I made this list based on all the books I read in 2017 that I gave 5 stars. I had a lot this year! You can check out my top books from 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. This post contains affiliate links to Amazon. I get a small commission if you click the Amazon links and buy something.
New Releases
Geekerella
by Ashley Poston
Why I liked it:
This was truly a modern retelling of Cinderella with no magical elements, but plenty of clever nods to the fairy tale. The fandom elements made this story unique. The ball is at a comic convention where Cinderella enters a cosplay competition. And the nerd-culture references were at Gilmore Girls levels which made this book delightful to read.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
Backlist
Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry
Why I liked it:
I think Lois Lowry is magical with words. She is so minimalist in what she writes and yet it portrays so much. I’ve heard of this book ever since I was in elementary school. I think I was scared to read it because I knew it was about war. I shouldn’t have been scared. It’s surprisingly upbeat without detracting from the danger and horror of war. I don’t know how she did it. I’m pretty sure it must be magic.
Echo
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Why I liked it:
I loved the music theme in this story. It’s so rare that someone can write about music well and Pam Munoz Ryan definitely did. There’s a fairy tale told in bits that ties the four different narratives together and it was enchanting. The story focuses on a harmonica and there is even harmonica music in the book. As a musician, I saw the numbers underneath lyrics and I knew it had to be music somehow. I couldn’t read on until I could play all the songs on the harmonica. I didn’t play them well, but you could kind of tell what song it was. This book delighted me.
Talking As Fast As I Can
by Lauren Graham
Why I liked it:
This book was so much fun to read. I followed along in the book to look at the great photos from her life while I listened to Lorelai…I mean Lauren…read about her life. I highly recommend the audiobook. Lauren’s life is different but relatable. She grew up on a houseboat with her dad. She moved to New York to get into acting but had to work long hours just to survive and she took a chance on acting school. The end of the book is a commentary on Gilmore Girls and even though I wasn’t watching the show while I listened to her thoughts on it, I knew exactly what she was talking about. If you adore Gilmore Girls like I do, you need to read this book.
The Boys in the Boat
by Daniel James Brown
Why I liked it:
While I learned some fascinating history while reading this book, I feel like subtitle to Boys in the Boat should be “How Life is Like Rowing.” I personally got out of it more than I was expecting. This narrative nonfiction is so well researched from newspapers, interviews and other sources that it felt like I was there. The races were intense and exciting to read. Each race was translated into non-sports language about why we should care, what strain their bodies must be going through, the strategies the teams were probably using, and the challenges they had to overcome to win.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
The Golem and the Jinni
by Helene Wecker
Why I liked it:
This story was absolutely beautiful. It’s told so vividly. The characters were fascinating. The contrasting personalities of the golem and the jinni made their relationship so interesting to read about. The historical setting and the cultures that each of these magical creatures come from was wonderful to read.
The Little Prince
by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Why I liked it:
This allegory is cute, adorable, and funny. But my favorite thing about it was all the crazy adults that he meets. Lol aren’t those crazy adults funny! Wait, I think I am one. It encouraged me to reflect and challenge the way I do things and boy do I love a book that challenges your thinking. It’s light-hearted but deep and I’ve never read anything like it.
Amazon | Goodreads | My Review
The Wednesday Wars
by Gary D. Schmidt
Why I liked it:
This reminded me of the same humor that you see in A Christmas Story. It’s a very self-centered humor where all actions are designed to make their life miserable. The principal who wants to be a dictator of a small country is practicing his techniques on them. The teacher who hates his guts. He doesn’t comes across as selfish because he cares a lot for others and sometimes he’s even bullied. The snark is strong in this book and it was delightful to read.
A Man Called Ove
by Fredrik Backman
Why I liked it:
The more I read from this cranky old man’s perspective, the more I started to like him and even see things his way. At first I laughed at his confusion over a laptop and a tablet when all he wanted was a computer. But by the end I was thinking, yeah why don’t we (meaning young people) know how to fix basic things or backup a trailer? He has a point. He may be grumpy on the outside, but deep down he’s a good person – the kind they don’t make anymore. This book will make you want to hug the cranky old man in your neighborhood and befriend him against his will.
The Orphan Keeper
by Camron Wright
Why I liked it:
This was one of those books that I could not put down. And when I was done, I couldn’t get the story out of my head. I immediately went to the website to see what was true and what was fictionalized. Not as much of this story was made up as I thought. What a stunning journey about finding your family when it seems impossible.
Honorable Mentions
I gave 16 books 5 stars this year, but I only wanted to write about the top 10. One of the books was a re-read, so here are the other 5 books that I loved this year. Links to Goodreads.
- The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty
- The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Always Hungry?: Conquer Cravings, Retrain Your Fat Cells, and Lose Weight Permanently by David Ludwig
- A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
- What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
My name is Jessica. I love to read Young Adult and classic literature. I’ve been a book blogger for six years and I haven’t gotten tired of it yet. I’m a very curious reader. Writing about all the questions and thoughts I had while reading a book is the best hobby ever.
The Wednesday Wars is one of my favorite books of all time. I’m glad you loved it too. I need to read The Orphan Keeper it’s sitting on my shelf just waiting for me.
Many of my favorites are on this list.. and many that I want to read that I hope will be become favorites. Thanks for sharing!
I’m excited that Number the Stars in on your list! That is one of my childhood favorites. I love that story soooooo much!