It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Well, now that Halloween is over, the leaves are almost all off the trees and the sun is setting earlier than ever, it’s officially the most wonderful time of the year — the Goodreads Choice Awards!

The opening round began Tuesday and goes through Sunday, Nov. 23 to narrow the field. The final round is from Tuesday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Nov. 30 with winners announced Dec. 4. Anyone with a Goodreads account can vote!

There are 15 total categories, and I’m happy to say I’ve read something in 10 of the categories. The only ones I haven’t read any in are horror (surprise, surprise), debut novel (not sure how this happened), young adult fiction, nonfiction and history & biography.

Fiction

I’ve read two of the fiction nominees and voted for “Wild Dark Shore” by Charlotte McConaghy, one of my top reads of the year. If you’re looking for a quick page turner, this isn’t the book. This is a book you sit with and it stays with you forever.

The other book I read was “My Friends” by Fredrik Backman (4.5 stars), another great read! The one on the list I’d like to read most is “The Academy” by Elin Hilderbrand.

Historical Fiction

I’ve read three (and a half) of the historical fiction nominees and I haven’t voted yet as I’m trying to turn that three and a half into four. I’m currently reading “Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and I want to finish it before voting.

The other three I’ve read are “Broken Country” by Leslie Hall (4 stars), “Isola” by Allegra Goodman (4 stars) and The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner (4.5 stars). It will come down to “Atmosphere” vs “The Amalfi Curse” for my vote.

The only other book on the list I’d be interested in reading is “What Kind of Paradise” by Janelle Brown.

Mystery and Thriller

I’m shocked to have read three books on the mystery and thriller list, my vote going to “The Missing Half” by Ashley Flowers. I gave this book four stars. I’ve also read “Heartwood” by Amity Gaige (3.5 stars) and “Beautiful Ugly” by Alice Feeney (3 stars). None of these books blew me away, but the first was my favorite.

There are two Frieda McFadden books on the list, “The Crash” and “The Tenant” as well as a Lisa Jewell novel - “Don’t Let Him In,” that I could see myself picking up at some point if they aren’t too scary.

Romance

Romance, romance, romance. This category is the bane of my existence every year. I’ve only read three in this category but have six others on my to-be-read list. I voted for “Say You’ll Remember Me” by our queen, Abby Jimenez (5 stars).

I’ve also read “Great Big Beautiful Life” by Emily Henry (4 stars) and “Deep End” by Ali Hazelwood (5 stars). Though Henry’s book is my least favorite of the three, it will likely win as she has won this category (to my dismay) the last four years.

Here’s a quick list of the six on my TBR: “Wild Side” by Elsie Silver; “One Golden Summer” by Carley Fortune; “Scythe and Sparrow” by Brynne Weaver; “Tourist Season” by Brynne Weaver; “Problematic Summer Romance” by Ali Hazelwood and “The Favorites” by Layne Fargo.

Romantasy

It seems to be a trend — I’ve read three in the romantasy category, and I voted for “Shield of Sparrows” by Devney Perry (5 stars).

I also read “The Knight and the Moth” by Rachel Gillig (4.5 stars) and Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (5 stars). All three of those books are very deserving of the award, but the one I voted for just had that extra something.

The book I’m most looking forward to reading on this list is “Accomplice to the Villain,” the third book in Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s “Assistant to the Villain” trilogy. I’ve already read and loved the first two; thank you Erin for the recommendation!

Fantasy

I’ve read two of the fantasy nominees and voted for “The Sirens” by Emilia Hart (5 stars). The other one I read was “Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil” by V.E. Schwab (4 stars).

I plan on reading “The Everlasting” by Alix E. Harrow. It seems to not be horror like her hit novel, “Starling House.”

Science Fiction

I’m shocked to have read one of these nominees, “The Compound” by Aisling Rawle (5 stars). It was a fantastic read, and I didn’t really think of it as sci-fi as much as literary thriller. Either way, it was great.

Audiobook

I listened to three of these nominees — “Broken Country” by Clare Leslie Hall (4 stars), “My Friends” by Fredrik Backman (4.5 stars) and “Great Big Beautiful Life” by Emily Henry (4 stars). I voted for Backman’s book, narrated by Marin Ireland.

Young Adult Fantasy

I read two books in this category, ultimately choosing “Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins (5 stars). I went in knowing exactly what would happen and it still broke me. I’ve also read “Rebel Witch” by Kristen Ciccarelli (4 stars).

I’ve been told by Erin that I need to read “The Rose Bargain” by Sasha Peyton Smith, and I know that’s where her vote is going.

Memoir

In Memoir, I’ve read only one, but another is at the top of my TBR. I voted for “The House of My Mother,” by Shari Franke (4 stars). If I finish reading “Semi-Well Adjusted Despite Literally Everything,” by Alyson Stoner before Dec. 3, I may change my vote in the finals!