Tomorrow is the first day of the new year, book friends! It’s hard to believe. 2017 has been a truly amazing, inspiring year for me as a reader. I finished the year out with 80 books read, which makes 2017 my best year ever when it comes to quantity. I think it might also be my best year ever when it comes to quality… Seriously, I read SO MANY incredible books this year… many of which have worked their way onto my all-time-favorites list.

In part, I think I owe that to the fact that I really dedicated time to reading this year. I made it a priority and it paid off. But more than that, I think it’s this bookish community. Finding Bookstagram and starting one of my own has really been huge for me. I may have started the account in the summer of 2016, but it wasn’t until early 2017 that I really started getting into it, making friends, and pushing myself to write reviews and interact with other readers. This year I started this blog (which I’ll admit, I’ve neglected from time to time…), and it has helped me get better at forming and expressing my opinions on what I’ve read. It has been a good way to bridge the gap between being an English major asked to analyze everything and being a leisurely reader who doesn’t have to think too hard about any of it.

This year I’ve had partnerships with publishers and authors, which has made my nerdy little heart giddy with excitement. The best part though, without a doubt, are all the friendships I’ve made. I never knew there could be so many people out there who were so much like me, who shared a real passion for books and reading (and honestly, a bunch of other random stuff). Finding my people here in the bookish community has been such an affirming, positive, life-changing thing. Even when the algorithm makes us all want to scream, I am happy to be here in such a wonderful community. I can’t thank you all enough for being such an important part of my year! ❤

But since I’m hear to talk about books, I’ll stop gushing about you all long enough to share with you my favorite books that I read this year. If I wrote a review for the book, I’ve linked them. If I haven’t, it wasn’t because I liked the book any less. It’s just because sometimes life is busy and I don’t get reviews written on every book I’ve read. I’d like to say that will change in 2018… but it probably won’t. I am what I am. In any case, all of these books are fantastic and if you want to chat about any of them, message me! Also, if you want to check out all of the books I read in 2017, let’s be friends on Goodreads!

Without further ado, my Top 10 Reads of 2017:

1. The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton — Without a doubt my favorite book I read this year. I adored everything about it and I absolutely can’t wait to reread it.
2. The Resurrection of Joan Ashby by Cherise Wolas — This book just blew me away. I knew 20 pages in that this one was going to be in my Top 5 for the year. Incredible writing and incredible characters.
3. Beartown by Fredrik Backman — My very first Backman novel! It may have spurred on a little bit of an obsession. I am in awe of his writing abilities and this book is one I still can’t stop thinking about.
4. The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne — Just wow. This book is huge and epic and it will break your heart over and over again and you’ll be so glad you read it.
5. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman — I just LOVE Eleanor. She might be one of my favorite characters I have ever read.
6. Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge — This book took me by complete surprise. It is heartbreaking and absolutely beautiful.
7. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood — I still can’t get over this book. It’s a difficult read in some ways but I can’t stop thinking about it.
8. The Glass Eye by Jeannie Vanasco — Maybe my favorite memoir I’ve ever read. It’s honest and self-reflective and beautiful.
9. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie — My first experience with Adichie and I loved it. Her writing is amazing and I learned so much from this book.
10. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt — This is such an impressive book. It kept me hooked through the last page (and it’s a big book!)

Now that I’ve wrapped up this great year, I am so looking forward to seeing what 2018 has to offer! I’m hoping to reread some classics, work my way through a bunch of the books I already own, discover some brand new favorite-books-ever, and continue discussing them with all of you!

Thank you for a wonderful year! Here’s to 2018!