia are avid crossfitters, what's not to love? (Amanda); Fun and…Read moreRead more of this annotation