It’s time to share my favorite reads from 2017, y’all! I’m writing this in the middle of December, so technically there’s more to 2017, but I have currently read 88 books this year and already have way too many favs! LOL! My Goodreads goal was 75, so I actually went a little over that. I ended up having 13 favorites and I am excited to share them with y’all today!
******* Be sure and check out the GIVEAWAY at the end of this post!!*******
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These are in no particular order except the last 4, which are my actual 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th favs from the year.
In October, I read I Found You by Lisa Jewell. I bought this book in June and it sat on my shelf for 4 months and when I finally got around to reading it, I thought “I absolutely hate that this wonderful story sat on my shelf untouched for 4 months!” Y’all, this book will keep you guessing and I promise you, you will not figure out what the connection is among the three different plot lines.
Every time I try and summarize what this book is about, I end up making it sound like a really confusing book, but I promise it’s not! It alternates back and forth between 3 different plots: 1) a newlywed who is frantically searching for her husband who has gone missing as he is leaving work one day 2) a woman who finds a man sitting on the beach in the rain and he has no memory of who he is or how he got there 3)a family on vacation who befriend a local boy who ends up developing a crush on the daughter of the family, despite the brother’s warnings that something seems off with this stranger. If you like mysteries and books that make you keep guessing until the end, pick this one up!
In February, I read Sophie Kinsella’s newest book My Not So Perfect Life. Even though I felt this one was a bit too long (almost 450 pages!) I absolutely adore the female protagonist in this one and I think she is such an empowering, flawed main character. I could have done with a little more romance (because I’m a sucker for a good love story), but the main character just made this book for me!
It’s about a woman named Katie Brenner, who gets fired from her job and has to move back to her parents farm and helps them set up their new business. When her old, demanding boss shows up, Katie has to juggle things to not let her family and boss what’s really going on. Katie is such a smart character that I was rooting for until the very last page.
In April, I read Alex, Approximately and rediscovered my love for YA books. Young adult used to be my go to genre, but then I sort of fell out of love with it and started reading more adult fiction and thrillers. This one sucked me back with with an adorable You’ve Got Mail storyline.
It’s about a girl who “meets” a boy online and starts communicating with him. She moves to California to live with her dad and discovers he lives in the same community. She spends the majority of the book trying to figure out her online crush while also trying to figure out how to work with an annoying coworker at her new job. The annoying coworker of course turns out to be her online crush (not a spoiler; this is mentioned in the synopsis). It sounds juvenile and it is, so if that’s not your thing, you might want to skip this one, but it made me remember all the reasons I fell in love with reading in the first place.
The Marriage Lie was our #lalalifebookclub July pick and ohmiword. This book was inhaled!!! I could not turn the page fast enough. I HAD to know what happened with this one and I was shocked right up until the very last sentence. If you read this one, be sure and check out the Instagram book on my LaLa Book Club Instagram because EVERYONE had thoughts and feels on this one!
It’s about a woman whose husband is killed in a plane crash. The strange thing is that the plane that goes down was heading to Washington and he was supposed to be going to a work event in Orlando. The woman is convinced that something else is going on and we get to follow along as she tries to piece together the last weeks of her husband’s life and figure out why he was on a different plane. SOOOO good!
During Spring Break, I finally convinced myself to pick up My Lady Jane and I am so glad I did! This YA historical fiction book will forever be one of the FUNNIEST books I’ve ever read. I’ve always heard people raved about this one, but historical fiction isn’t my favorite genre and at over 500 pages, this one was daunting. I read this in 3 days! I could have read it in one, but I forced myself to slow down so I can savor the book. I even typed in my Goodreads review that 500 pages weren’t long enough.
This one is about King Edward’s cousin, Jane who becomes queen of England for nine days and is then beheaded. The humor in this one is just so spot on and I laughed out loud so many times. This one will go down as one of my all time favs!
B.A. Paris’s debut novel made my top 10 list last year and his second book made this year’s list. Although I enjoyed Behind Closed Doors more, The Breakdown is so so good! This one had an unreliable narrator that made the book so fun. I spent the entire time thinking “Is she really crazy or is someone setting her up??”
