It’s the fifth day of 2018, and I’m ready to talk about my favourite reads of 2017!
This year was probably my best reading year ever.
I read 105 books, and I really enjoyed almost all of them. That made it difficult to choose favourites. So, I decided to pick one per month and then add some honourable mentions. I’ll also give each book a little blurb, because I didn’t start posting my reviews on here until November. I’ll link my review if there is one.
Here we go!
Title links take you to Amazon, and the links underneath are to my reviews, if applicable.
January: Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo and Me by Ellen Forney
This is my favourite graphic novel of all time. It’s a stunning, true memoir of the author’s experience with Bipolar Disorder, medication for it, and her relationship with her psychiatrist.
February: For Today I Am a Boy by Kim Fu
This is a book I had heard nothing about when I picked it up, and it was a haunting story of coming of age as a transgender person.
March: Caliban’s War by James S. A. Corey
This is the second book in the futuristic sci-fi saga called The Expanse. I recently wrote a review of Nemesis Games, the fifth book in the series. Clearly I’m enjoying it, having read four of them this year.
April: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
This is another great sci-fi with some pretty fantastic 80s references. And it’s coming out as a feature film this year!
May: everything I never told you by Celeste Ng
This was a haunting story of family and growing up.
June: The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg
The Paper Magician was a really interesting, unique take on magic, and I’m hoping to read the second book in the series, The Glass Magician, this year!
July: On Beauty by Zadie Smith
A “The Breakfast Book Club” choice, On Beauty was a chuckle-worthy and deeply moving story of a multiracial family and their feud/relationships with another such family.
August: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Illuminae is quite possibly the most original book format I’ve ever read. Pieced together from case files, text conversations, letters, reports, images, etc., it is an exciting story of futuristic political and physical battles, family, friendship, and love.
September: A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin
The fourth installment in the Game of Thrones series, A Feast for Crows was an excellent fantasy read. My only beef is that as the fifth book follows different characters, I will not get to follow along with these characters’ stories until Martin finally publishes book 6!
October: It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
This was a story of depression that was incredibly realistic and heart-warming.
November: Another Day by David Levithan
Another Day is the sequel to Every Day, which is one of my favourite YA contemporary books. This sequel definitely did not disappoint.
December: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
I have read everything John Green has written solo, and this is hands-down my favourite. A story exploring anxiety and the meaning of life. Check out my review if you’re interested.
Honourable Mentions!
Some books didn’t quite win out as best of each month, but they were awesome and I have to recommend them on here! In no particular order…
One
the sun and her flowers; milk and honey – both by rupi kaur
Simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting poetry and illustrations. I recently reviewed the sun and her flowers!
Two
The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
A beautiful story of intertwining narratives set in small-town Alaska and Canada. Also the most recent review I’ve posted on my blog!
Three
The Break by Katherena Vermette
Another “The Breakfast Book Club” choice, this was a harrowing story of connected Métis voices in Winnipeg.
Four
Warcross by Marie Lu
This was a really exciting story, similar to Ready Player One, but also with an interesting speculative fiction/warning feel. My review is also on the blog!
Five
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
This book was incredibly inspiring and I definitely agree with Gilbert’s premise about creative ideas.
Six
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
This was a crushing story of hope and perseverance in the midst of debilitating illness.
Seven
The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
This is now my Bible.
Eight
scrappy little nobody by Anna Kendrick
A hilarious look into the life of a wonderful woman.
Nine
Renegades by Marissa Meyer
A fun superhero/sci-fi novel about family, revenge, and justice. I wrote a review for it in December.
Well, there you have it! My favourite reads of 2017. I hope you enjoyed this list and you take some inspiration from it for your next read (or several)!
– Paperback Patronus