This week I will be participating in the Top 10 of 2017 hosted by Nancy & Christy from Tales of a Ravenous Reader, Rachel from Fiktshun, Bridget from Dark Faerie Tales, Jaime from Two Chicks On Books , Fallon from Seeing Double in Neverland, Take Me Away To A Great Read, and Bridget from Dark Faerie Tales!
Today's Top 10: Best Books I Read in 2017
I feel like I have been overly blessed by the book gods this year, because I have read so many good books. Therefore, it was really hard to pick just ten, but here are some standouts from my reading year.
Tricia Levenseller
Series: Daughter of the Pirate King, #1
Publisher: Feiwel Friends
There was absolutely nothing I didn't love about this book. Alosa was an amazing heroine. She was smart and sassy, brave and bold. Some of my favorite parts were when Alosa and Riden were verbally sparring. They were a perfect match, and I am giddy with anticipation to continue their story.
Alex, Approximately
Jenn Bennett
Series: n/a
Publisher: Simon Pulse
I love contemporaries, and this is the stuff that great YA contemporaries are made of. Alex, Approximately had it all for me. Bailey and her artful-dodger ways won my heart immediately. I also adored Porter and his "damaged charm", and of course, I loved them together. What made this adorable story even better were all the fabulous movie quotes. Bennett picked the perfect quotes for each chapter and I was such of fan of them.
Sandhya Menon
Series: n/a
Publisher: Simon Pulse
I had mentioned this book to a co-worker, and after she read it, she told me she felt so happy at the end, and this was my exact reaction to this book as well. I wanted to spin in a field of flowers on a mountain top, because I was so filled with joy. This book was a hilarious, adorable, and endearing story of falling in love, and finding yourself in the process, which left me with a case of heart eyes.
Cath Crowley
Series: n/a
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
This a story about love -- first love, second chance love, end of love, beginning of love, familial love, friendship. It's a story about healing and being able to move on after a tragic loss. It's a story about books and words and the power they can have. And Cath Crowley did a stupendous job telling this story. This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me long for those I lost, and made me want to hold tighter to those I love. Just utter perfection.
A Million Junes
Emily Henry
Series: n/a
Publisher: Razorbill
The Love That Split the World was one of my favorite books in 2016, and this book won a spot on my favorites shelf for many of the same reasons. I find Henry's writing to be gorgeous and ethereal. I also think she uses magical realism expertly, and blends those magical elements seamlessly with the contemporary world. I absolutely want to read everything she writes.
Bonnie Pipkin
Series: n/a
Publisher: Flatiron
This book left me with so many feels. It was a story imbued in heartbreak and heartache, but it also illustrated the power of friendship and inner strength. Not only was the story captivating, but Pipkin's writing was really special, and the format was thoughtfully used to enhance this already amazing story.
Sharon Huss Roat
Series: n/a
Publisher: HarperTeen
This book was such a wonderful surprise! I laughed, I cried, I swooned, but I also found myself relating to so many of the things Vicky did and felt. Roat did an incredible job telling this tale, marrying social media and social anxiety to produce a pretty special coming-of-age type story. I only have praise for this lovely story of a girl, who while trying to escape herself, she finds herself.
Emma Mills
Series: n/a
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
I had been wanting to sample an Emma Mills book, and doing so was one of the best decisions I have ever made. This books is filed under makes-me-happy, because it left me with miles of smiles. I loved the characters and the banter, and can we talk about #FamilyGoals! I wanted to be adopted by Claudia's family. A wonderful story filled with family and friendship, which left me with an incurable case of the warm-fuzzies.
Laura Tims
Series: n/a
Publisher: HarperTeen
This was such a fantastic portrait of grief and loss. I was so struck by all the different ways Tims explored and illustrated pain and loss, and I really appreciated that she showed it's not a one-size-fits all situation. I cried a bunch during this book, but I also laughed, as Tims did a great job balancing out the pain and sorrow with humor and joy. I enjoyed this book immensely! It made me feel way too much and I couldn't have asked for more. Great story, great characters, and enough closure in the ending that I was truly satisfied. I totally hugged this book.
Shani Petroff
Series: n/a
Publisher: Swoon Reads
This one brought me to a really happy place, and once again, I wanted to twirl in a field of flowers on a mountain top (think Maria in the Sound of Music). This book was everything I was looking for and needed at the time. It oozed holiday charm, but also delivered a story filled with love, friendship, and family, which is something I associate with the holidays. I found myself feeling jubilant and with a perma-smile on my face.
Now it's your turn!
What were your best books of 2017?
Let us know in the comments!
Oh, funny---I'm participating in a Top 10 of 2017 hosted by a different blogger. I'll have to check out the lists from this one too and see if I want to do both. :-)
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I saw your tweet today. This one is only 5 days, but there are overlapping topics.
DeleteAlex Approximately is on my list as well. Daughter of the pirate king seems to be on a lot of lists.
ReplyDeletePirate King was so good. I am not surprised to see it on a ton of lists.
DeleteI really, really need to read so many of these, especially Aftercare Instructions. I've recommended it to my library but they haven't gotten it yet. I might have to donate them a copy....
ReplyDeleteI wish more people were talking about Aftercare Instructions because it is wonderful.
DeleteOhhhh, you know, I forgot about Daughter of the Pirate King! I really enjoyed that book as well. Wonderful list, Sam!
