Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week you compile a list of ten books which coincide with that week's theme. You can find everything you need to know about joining in here!
This week's theme is 'Top Ten Favourite Books of 2017', and it's a topic I'm not quite comfortable with this year. Out of all the books I've read this year not many have wowed me, in fact most of them have left me feeling a bit 'meh, and in all honesty I don't really like choosing the best books of a year before the year is over, just in case I read something amazing in the last few weeks of December, so look out for another post at the end of this month/beginning of next month in which I'll make myself choose my Top 3 books of 2017!
While most books did leave me feeling a bit cold, the more I thought about it the more I realised that, actually, I did read some really fun, really well-written books this year, and I think it'd be doing the books and their authors a disservice not to mention them. So, in the order I read them, here are my top ten books of 2017:
The Good Immigrant ed. by Nikesh Shukla: An essay collection that really opened my eyes to the kind of racism I have contributed to and not noticed in Britain because of my white privilege. That makes this book sound so preachy, and it really isn't, but it made me think a lot of thoughts and, frankly, I think it should be required reading in schools alongside Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's We Should All Be Feminists.
The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Speaking of Adichie, I decided to finally explore some of her fiction with her short story collection this year and loved it. It was so different from everything else I've read and it's made me really excited to read her novels.
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin: One of the most original fantasy stories I've ever read, told in one of the most interesting ways I've ever seen a story told.
Final Girls by Riley Sager: This twisty and twisted thriller plays around with the 'final girl' trope in horror films and that made it so much fun to read.
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli: Be still my beating heart! I didn't think it would be possible to love this book after I enjoyed Albertalli's debut, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, so much, but I think I loved it even more. I found Molly to be such a relatable heroine, something that rarely happens for me when I read Contemporary YA, and the whole story is lovely. This book is like a warm hug.
Stay With Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀: After reading The Thing Around Your Neck, this debut confirmed that I really enjoy fiction set in Nigeria and I'm eager to check out more. Whatever Adébáyọ̀ releases next, I'll definitely be getting my hands on a copy; this debut is a fantastic page-turner, so much so that I read it in one sitting, and full of twists and turns. I highly recommend it!
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee: Another really fun read with such a charming protagonist and a romance brimming with chemistry. This novel was so full of character and Lee didn't tone down on the historical accuracy for the sake of romanticising the past and, as a history nerd, I really appreciated that.
All the Truth That's in Me by Julie Berry: This one took me by surprise. I was expecting it to be more of a thriller than it was, but the story turned out to be quieter than the blurb made it out to be and I really, really enjoyed it. I loved the way it was written and I loved the way the story unfolded - this is a great one to read in the winter!
Persuasion by Jane Austen: Can you believe it? The book that turned me against Austen when I was eighteen has appeared on my best books of the year list eight years later. Pride and Prejudice is fun but, having reread this one, I think I agree with the many other Austen fans who regard this one as her masterpiece. I also watched the 1995 adaptation this year and thought it was brilliant, so I recommend it if you haven't watched it.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: Last, but definitely not least - this one isn't only one of my favourite books of 2017, but has become one of my favourite books of all time. It's a masterpiece. I adored it, and I can't wait to read Circe.
Which books made your list this week?
While most books did leave me feeling a bit cold, the more I thought about it the more I realised that, actually, I did read some really fun, really well-written books this year, and I think it'd be doing the books and their authors a disservice not to mention them. So, in the order I read them, here are my top ten books of 2017:
The Good Immigrant ed. by Nikesh Shukla: An essay collection that really opened my eyes to the kind of racism I have contributed to and not noticed in Britain because of my white privilege. That makes this book sound so preachy, and it really isn't, but it made me think a lot of thoughts and, frankly, I think it should be required reading in schools alongside Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's We Should All Be Feminists.
The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Speaking of Adichie, I decided to finally explore some of her fiction with her short story collection this year and loved it. It was so different from everything else I've read and it's made me really excited to read her novels.
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin: One of the most original fantasy stories I've ever read, told in one of the most interesting ways I've ever seen a story told.
Final Girls by Riley Sager: This twisty and twisted thriller plays around with the 'final girl' trope in horror films and that made it so much fun to read.
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli: Be still my beating heart! I didn't think it would be possible to love this book after I enjoyed Albertalli's debut, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, so much, but I think I loved it even more. I found Molly to be such a relatable heroine, something that rarely happens for me when I read Contemporary YA, and the whole story is lovely. This book is like a warm hug.
