Lynnie's Favorite Books of 2017

Well, I've made it through another year and 50 more books. Fortunately I liked most of what I read as I rated 37 of those books with 3 stars or higher on Goodreads.  Unfortunately, there were 7 books that I did not finish, which is a high number for me.  Oh well, you can't win the reading lottery all the time.  I only gave 5 stars to two books I read this year, one of which, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling, I won't include on this list as it's been a favorite for many years.  

Listed below are my favorite books of the year in no particular order.  If you need something to read in 2018, I recommend any of them.

 Favorite Books for Grownups: 

The Rook by Daniel O'Malley

I'm so glad my sister, Amy, recommended this book. It has a unique premise, is filled with creativity and has non-stop action that kept me wanting to read more, an adventure and a mystery all wrapped in to one. I hear it's being made into a tv show so read it now before everyone starts talking about it at work. 


 
What Was Mine by Helen Klein Ross

Not a book I would typically enjoy, I was absolutely engrossed in this story. While the book description gives away the main plot (a woman kidnaps a baby and gets away with it for 21 years before being discovered), watching it unfold is sometimes intense and always fascinating. It's a book that I thought about long after reading it. 


The Book of Polly by Kathy Hepinstall

Read this book for the characters- they are southern, sassy, and will make you shake your head in dismay as often as they make you laugh. The story and the characters are quirky and you'll be glad you decided to spend some time with them.  





Favorite Books for Young Adults:
 
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

I adored Taylor's previous series, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and in this novel she does not disappoint.  Taylor is a master world-builder and it was fun to spend time getting to know Lazlo Strange and all of the people around him.  This is fantasy and escape the way it should be done (but watch out for that cliffhanger ending).



The Tearling Series by Erika Johansen
(The Queen of the Tearling, The Invasion of the Tearling, The Fate of the Tearling)

While I liked some of the books in the series better than others, it's rare to find a series these days that holds my attention so completely. Obviously I was late to the series as I read all three books in the series in 2017 but that means that you don't have to wait to read the entire series either. If you're interested in dystopian fantasy and adventure, this is a great series.  


Honorable Mentions:

Barefoot Contessa Foolproof by Ina Garten - Another great cookbook by Garten full of easy to follow, useful recipes. She never lets me down.

You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams by Alan Cumming - An interesting glimpse into the life of Alan Cumming who is remarkably self-aware about how absurd his life is sometimes as a celebrity. Very entertaining.

In case you're curious and looking for more reading ideas, here's a link to my favorites lists from 2015 and 2016. And don't forget to check out Amy's Favorites of 2017 too!