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
I am not even a big fantasy reader and I adored Pirate King. I had to have it on my list.
DeleteNice list! Daughter of the Pirate King and Siren Queen were my favorite reads this year and made my list but a tie was Reign the Earth!
ReplyDeleteI am insanely jealous of all people with ARCs of Siren Queen. I am dying to read it!
DeleteEnd of year lists make me ridiculously happy. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm still amazed that I haven't read Alex, Approximately. I tried last month but... reading slump. Maybe after the first of the year. When Dimple Met Rishi was super cute. I just adored Rishi. Words in Deep Blue is where our tastes diverge. There was very little I liked about that one. I really need to get on the ball and start compiling my own top 10 list!
It pains me that you didn't love Deep Blue, but that's why there are so many books to choose from. I love doing top ten lists. It lets me go back and reflect on my reading, and it's always enlightening to re-read my old reviews too.
DeleteOh no! I haven't read anything on your list. I am currently putting together my top 10 for 2017. I feel like there was so much to choose from. Also, I read quite a few backlist books that were a favorite for me, but have probably already been read by many.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your list!
I read a lot more contemporaries than you and my list is definitely heavy on contemporaries. I really feel like I read a ton of great books this year, and I am glad I have a week of top tens to show a little love to them all.
DeleteHow To Disappear was so good - I hope more people read that next year!
ReplyDeleteThat book has so much to offer. I want more people to read it too.
DeleteYay for having so many good reads this year! A Million Junes is definitely a fav of mine this year. I loved Alex as well. I just got Foolish Hearts and My New Crush Gave to Me for Christmas so I am excited to see them on your list!
ReplyDeleteEmily Henry's writing is just superb. Foolish Hearts and New Crush are just sweet, adorable, and fun. Loved them to shreds. They both left me feeling really happy.
DeleteI have only read one of these, A Million Junes. I adored that book. I have a lot of these titles on my tbr pile.
ReplyDeleteAMJ is a thing of beauty. I hope Henry has a new book coming out in 2018.
DeleteI've only read WDMR from your list and while I loved it, I still did feel it was a bit lacking. Alex, Approximately sounds amazing and I've been looking forward to it for so long! Also, Daughter of the Pirate King!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great year ahead, Sam! And here's hoping 2018 proves to be an even better reading year for you! <33
I loved Rishi so much, I probably overlooked any flaws. Alex was great and Pirate King is just an action packed fun-filled adventure. I love pushing that book.
DeleteSo many of these I want to read. Daughter of the Pirate King, Alex Approximately, maybe When Dimple Met Rishi as well. Heard good things about that one.
ReplyDeleteI think you would love Pirate King. It's got a little something for everyone, if you ask me.
DeleteGreat list! I loved all of the ones that I've read and all of the rest are on my TBR because they sound so good.
ReplyDeleteIt was hard to pick just 10. I was lucky this year. So many standouts for me.
DeleteSo many of these I still want to read! Daughter of a Pirate King for one looks amazing! The verbal sparring you mention especially appeals to me. I'm also so tempted just to buy How to Disappear already. I haven't heard one bad thing about it. I agree with you on Alex, Approximately and Foolish Hearts. They're both such great reads.
ReplyDeleteYou have to get Pirate King from the library. It's a quick and fun-filled read. I think you would love it. I am huge fan of How to Disappear. The social anxiety was handled well and I just loved the whole concept. Jenn Bennett and Emma Mills are definite go-tos for me now.
DeleteI just got Aftercare Instructions yesterday for Christmas and I'm really excited to read it. I know it's going to be an intense read but I think it's going to be an important one (and I haven't been able to find it at my local libraries..)
ReplyDeleteCristina @ Girl in the Pages
Aftercare is really emotional. I experienced a lot of feels, but it left me with a lot of hope. I wish more people would read it, because it's quite amazing. I look forward to reading more from Pipkin.
DeleteI haven't read any of these but the book Alex Approximately and also When Dimple Met Rishi are two I have heard a lot about this year and I really want to read!
ReplyDeleteIf you like cute contemporaries, you will love Alex and WDMR. They both made me really happy.
DeleteYou read so many books I need to get to this year. Alex, Dimple, Daughter of Pirate King, A Million Junes, basically your entire list lol. Great list Sam!
ReplyDeleteI said the same exact thing when I looked at other people's lists. I just want to read them all. AMJ is one of the best magical realism books I read this year and Pirate King is just a fun fantasy. Both Alex and WDMR made me smile tons.
DeleteI just finished When Dimple Met Rishi and loved it!
ReplyDeleteYES!!!! I love it when people fangirl over my favorite books with me. XD
DeleteI haven't had the chance to read any of these yet, but most of them are on my tbr. :)
ReplyDeleteMy top reads are mostly contemporaries, as that is my favorite genre. This list only contains my favorite YA. I have an adult Best list too.
DeleteYou have so many amazing ones on this list :) I haven't read most, but I've heard really good things about them. Let's hope next year is also a good reading year :)
ReplyDeleteI think I read a lot more YA than you, but I had some favorite adult books too (I just keep the focus YA for the blog).
DeleteIt looks like you read a lot of good books last year! I have The Art of Feeling on my TBR list. The title sounds a bit melodramatic, but I’m intrigued.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!