My Favourite Books of 2016

[@lafemmegvantsa8154]

At laaast , someone who reads and discusses literary fiction on KZbin, thank you !

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Great list! We may or may not have some overlap 😉

[@SavidgeReads]

I can't wait for your best of 2016 list. Or your Christmas Haul. Coughs loudly. Lol.

[@terabaird3283]

I could listening to you talk for hours. I love your voice. But now to books! I have not heard of any of those books! They are all on my TBR!!! Thanks for the great video

[@SavidgeReads]

Aww thanks Tera. Fingers crossed you'll have hours of listening (with the podcast) and watching (here) in 2017. Hope you get to some of these soon.

[@jayspencergreen1888]

Super list, Simon. Thanks a million. Really going to destroy my book budget. :-(

[@SavidgeReads]

Oops. Sorry Jay, well I am sort of sorry ;)

[@WhatKamilReads]

Fantastic list with lots of books I know hardly anything about. Apart from The Year of Runaways that I loved haven't read any of those. I have Shelter but you made me wish to read it almost immediately. One Hundred Nights sounds so brilliant, that even the cynical me might liked it :-) have a great 2017

[@SavidgeReads]

I honestly don't think anyone could fail to fall in love with The One Hundred Nights of Hero. Just wonderful. I hope you love Shelter as much as I did. I'll look forward to your thoughts in due course.

[@rachyybaby91]

Hi! I'm a new subscriber and this is the first video of yours that I've watched. I have added most of these books to my to-read list now!

[@boyreadsworld1152]

I'm watching this at 4am while cleaning up after the NYE festivities and eagerly waiting for What Belongs to You and Boy Erased to pop up, so happy them that high on your list! When The Essex Serpents becomes available here, I'll definitely give it a go. Happy new year!

[@SavidgeReads]

And a huge happy new year to you! Loved reading Boy Erased with you in 2017. We need another buddy read or three in 2017.

[@boyreadsworld1152]

SavidgeReads I'd love to! If a book catches my attention in one of your hauls, I'll definitely give you shout on Voxer.

[@InsertLiteraryPunHere]

I love the way you describe books, and I've added some of these to my TBR!

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thank you very much!

[@bettyreads222]

Just found you from AJ's video of her favorite booktubers of 2016 and excited to read many of these books because some I had in my tbr and some I hadn't heard of and they sound so great. :]

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww that AJ is one special lady, thanks for visiting Betty. Hope you'll pop back now and again please. That would be lovely.

[@ginathomas237]

Fantastic list!My top two (because I could not choose one over the other) were The Essex Serpent and The Butcher's Hook. My son gave me 100 Nights of Hero for Christmas, what a beautiful book it is! Look forward to "chatting" with you about bookish things in 2017!!!

[@SavidgeReads]

I look forward to chatting with you too Gina. Your son did very well with that purchase and you have two fabulous top two books. 2016 brought back my love of a good historical novel I think.

[@bookkeeping8283]

Ugh this is such a good list! I cannot WAIT to read The Essex Serpent. My favorite book of 2016 was Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Also, The One Hundred Nights of Hero just arrived at my door and I am psycheddddd!

[@SavidgeReads]

I will be reading Homegoing very, very, very soon. Really looking forward to it.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I need to buy copies of Charlotte Wood & Juny Yun's novels - they sound excellent. I finally read Boy Erased and loved it! Since you connected with The Argonauts so much I'd really recommend a memoir called The Surrender by Scott Esposito which goes into identity & gender in such an interesting and personal way.

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh thanks Eric. I will look up the Esposito, sounds really interesting.

[@LeanneRose]

Great list! You read so many wonderful things in 2016. So many here that I'm hoping to get to soon, so it's very exciting to hear so many good things about them before I go into them. I'm particularly looking forward to getting to Shelter :)

[@SavidgeReads]

What's interesting Leanne Rose is that I thought I had had a pretty lousy one and then I filmed this and felt like actually I'd had a bloody good one. Weird isn't it, perceptions. Lol. Enjoy Shelter when you get to it, if that's the right word.

