As we close out 2017, I’m rounding up all of my favorite books and recommending them by category throughout the last week of December! Everything from best releases, debuts, and back list books read will be featured!
2017 was an AMAZING year for me personally, despite it being sort of a dumpster fire of a year for a lot of other things (politics, natural disasters, etc). I’ve read more books that I ever have before, got promoted, bought a house, managed to keep up with this blog, and generally went through a whole lot of life changes. I also read some truly amazing books this year and can’t wait to share my favorite 2017 releases that I read! Below you’ll find the book covers, the month in which I read the title, and links to the Goodreads page as well as my review.
The Names They Gave Us // Pure, beautiful, and raw, I was lucky enough to borrow an ARC of this one from Lauren and read it early and it was just stunning. The cover, the content- this book is flawless and a must read for anyone who wants a meaningful contemporary YA read. Read my review here.
Done Dirt Cheap // This book was super different than anything I’ve read and was about badass girls doing badass things, trying to their best lives despite the circumstances they were forced or born into. Read my review here.
A Court of Wings and Ruin // I had my quibbles with this book but I got more Rhysand and the gang so obviously it ended up in my top everything list. Read my review here.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo // Unlike anything I’ve read previously by TJR, this novel was glamorous and seedy, full of beautiful and vile people and decisions. It’s addicting, especially if you want to see the film industry through the ages. Read my review here.
Haunting the Deep // I love love love the witch-y vibe of this series set in Salem, and coupled with the Titanic plot line it followed all sorts of cool American history. Read my review here.
The Becoming of Noah Shaw // While this had some major differences from the original Mara Dyer trilogy, the same unsettling, eerie vibe was totally there and the ending left you reeling and unsure of what really happened! I love books like that. Read my review here.
Far From the Tree // This book tugs at the heartstrings and was hands down probably the strongest contemporary I read. I felt like the fourth sibling to Grace, Maya and Joaquin and this book deserves every award and praise it’s received. Read my review here.
Prince in Disguise // This book reads like a Hallmark Christmas movie (or a Netflix one- A Christmas Prince, anyone?) and it was SO much fun to combine my FAVORITE contemporary plot element of royalty with reality tv! Read my review here.
Did any of these books make your “top of 2017” list? Let me know in the comments!
I loved The Names They Gave Us, Evelyn Hugo and Far From the Tree. Prince in Disguise is definitely one I need to get to.
It’s really adorable! It also has a Christmassy theme but it’s not overwhelmingly about Christmas, so it’s really a perfect read for any time during the winter!
I love Seven Husbands! Like you said, very different from TJR’s previous books. I still need to read Prince in Disguise – but we did watch A Christmas Prince on Netflix!
Oh I watched a Christmas Prince too! It was amazing and had that perfect holiday feel lol. If you liked that I’m sure you’ll love Prince in Disguise (which in my opinion is even better!)
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was a favorite of mine as well!
I loved it! It was such a departure from TJR’s other books but it was so unique and addictive to read!
SUCH a great list! The Names They Gave Us, Far From the Tree, and Evelyn Hugo were all winners for me this year, too. I actually just picked up Far From the Tree and Evelyn Hugo this month, and I can’t believe it took me until the end of the year to read them! HOLY HELL, Evelyn Hugo. I’m kicking myself for making my “best of 2017” list before I read that one, because I think that’s now one of my favorite books OF ALL TIME.
Thank you, Madalyn! Evenlyn Hugo was UNREAL in the best way- I know it was super divisive for TJR fans but I landed firmly on the side of loving it, I’ve never read anything quite like it!
I’m glad this was such a great year for you, both bookish and non-bookish! The ACOTAR series is another I still need to start, and the other books here sound interesting and emotional and fun (not all at once, depending on the book lol).
Thank you! I highly recommend the ACOTAR series (I am biased though because it’s become my favorite series of all time, haha!)
I’m really curious with The Haunting Deep and Prince in Disguise, but I enjoyed Done Dirt Cheap too! I hope 2018 will also be an amazing reading month for you!
Done Dirt Cheap was phenomenal, I love when I discover outstanding debuts! I hope you’ve had a wonderful start to your 2018 already! 🙂