It’s about a woman who takes a shortcut home one rainy night and sees a car pulled over on the side of the road. She thinks the person is having car trouble, so she pulls over to offer assistance. When the woman doesn’t get out of the car, she drives off and discovers the next morning that the woman in the car was murdered. The main character feels incredibly guilty, but doesn’t say anything to anymore. Meanwhile, she starts to forget little things here and there, which develop into big things. I loved this one for many reasons, but I especially love how the author leaves nothing open ended. When you finally figure out what’s going on, there is a series of text messages that explain so much that I questioned throughout the story. I loved being able to read that part and think, “oooh that’s what happened!” or “ohhhhh now that makes sense!” Love!
In June, I kicked off summer reading with the highly anticipated When Dimple Met Rishi. This YA contemporary was perfect! When Dimple Met Rishi is a smiling throughout the story kind of book. These two characters have one of the BEST meet cutes EVER and I LOVED it! I so recommend this one!
It’s about a girl who goes to a technology camp for the summer, despite her parent’s wishes. They think she should be concentrating on finding a husband. They rearrange a marriage for her and her supposed groom attends the camp, unbeknownst to her!
The Light We Lost was one of the last books I read before going back to work in August. I had been seeing this one everywhere and finally decided to pick it up. Oh man, I had no idea what this one was about. Very rarely do I go into a book not knowing what it’s about, but for some reason I did with this one and I think that’s why I enjoyed it so much. This one will stay with you for the longest!
It’s about a man and woman who meet in New York on September 11, 2001 and they share a magical day together. Something happens and they don’t stay together until a year later when they randomly meet again and decide it’s fate. They develop a relationship that lasts several years until the man gets a job and moves to the Middle East. The woman eventually marries someone else, but her first love remains in her life in different ways… I normally hate books that span over many years, but this one is fabulous! If you read it, feel free to message me about the ending because trust me, you’ll have mannnny thoughts and feels about it!
After finishing The Party last night, I had to edit this post and change it from my top 12 books of 2017, to the top 13 because this one just had to be included! Oh goodness gracious, this book was soooo good! I can’t even remember where I read about it, but I ordered it over the summer and then got busy with another book and shelved this one. It stayed on my shelf for 5 months until I went into the office the other day and browsed my shelves to see if I had anything I was in the mood for. For some reason, I decided to try this one and I am so so glad I did! I can’t believe I didn’t think this one wouldn’t be good. After buying it, I regretted it because I didn’t think I would like it. I LOVED IT!
It’s about a husband and wife and how their daughter’s sweet sixteen party gets out of control at their house. The book deals with the aftermath of an incident that occurred at the party and it’s told from four perspectives: the wife, the husband, the daughter, and the mother of one of the other girls at the party. You will not want to miss this one y’all! It is fabulous!!
And now it’s time for my TOP FOUR of 2017!
I have just finished The Last Mrs. Parrish and I am obsessed! This is now one of my top 3 favorite thrillers of all time (The Kind Worth Killing and The Good Girl would be #1 and #2!). Y’all, this book is just in a league of its own. There’s a twist and I saw it coming, but it didn’t affect my love for this story. It is unputdownable.
It’s about a woman who befriends another woman because she wants her life. She grows close with this family and sets out to steal the other woman’s husband. The first half of the book is from her point of view and the second half is from the other woman’s point of view, which I LOVED! I loved getting to read the story for both sides and see the differences. This one deserves allll the hype!
My 3rd favorite of the year is a YA thriller that is the perfect cross between The Breakfast Club and Pretty Little Liars. One of Us is Lying is one that you will not be able to put down until you figure out whodunit!
It’s about a group of kids who get after school detention. During the detention, one of the kids dies and the police determine that the killer had to be one of the kids in detention. The book follows the four detention kids as you try and piece together what happened and who is behind the killing. My favorite aspect of this story are the backstories we get to read about with each character. I was so invested in each of these characters and I couldn’t wait to figure out how they were involved. The ending was a shock and I loved it!
I read my 2nd favorite book in March and I can safely say I’ve never read anything like this one. The Roanoke Girls isn’t a story for everyone, but I guarantee you that if you read it, you will always remember this story.
It’s about a woman who goes to live with her grandparents and cousin when her mom dies. She stays with her family for a few years, but then leaves as soon as she can and moves far away. When her cousin texts her to come home because she needs her help, the woman returns, only to find her cousin is missing. Y’all, this one is definitely an intense thriller. It’s not gory or scary, or graphic, but it reads like a southern gothic story. I recommend this one to everyone who asks me what my favorite from the year has been. Even though it’s not my number one pick, it’s definitely the book I remember most when I reflect on my reading from this year. So, so, so good!