[@monicahira7936]

Just when I thought no more.... books ;) Fell sounds beautiful, year of the runways sounds fab, mum's in India atm so it reminded me of her (lucky thing). 100 nights of hero I've been eyeing it in Waterstone's for days.. you have persuaded me, see what peer pressure does? lol Happy new Year Simon you lovely human being you! xxx

[@SavidgeReads]

Your mum is indeed very very lucky. I'm jealous. Delighted to have persuaded you to pick up the Greenberg. Highly recommended. Heres to a wonderful new year to us all Monica.

[@ThePoptimist]

One Hundred Nights of Hero - I don’t know how I missed this one last year. Need to get on that one in 2017. And The Essex Serpent! No surprise - love the list.

[@SavidgeReads]

Please make sure you head to both of these at your soonest convienance. Thank you David. Lol.

[@justjuanreader]

Great list, dear Simon! The Butcher's Hook sounds interesting enough for me to read historial fiction. "Fell" and "Essex Serpent" sound absolutely wonderful, but it's impossible to find them here in Mexico. Hopefully they will become available - well, someday. I have "My Name is Leon" and "Shelter" waiting on my TBR, very excited.

[@SavidgeReads]

Can you not get (whispers) Book Depository? That might be the answer to the riddle. I know The Essex Serpent heads a little closer to you in the Summer. Not right to you but closer.

[@msshira1990]

Ooh, the way you bring your top picks makes me want to read them all! :) It actually made me stop the video (sorry, maybe) so I can come back later and watch more of it:P That sounds strange, but it feels a bit like when I read a book I don't want to finish because I like it so much :)

[@BookworminBarrie]

Great sounding books Simon, I have yet to pick up any of them, but I have a list ready and waiting lol!

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I love a list.

[@DeeDeeCatMom]

I got suggested your video by youtube, and now realise that you mostly read contemporary fiction or lit, but that your top two are on my purchase list as well! I just ordered the Essex Serpent in from the UK, as it's not available in Canada, and I can't wait to read it :)

[@SavidgeReads]

Hi Dominique and welcome. You've an absolute treat on its way to you from the UK. Though that said I don't want to overhype it. Hahaha.

[@crystalgardner9168]

You are definitely my favorite KZbinr! I can't wait to dive into all of your recommendations.

[@SavidgeReads]

You are far too kind Crystal.

[@luyuaninkunming]

Dang I just added so so many books to my TBR! Thanks Simon. I'll have to wait for some of these to be published in paperback in the U.S., but sounds like they are worth the wait.

[@SavidgeReads]

If it's any consolation I saw The Tournament of Books long long list yesterday and now want loads of books that aren't available in the U.K. GRRRR.

[@Abebech6]

Again, I want to read all of these!

[@gemma2275]

I was waiting eagerly for your year-end list! I sure love listening to you talk about books you've fallen in love with. Have a great New Year, Simon, full of love, happiness and amazing, wonderful books

[@SavidgeReads]

Oh thank you Gemma may it be a wonderful year for us all, reading and everything else wise.

[@kendrad.winchester9241]

Great list, Simon! I have picked up several of these books on your recommendation and have never been disappointed. 👏📚❤👍🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

Kendra, no higher delight could be given by a comment. Thank you so much. And thanks for being a new book buddy in 2016 and into 2017. Hooray.

[@georgewilliams9695]

Thank you Simon for recommending nothing but the best! Happy New Year!

[@SavidgeReads]

Oh George, you charmer.

[@lyddie465]

Such a wide and excellent selection! So many of these books are on my to-read pile. Can't wait to get stuck in. Hope 2017 is an awesome reading year for you too. c:

[@SavidgeReads]

And may it be an awesome reading year for you too Lydia.

[@JanuarieTimewalker13]

That was frippin' great, Simon!! Lol. Love your channel, keep up the great work! AND Happy New Year!

