I hope you aren’t tired of my favorite books of 2017 lists, but this is the last one, so if you are, no worries! This post only covers seven books so it’s a bit smaller than the others. It covers my favorite fantasy novels, Nonfiction, and Adult reads. I really loved all of these books and honestly adored making this post so I could gush about them some more.
Fantasy
1. Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
I listened to these books on audiobooks in early 2017 and I fell in love with them. This fantasy series follows a group of characters that are just so flawed and perfect. Kaz Brekker should be someone you don’t like, I’m pretty sure, but uh, loved him. So much. And Inej? And Nina? Yeah, there wasn’t a character I disliked and then the sequel crushed me and made me so happy and sad all at once. I just adored this duology and it made me fall in love with Leigh Bardugo’s writing. I just picked up Siege and Storm and I have Warbringer so I need to get to both of those super soon. But I also really want to re-read this duo now because I just got the gorgeous hard copy editions.
2. The Diviners and Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray
First of all, are you kidding me with January LaVoy’s audio narration?! She makes this already atmospheric series almost too real. Like the Audible commercial of The Girl on the Train or something where the scene is coming to life around the girl listening? Yes. That’s The Diviners in LaVoy’s hands. Anyway, this story takes place in the 1920s in New York and it is just… So good. It’s a little creepy, but not in a way that left me too terrified to keep reading. I cannot wait to start the third book in the series! I just have to finish an audiobook I’m dragging my feet through for some reason first…
3. Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
Speaking of books I want to re-read, I’ve got to re-read the entire Throne of Glass series before we finally get the final book (cue my sobs) in September. While A Court of Wings and Ruin disappointed me a little, Tower of Dawn blew my expectations out of the water. I really enjoyed Nesryn and her storyline. I even liked Chaol again. I thought the story expanded in a way that I really appreciated, but oh my God, Sarah, that teaser at the end was cruel. LET ME RESCUE MY LOVE. Thanks.
Nonfiction
1. Hunger by Roxane Gay
I feel like everyone has talked about this book so you probably already know how amazing it is because everyone has talked about it, but I agree. This book was so honest and raw and tackles topics that I feel like we as a society tend to avoid so much. Gay just really lays it all out there about what it’s like to have been gang raped as a teenager, putting on weight as a defense mechanism, and what it’s like for her now as a fat, black woman in the world. We all know Roxane Gay is amazing, right? Well, this is her at her most raw and honest (how many times can I say that?) so I highly encourage you to pick this up, but be wary of all the potential triggers.
2. Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
I loved this book so much, which feels like a weird thing to say about a book tackling racism in the U.K, but it’s very true. I felt like this book tackles this topic in a way that is easy to engage with while being informative and challenging. I have a full review of this book so I’m not going to go into too much more here. This has completely stuck with me despite the time that has passed and I feel like I learned so much.
Adult
1. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
This book blew me away and I still think about it pretty regularly. I don’t really have much to say about it that I didn’t include in my review, but I think this book was especially powerful to have read in 2017, which was really just a trash fire year. Also, I really need to get my own copy of this and re-read it since I had to get rid of all of post it notes to return it to the library. Such a struggle. Anyway, read my review if you want more thoughts!
2. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
This book was the funny, uplifting story I needed at the time and I love Rachel and Nick so much. SO MUCH. Weirdly, I have nothing really to say about this book besides telling you how funny and enjoyable and funny it was. I mean, we can talk about how great it’s going to be when the movie comes out because you’d best believe I’m pumped about that. I am also excited to read the sequel which is on my TBR for the Biannual Bibliothon! You’ll see a post about that soon. Anyway, I love this book! Very fun. Highly recommend. Warning: There are footnotes.
And now we’re through with my favorite books of 2017! I’m already excited to find all the books I’ll include on my list for 2018. What were your favorites?
xx
firewhiskeyreader 