And my number one favorite book from 2017 is When It’s Real by Erin Watt and let me tell you, this was a shocker. I absolutely hated Erin Watt’s Paper Princess series from last year. Because of this, I was very hesitant to pick up the new summer release, but the plot sounded so good. It’s an odd choice for my number one favorite book, but when I looked at my list, this one stood out to be because I enjoyed it so much. Romance stories are my favorite type of books to read and I didn’t find many that I loved in 2017, but this one was just a joy to read. I love reading books that are outside my comfort zone and teach me something, but when you get right down to it, you read for enjoyment and this was the book I enjoyed the most this year!
It’s about a girl whose sister works for a major pop star who is in need of an image change. The main character is in need of a job and so she agrees to be his fake girlfriend for a year. Now I realize that this sounds like a fluffy teenage romance story and that’s halfway true. This book is considered New Adult, so the characters are in their early to mid twenties.
Okay, friends. Y’all know much I love to read and I want to share my favorites with y’all! I decided to celebrate my 2017 reading year with a little giveaway! I’m giving away every single one of my 13 favs from 2017 to one lucky winner!
To enter, head over to my Instagram account (@lalalifebookclub) and follow the rules. If you want a bonus entry, you can leave a comment here telling me about one of your favorite books! The giveaway will end Friday night at midnight. I’ll announce the winner Sunday morning!
Good Luck! 🙂 🙂
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We have similar tastes in books! Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors but I haven’t read My Not so Perfect Life yet! Oh man, the Breakdown and The Marriage Lie were so good!! I’m looking forward to reading The Last Mrs. Parrish and you’ve made me want to read The Roanoke Girls!
Thanks for always posting great books!
Lacy
IG: xomrsallaire
I just finished Scar Island with my fifth graders! We all agreed it was our favorite.
Heather McDonald
I have added a lot of your book suggestions to my Goodreads. Now if only I can get to actually reading them!
Just finished reading Autobiography of Santa Claus! Such a good fun read to get into the holiday spirit! Fun historical events with the big mans perspective. Thanks for your shares! Excited to read one of your favs!!!
One of us is Lying is in my TBR pile
One of us is Lying is in my TBR pile.
Wow, 88 books. That’s impressive! I’m a teacher as well so I know that must not have been easy with how busy you were!
I really liked My Not So Perfect Life too! The Light We Lost..I was just not sure on that book. I liked it and I like the characters but the ending was just too much for me. Who obsesses over their husband's actions like she did and yet never confront him about it? That seemed unbelievable to me. It was like the author was just trying to excuse what was about to happen next. And that seem just a little too convenient for me to be happy with that ending. Visiting from Instagram!
I want to read the marriage lie!
The Kind Worth Killing is probably one of my all time favorite books! This year I read his new one Her Every Fear – I enjoyed that one too.
I loved these too but man I had HIGH anxiety!
I’ve only read one of your favorite books and it was “The Party”. I really enjoyed that one. I have most of your favourites on my TBR list, but got caught up with older reads all year. I’m so glad I found your blog. I’m definitely going to up my game for 2018. This year I managed 40. But I’m a busy mom of 3 so I hope to do better in the new year!
I actually had two favorites this year which were big little lies and wonder which I read to my kids!
We have super similar taste in books! I love anything Sophie Kinsella/Madeline Wickham so I need to read that new one!! (@drcorey on IG)
I love your taste in books. Since I got back into reading and made time I read, I only read books you recommend. Thanks so much for sharing!!!
I loved Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. I think you’d love it!
I read The Roanoke Girls, too! Loved it! I’m from the Midwest though, so I am biased.
I get so many great recommendations! Thank you for sharing!
I really got into the Daisy Goodwin and Julian Fellowes over the last 7/8 months! Read several by both- The Fortune Hunter, Victoria, The American Heiress, Snobs, Past Imperfect- these were all great weekend reads!! Thanks for all the synopsis on your favorite books this year! Great Giveaway!
I am a fellow teacher and your reading recommendations keep me going! On days when I am beyond exhausted I’ll read one of your reviews, purchase the book and end up lost in a new world! Thanks so much! It’s very appreciated!!!!