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thank you so much Linda. It's actually, if I'm allowed to say this, one of my favourite and best videos yet I think. I feel like I finally got the hang of it. Haha.

[@Swamplandia]

I picked up The Gustav Sonata today as my first book for 2017. I'm even more excited to read it now :)

[@SavidgeReads]

I still have a slight book hangover from it Beth. I loved it so much.

[@JeansThoughts]

I'm reading the Butchers Hook right now and loving it! Hopefully a 5 star to start the new year ^_^ and I will attempt to exercise my absolute lack of control over Picador for you aha.

[@SavidgeReads]

Well you might be able to help me with another Picador thing... I might attempt to read all of Oyeyemi this year. I just don't have all the books. Hahahaha. Also you're on for a buddy read of some non fiction this year.

[@mothnaut]

Thanks for the great video! 'The One Hundred Nights of Hero' sounds absolutely awesome - I'm definitely going to seek that one out next time I go book shopping. 'The Hiding Place' also sounds really interesting and it looks like it's being reprinted as a Picador Classic in February! Maybe someone at Picador took notice when you talked about it in an earlier video ;)

[@retiredbooknerd]

Happy New Year, Simon! This gave me some great additions to my already massive TBR.. The entire video is a frippin, rippin' load of awesomeness!!

[@SavidgeReads]

A frippin', rippin' load of awesomeness... I'll take that. Hahaha thank you. And happy new year to you too.

[@karenkoutsoumbaris6308]

Simon that was great, love your reviews and you absolutely bring these books to life. Thankyou so much

[@WoodPecker5454]

New Subscriber here! I love your list of books as it's the type of books I read, can't wait to get reading some of your top 15 this year :)

[@lesleylickley2207]

More like this please, Simon. It's great to see you open the parcels live. Did you delete the part one because you did it all in one video?

[@brittabohlerthesecondshelf]

It looks like you had some great reads last year! Gustav Sonata has been on my to-read-list for some time, and after what you said, I am really looking forward to it. And so happy that somebody else loved The Natural Way of Things, I got the impression I was the only one... And curious: what did you think of the ending of Shelter? Until the last 20 pages or so I thought it would be a 5* read, but the ending spoiled the book for me.

[@SavidgeReads]

Britta, I did think the end of Shelter was a teeny bit OTT but that didn't take away everything else it delivered. Does that make sense, without spoilers. I wasn't sure it could end any other way though. Oh oh oh The Gustav Sonata. I will be talking about that in a video later today.

[@brittabohlerthesecondshelf]

SavidgeReads Ah, looking forward to you talking some more about Gustave Sonata! And re Shelter: I understand what you mean, but I guess I would have liked a more ambigious ending, less 'peaceful'...

[@aaronsreadingroom1449]

These all sound amazing, I added several to my list of books to read in 2017!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hooray! I hope you enjoy them all as much as I did. I need to decide my first book of 2017.

[@robotnic]

Yaaaaass to The Argonauts. I totally just stole your chat about it for my own best of video too 😅 I'd like to get to Shelter and The Essex Serpent in 2017.

[@chboskyy]

Great varied list Simon! I need to get to The Argonauts this year, I've seen it on 3 different people's now!

[@SavidgeReads]

Oh it is just soooooooo good Vanessa. Sooooo good.

[@OliviaReadinglikeamadwomanPope]

Amazing picks. I need to read so many of these! My name is Leon is still on my shelf and I know I'm going to love it. Must get to it soon!! :D

[@SavidgeReads]

Olivia you must you must you must.

[@13MaryLou11]

i love your recommendations SO much!!

[@tripfictionliterarywanderl1800]

Oh, lovely choice of books. Loved Goats and Sheep and The Gustav Sonata, Maggie O'Farrell... I'll stop. You've picked ace reads!

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you so much. Rose Tremain will probably be in the top 5 given more time. But having finished it only yesterday I couldn't quite do it.

