1.04.2018

My Favorite Books of 2017!

I am a firm believer in waiting until the absolute last minute to pull together my yearly favorite reads. You never know what gem might be waiting for the final week of December and it's a time for me to take it easy, not time for composing posts or lists! This year I've read more than any year I can remember with 72 books total, averaging 320 pages each. I'll probably delve into my stats and goals at a later date. For now, here are the books I enjoyed the most this year and that I would HEARTILY recommend. This is also my longest list to date, which stands to reason given the long list of books I read. For funsies, I shall list them in high school superlative style. It is in no particular order, with one exception which I shall list first and should come as no surprise if you read my November reviews or follow me on social media.

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne is "Most likely to become a classic." It is full of humor, heart, serendipitous/gut wrenching plot and great characters - one of the greatest. I love this book SO SO MUCH. (reviewed in November)

Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig is "Most likely to make your heart race." I turned the pages of this story about a girl with autism, and a big secret, with more fervor than any thriller. It's really intense, but so worthwhile. (reviewed in November)

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng is "Most likely open your eyes to the 'rules' of society and embrace nonconformity." Alternate superlative: "Most likely to make Celeste Ng your go-to author." This is her second novel  and second one that has landed on my best of the year lists (Everything I Never Told You being her debut that was on my 2015 list). (reviewed in October)

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is "Most likely to make you fascinated by old Hollywood and cry big fat tears." Reid is yet another author I will always pick up, and I love that she delved into some historical fiction for her latest thought provoking novel. (ARC reviewed in June)

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel is "Most likely to put you in the shoes of what seems like an extraordinary family circumstance, but is beautifully ordinary." I feel so lucky to have heard local author Frankel talk about this amazing book and it's one that I wish every person would read to learn more about gender dysphoria, as well as enjoy an engaging family story. (ARC reviewed in January

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid is "Most likely to make you rethink your reservations about magical realism." I highlighted so many beautiful passages from this book that felt so gritty and real, while also dreamlike and magical. (reviewed in April)

Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin is "Most likely to be on the 'me, too' reading list." I flew through this refreshingly witty and wry 'Monica Lewinsky-esque' tale with an excellent feminist point of view. I've said this before, but if you haven't listened to Lewinsky's TED Talk, you definitely should. Incidentally, this is another author that has twice made my best of the year lists, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry being an all time favorite book I read in 2014. (ARC reviewed in August)

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is "Most likely to experience laughter through tears." Additional superlative: "Best audiobook EVER." This is close to being up there with The Heart's Invisible Furies in my favorite books of all time category - a must read, but listen if you can. (reviewed in November)

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is "Most likely to encourage adults to engage in middle grade reading." In attempting to read one Newbery honor book per month, I re-read a number of classics as well as more contemporary work like Bradley's. It takes the cake, no question. Yes, I know the sequel is available, and I will read it this year for sure! (reviewed in February)

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff is "Most likely to make you feel good about humanity." If you haven't already read this very short nonfiction classic, now might be a good time for a dose of love and light. I can't believe I discovered it just last year! (reviewed in January)

Previous years lists!
Favorite Books of 2016 

Favorite Books of 2015

Favorite Books of 2014


Favorite Books of 2013 


Favorite Books of 2012

12 comments:

  1. You're so right about HIF...that has instant classic written all over it!

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    1. I have not shouted about a book this much EVER!

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  2. Love your high school superlatives! The Heart's Invisible Furies was at the top of my list, too. Such an amazingly good book! Plus, we share another 3. Several on your list I need to get to soon.

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    1. I have yet to hear a negative review, it's such a gem!

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  3. EXACTLY why I always wait until the beginning of January to post my list too! You never know what excellent book you might read at the end of December! (Although I tend to reread then...but whatever). I've read 3 of those (Young Jane Young, Seven Husbands, and War that Saved my Life) and while they didn't make my favorites list, I did enjoy all of them!

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    1. haha, yes, and I'm too busy eating cookies to decide :)

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  4. The Heart's Invisible Furies was my top read of 2017 too (and I think a ton of other people feel the same)! I also loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, This is How it Always Is, and Born a Crime. I think I'm in the minuscule minority that thought Little Fires Everywhere was just ok. I've got Ginny Moon sitting on the coffee table ready to go next!

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    1. Honestly, I waffled about adding Little Fires to the list - I loved her debut a smidge more, but I think everyone SHOULD read it!

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  5. I don't recall why I skipped out on Young Jane Young; I think I'd heard some folks say that they weren't too keen on it, but it seems like it keeps popping up on lists of favorites for the year! I need to give it a try, along with Ginny Moon. What a great list, Andrea!

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    1. It gets a little zany in parts, but I think it's a story that needs more attention and thought, and I love Zevin's characters.

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  6. I've read 4 of these. I'll have to check the other ones out.

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    1. I look forward to seeing your Goodreads reviews!

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