Most interesting books read so far in 2016

I'm just about to finish reading my 30th book this year.  Here are a few of the most interesting or enjoyable ones:

--Hunting Monsters:  Crytozoology and the Reality Behind the Myths

by Darren Naish 

An exploration of the evidence of creatures like bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster.  Mostly it debunks the myths, but in a way that leaves it open to possibility and philosophizes a bit on why so many cultures have similar myths.  It got quite repetitive, but if taken in small bits, it's very interesting.

--The Railway Children  

by E. Nesbit

This novel is my only 5-star rating of the year (so far).  It's warm and charming, and despite everyone being a little too perfect and everything working out a little too well, I loved it.  

--Wealth Woman; Kate Carmack and the Klondike Race for Gold

by Deb Vanasse 

A well-researched account of the life of Kate Carmack, the native wife of the man credited with starting the Klondike Goldrush.  I especially loved the parts about how her culture viewed certain actions and social encounters differently than her husband's culture, leading to various conflicts and misunderstandings.

--At the Water's Edge
by Sara Gruen
Rich, idle young people in World War II go looking to find vindication in the form of proof of the Loch Ness Monster.  Like an unfortunate number of other books, I really enjoyed the first two-thirds of this book.  Unique premise, great historical detail, lots of culture shock, good writing.  And then it just turns Hollywoody.

--Broken Angels

by Gemma Liviero

I almost gave this five stars.  It takes place in WWII, but has some very interesting characters in situations we don't always see in WWII novels.  I grew to love the characters, and I read the last twenty percent or so absolutely rapt, not stopping for anything.

--Caretaker
by Josi Russell
A man has spent 5 years alone in space on a colony ship, taking care of all the people in stasis, even though the computer really does almost everything.  This part is fascinating--the endless loneliness, the feelings of uselessness, the grief for his wife who remains in stasis while he will age 50 years.  Then someone else wakes up.  Also interesting.  But then the author goes and ruins it all by introducing unrealistic magical aliens and sudden superpowers.  Still, the first part was enough to make me include it here.

--Tisha
by Robert Specht
Based on the story of a young woman who goes to the Alaskan frontier as a school teacher.  Very interesting culturally and historically, if a bit preachy.

Also some plain good adventure--with a bit of romance.

--A Wild Sheep Chase

by Haruki Murakami

Okay, I included this not because I liked it (which I only sort of did), but because I'd heard so much about the author and this was my first experience.  And it was...interesting.  I thought the writing was mostly quite good, with some unusual perspectives.  The premise was crazy in a cool way.  But the end...I guess I just don't like implausible wild goose chases.

--The History of Love
by Nicole Krauss
Beautiful writing, though sometimes too stylistic for my tastes.  Fantastic characters.  Distinct voice.  Sad ending with a little hope.

--The Good Soldier Svejk (pt 1)
by Jaroslav Hasek (translated by Zdenek K Sadlon)
Part BRILLIANT dark humor and social commentary, part heavy-handed ranting, this is an interesting book, and one of the big Czech classics.  Some parts dragged.  Others were immensely entertaining.  And Svejk's character is fascinating.  He's a national icon for a reason.  Read it and see.