This was a weird year for reading, for a variety of reasons. I'll start by saying that I read significantly less this year than I did in 2019 -- but I still read a lot more than I expected to, given the birth of my twins in early May. 2020 brought me motherhood (times two),... Continue Reading →
Every year since starting Novel Novice, I've ended the year with my annual "Best of" books list. But this year, I don't feel like it's really fair to do a "best of" list, considering I focused less on reading review books, and more on reading whatever the heck I felt like. So with that in... Continue Reading →
This year, my #1 "reading resolution" was to accept/request fewer review books so I'd have more time to read whatever I wanted -- be it backlist, new releases that weren't for review, or something else altogether. As I previously mentioned, my SIL accidentally got me started on reading romance this year -- and so a... Continue Reading →
It's hard to believe that it's already mid-December, and another year has come and gone. But doesn't it feel like that every year? Anyway, with the close of one year, it's time to look back on the year's best reads. Here are my picks for the Best YA Books of 2018 (roughly in order of... Continue Reading →
Another year is coming to a close, so it's once again time to look back on the year's best books. Now, full disclosure, this list is based on the best books I read - and undoubtedly, I missed a lot of amazing books. (For example, THUG is still on my TBR pile. I know, I... Continue Reading →
I read a lot less middle grade this year than I have in years past - I think it had more to do with my mood and personal tastes this year than anything else - but of the ones I did read, there were a few stand-outs. Here are my picks for the Best Middle... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, we brought you our picks for the Best Young Adult Books of 2016 -- and today, we turn our attention to the Best Middle Grade Books of 2016! These are the middle grade books that made us laugh and cry and feel something powerful, and although the intended audience may be kids in the... Continue Reading →
Another year is coming to a close, so that means it's time to look back on my favorite reads from the last twelve months. Looking back, it's interesting to take note of the books that really spoke to me. I read quite diversely, and this list really shows that. This list includes contemporary, historical fiction,... Continue Reading →
Today, we're doing something new here at Novel Novice -- reflecting back on the top blog posts of the last year. We've never done that publicly before (though I always review the year-end site stats privately) -- but I thought it would be fun to see what posts you guys loved the most in 2015.... Continue Reading →
I did not read nearly as much middle grade this year as I did last year -- not for any particular reason, I think. Last year I was just really into MG, and this year not so much. But of the MG books that I did read, there were some true stars. Here are my... Continue Reading →
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