Stay With Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀: After reading The Thing Around Your Neck, this debut confirmed that I really enjoy fiction set in Nigeria and I'm eager to check out more. Whatever Adébáyọ̀ releases next, I'll definitely be getting my hands on a copy; this debut is a fantastic page-turner, so much so that I read it in one sitting, and full of twists and turns. I highly recommend it!
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee: Another really fun read with such a charming protagonist and a romance brimming with chemistry. This novel was so full of character and Lee didn't tone down on the historical accuracy for the sake of romanticising the past and, as a history nerd, I really appreciated that.
All the Truth That's in Me by Julie Berry: This one took me by surprise. I was expecting it to be more of a thriller than it was, but the story turned out to be quieter than the blurb made it out to be and I really, really enjoyed it. I loved the way it was written and I loved the way the story unfolded - this is a great one to read in the winter!
Persuasion by Jane Austen: Can you believe it? The book that turned me against Austen when I was eighteen has appeared on my best books of the year list eight years later. Pride and Prejudice is fun but, having reread this one, I think I agree with the many other Austen fans who regard this one as her masterpiece. I also watched the 1995 adaptation this year and thought it was brilliant, so I recommend it if you haven't watched it.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: Last, but definitely not least - this one isn't only one of my favourite books of 2017, but has become one of my favourite books of all time. It's a masterpiece. I adored it, and I can't wait to read Circe.
Which books made your list this week?
Adored Upside of Unrequited and very excited to hopefully read Vice & Virtue soon!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
DeleteFinal Girls does sound great, I've seen good reviews, and nice that Persuasion turned out well for you! I think I remember seeing the 95 adaptation and even though I've never read Austen, if I were to read her that might be the one I try.
ReplyDeleteI recommend reading it if you decide to give her a try, but I think Northanger Abbey is a fun one to start with, too!
Deletethe only one I have read is 'persuasion' which I can honestly say is my favorite austen book. I did saw the 1995 movie but the 2007 version is the one I like more. I guess I just didn't like the casting of wentworth in the '95 version.
ReplyDeletenot too many good release this year, well, according to me but I usually read books that had been published years before anyhow.
have a lovely day.
Thanks, you too!
DeleteI actually prefer the 1995 adaptation, but one of the things I love about classics is the amount of different adaptations out there.
Ah, I love Persuasion as well -- I just reread it last year, and was wowed all over again. I'm looking forward to reading The Fifth Season and Gentleman's Guide, and really want to read Stay With Me too. Great list!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa, I hope you enjoy them when you get to them!
DeleteOmggg I loved Gentleman's Guide so much! I think it might be my top favourite book of the year actually. 😍😍I also adored Unrequited (Becky Albertalli's books are SO STINKIN' ADORABLE) and this reminds me how much I need to stop being a wimp and go read Song of Achilles. 🙈🙈 My heart!! Is it ever going to be ready?! I SHOULD JUST READ IT ALREADY. So glad you did have some great reads this year!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely read it! Just prepare to have your heart broken.
DeleteI feel like this year was a bit lackluster for me, too! I have Gentleman's Guide still on my TBR; looking forward to it because it seems like everyone loves it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it!
DeleteAw I'm glad you liked Persuasion in the end - and I really like the 1995 series (although most people seem to prefer the new one?) especially Ciaran Hinds as Wentworth! :)
ReplyDeleteI quite like the mood of the 2007 adaptation, but I think the cast is much better in the 1995 adaptation. I prefer Ciaran Hinds as Wentworth, too! The 2007 Wentworth is too baby-faced for someone who's spent a decade at sea and at war.
DeleteHi! I liked Persuasion too :) Emma is my favorite Austen though!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT
Leslie
I have yet to read that one, I know it's very loved though. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYou definitely have some winners - The Upside of Unrequited, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, and Final Girls! I enjoyed all of them!
ReplyDeleteThey're such fun books. Thanks for stopping by! ^_^
DeleteI love your list! The Song of Achilles is also one of my all-time favorites. I loved it when I read it for the first time 2 (almost 3...) years ago, and I still love it upon re-read. So glad to see it on your list. And I love The Gentleman's Guide too :D
ReplyDeleteThe Good Immigrant and The Fifth Season are books that I'm definitely tackling in 2018. I'm looking forward to it.
I don't think I'm emotionally ready to reread it yet, but I definitely will at some point - it's an instant favourite.
DeleteI hope you enjoy them both, thanks for stopping by!
I want to read The Upside of Unrequited and The Gentleman's Guide so badly, hopefully I'll be able to read them next year 😊
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy them when you get to them!
DeleteThe only book I've read from your list is Persuasion which is one of my favorite ones ever. I do own a couple of these, but I haven't read them yet.
ReplyDelete