Favorite Fiction from Last Year

Are you looking for good, clean fiction to read next year? I read a stack of novels every year, so let me recommend a few of my favorites from last year, from classical literature to science fiction to mysteries to thrillers.

Last year I gave Kindle Unlimited a try since I was reading a series that was free on there. I liked it! Most of the books below are (or were) free on Kindle Unlimited.

Classic Literature

Watership Down by Richard Adams

Loved this stirring tale of courage, leadership, exile, and survival. The story follows a band of rabbits who must flee the down (grassy hill) in which they live when men destroy it. They encounter perils and hardship as they search for a promised land in which to make their home. This was hands down my favorite book of the year. (I found it in Kindle Unlimited–watch for it to return.)

Science Fiction

Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength (The Space Trilogy) by C.S. Lewis

I think this was my third time to read this remarkable series. In the first, Dr. Ransom is abducted and taken by spaceship to Malacandra (Mars) where he encounters the planet’s unfallen inhabitants as he flees his kidnappers. In the second, heavenly creatures take him to Perelandra (Venus) where he attempts to prevent evil’s encroachment. In the third, he battles rising evil forces on Earth. The series is both fun and filled with spiritual insights. (Tolkien fans: Watch for LOTR elements!)

MEM by Bethany C. Morrow

A scientist discovers how to extract a single memory from a person’s mind and place it in a Mem—a creature that looks like the human donor but is doomed to relive the single memory until finally expiring. But Delores Extract #1 can create her own memories. Is she a person in her own right, or is she owned by the human from whom she was extracted? Morrow explores identity, personhood, slavery, and memory. (This was either Prime Free Reading or Kindle Unlimited–I couldn’t find a free link.)

Cozy Mysteries

Cozy mysteries contain no graphic violence or sex, despite being built around solving a murder.

Dog On It and Thereby Hangs a Tail by Spencer Quinn

These hilarious and delightful mysteries are narrated by a private investigator’s dog Chet. Ingenious! They were my second favorite fiction of the year. They’re pricey, but when Quinn’s latest addition to The Chet and Bernie Mystery Series came out, he put the previous ones on Kindle Unlimited for a short time—watch for that possibly happening again this summer. (Note: The bad guys sometimes use bad language.)

Maple Syrup Mysteries by Emily James

I read books 10 to 12 in this series last year (Slay Bells Ringing, Rooted in Murder, Guilty or Knot), but I’ll tell you about the first one, A Sticky Inheritance. In book 1, criminal defense attorney Nicole inherits a maple syrup farm from her late uncle. After she moves into her new home, she suspects he was murdered. The series is sweet, has romance, and follows Nicole’s exploration of Christianity. It’s included in Kindle Unlimited and its one of the reasons I gave KU a try.

A Lady Hardcastle Mystery Book series by T.E. Kinsey

I read the entire six-book series plus the related single this year. The best part about these books is the witty repartee between the widow Lady Hardcastle and her diminutive maid Flo as they go about solving murders in early 20^th century England. Lady Hardcastle is a former British spy and Flo was raised in the circus, so they bring special skillsets to their problem solving. These are fun and are all in Kindle Unlimited. The first in the series is A Quiet Life in the Country.

Teen & Young Adult Mystery

Blur, Fury, and Curse (The Blur Trilogy) by Steven James

Sixteen-year-old Daniel has a terrifying vision at the funeral of a classmate that suggests her death was not accidental. He grapples with what’s real and what isn’t in this three-book series of who-dun-its for young adults. He and his friends try to understand how the Bible should guide them as their town is rocked by murders. There’s a bit of crossover into the science fiction and paranormal genres. The entire trilogy is on Kindle Unlimited.

Psychological Thrillers

The Pawn (The Bowers Files Book 1) by Steven James

Not for late night reading! Special Agent Patrick Bowers searches for a cunning serial killer who leaves clues as to who his next victim will be. This is a can’t-put-it-down thriller that also addresses theodicy as Bowers seeks answers as to whether a good God exists. I liked the examination of a serial killer’s psychological makeup as well as the dispensing of trite spiritual answers in favor of more thoughtful responses. The Pawn is on Kindle Unlimited and is the first of a seven-book series.

Conclusion

There you have it: my favorite fiction from last year! What were your favorite novels last year? Have you tried Kindle Unlimited? If so, what do you think of it?

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