Favorite books of 2016

My idea of a perfect Saturday would be spent at home wrapped up in a good book.

My love of books is nothing new, growing up as an only child I had to entertain myself and since I came from a family of readers there's no surprise how easy my love of books began. 

Books allows the reader to travel to places you have never been to. You can vicariously experience situations that you may either only dream of (or loathe). But however which way, Iyou would still gain invaluable insights.

Reading also enhances your brain, is a great counseling aid and tool for personal growth, not to mention a wonderful boredom buster. 

Ok, enough with my personal reasons for reading. I read so many books last year from the Kindle store and on hard copy that I compiled a list of my favorite books, you know the ones that's impossible to put down.

1. The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchinson

Once I started this book, I could not put it down until I finished. It's one of those haunting stories where the characters stay with you for days after you finished.

Near an isolated mansion lies a beautiful garden.

In this garden grow luscious flowers, shady trees…and a collection of precious “butterflies”—young women who have been kidnapped and intricately tattooed to resemble their namesakes. Overseeing it all is the Gardener, a brutal, twisted man obsessed with capturing and preserving his lovely specimens.

This book is not for the faint of heart, there were several parts that made me a bit squeamish but overall it was beautifully written. The writer had so many plot twists and turns that kept me hooked and (spoiler alert) had a very satisfying ending.

2. The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

If you haven't noticed by now, I'm a big fan of mystery/thriller books.

Joe talbert is a 21-year-old college student tasked with writing a biographical piece on an elderly individual for his writing class. having no family members fitting the bill, he goes to a nursing home to find a willing participant. the only resident with enough cognitive capacity to take part is carl iverson, a vietnam vet and convicted rapist/murderer released from jail on medical parole after thirty years; he is dying of pancreatic cancer and has been sent to the nursing home to live out his remaining months. 
Iverson agrees to be interviewed as long as joe agrees to complete transparency in all of their dealings.

Although the book has a very familiar plot, it's definitely worth reading. All of the characters are very complicated and complex but really mesh well into the story. There are so many twists that by the end of the book it has shaped into a totally different story. 

3. The Grown-up by Gillian Flynn

I am a huge Gillian Flynn fan! I have read everything she's wrote at least twice. The Grown-up is not necessarily a novel but a short story. It's definitely a good read and would recommend to anyone who appreciates dark humor. 

The narrator is a born and raised scam artist. Her con seems like the perfect mark--rich, desperate, and terrified of the evil she says lives in her house. Staying true to Flynn's style, she takes the story on a psychological thrill ride that leaves you replaying every moment on repeat in your thoughts.

4. 

The Warrior Goddess Way by HeatherAsh Amera

A great follow-up to the original Warrior Goddess training book. This book explains 3 pillars to include in your warrior goddess journey,
Wisdom, authenticity and yes.
Do not read this book unless you have read the warrior goddess training and workbook! Trust me, it will change your life! I love all 3 books and had so many personal revolutions while on my own journey. I truly believe that every woman should read all of HeatherAsh Amera's books.

5. The Girls by Emma Cline

At first I was totally put off by the concept of this book- the girls in the Manson cult?
Then as the book gained more notetriery I was intrigued.
The story focuses on how the girls grew up and what lead them into the cult instead of life with Manson. The book exceeded my expectations and gave an interesting perspective of life in the 60's.

6. The Nest by Cynthia d'Apprix Sweeney

This is probably my favorite book of the year. I loved the trendy high-end New York side and the dysfunctional family side that we can all relate to. 
The story is about 4 siblings who are waiting for the youngest sibbling to turn 40 so they will receive an inheritance (the best). The ups and downs they go through and the humerous battles and clash in personalities made the story hard to put down. 
Everyone that I know that's read this book, has nothing but good things to say about it!

So that's my list of favorite books that I read in 2016. I'm eager to hear from you guys. 
What books would you recommend?
What's on your reading list?
Have you read any of these books?
Until next time, I'll see you in the Kindle store.