All of these books sound so good! I hope I win! ��
All of these books sound so good! I hope I win! 😊
Thank you for the great reviews! We have similar taste in books! Can’t wait to do some reading this holiday break! ��
IG: blondymoose
Thank you for the great reviews! We have similar taste in books! Can’t wait to do some reading this holiday break! ��
IG: blondymoose
Reading is my life! It would would make my winter break to win! Thanks for giving us the chance!! 💕
On library waiting list for The Last Mrs Parrish based on you recommendation from a previous post. Instagram name is hoosliz.
I LOVED The Light We Lost!!
I loved every book on this list that I’ve read…and I need to read the ones I haven’t gotten to yet!! As a 6th grade teacher, Christmas break is my favorite time to read a good book ����❤️ @nellew00ds
I forgot to mention that I loved Class Mom! I am very excited to read all the books listed above but more excited that I happened to stumble upon your Instagram/blog because you are the first person I go to for book recommendations. We seem to have the same taste in books 🙂
Another favorite of mine this year was The Break Down, as well.
The Break Down was also a favorite of mine… but plan on doing a lot of reading yet before 2017 is over!
I love, love, love My Lady Jane! That book is hilarious, and was a delight to read.
I also really enjoyed a memoir entitled Party of One- that one is really funny (and sad, sometimes).
I love all of your recommendations! I just finished reading The Marriage Lie and I loved it!! Thank you for sharing all of the books you read! 🙂
I’m currently reading I Found You. It is so good! I should finish it tonight. I always go to your blog when I’m trying to decide what to read next. Usually if you love a book then I will love it too! Another book that I enjoyed and hoped I could share with my fifth graders was Orphan Island. It is a great book but the more I got into it, I decide it was a little too much for my class. I’m still glad I read it. I try to throw in a middle grade book in my reads every now and then.
can’t wait to check these out!!!! love ur book suggestions. I would so love to win these books!❤️
One of Us Is Lying was a great read. I had a suspicion about what happened and was proven wrong every time. Great read! Here's hoping I win!
One of us is lying is in my TBR.
We have such similar tastes in books! If I ever don’t know what to read next I just check to see what you’re reading and loving and I know I’ll be happy! Thanks for sharing your love of books and your opinions!
I always love seeing what you’re reading!! Heaven’s Crooked Finger was so good I finished it in a day! Twisty mystery involving an Appalachian snake handling cult! Eek.
Thanks for sharing your favorite reads on insta and your blog! I absolutely love following you and reading about what you’re reading! I teach reading to middle schoolers, so it’s a hobby and my passion! I would love to win your 13 fave books! Whenever I am bored, I hop in your insta and head to Barnes and Noble! Thanks again!
Love your blog! My favorite book was Pretty Girls by Karen Slaughter……..so good.
Have a blessed Christmas!!!
Oh sorry, favorite reads: Big Little Lies, The Good Girl, and Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and her daughter
Thank you for all the great book selections this year! I set aside time for books this year and found a love of reading. Your selections definitely helped guide me! @amymm137
So many of my TBR books this year have come from your recommendations! I haven't read most of these on your 2017 favorites list yet so I'd love to win these! Three of my favorites this year were The Couple Next Door and A Stranger in the House (both from your recommendations) and Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer.
I loved One of Us is Lying!!!! It was soooo good. I’m currently on winter break and I love reading as much as I can! God bless and I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
You inspire me to step out of my comfort zone and take a chance on a different kind of book than I’m used to reading. I plan to read every single one of these books when I get a minute and slow down. My favorite book I read this year was November 9 by Colleen Hoover.
Ahhh!!! I seriously LOVE reading your book reviews! One of Us is Lying was one of my favorites this year, too! Thanks for sharing… it’s always nice to have a list of books ready to go for Winter Break. I mean, I love teaching fifth graders, but I also love having quiet time to just read! ❤️
I'm currently reading Restart by James Patterson and loving it! I have a stack of books on my table, but it looks like I have several to add. Thank you for this list!
The Marriage Lie! Love your book reviews–I always look forward to them!
I loved this list even though I haven’t read any of these books yet, I screenshot pretty much everyone to add to my Amazon cart. You do a great job of summarizing the books to get me to want to buy them. ��
Such a grew at list of books!! I need to get busy reading! Thank You for sharing your favorites!
I just joined a book club and a lot of these are on the list or I added them based on this blog post!!
Great reviews! Can’t wait to read some of these!
Thank you for sharing your list! It has been so long since I've read a non school related book, I didn't even know where to start!