[@hannamelba375]

I also read The Butchers Hook by Janet Ellis last year and even though, at the time, I found it hard to read since it was the weirdest book I had ever read, the more I think about it and the more I appreciate it... I bought the Essex Serpent thanks to you and I am so looking forward to reading it! x

[@SavidgeReads]

I only hope I haven't hyped The Essex Serpent up too much for people Hanna that would sadden me. The Butchers Hook has grown on me too. It's weird and dark but I love both those things in a book.

[@hannamelba375]

I'm sure I will love the Essex Serpent as much as you did, do not worry :), I'll let you know! I also love when my books are a bit weird and dark! Monsters by Fennell Emerald is a bit like that and I adored it. It is very different from The Butcher's Hook, though.

[@suemoro]

So many intriguing books to add to my list of "books to read"!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hoorah. Hope some of them are as wonderful a read for you as they were for me Sue.

[@1book1review]

What a great list, and not only saying that because Mothering Sunday is on it nd you want to read mor of his books now :D

[@SavidgeReads]

So many more of his books. I'm not sure where to head though. I bought one last year and can't remember which one it was now. Oops.

[@1book1review]

SavidgeReads I'd say Waterland, Ever After, Tommorrow, The Sweet Shop Owner, Last Orders. :)

[@sallyscotland4481]

You had me at "saucy, dark, gothic, devilish twist" totally ordered Butchers hook 😁👍

[@frannieforthoughts9527]

What a list! I want to check out shelter and The Essex serpent and My name is Leon!! :D

[@ViennaWaitsBooks]

I've just started Shelter as my first book of 2017 and so far off to a great start!

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh it's such a good beginning of year book. If you know what I mean. I am slightly superstitious about the first book of the year. I've gone for a Highsmith. I need something gripping and a bit dark.

[@loriwald9532]

This 6 year old feed popped up today and was excited to hear about some very interesting looking reads. I need to stop listening to your recs and start readings. 😂😅

[@SavidgeReads]

How funny such golden oldie videos are popping up in peoples feeds. You’re not the first.

[@jamesholder13]

Good List. Happy New Year!

[@SavidgeReads]

And to you James.

[@zoemabbs]

'Dragonsy' - surely an early contender for 2017 word of the year? I loved Essex Serpent, but think I may have preferred The Butcher's Hook. I've had some great reads this year, but the one that's stayed with me most is The Cider House Rules. I might try for some more 'big' books in 2017.

[@SavidgeReads]

Big books in 2017 is definitely on my periphery. I've still not finalised my resolutions for this year. Dragonsy will be in the dictionary by the end of the year I am sure 🐉😂

[@norahmyers5535]

You are amazing, S. xxx

[@ambereatsbooks1477]

I am adding every single book to my want to read list 😊

[@SavidgeReads]

Wow Amber that is the biggest compliment I could receive.

[@grantmichaels8671]

Although I enjoy si-fi and fantasy such a refreshing change to find different genres on book tube just bought Essex serpent today

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you have found something on this channel you like. I need to investigate sci-fi more in the forthcoming months.

[@patrikat2218]

Absolutely love your channel! You might want to check out Vivian Amberville - The Weaver of Odds. It's a new bestseller of the YA, dystopian fantasy genre about a little girl with the power to shape reality. A book with a soul and very, very addicting! Lovely video by the way. keep up the great work!

[@nicolabourneprojectjoy4704]

There are now A LOT more books on my TBR 😊📚

[@SavidgeReads]

Nicola... sorry not sorry. Hahahaha.

[@deeeebbbbbbbbb]

Maltese families are known for our high drama. Still haven't read it but I am buying it as I write this and her other one.

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I didn't realise she had another one. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did Dee.

[@AmyCBooks]

Added many to my to read list.

[@KDbooks]

Were you in Hay today?

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha. Yes, yes I was.

