The Goodreads Choice Awards final round is upon us! Earlier this month I made a post about the ones from the opening round that was on my TBR, as well as a few mini-reviews a few days later. But today I’m here to talk about what I actually voted for.
I have to be honest and say that I’m pretty disappointed by what made the finals, but I think that’s pretty stock standard with the GCA’s. Either way, I put my votes in for the books I think deserved to win and here they are.
Fiction/Debut Novel
So for these two, I ended up going with something I actually read at the very start of the year—Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid. I really, really enjoyed this way back in January. This was also the only one I actually managed to get to that made the final round, so that was admittedly a factor too. Usually I wouldn’t vote for a category if I hadn’t read a few more off that list but this one just really deserves a win. From the ones I have on my shelf, I still have The Girl With The Louding Voice and Transcendent Kingdom to read but I just have not been in the mood for them lately.
Historical Fiction
I have very similar reasons for voting for The Vanishing Half as I did Such A Fun Age. This is again the only one I’ve read from this category, but it’s also one of the best books I’ve read this year so I couldn’t not vote for it. It’s also one that I read earlier this year, though this one was only in September so it’s even fresher in my mind. I also got to listen to Brit Bennett speak in September and I came away in complete awe of her after that, so I really wanted to support her even if it’s only in this very little way. I honestly have no idea whether the GCA actually do anything, but I hope it leads some more people to this wonderful book if nothing else.
Fantasy
So the only one I’ve actually read from this category is the new Sarah J. Maas and while I loved that, Maas’ll do fine without my vote. I did just start The City We Became last night and I’m hoping I will enjoy it enough to make it my vote. I’ve not had the best luck with N.K Jemisin so far—I often find her books quite confusing and difficult to get into but I’m not giving up on her yet. I think I just need to find the right one to get me used to her writing style and then I think I’ll really enjoy her. Here’s hoping this is the one.
YA Fiction & YA Fantasy
I honestly don’t think I’ll be voting for either of these categories. I am hoping to get to You Should See Me In A Crown in the next few days, but otherwise I ran out of time. And the fantasy side? Honestly, disappointing. Though I haven’t read it, I was hoping and expecting A Song of Wraith and Ruin to win and it didn’t even make this round so.
Middle Grade
Not sure whether I’ll get around to this one either—I haven’t gotten to Before the Ever After or Hollowpox yet, but if I do before this round closes then obviously whichever one I read will get my vote. I’m thinking it’ll be Before the Ever After because it’s shorter, but we’ll see!
And there it is. Did you vote this round, and what for?
Earl Grey Books 