My hopes of reviewing all the books from my Top 10 2015 Releases I Didn’t Get to post were abruptly thwacked by my being flattened with a horrid cold.  I am crawling back to life now, after several days where going to the sofa with a book only to fall asleep.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get back to the reviewing soon, but in the meantime – March is almost over!  It’s time for the first retrospective of 2016, this one brought to us again by the good folks at the Broke and the Bookish.  (Okay, they’re calling it Latest 5 Star Reads.)

Here’s what I came up with, though my answers will probably be different tomorrow.

In which I seem mostly to be catching up with last year, whether or not it made it to my official list.

Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCoola and Emily Carrol (2015, middle grade) – This was a Cybils finalist, one I’d been wanting to get around to even before, with a great new twist on Russian folklore combined with beautiful art.

Ms. Marvel vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona (2014, teen) – Another Cybils finalist, another book finally read – it’s groundbreaking and fun.

The Shepherd’s Crown by Terry Pratchett (2015, middle grade/teen) – Good-bye, Sir Terry!  Thank you so much for Tiffany Aching and Granny Weatherwax!

Inheritance of Ashes by Leah Bobet (2015, teen) – Yet another Cybils finalist – a dark, gut-wrenching, yet still beautiful book.

Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams-Garcia (2015, middle grade)  – Oh, the Gaither sisters!  Have I talked about these books too much yet?  Is such a thing possible?

The Exiles by Hilary McKay (1992, middle grade) – the original edition of this book that I inter-loaned has a very boring cover.  I’m very glad it survived to have the lively antics of the sisters appreciated!

Peas and Carrots by Tanita S. Davis (2016, teen) – Contemporary teen isn’t usually my thing, but I find I keep talking about this book about two teen girls forced to be sisters.

Masks and Shadows by Stephanie Burgis (2016, adult) – a new book by a favorite author, combing with music, fantasy, history, and romance all tightly woven together.

Winter by Marissa Meyer (2015, teen) – a finish to the series I’ve been following since it started!

The Ultra Fabulous Glitter Squadron Saves the World Again by A.C. Wise (2015, adult) – Yes, this does live up to the title.  Lots of glitter and world-saving, with plenty of heart behind it.

What have you loved lately?