It is December 30, 2017 and it is time for me to show you all my favourite books of 2017! I have tried to narrow it down to 5 but it is not happening, I have too many great books to show you to limit them to a specific number. So here we go, I will list them in the order I read them throughout 2017.
The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra
This is a story that started with a painting. Yes, a painting. The story began in 1930s in Leningard in Soviet Union where a portrait artist was tasked by Soviet censors to erase political dissenters from official images and artworks. One day he received a painting about a ballet dancer meant to be altered. The story started with this artist and the stories that followed and took us through a century as it involved a cast of characters through the Second World War, the Cold War and all the way to modern Russia at present time. It was such a heavy read for me but I absolutely loved it. This book has opened a new door for me for modern classic Russia literature and also a new author Anthony Marra. I definitely will read his second book A Constellation of Vital Phenomena in 2018!
You can check out my review on The Tsar of Love and Techno here.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
I had no idea this book would profoundly change me when I started it back in April. It literally left a mark on my heart and soul. I believe most of you have read it or at least have heard about it as it won so many awards in 2016. It is about two sisters with two very different destinies. One was sold into slavery and one became a slave trader’s wife. Each chapter follows the consequences of their fate which reverberates through the generation to come. It was so refreshing yet very hard to read. It was very raw and heart-wrenching, and it is so eye-opening for me. This book again has opened a whole new door for me and I vow to read more books and literary fiction about slavery so I will never forget about the truth and the heart-breaking journey some took to have freewill and freedom.
Trust me when I say I spent a whole week watching all the documentaries and movies about slavery on Youtube and Netflix after reading this book. You can check out my review on Homegoing here.
We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
This one is really really special. This book is based on the true story of the author’s family and their experience during Second World War. Separated by war but reunited by hope and love. I absolutely love the way the story is written and told from multiple POVs throughout the years of traumas. I was so nervous reading each family member’s story and praying and hoping they would escape and come out of the war alive. This is a truly amazing debut novel from Georgia and I cannot wait to read more from her. The author’s website has all the images and blog posts about her writing journey and the story behind her family. I spent the entire weekend reading every single post on her website, I feel like I have known her family for long too!
You can check out my review on We Were The Lucky Ones here.
The Queen and The Cure by Amy Harmon
Honestly, I think Amy is one of the best romance authors out there. The way she creates a character, the way she paces the story, the way she sets the scene is unbelievable. I have loved every single one of her books and this one probably is my favourite from her. She has created one of my all-time favourite hero and heroine Kjell and Sasha. This is a love story set in a fantastical world. This is a love story that is so tender but so heart wrenching at the same time. I LOVE Kjell, I just want to hold him and tell him everything is going to be ok. I love him fiercely!
You can check out my review on The Queen and The Cure here.
The Bear and The Nightingale, The Girl in The Tower by Katherine Arden
I read The Bear and The Nightingale in January 2017 and read The Girl in The Tower just this month. These are book 1 and 2 in The Winter Night Trilogy. I absolutely love them, 100 stars for this trilogy in my opinion. Katherine has a way with words, she is amazing at scene setting, I can feel the chills, hear the snow fall, see the white forest just through her words. These books are so atmospheric and it also involves Russian folklore, fairy tales, forest demons, I absolutely love these books with all my heart!
You can check out my review on The Bear and The Nightingale here, The Girl in The Tower here.
Bellagrand by Paullina Simons
If you ask me what is my absolute favourite of 2017, I will tell you it is Bellagrand by Paullina Simons. Book 2 in a duology in the prequel to The Bronze Horseman series by Paullina Simons. This is the love story for Alexander Barrington’s parents Harry and Gina. This book hands down was the most difficult book for me to read emotionally. It is just so dramatic and so angsty! It made me feel so many things, too many things! I felt like I was having an anxiety attack while reading it, it was utterly devastating but so so amazing. From a writer’s point of view, I think Paullina has demonstrated what a phenomenal author she is; it is so polished, so seasoned. This is what I call a dramatic epic love, this is what I call an amazing book. It is definitely one of my all-time favourites and I still cannot get over it 6 months later. I don’t think I will ever get over this book.
You can read my review on Bellagrand here.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Well, the thing is I haven’t actually finished this book yet. I am only 30% in but I am including it in my top read in 2017 as those 30% I have read are absolutely phenomenal. I have got all the chills just thinking about what I have read and I love every single word so far. This book is so charming, so lovable, so timeless, I instantly fell in love with the main character Count Alexander Rostov. He is everything! I cannot wait to read more and post my full review.
That is all. These are my favourite reads of 2017. I read 96 books this year, 4 books short of my Goodread target, which is not ideal but I am totally fine with it. I enjoy the process of reading and the way books make me feel. Numbers and targets are just by-products. As long as I am reading and loving them, I am happy. I have lived a thousand lives, more to come in 2018!
Sissi Reads 