2017 wrap up: favorites

The title speaks for itself.
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1. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

I feel like I talk about this in my every post. But it was my very first 5 star read of 2017 so how can I not? 

I am actually about to re-read the duology, and I'm kinda scared that I will find problems in it when I read it 2nd time - as I've been very critical lately. But hopefully not. Hopefully I will still love it to bits. 
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2. Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo 

Oh look, another set of Bardugo books. But I did enjoy this one immensely as well. It was a very quick read for it being fantasy series and while this book does have many ya tropes and pit falls I still really liked it.

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3. From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon

This was my third book by Amy Harmon, and while I already knew that she has a way with words, now I have also realized that she knows and understands human emotions on a whole new level. Her books are always enchanting and raw, be it a fantasy or a historical fiction. 

If you love and appreciate a good historical fiction, I cannot recommend this book enough. For me it was a magnificent, although heartbreaking, 5 star read. If you are not big on romance, don't worry, I am not either, but From Sand and Ash has so much more to offer.

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read review here

4. Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets the universe by Benjamin Alice Saenz 

Probably the most beautifully written contemporary I've ever read. It's sad and happy, it's heart breaking and healing. It's a journey of anger, confusion, love and family - and you should read it now.

And I am not one to read much and love ya contemporaries - they just don't cut it for me, but this - this was magical, even when it talked about the most mundane of things. 


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5. This savage song by Victoria Schwab

This book was not even nearly perfect (structurally).
This book had quite a few typos (yes, I know it's petty, but I notice these things).

BUT, this book kept me invested from cover to cover. I stayed up reading till 2 am one time, and that says a lot, as I very much love my precious sleep time!

​I also feel the need to mention that this is a duology and the second book Our dark duet didn't do anything for me - so only the first one is my favorite. 
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6. Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine by Gail Honeyman

Oh how I loved this book. 
To understand a prickly pear you must become a prickly pear.
Or be one already.
I have been told that I am prickly, but Eleanor is prickly x100. But she has very good reasons (whether I do not).

Eleanor Oliphant doesn't feel fictional. She feels real. Like a co-worker that won't talk to you, or like a neighbor that you never see. But real, nonetheless.
After I finished the book I was devastated - I didn't want Eleanor to be gone from my life yet. I felt as if I've came to know her over those 325 pages. I wished I could have kept reading for at least 325 more.

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7. The Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson 

While I absolutely adored the whole trilogy my favorites were #2 and #3 especially. 

The world building, the characters, the plot, the twist and the turns. Everything about this series is superb. Brandon Sanderson is a genius. 

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8. Burial rites by Hannah Kent

If you are looking for a fast paced, action packed, sinister novel - this book is NOT for you. 

This is a novel about a woman sentenced to die. Her days are recollected and described in painful agony of everyday tasks as she waits to be slaughtered. 

And I honestly cannot recommend it enough! I feel like this is such an important book to read, and I am very surprised that more people are not talking about it.

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9. And then there were none by Agatha Christie 

No wonder this is considered to be the best book of Agatha Christie's ever - it is truly a masterpiece. 

And I am not just saying it- I truly mean it. I didn't just discovered it and am not speaking on a high rush of that fresh new read feeling - this was a re-read for me. And I don't re-read books very often - only the BEST OF BEST makes my re-reads list.

And because it is so atmospherically mysterious and creepy, it was a perfect October read! Highly, highly recommend! 
Bravo Agatha Christie, BRAVO!

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10. The Emperor's soul by Brandon Sanderson 

You know what this book's only flaw is? It's way too short.
Oh, don't worry, the story is all perfectly wrapped up and beautiful. There just needs to be more of this because "The Emperor's soul" is a masterpiece. I could easily read 500 more pages of this.

That said, this is the best thing I've read this year and it's only 175 pages. The novella is a Hugo Award Winner and I definitely see why.

​175 pages to develop a page turning story with deep background and great characters.
175 pages to create one of the best female main character ever.
175 pages to have reader guessing the next turn and twist.
175 pages apparently was all Brandon Sanderson needed to blow my mind.

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11. Making Faces by Amy Harmon 

I have no words for this book. I have cried in several books, but never have I ever wailed like a baby as much as I did when I finished Making Faces. 

​Amy Harmon has been one of my favorite authors for a while and with every book I think that I love her even more. 

​Making faces is both heart breaking and heart healing and I think that you should go read it now. 



​This is my favorites list for 2017 - it's not that many when I think about it, but I loved them all dearly. Here's to more awesome books in 2018!! 

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