2017 wrap-up – our top books and reading goals

2017…what a confusing little devil you were! Either so up you’re up, or so down you’re down. Frankly, you were a bit silly and you can go in the bin now.

But the good news is, we’ve finally put together our yearly wrap-up and goals for the next 12 months!

Janelle says…

My top 5 books of the year

Fever Dream – Samanta Schweblin

Unsettling, memorable, unique. I can’t compare this book to anything else I’ve read before, and I couldn’t not give it 5 stars after the profound experience of reading it. If you like books that push the boundaries and leave you thinking, you could give this one a try, just not if you’re a more conservative type.

Shelter – Jung Yun

I loved this book for the fact that it was both an exploration in to cultural and generational divides, and a page-turner to boot. It was confronting but also human. A wonderful surprise of a book.

Burial Rites – Hannah Kent

One for the feels! This was all about the characters for me, Hannah Kent does characters so well and I just fell for them. She also does atmosphere well, and this would be a perfect cosy Autumn or Winter read.

Ready Player One – Ernest Cline

I just want more of this book, I would happily re-read it again and again. This is a bit of a “Swiss army” recommendation for me, it has something for everyone and I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying it. I can’t WAIT for the movie!

One Dark Throne – Kendare Blake

This series has totally captured my imagination and my heart, I love it so much. The story is captivating and addictive, the world that Kendare Blake has created is intoxicating. Semi-dark fantasy with richly drawn characters (you’ll have a hard time choosing a favourite!). Would be great for Game of Thrones lovers. This is bound for the screen at some point, surely.

 

My reading goals

I failed my Goodreads reading challenge for the first time in 2017, falling short by 5 books. And that’s ok, because reading 43 books in a year is still great. I’ve really re-adjusted my Goodreads goal for this year to be more realistic, and I’m aiming for 24 books. That way, I can get to some of the chunkier books that are waiting to be read and not feel irritated by how long it’s taking me to get through them!

I was also kind of participating in the Shelf Love Challenge again this year. I say “kind of” because I didn’t really pay any attention to this at all after I set my goal, I didn’t blog about it, nothin’. I was aiming for between 21-30 of my books read this year to be from my own shelves, and ended up with a total of 15. Considering I currently have around 170 unread books at home (and that number’s about to grow – the Lifeline Bookfair is coming up you guys, I don’t care I’M GOING), that’s pretty crappy. I’m going to say that for 2018, I want at least 50% of the books I read to be from my own piles at home!

 

Mel says…

My top 5 books of the year

The Dry – Jane Harper

This was one of the first books I completed in 2017 and I called it early in my review with my pick for ‘Book of the Year’. I stand by my initial claim. This book was my favourite read of 2017 and I have recommended it to many people since, who all say they loved it also!

Our Souls at Night – Kent Haruf

This was a cute, easy read that Janelle picked. I loved the warm and fuzzy feelings it gave me and can’t wait to watch the Netflix version.

Milk and Honey – Rupi Kaur 

I’m not usually one to read poetry, but this book had so many amazing reviews that I couldn’t resist. It explored darkness, lightness and everything in between. Highly recommend!

The Black Book – James Patterson

My Dad highly recommended this gem to me, as he knows I love anything Crime Fiction. Right from page 1, it reeled me in and didn’t let go until the final page. This was my first James Patterson adventure and I was looking forward to my second, ‘The Zoo’ but that one fell into my DNF pile for 2017.

Force of Nature – Jane Harper

My second Jane Harper pick for Top 5 and I won’t apologise for it, it is well deserved! Can this woman do no wrong? She has me on the edge of my seat from the start of each novel and now I am equally as anxious for book number 3.

My reading goals

As I surpassed my initial Goodreads reading goal in 2016, by 7 books, I set myself high expectations in 2017 with a goal of 30 books. Unfortunately, I didn’t achieve my goal this year and fell short by 12 books coming in at only 18/30 books read. Sigh….

One to keep persisting and pushing myself, I have set my 2018 goal to 20 books in the Goodreads reading challenge and hope I can manage to achieve this, if not surpass it once more!

 

We want to know how your 2017 reading year was! Leave us a comment below!

 

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3 responses to “2017 wrap-up – our top books and reading goals

  1. I had an amazing reading year! Last january​ I decided I should read more, in 2017 I read a total of 94 books and started a bookstagram 😀

    Like

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