Every year I (and almost every book blogger I know) put together lists of our favorite books of the year. Almost everyone I know has already put their lists out there, but I have not been able to rally to the task because in the 5+ years I’ve been a blogger it’s never been as difficult as it was this year. Suffice it to say, I did not have ten books from 2017 I loved this year. I didn’t have ten books period! Which is so sad. Given that, I’m switching things up a bit—which I’m allowed to do because it’s my blog and there’s no such thing as the book blog police.
This year’s list is not just books published in 2017; it’s books I read in 2017, because honestly, I had more success with backlist books then I did with new releases. The good news is when I fell, I fell hard and most of these books moved past simple love into evangelical fervor. I adored most of these and recommend them wholeheartedly.
The Book I Would Force People to Read if I had the Power
This is How it Always Is: Aka my undisputed number #1 top pick. This novel managed to hit the almost impossible sweet spot of reading perfection—a timely and important subject, quirky characters, snarky humor, and realism. Even better, it is a 2017 release. Win-win! Now go buy it, it’s that good. My review
The Book That’s a Close Second
The Heart’s Invisible Furies: When I read A Little Life I knew it to be an astonishing achievement, but I could only recommend it to certain readers because it immersed the reader in levels of physical and emotional brutality that not everyone could stand to read. The Heart’s Invisible Furies also looks at the experience of being a gay man, but even being set in Ireland in the 1950s does not inhibit Boyne’s sharp wit, a cast of wildly eccentric characters, and prose that is shockingly beautiful. Everyone should read this novel. My review
The Magical Book
The Rules of Magic: What a sweet delight this book was. Ostensibly, it is Hoffman’s prequel to Practical Magic, but everything about its tender, life-affirming message stands alone. You don’t have to be a fan of the supernatural to fall under this novel’s spell. My Review
The Book that Everyone but Me Had Already Read
All the Light We Cannot See: I have no explanation for why I did not read this book before now. Whatever the reason, it is a stunning concoction of a young blind woman, a German orphan with a gift for technology, and a famous diamond all caught in the midst of WWII. Marra’s writing is exquisite, the plot and its pacing perfection. My review
The Long Shot Book
The Heirs: I’m pretty sure I stand alone on this one. I don’t know many people who read it and no one who liked it as much as I did. On the surface a plot about a wealthy, dysfunctional family falling apart after the patriarch’s death is reason enough to get me to read, but it was Rieger’s surgical insight into relationships, family, and marriage that made me love this book—and flag paragraph after paragraph of thoughts that felt all too real. My Review
The Book That Made Me Sob
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: We’re not talking pretty tears here. By the end of The Boy I was a puddle. The novel is small, but packs a wallop of a punch by the end. Given that this is the second John Boyne novel I read this year that merited 5 stars, he is on my list of go-to authors for staggeringly beautiful writing. My review
The Non-Fiction Book
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake: I have to use that heading because it’s not a given that non-fiction will be a favorite for me. Thankfully, my love of Anna Quindlen’s novels (Miller’s Valley, Every Last One), and a push from fellow book blogger Sarah, got me to read and fall in love with this memoir. Quindlen’s thoughts on being a woman combined with her life experiences make this recognizable reading for any woman. My Review
The Book that Made Me Laugh
Fitness Junkie: For some chick-lit is not something that is going to make their favorites list. How could anything in the genre be worth 5 stars? There is no gravitas! Well, for me, if it is a perfect representation of the genre then it’s in. And Fitness Junkie checks every box. It’s a well-written, witty, sharp, satire about the excesses in the mind-body fitness craze. Not just fluff, authors Sykes and Piazza also get in their digs as to why women are so compelled to be perfect. My Review
What books made you swoony with book love in 2017?
What a great list, Catherine; I think this is my favorite one. 🙂 The Heirs sounds fantastic; I need to see if my library has a copy because I’d love to try it. I’m thankful that there is no book blog police force (whew!) and I think Rules of Magic may make my list of favorites, as well; what a fun, thoughtful read. Thanks for sharing your favorites!
Wasn’t Rules a delight? Ostensibly it was about magic (which was fun) but really it was about self-acceptance and so many other things that get lost in life.
Just added The Heirs to TBR. Thanks!
I’ll be interested to see what you think because I kow other bloggers who didn’t like it nearly as much as I did.
Thank you for the link! This is such a great list. This Is How It Always Is and The Heart’s Invisible Furies are topping my TBR list right now–especially with the latter’s comparison to A Little Life. The Rules of Magic has held zero interest for me, but I’m starting to be swayed after all the raves.
I love that you picked two unlikelies. Fitness Junkie sounds like just the palate cleanser I may need after all of the serious books on my list!
I’m so pleased to have discovered your blog via NFN 2017!
Invisible Furies is a much gentler Little Life- which was one of the most difficult books I’ve ever read. I think you’ll really like it.
Catherine, I love what you’ve done here! (The titles are great.) This Is How It Always Is almost made my list. I went back and forth on it. Like you, I think I need to go back and read more John Boyne. He’s written so many books. Why don’t we know about him!?
I had to laugh about The Heirs. I really liked that one, too and it’s so nice to see Fitness Junkie on your list. Such a fun break for me in a rather miserable summer slump!
Thanks for mentioning my list and have a wonderful Christmas!
Is it because he’s Irish? The Boy in the Striped Pajamas was published by someone I’ve never heard of, so wonder if he didn’t sell enough in the U.S. to get represented? I’m almost afraid to read anything else by him for fear that it won’t be as good…
Nice list. I’ll have to get on the Frankel book in early 2018! I’m still fitting in 2 more books so will not be making my favorite list till the very end of Dec. but I did like Home Fire a lot by Kamila Shamsie and a novel called Brother by Canadian author David Chariandy. Also I finally got to The Glass Castle which is a terrific read for a memoir.
Did you see The Glass Castle movie? I haven’t yet, but really want to.
Yes I did see the movie version of The Glass Castle and it is Quite Good! You must see it! The cast did a good job and I had low expectations but it definitely came through.
Thanks for the shout-out!
And I love your eclectic list – perfectly encapsulates your reading year. Obviously thrilled to see Lots of Candles, HIF, and This Is How It Always Is on it! I liked The Heirs, but wasn’t 5 stars for me. Now I need to read Striped PJs!
And, I love your willingness to through some chick lit on your best list! I was one of those who wouldn’t do that a couple years ago, but you brought me around the past 2 years! Although – I’d say Evelyn Hugo isn’t even really chick lit…it’s way more serious than the cover would lead you to believe. And it was marketed as chick lit.
Finally, I’m gonna break your heart, but I couldn’t even make it through the sample of All the Light. Slog…
It’s funny, Sarah, I dropped All the Light after a chapter the first time I started it. I don’t know what changed the second time but I fell in love.
Swan of 5th was what made me decide if something is perfect to me, no matter what’s genre, then it’s 5 stars.