Books of the Year List

Hey there bookish friends!

I wanted to do a quick post to share some of my favourite reads of the year. It has been an exceptionally good reading year for me due to some changes I’ve made to my reading life. These are including chatting with new and old friends about books more, finding some great book resources, and deciding to get up even earlier to read.

Below I have listed some of my favourite reads (in no particular order), and linked the blog post that I wrote on them if you would like more info. One important note before I get started is that I couldn’t obviously post a whole series… but you all know about my deep love for the Inspector Gamache series, by Louise Penny… this series is by far the best one I read this year… so check that out too. Please feel free to comment on what your favourite books you’ve read this year have been!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Oh man, this book!! I loved it. From it’s description I would have never picked it up, but the hype of it was too tempting to not try. WELL… I loved it. It’s based on an aging famous Hollywood actress who is coming to the end of her life, and decides to dish all the details on her life and her seven husbands. Click here to read my review.

 

Lincoln in the Bardo, by George Saunders. I read this book before I started my blog… but this book is the most interesting, creative piece of literature I’ve ever read. Saunder’s style is very different in this book, but it’s so worth pushing through the style for the story. It’s based on President Lincoln’s son, Willie who gets very sick, and unfortunately passes away. It’s a story of grief, and a deep love.

 

Hunger, by Roxane Gay. This is the memoir that blew my mind this year. The subtitle of this book is A memoir of my Body, and that’s exactly what it is. It’s a raw, and honest look at what living within her body has been and continues to be like. It’s a journey to self-acceptance, and understanding of ones body and mind. I really think that this should be a required reading in high school. Click here to read my full review.

 

Little Fires Everywhere, by Celeste Ng. So this, friends, is the book I will be suggesting to all the reading people in my life. This book is a story about perfection, parent/child relationships, and love. I could not stop reading this one, it literally traveled everywhere with me. Click here to read my full review… but trust me and just read this one!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte and Mr. Rochester, by Sarah Shoemaker. These books made my top books of the year because it was the perfect pairing of books. With a classic the reading can be a bit hard at first… but I didn’t get that feeling with Jane Eyre. It’s so relative and readable still. Then following up with Mr. Rochester, and seeing the love story from his eyes was terrific. It’s moody, it’s gothic, and it’s romantic. I love it!

The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin. This book is the my favourite non-fiction pick of the year. I’ve recently re-read it as I am planning on conducting my own project… click here to go to that page!! But this time that I read it I was so ready to embrace implementing small changes in my life, to have big outcomes. I think this would be a great book for just about anyone to read. Gretchen’s writing is easy to read, and super honest.

 

Stay with Me, by Ayobami Adebayo. This book is one that will stay with me, and haunt me for a long time. It’s the beautifully told story of a husband and wife in Nigeria, who decide to stay only faithful to each other, despite their cultural norms. When they struggle to have a child, their relationship also starts to struggle. Click here for that whole review.

 

Castle of Water, by Dane Huckelbridge. Last, but certainly not least… this book is EVERYTHING!! Holy smokes, it gave me all the feels. From surviving the wilderness, to the deepest of love, this book had me ugly crying in the late hours of night when I was finishing it. It’s the story of the two survivors of a plane crash and their journey back to their world. Click here for my full review.

 

Okay friends, that’s my list. I’m sure I’ve left out some… one already I’m thinking of which was a close runner up is IT, by Stephen King… but you can’t list em all!! Check out some of my favourite bookish mentor’s sites to see their lists:

• Madeleine’s Gift Guide over at Top Shelf Text
• Kate’s Most Memorable Reads at The Loud Library Lady
• Gretchen Rubin’s Gift Guide
• Anne Bogel’s favorites of 2017 at Modern Mrs. Darcy