[@victoriahoyle-publichistor6986]

I have been waiting for a nice quiet moment to watch this and it was MARVELLOUS. 😀 oh my god The Essex Serpent, I'm starting to bore people by raving about it constantly. I just love that book so much. I still stop and think of certain moments in it and get a bit teary. Or I think about the wrestling the sheep incident and have a giggle. It's totally a spoiler for my own Best of video to say that, but I don't care. I also loved The Butchers Hook. Who would have thought a Blue Peter presenter could create such a disturbing set of characters? Must must read Eowyn Ivey in 2017, and The Gustav Sonata too, and The Year of the Runaways.

[@SavidgeReads]

I think it's the same with me and The Essex Serpent to be honest Vicky. I bought so many copies for different people this Christmas past. You definitely need to read Ivey, Gustav and Sahota. I think you'll like them all very very much.

[@rholmes2798]

Waiting anxiously in the US for "The Essex Serpent" to be released!

[@CraftyLadyCraftyLady]

Happy New Year.... 😘🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

And a Happy New Year to you Gwen

[@serenacericola528]

This video is definitely the perfect cure for my New Year's Eve hangover but is also disastrous for my wallet - how am I going to get a hold of these awesome books here in Italy?? I blame you for my future bankruptcy, Simon, I blame you.

[@SavidgeReads]

Oops. I apologise Serena but at least you'll have lots to read once your bank account is empty 😂😂😂

[@mariadamore1963]

Question - how is the grammar with The Year of the Runaways? I've read book by Indians authors before and sometimes the book isn't done in English grammar. TIA!

[@SavidgeReads]

Nerd Alert erm. The author is English. So the English is fine. Not that being English should make the grammar any better than if the author were from India. I've never had the problem with grammar from an Indian book. How strange.

[@leabhairagustae7279]

The Essex Serpent is one of my favourite books of all time! I keep pushing it on people. XD

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. Me too. I bought about 8 copies of it for people this Christmas and will be buying a couple more to send overseas tomorrow.

[@ninbin34]

hi, simon. happy new year. a book about india that opened my eyes was the god of small things.

[@SavidgeReads]

I loved that book Billy. In fact I'll be talking about it in a future video in the next few months. Oh and Happy New Year to you too.

[@ninbin34]

the maggie nelson books sounds really interesting

[@SavidgeReads]

It is incredible.

[@KayAmpersand]

Love your list, Simon. We have quite an overlap and I put The Gustav Sonata on my list. I just read Garth Greenwell's What Belongs To You and am so conflicted about it. The man can clearly write - I loved the way he told the story, but the information dump on everything he learned about Bulgaria coupled with how superficially he portrayed the culture was so annoying to me. I am also so tired of the-Westerners-go-to-developing-countries-to-fix-their-problems trope.

[@SavidgeReads]

I can see your flaws with that trope Kay, that said I didn't think What Belongs To You was such a book to be honest. I loved the obsession at it's heart and the cat and mouse and who was which. I also thought the Westerner often made things worse. It's a good book to talk about either way as we can see. Hahaha.

[@charliekavanagh1217]

Your favourite books may not be mine

[@SavidgeReads]

Nope. Totally true. But wouldn’t it be boring if we all liked the same thing all the time!

[@charliekavanagh1217]

@@SavidgeReads Yes it would but if I try anything other than David Baldacci Michael Connelly John Grisham Lynda La Plante Robert Bryndza or Robert Galbraith .I find I can't get into them

[@eclecticreader961]

No non-fiction :(

[@michaeldugan3589]

Boo hoo. I read The Essex Serpent and thought it was a nice story but disappointed because, I quess I must have missed something. Frankly the only bit that made me blush like a school...boy was...

[@michaeldugan3589]

yep

[@SavidgeReads]

Well we can't all love the same books all the time Michael. There's still hope for us.

[@chantsbyo]

Need to stop watching your older videos…broke much!!!! I think I’m going to make lists of books and place them into a jar 🏺!

[@SavidgeReads]

I love the jar idea. I’ll take the no more watching old videos as a compliment. Hahaha.

[@chantsbyo]

@@SavidgeReads absolutely and today I went out and bought a bullet journal with stickers etc to keep track of all the books I intend to read before I die !!! My crafting budgets gone to hell 🙃