Best Books I Received as ARCs

Top 5 Tuesday is hosted by the wonderful Shanah @ Bionic Book Worm. I am not someone who receives or asks for a lot of ARCs! I get overwhelmed when I have too many books to read and being such a mood reader I do not like the pressure of feeling like I have to read by a certain time. However, I am part of the Canadian blogger program at Penguin Random House, so three of the five books I am talking about today are from that program. I am so grateful to Penguin and I have loved so many of the books that they have sent me!

Wild Beauty by Anne-Marie McLemore

(from Raincoast Books)

Not only was Wild Beauty the first arc that I received, I also think that it is the most beautiful. It is also one of my favourite books and I was completely charmed by both the characters and the story. This is magical realism done right! It is so atmospheric and memorable. I read it almost a year ago and it feels like yesterday!

You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins

(from Raincoast Books)

You Bring the Distant Near is a book that I feel is underrated. It is a multi-generational story that follows the lIves of American immigrants. I especially adored the first half of this novel. If you enjoyed Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi then I would highly recommend picking up this book, even if you do not often read Young Adult.

Tin Man by Sarah Winman

(From Penguin Random House)

Tin Man has become one of my favourite books of all time! Also, how gorgeous is that cover?! This is such a quiet story that weighed so heavy on my heart and soul. I really fell in love with these two characters and reading about their almost love story. I was not expecting to have my heart ripped apart like it was!

The Beauty That Remains by Ashley Woodfolk

(From Penguin Random House)

The Beauty That Remains has become one of my favourite YA novels. It is right up there with I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, which is saying something! I have come to realize that I enjoy stories that focus on the arts, particularly music. I also connected to all of the characters and thought it was interesting to see how differently and realistically they each handled their grief. I was also very satisfied with how the story came together in the end!

I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O’Farrell

(From Penguin Random House)

I Am, I Am, I Am was the first non-fiction novel that I read this year, and it reminded me just how much I enjoy them! Maggie O’Farrell is beyond talented and I adored the way that she told her story. It was interesting to see how she weaved her close encounters with death with the story of her life. I particularly enjoyed the final chapter in which she talks about her daughter.