Top 10 Books of 2017!

Hello again! It feels like it’s been a lifetime since I’ve written a post….. yet it’s only been a few days 🙂 Maybe it’s because I’ve been anticipating this post for a long time – It’s finally time to talk about my favourite books of 2017!! And it’s fitting that this is the first post of the year – as my first post EVER was the top 10 books of 2016 – looking back I cringe a little at the formatting and such, but it shows my growth and comfort which makes me feel so much better about where I am now. Anyway, no more talking! On with the list!!!

#10 – THE LONG WAY TO A SMALL ANGRY PLANET by  Becky Chambers

In the beginning of 2017 I decided that I NEEDED this book, but it proved impossible to find. It wasn’t available anywhere in Canada to order online! I even tried all the Chapters Indigo stores up to a 3 hour drive away and they were all sold out. So I ended up ordering it from the UK – and it proved well worth the trouble I went through to get it! It was such a unique character driven story that pushed me a little further into the science fiction genre. I actually attribute my push to read more sci-fi in 2017 to this book. Click HERE to see the full review

#9 – MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM by Grady Hendrix

Humour me – just act surprised that you’re seeing this book on my top 10 list! LOL! Still obsessed with this cover, and still so glad that the inside of this book matched the outside. There were quite a few spots in this one that the vivid descriptions made my skin crawl. I was totally expecting a parody of a horror story but it ended up being so much more. So many times I wondered what was really going on. This one made me question my own instincts constantly! I recently got his other book Horrorstor and can’t wait to get to it! The format is totally different from anything I’ve seen before and literally looks just like an Ikea catalogue! For my review of this one click HERE!

#8 – YOU BRING THE DISTANT NEAR by Mitali Perkins

This book was such a wonderful surprise!! I believe that I sat down and finished this one in less than 24 hours. It was just one of those books where you immediately get drawn into the lives of these characters and need to follow their every move. You laugh with them, cry with them, and root for them as they move along through the story. What made this book so rich was that it was a multi generational tale of a mother, her two daughters, and then their children. There was also the element of being immigrants to the USA and wondering where they really fit in and how they identify themselves. This was such a beautiful story! For more thoughts on this book, visit my review HERE

#7 – THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This one was another surprise read – I almost didn’t read it! I’m not into celebrity lifestyles or reading anything about Hollywood – not to mention this cover is just unfortunate. When this book was showing up on blogs I literally cringed and wondered what in the hell people were seeing in it……. **insert foot in mouth** I WAS WRONG! So wrong! I finally listened to all the glowing reviews and decided that there might just be more to the story than a selfish conceited hollywood queen. This book gave me a lesson in what it is to sacrifice for the ones you love. Also the fact that everyone that enters your life adds just a little more pieces to your puzzle (both good and bad) but those things that come into your life make you who you are. I felt like my emotions were on a non stop roller coaster and it was just wonderful! For more in depth thoughts on this one (if you’re interested in picking it up) click HERE

#6 – ARTEMIS by Andy Weir

Oh! A controversial one lol! I’ve actually seen this book end up on many ‘worst books of 2017’ lists…. and that’s ok! I totally understand where you’re coming from as to why you didn’t like it, and can’t get mad for your opinions. I just have a really twisted sense of humour and Jazz is my spirit animal! She reminds me so much of myself and I loved her spunk and brutality! I would love to hang out with her and have some drinks….. especially if it’s on the setting of the moon!! The setting was wonderful, the city was interesting, the science was understandable…… I just loved it all!!! For my full review, click HERE

#5 – TOWER OF DAWN by Sarah J Maas

And to think – I almost DNF’d this book at less than 100 pages!! HOLY SHIT! Even though I had a hard time getting into it, I very quickly came to love this book as it all came together. All of the bits of information came from out of nowhere and gave me some closure and completion that I didn’t know I craved from the series. It started off feeling so separate from the rest of the series but then everything was sewn together and made my heart want to just explode!!! I could say so much more here, but if you want to know my full thoughts, check out my review HERE

#4 – THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern

This was one of the first books that I read this year and I still haven’t forgotten about it! The writing was just so stunning and beautiful. I have never been so effected by words and writing than I was with this book. It was so beautiful (I’ve said that already!) but really it was. I felt as if I was there at the carnival, smelling the popcorn, feeling the spark of the magic. The story itself was wonderful, but it was the atmosphere that she was able to create that was the best part. I really want to reread this one sometime soon! For my full review please click HERE

#3 THE ZODIAC SERIES by Romina Russell

WOW! This series seriously has everything going for it! I love anything to do with astrological signs and their attributes, and this one was quite spot on. But to create a world where each planet is ruled by a zodiac sign it pure brilliance! Each and every planet had its own way of life and it’s own unique abilities that they offered to their solar system. And the complexities didn’t stop there! Each planet had its own technologies. Ways that they communicated with each other and ways that they read the stars. I’ve never read a series where the world and its politics were just so complicated but it was never once confusing! HERE is a link to the review of the first book in the series. I really do hope you check it out!

#2 THE HATE YOU GIVE by Angie Thomas

So this one is no surprise and doesn’t require an explanation! But I’m going to give you a short one anyways. The story is so very important, but her writing skills is what made it what it is. Starr was a great character but it was her family and friends that elevated her and the story. It’s very rare to see a parental relationship in books – especially one so supportive and loving as this one was. What Starr went through is awful. What she, and others, face on a daily basis isn’t something that can be swept under a rug. This was a wonderful showcase for real life problems in todays society. I love that Angie was able to capture all sides to every story, leaving the reader with such a clear picture. I just loved this book to pieces! For the full (and long) review, click HERE

#1 NEVERNIGHT by Jay Kristoff

I am in love with Jay Kristoff! These books were just pure and absolute PERFECTION!!! The characters are fantastic, the politics are mind blowing, the action is fast paced, and my god! He is just so brutal and unforgiving!! What he puts his characters through is insanity! The plot twists….. the endings…… AHHHH! I just can’t put into words how much I love this series! And 2018 is going to be an amazing Jay Kristoff year! Obsidio (Illuminae book 3), Nevernight book 3, and then Lifel1k3… I want it all!! I have such respect for his writing and writing style. He has a way with words and never fails at grabbing my attention. I’m going to say it – Jay Kristoff may officially be my all time favourite author!! For my full Nevernight review, click HERE

ANNNNNNND because I have commitment issues and problems making decisions, I couldn’t just leave this list at 10! Oh no! So I thought that I would add a few more books to the list as honourable mentions. These books I loved so much and have left an impact, but they weren’t quite there to make it on the top 10 – but I loved them enough that I felt too guilty not mentioning them! So here they are!

I hope you enjoyed this list and I’m so glad to be back! Tomorrow I’ll be talking about the books that I didn’t love in 2017…….. I’m crossing my fingers now that I don’t mention one of your favourites!!!!

Until next time, happy reading!