It's that wonderful time of year -- time to look back at all the books I read in 2017 and think about which ones I loved, which ones stuck with me, which ones lost their luster over time, and come up with this list of favorites!
Really, it was not a fabulous reading year for me. The first half of the year I read a lot of disappointing new releases, and books I was sure I'd love that ended up being just so-so -- including more 2-star reviews than ever (and to me, 2 stars means I hated it; 1 star is DNF). Things finally picked up the past couple months when I read some highly recommended 2017 releases -- so in 2018, I'm going to do things a little differently and let other readers be the new-release guinea pigs for a couple months. I'll be focusing mostly on backlist in January and February, at least, and then I'll see which 2018 books held up to the hype.
One positive note about my reading year is that I read broadly across the genres. I got in more non-fiction and graphic novels than ever before, I continued to nurture my growing love of sci-fi and fantasy, and of course there were plenty of the usual suspects: literary fiction, historical fiction, mystery. I even tried a straight-up romance novel!
So which books stole my heart this year? I selected 12 that I loved initially and whose impression remained with me throughout the year. Some of these books were fun reads, but many had a real impact on me. I come away from my 2017 reading year with new perspectives on LGBT and race issues, among other things.
Here's my list, in no particular order other than the 5-star best-of-the-best (a meager three this year) followed with a slew of 4.5-star reads. I'd love to know which books will go down as your 2017 favorites!
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Wayfarers #1
First published in 2014
Genre: science fiction
My review
Why I loved it: This book was such a delight to read and it put a smile on my face every time I picked it up. It's set in a far-off future with intergalactic travel and features the multi-species crew of the Wayfarer, a wormhole-drilling ship. I can't wait to read the second book in the series!
Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
The Ancestor #1
First published in 2017
Genre: fantasy
My review
Why I loved it: I could not. put. it. down. I was totally absorbed in this fantasy novel set in an semi-apocalyptic future and I adored Nona, the main character. Plus I loved how the school where she trains and hones her powers was ever-so-slightly reminiscent of Hogwarts.
A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab
Shades of Magic #3
First published in 2017
Genre: fantasy
Why I loved it: The whole of this fantasy series has been a joy to read. It's about four parallel-universe Londons, each with varying degrees of magic. The characters, plot, and worldbuilding are all fabulous, and I'm sad it's over!
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
First published in 2017
Genre: literary fiction, historical fiction
Why I loved it: One of the reasons I enjoy reading is to gain new perspectives, and this book put me firmly in shoes very different from my own: Cyril Avery's. The book follows Cyril from birth to death in a very-Catholic Ireland as he grapples with his identity as a gay man. The writing was beautiful, and there was no way I could avoid falling in love with Cyril as I journeyed with him over the hills and valleys of his life.
The Fire by Night by Teresa Messineo
First published in 2017
Genre: historical fiction
My review
Why I loved it: This is a very well-researched WWII novel that satisfied my desire to read about both theaters of war -- Europe and the Pacific -- as it followed the wartime experiences of two best friends who become Army nurses. It was intense and sad, but I highly recommend it to any historical fiction fan.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
First published in 2017
Genre: literary fiction
Why I loved it: Oh, Eleanor. She's quite possibly the world's most socially awkward human being, but boy does she grow on you. You'll be cheering her on as she conquers her (rather surprising!) demons. I went in thinking this was fluffy women's fiction, but my expectations were quickly turned on their head!
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
First published in 2017
Genre: literary fiction
My review
Why I loved it: I try to be open-minded, but I've always been a little baffled about how a young child could know with certainty that he or she is, at heart, the opposite gender. This novel, about a transgender 5-year-old and how her family handles the situation, was written by the mother of a transgender child, and it gave me some new perspective on the issue. Too, I absolutely loved this adorable, slightly dysfunctional family!
One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson
First published in 2013
Genre: non-fiction
My review
Why I loved it: While the title proclaims that this book dissects the summer of 1927, it's really a fabulously informative and entertaining history lesson about the '20s as a whole. I learned SO MUCH and it never once felt boring. Bryson has such a talent for writing absorbing, educational non-fiction!
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
First published in 2017
Genre: historical fiction
My review
Why I loved it: I'm a huge fan of dual narratives, and this one was unique in that it dealt with both WWI and WWII. Too, with dual narratives I'm usually a little more into one story than the other, but I was completely engrossed by the tales of both flawed, determined, brilliant protagonists!
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
First published in 2016
Genre: literary fiction
My review
Why I loved it: This book packed such a punch! It was intense, it was controversial, it was dark and disturbing -- and it made me feel so many things, which, to me, is a sign of great storytelling.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
First published in 2017
Genre: young adult
Why I loved it: After many disappointments, I typically avoid YA, but I finally gave into the hype last fall and picked up this novel about the police shooting of a black teenager. And, I'm thrilled to say, it far exceeded my expectations. It's an important, timely, and eye-opening read (that managed to feel fairly neutral) that gave me a peek at what it's like to be black in America.
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
Lady Julia Grey #1
First published in 2007
Genre: historical mystery
My review
Why I loved it: Oh my gosh, I absolutely tore through this book. The 19th-century London atmosphere positively oozed through the pages, and I was totally wrapped up in the mystery. It usually takes me ages to continue series, but I almost immediately read book 2!
