It was a prime year of reading. This year I read a ton of newly released novels and 2017 was a surprisingly good year in books. While a few of the novels below are a tad older, a lot of my favorite reads of 2017 were actually released in 2017.  





Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough* ★★★★☆
This book is haunting with just a bit of supernatural elements (but in a weirdly realistic way). There's a (un)healthy mix of love triangles, rehab, and stalking. This book literally had me surprised to the very last page, which more twists and turns than I can count. (buy it here)


The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel* ★★★★★
Man, this book was disturbing, but it was written so dang beautifully. It seems some of the best and most beautiful novels make me uncomfortable (see: All the Ugly and Wonderful Things), and this was one of those novels. I couldn't put this one down. (buy it here)


The Breakdown by B.A. Paris* ★★★★☆
I loved B.A. Paris' Behind Closed Doors, so I knew I had to read her second novel. While not as chilling as Behind Closed Doors (which seriously made my skin crawl), this one is still pretty disturbing. I honestly could not figure it out until the end. My biggest issue was some text conversations that confused me a bit, but other than that I really enjoyed this book. (buy it here)


The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond* ★★★★☆
When two people get married, it's because they love each other. They want to grant each other happiness and do everything they can to support their marriage. The Marriage Pact takes it a tad further, where marriage comes with a set of laws - and with those laws come consequences. I can't even describe how wide my eyes were in parts of this novel - it was so weird. My only note here is you won't be happy if you need finality and closure at the end. (buy it here)


Into the Water by Paula Hawkins* ★★★★☆
I've enjoyed Paula Hawkins' novels. Who didn't like The Girl on the Train (not the movie though, it was terrible)? So why would we not all rush out to read Into the Water. I was extremely intrigued by this novel. The story pulled me straight in and I finished the entire book in less than a day, but I, like many others, found fault in the sheer amount of characters within its pages. (buy it here)


The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid* ★★★★★
Historical fiction chick lit is not usually a genre I become deeply immersed in. This novel is an exception. Told as a story within a story, virtually unknown journalist Monique is given the chance of a lifetime to interview big-time actress Evelyn Hugo for a tell-all - and at the request of the actress herself. But why was Monique chosen, and what will be revealed? This novel is anything but average and you'll be surprised throughout. (buy it here)


The Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith ★★★★★
I just got around to reading the first three novels in the series this year (a fourth is coming sometime soon-ish). If you haven't heard of this series, shame on you! I kid. But really, Robert Galbraith is none other than the queen - J.K. Rowling! This series follows disabled veteran and private detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin as they solve mysteries. It took me a bit to get really involved in the characters, but the stories are so good! I can't wait for the next. (buy it here)


Fitness Junkie by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza* ★★★★☆
This one had me cracking up! It picks fun at a variety of trendy exercises, meals, and fads that we all seem to buy into to make ourselves "better" - but at what costs. Fitness Junkie ends with the bit of a shocker, and it's like reading a book version of the National Enquirer. (buy it here)


The Shark Club by Ann Kidd Taylor* ★★★★★
I love so many of the themes in this book - feminism, family, love, mistakes. It talks about being strong when maybe you don't feel your strongest. This is another chick lit novel, with a bit of mystery interlaced, and oh, so good! (buy it here)


All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda ★★★★★
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I wish I'd never read this book, so I could read it again for the very first time. As you've probably guessed from the title, it's one of those "girl/woman" domestic thriller type novels - but it's different! Because it's written backwards, meaning you start with the crime and then go back one day at a time until you find out what happens. Yes, it is the tiniest bit confusing, but not confusing enough to cause any harm. Read this one. It's so good. (buy it here)


The Leavers by Lisa Ko* ★★★★☆
This novel was very sad, but not in a Nicholas Sparks kind of way. The Leavers tells the story of a boy born in America to an immigrant mother, who one day mysteriously disappears. He eventually gets adopted, but he never really stops wondering why his mother left him. I thought this seemed like a very good example of what it may feel like to be born into an immigrant family in America, and is a very relevant novel with the current political climate. Even if this doesn't sound like your typically type of read, I urge you to read it. (buy it here)


It by Stephen King ★★★★☆
Yup, I jumped on the It-train this year with the film adaptation. I love the 1990s miniseries growing up, and have read quite a few Stephen King novels, but never It. So this year seemed like to perfect time to read it. I love King's writing - horrific, full of imagery; I mean really, really scary. I will say that this book is a lot though - it's long, there are parts, chapters, sub-chapters. So it really is a lot to get through which may not go over well with some. It was challenging because it was over twice the length of my usual reads. But again, very good. HOWEVER - there was a very questionable sub-chapter that was truly unnecessary and almost caused this one to not make it onto this list. I won't spoil it for anyone, but you can Google it. (buy it here)


Turtles All the Way Down by John Green* ★★★★☆
I love John Green. I don't read a ton of YA (for no particular reason, because I do enjoy it), but I will continue to read John Green. His characters are witty and fun - I always have true laugh-out-loud moments, and this was no exception. I think Turtles brought mental health to the forefront in an unexpected way, which is incredibly important. There were a few things I wish were developed a bit further, but other than that - this book is a quick read and very, very good. (buy it here)


Illustrated Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling and Jim Kay ★★★★★
Seriously, y'all. Is any explanation needed? Harry Potter is one of my favorite things in the whole wide world and the illustrated versions give me a brand new way to experience them. I loved seeing the story brought into a different light through the illustrations and I can't wait to read POA this year. (buy it here)


The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas* ★★★★★
Another novel that is so very important in this political climate is this one. This book stems from police brutality and race relations. I think it's important for people of all race and genders to read this book, because it really brings home how these types of things affect not only society, but the smaller groups of people, like families and community. (buy it here)



Titles denoted with * were released in 2017.