It’s been a long while since I blogged about anything bookish (or anything at all), despite having been reading at my usual pace (or perhaps even faster!).
I’ve been finding it difficult to muster up the energy to review, instead of diving straight into the next book. I’ve read some amazing books this year, and some not so great books, so I thought I would wrap up the entire year in one hopefully-not-so-long blog post.
In 2017, I read (and finished) 97 books.
January
Frostblood by Elly Blake
I loved this fantasy, although it may be a little cliché. I have the second book (Fireblood) on my Kindle and I need to make time to read it before the third and final installment (Nightblood) releases this year. Check out if you like fantasy.
Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham
I read this on audiobook and it is essentially a short autobiography of the star of TV’s Gilmore Girls, which I watched in its entirety last year – including binge watching the eight season in one night. This was a fun read if a little short, and the main bulk of the book was focused on returning to filming Gilmore Girls after 10 years.
Mafiosa by Catherine Doyle
I loved this trilogy of books centred around the Chicago Mafia (I swear this is YA at its best!). This is the final book and dramatic conclusion to the trilogy, which is full of angst, romance, friendship, and murder. Definitely one to check out if you haven’t already.
Did I Mention I Love You? by Estelle Maskame
This is the first book in the DIMILY trilogy which is set in LA (at least the first book is!) and follows Eden and Tyler, step-siblings who fall in love. The subject matter can be a little awkward at times, but this is a fun guilty pleasure read. I plan on finishing the trilogy in 2018.
Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
The first book in the Witchlands series was a fun witchy ride with friendship galore – I’m looking forward to picking up Windwitch (the sequel) and Sightwitch (the prequel) in 2018.
We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan and Brian Conaghan
I really enjoy Sarah Crossan’s free verse, and this first release of the year from her was an interesting read about two troubled teens who cross paths and become friends. I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend you check out any of Sarah Crossan’s books (they are all brilliant!) if you would like a quick emotive read.
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf
This is a short classic essay from Virginia Woolf – I got the gorgeous Vintage Classics edition which also includes Three Guineas.
A Gathering of Shadows by V E Schwab
The second book in the A Darker Shade of Magic trilogy, I liked this book more than I did the first – I am planning on finishing the third book this year but it is a looooooong one. This trilogy has such good reviews and is marketed as Adult Fantasy although it is a firm favourite with the YA community.
February
All About Mia by Lisa Williamson
This is Lisa Williamson’s second book (the first the critically-acclaimed The Art Of Being Normal which was also excellent) and I devoured this one in one night. This is a must-read about a girl called Mia, the middle child between two excellent and talented sisters who feels inadequate.
Girl Up by Laura Bates
I read Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates a couple of years ago, and if you haven’t read that book yet, please please please go read it now. It is excellent. This book, Girl Up, is a kind of guide to being a woman, perhaps aimed at the teenage market, but it is still a great read and one to pick up and give to every young woman you know.
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
This is such a popular poetry book of the moment, and I was amazed how poetry can make you feel things with such few actual words. I really enjoy Rupi Kaur’s poetry although it can be a little… weird. Give this one a go and see what the fuss is about.
Animal by Sara Pascoe
An absolute must-read and one you must put on all your to-buy lists, this is the ‘autobiography of the female body’ – it is clever and funny and scientific and just wonderful. I read this as an audiobook which worked really well (some non-fiction books do not translate well to audio) as Sara is a comedian and this book will make you laugh out loud on the train, as well as educate you thoroughly.
Geek Girl 4 – 6 by Holly Smale
I’m going to combine these books – I read the final three books in the Geek Girl series by Holly Smale – these are aimed at the slightly younger end of the YA market but they are so much fun. The final book in particular stood out for me in the series as it is emotional and perfect. Give this series a go if you haven’t already.
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Caraval was a book I enjoyed despite it being confusing and super super cliché – overall I was disappointed in the book as it had been hyped so much over the year preceding publication, but I did really enjoy it. I don’t think I’ll be continuing on with this duology but we will have to see when reviews come out for the second book later this year.
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Jenny Han’s writing is not for me – it’s a little too fluffy and whimsical – but this book was an improvement on the first book by hers I read a few years ago (The Summer I Turned Pretty). I have the second book on my TBR to read this year but won’t be continuing with the third book in the series.
Doing It! by Hannah Witton
I really enjoyed this book which was in the same vein as Girl Up! above – it’s a book about sex and healthy relationships and is a non-fiction must-read for me. This book is comprehensive and inclusive and well worth the read.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
I don’t think I need to say too much about this one – it’s an absolute must-read and a new-classic. Angie tackles the Black Lives Matter with an engaging main character Starr who witnesses the murder of her best friend by a police officer.
March
Nina Is Not Ok by Shappi Khorsandi
Another book by a UK female comedian (see Sara Pascoe above), this is a dark YA novel about a teenage girl struggling with alcoholism. A really great and engaging read, although much darker than I anticipated.
How Not To Disappear by Clare Furniss
I really enjoyed this book about a pregnant teenager engaging with her ailing grandmother on a road trip. This was such a heartwarming coming-of-age story that read like an adult novel, with complex and diverse characters who almost jumped off the page.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
I read this in anticipation of the Sky Atlantic series – I tried to watch the first episode and didn’t come back for more. I enjoyed the book but don’t feel the need to re-read so I am unhauling this book and donating to my local charity shop.
Seven Days of You by Cecilia Vinesse
Think Anna and the French Kiss set in Tokyo minus all the cheating. Sweet romance that will transport you to the heart of Japan.
Moranifesto by Caitlin Moran
This is a collection of Caitlin’s columns – I loved this and it’s an easy book to dip in and out of due to the format (being a collection of newspaper columns). I want to pick up more of Caitlin’s work but her books always seem so expensive!
If Birds Fly Back by Carlie Sorosiak
I read this book on iBooks on my phone whilst commuting to and from work – this is a sweet romance between a girl working at a nursing home for the summer and a boy trying to connect with his elderly father. I’m looking forward to Carlie’s second book Wild Blue Wonder.
Hope you enjoyed reading about what I read at the beginning of the year… what did you read? What do you want to read this year? Tweet me @annalisebooks or let me know in the comments!
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