Really, it was not a fabulous reading year for me. The first half of the year I read a lot of disappointing new releases, and books I was sure I'd love that ended up being just so-so -- including more 2-star reviews than ever (and to me, 2 stars means I hated it; 1 star is DNF). Things finally picked up the past couple months when I read some highly recommended 2017 releases -- so in 2018, I'm going to do things a little differently and let other readers be the new-release guinea pigs for a couple months. I'll be focusing mostly on backlist in January and February, at least, and then I'll see which 2018 books held up to the hype.
One positive note about my reading year is that I read broadly across the genres. I got in more non-fiction and graphic novels than ever before, I continued to nurture my growing love of sci-fi and fantasy, and of course there were plenty of the usual suspects: literary fiction, historical fiction, mystery. I even tried a straight-up romance novel!
So which books stole my heart this year? I selected 12 that I loved initially and whose impression remained with me throughout the year. Some of these books were fun reads, but many had a real impact on me. I come away from my 2017 reading year with new perspectives on LGBT and race issues, among other things.
Here's my list, in no particular order other than the 5-star best-of-the-best (a meager three this year) followed with a slew of 4.5-star reads. I'd love to know which books will go down as your 2017 favorites!
Wayfarers #1
First published in 2014
Genre: science fiction
My review
Why I loved it: This book was such a delight to read and it put a smile on my face every time I picked it up. It's set in a far-off future with intergalactic travel and features the multi-species crew of the Wayfarer, a wormhole-drilling ship. I can't wait to read the second book in the series!
The Ancestor #1
First published in 2017
Genre: fantasy
My review
Why I loved it: I could not. put. it. down. I was totally absorbed in this fantasy novel set in an semi-apocalyptic future and I adored Nona, the main character. Plus I loved how the school where she trains and hones her powers was ever-so-slightly reminiscent of Hogwarts.
A Conjuring of Light by V.E. SchwabShades of Magic #3
First published in 2017
Genre: fantasy
Why I loved it: The whole of this fantasy series has been a joy to read. It's about four parallel-universe Londons, each with varying degrees of magic. The characters, plot, and worldbuilding are all fabulous, and I'm sad it's over!
First published in 2017
Genre: literary fiction, historical fiction
Why I loved it: One of the reasons I enjoy reading is to gain new perspectives, and this book put me firmly in shoes very different from my own: Cyril Avery's. The book follows Cyril from birth to death in a very-Catholic Ireland as he grapples with his identity as a gay man. The writing was beautiful, and there was no way I could avoid falling in love with Cyril as I journeyed with him over the hills and valleys of his life.
First published in 2017
Genre: historical fiction
My review
Why I loved it: This is a very well-researched WWII novel that satisfied my desire to read about both theaters of war -- Europe and the Pacific -- as it followed the wartime experiences of two best friends who become Army nurses. It was intense and sad, but I highly recommend it to any historical fiction fan.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail HoneymanFirst published in 2017
Genre: literary fiction
Why I loved it: Oh, Eleanor. She's quite possibly the world's most socially awkward human being, but boy does she grow on you. You'll be cheering her on as she conquers her (rather surprising!) demons. I went in thinking this was fluffy women's fiction, but my expectations were quickly turned on their head!
First published in 2017
Genre: literary fiction
My review
Why I loved it: I try to be open-minded, but I've always been a little baffled about how a young child could know with certainty that he or she is, at heart, the opposite gender. This novel, about a transgender 5-year-old and how her family handles the situation, was written by the mother of a transgender child, and it gave me some new perspective on the issue. Too, I absolutely loved this adorable, slightly dysfunctional family!
First published in 2013
Genre: non-fiction
My review
Why I loved it: While the title proclaims that this book dissects the summer of 1927, it's really a fabulously informative and entertaining history lesson about the '20s as a whole. I learned SO MUCH and it never once felt boring. Bryson has such a talent for writing absorbing, educational non-fiction!
First published in 2017
Genre: historical fiction
My review
Why I loved it: I'm a huge fan of dual narratives, and this one was unique in that it dealt with both WWI and WWII. Too, with dual narratives I'm usually a little more into one story than the other, but I was completely engrossed by the tales of both flawed, determined, brilliant protagonists!
First published in 2016
Genre: literary fiction
My review
Why I loved it: This book packed such a punch! It was intense, it was controversial, it was dark and disturbing -- and it made me feel so many things, which, to me, is a sign of great storytelling.
First published in 2017
Genre: young adult
Why I loved it: After many disappointments, I typically avoid YA, but I finally gave into the hype last fall and picked up this novel about the police shooting of a black teenager. And, I'm thrilled to say, it far exceeded my expectations. It's an important, timely, and eye-opening read (that managed to feel fairly neutral) that gave me a peek at what it's like to be black in America.
Silent in the Grave by Deanna RaybournLady Julia Grey #1
First published in 2007
Genre: historical mystery
My review
Why I loved it: Oh my gosh, I absolutely tore through this book. The 19th-century London atmosphere positively oozed through the pages, and I was totally wrapped up in the mystery. It usually takes me ages to continue series, but I almost immediately read book 2!
