(List of all books read in 2017 here; personal Goodreads 2017 overview here)
In October of 2017, I started using Goodreads and cross-posting my reviews there. While I've liked using Goodreads overall so far (I love having the visual representation of what I've read, and it's a great way to keep track of books I want to read), I've struggled a little bit with the 5 star rating system.
In terms of what I read in 2017, I was a little surprised to look back and find that I'd read a lot more male than female authors this year (about 3/4 male, 1/4 female). I think this was largely because I finally started getting into Terry Pratchett's Discworld books and reading L. A. Meyer's entire Bloody Jack series. However, it was also interesting to me that my 2017 favorites list is split about 50/50 male/female. I'll note also that it was particularly hard for me to narrow down a list of top picks for this past year, partially because the subject matters and genres of what I read over the year was pretty varied.
All that said, here are some of the stand-out reads for me in 2017 (in no particular order). Links are to the post with the original review.
Gilead - Marilynne Robinson
Beautiful, immersive, lyrical. This was both a relaxing read with some surprisingly heavy interwoven discussion of religion. It ticks my history-buff box, too.
Good Omens - Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
This was my "bridge" book between Gaiman (I'd previously read almost all of his books) and Pratchett (this being first thing of his I'd read). I really enjoy the humor of both authors.With my background of being raised in strict Christian Fundamentalism, I've found it's taken me quite a long time to get comfortable reading books that discuss magic, witches, and/or religion. This book happens to contain a mix of all of the above. But it's brilliantly done, with just the right balance of humor and irreverence. This was one of the books that my husband read this year as well.
Equal Rites - Terry Pratchett
This was the first Discworld novel I picked up, and (though there have been some close contenders) it's remained my overall favorite of the dozen or so that I've read so far. I really appreciated the female-heavy character cast of the Witches storyline. We'll see if my opinion of this as the favorite holds as I read more Discworld books in 2018.
It's Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool, Too) - Nora Purmort
There Is No Good Card for This - Kelsey Crowe & Emily McDowell
Both of these are essential reads for people who are going through a difficult life event (or who know someone that is). Not only do the two of these books come across as accessible and down-to-earth, they also offer practical advice.
The Little Friend - Donna Tartt
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell - Susanna Clarke
So, first off: these were both very long and admittedly imperfect books. I wouldn't label either of them as satisfying, and there were actually portions of each that I didn't enjoy that much (for varying reasons). But despite this, I found both books very worthwhile journeys with pieces of truly stunning prose. The focus in both of these works is on the journey, not the destination. Though I'd have to recommend both these books with caveats, I'd be remiss in leaving them off my favorites list.
My Family and Other Animals - Gerald Durrell
Durrell's book is an exercise in lovely writing and stuffed full of the wonder and beauty of nature as seen through the eyes of a child. I wanted this memoir to go on and on.
Narconomics - Tom Wainwright
A thorough, eye-opening analysis of the drug trade. Though it doesn't feel entirely even, I was pleasantly surprised by the author's writing style, and I feel like it's an almost necessary read in today's political climate.
Bonus: Runner-ups (these may not have quite as wide-spread appeal as the above books, but they still stood out to me personally)
The Mint - T. E. Lawrence
T.E. Lawrence is one of my favorite historical figures, and I was excited just to get my hands on this book. An excellent, deeply personal read to round out your knowledge of Lawrence, the RAF, and WWI.
The History of Hell - Alice K. Turner
A thought-provoking, in-depth look at the history of the underworld as we perceive it today.
Deep Secret - Diana Wynne Jones
A little strange, a little quirky, and more than a little British. Unexpectedly good.
In October of 2017, I started using Goodreads and cross-posting my reviews there. While I've liked using Goodreads overall so far (I love having the visual representation of what I've read, and it's a great way to keep track of books I want to read), I've struggled a little bit with the 5 star rating system.
In terms of what I read in 2017, I was a little surprised to look back and find that I'd read a lot more male than female authors this year (about 3/4 male, 1/4 female). I think this was largely because I finally started getting into Terry Pratchett's Discworld books and reading L. A. Meyer's entire Bloody Jack series. However, it was also interesting to me that my 2017 favorites list is split about 50/50 male/female. I'll note also that it was particularly hard for me to narrow down a list of top picks for this past year, partially because the subject matters and genres of what I read over the year was pretty varied.
All that said, here are some of the stand-out reads for me in 2017 (in no particular order). Links are to the post with the original review.
Gilead - Marilynne Robinson
Beautiful, immersive, lyrical. This was both a relaxing read with some surprisingly heavy interwoven discussion of religion. It ticks my history-buff box, too.
Good Omens - Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
This was my "bridge" book between Gaiman (I'd previously read almost all of his books) and Pratchett (this being first thing of his I'd read). I really enjoy the humor of both authors.With my background of being raised in strict Christian Fundamentalism, I've found it's taken me quite a long time to get comfortable reading books that discuss magic, witches, and/or religion. This book happens to contain a mix of all of the above. But it's brilliantly done, with just the right balance of humor and irreverence. This was one of the books that my husband read this year as well.
Equal Rites - Terry Pratchett
This was the first Discworld novel I picked up, and (though there have been some close contenders) it's remained my overall favorite of the dozen or so that I've read so far. I really appreciated the female-heavy character cast of the Witches storyline. We'll see if my opinion of this as the favorite holds as I read more Discworld books in 2018.
It's Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool, Too) - Nora Purmort
There Is No Good Card for This - Kelsey Crowe & Emily McDowell
Both of these are essential reads for people who are going through a difficult life event (or who know someone that is). Not only do the two of these books come across as accessible and down-to-earth, they also offer practical advice.
The Little Friend - Donna Tartt
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell - Susanna Clarke
So, first off: these were both very long and admittedly imperfect books. I wouldn't label either of them as satisfying, and there were actually portions of each that I didn't enjoy that much (for varying reasons). But despite this, I found both books very worthwhile journeys with pieces of truly stunning prose. The focus in both of these works is on the journey, not the destination. Though I'd have to recommend both these books with caveats, I'd be remiss in leaving them off my favorites list.
My Family and Other Animals - Gerald Durrell
Durrell's book is an exercise in lovely writing and stuffed full of the wonder and beauty of nature as seen through the eyes of a child. I wanted this memoir to go on and on.
Narconomics - Tom Wainwright
A thorough, eye-opening analysis of the drug trade. Though it doesn't feel entirely even, I was pleasantly surprised by the author's writing style, and I feel like it's an almost necessary read in today's political climate.
Bonus: Runner-ups (these may not have quite as wide-spread appeal as the above books, but they still stood out to me personally)
The Mint - T. E. Lawrence
T.E. Lawrence is one of my favorite historical figures, and I was excited just to get my hands on this book. An excellent, deeply personal read to round out your knowledge of Lawrence, the RAF, and WWI.
The History of Hell - Alice K. Turner
A thought-provoking, in-depth look at the history of the underworld as we perceive it today.
Deep Secret - Diana Wynne Jones
A little strange, a little quirky, and more than a little British. Unexpectedly good.
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