I completed my Goodreads challenge of 70 books about a week ago so now seems like a good time to put my favourites list together. Along side reading some great books I’ve binge watched some fantastic tv shows. The highlights were definitely Grimm (Nick!), Stranger Things (Hopper!) and Timeless (Wyatt!). I also really loved Wynonna Earp. Talk about a badass female! I really need to read some books with a similar vibe to keep the momentum of these shows up. I know there are graphic novels of Wynonna Earp so maybe I’ll try those next year? Recommendations of similar books or shows or films forever welcome!
So here goes my list of favourite books read this year. I’m following my Goodreads challenge as I make this list so the order will probably be the order in which I read them rather than number one being the best of the best. Also I’m not sure how many of the 70 I’ll list yet. Fun!
Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham
The end of last year and the beginning of this year saw me binge watching Gilmore Girls. I knew this is the book I would need to read once I was done. I was lucky enough win a hardback copy through a blogger last December. I read a couple of memoirs this year and this one was definitely my favourite.
Making Faces by Amy Harmon
This book. What a complete and utter triumph. It was beautiful. It left its mark on my soul. I text my bestie when I was finished reading to tell her I had just read a heart book. Heart by Nicola Hudson is still my favourite book nearly 3 years on so when I read a book that has a similar kind of impact on me it’s pretty special.
Full Tilt by Emma Scott
This is another book up there with Heart. So many feels. I remember reading this book over Easter and how grateful I was for all the chocolate when I was finished which might give you some idea of what it was like? This is book one of a duet. It was perfectly formed as is and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read All In (book 2) because of the theory I had but I’m glad I did. Both books made for a sensational story and one I won’t forget in a hurry.
Defying All Odds by Nevaeh Lee
I put this book on my ever growing tbr list because I thought the cover was really striking and beautiful. Some of my favourite covers have half or hidden faces. When I finally read it almost a year after it was published I was thrilled to find that the story was equally beautiful. I understand before she turned to writing the author was a proof reader. Her passion for that profession and self published authors was prevalent in this book. I’m sad to learn the author hasn’t gone on publish anything since. Hopefully that changes one day.
Spring in Summerland by April L. Wood
Aprils debut book was one of my favourite reads last year. From the moment I finished it I was excited for the next one. It was everything I was hoping for. It was fantastic to revisit the town and characters I had gotten to know and also meet a bunch a new ones. This is a brand new young adult book that gave me the same kind of feels as a popular high school vampire romance series I used to read. Swoony and wonderful.
Mass Casualty by Derek Adam
I read this book back in May and knew almost instantly it was going to be on my favourites list at the end of the year. We have the half face cover I love so much but more importantly it’s an EMT/paramedic story just to help sweeten the pot. This is a thriller, it’s a romance and it was pretty much everything I needed exactly when I needed it. I loved this book hard.
Light Up the Night by Laura Trentham
Laura was one of my favourite author discoveries this year. I went on to read another book by her and tbr everything else. This little novella stands out as my favourite. It not only got me out of one of my many book slumps this year but it introduced me to the charming small Southern town of Cottonbloom with an insecure police chief hero and a badass heroine.
Trust by Kylie Scott
My introduction to Kylie Scott couldn’t have been better. This book was fantastic. I liked the original cover and was curious about reading it but once I saw this cover I was bowled over. I won an ebook copy from a blogger and devoured it almost instantly. It was raw and it was unflinching and it was just really honest. Edie is one of my favourite heroines ever.
The Scandal by Fredrik Backman
This is the only book I hesitated about whether to include on my favourites list. The writing was sensational. Like on another level good. The story though? It made my heart hurt and my stomach ache. I reached one line, one scene and I ran. I closed my kindle and was prepared to pretend this book never existed. I took several deep breathes and went back in and I’m so glad I did. I will think about this book and these characters for a long time to come. It’s a hockey book and so very much more.
Don’t Let Go by Harlan Coben
Would this even be a list of my favourite books without Harlan? As ever the ending was completely unexpected and shocking. I actually got Stranger Things vibes from this one or should I say I got Don’t Let Go vibes from ST because I’m so late to that party.
Temporary by Sarina Bowen and Sarah Mayberry
Again I couldn’t not include Sarina. I’ve read all her new releases this year apart from the latest which I’m saving for my next book slump. This actually got me out of a previous one. There was no sports in this one but plenty of swoons.
Wild Card by Karina Halle
This year I finally read a few established authors that have been on my radar for ages. This book was plucked from many after Karina recommended it herself. I love sweet guys and small towns and this ticked all the boxes. The hero is a Canadian cowboy. The next book is about his brother with a search and rescue plot. Another favourite that I don’t find often enough. I’ll need to saviour that one.
So what’s that? 12 books. I loved a lot of the others I read this year too. There were debut authors, new to me authors and long time favourite authors. Here’s a link to my Goodreads Year in Books Review to see what else I’ve read. I always love these things.
There’s a few books I’m already incredibly excited for next year. Still Me by Jojo Moyes (the first chapter was amazing), Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis (already pre-ordered) and Love, Simon by Becky Albertalli (holding out for the film tie-in paperback because I’m one of those people that actually loves them).
Also whatever Harlan Coben’s 2018 release is, anything new from Sarina Bowen, Katey Lovell, Derek Adam, D.R. Graham, Nicholas Sparks and a bunch of others no doubt. I plan to read more books by Karina Halle, Kylie Scott and Jay Crownover (another new to me author I read) next year. I planned to read So Much More by Kim Holden and Chased by Hazel James this year also but the timing hasn’t been right so again on the list for next year!
But first in just a matter of days there’s a brand new Tammara Webber book, Brave. I only read her for the first time last year but I am so excited for this book. It obviously won’t make this favourites list but I think it will still be a favourite book this year nonetheless.
January 2018 will see me starting a brand new job with a very different shift pattern after 10 years. I’m excited to see if this gives me more or less reading time and what my 2018 favourites list looks like! I won’t make any promises about blogging more but I fully intend to keep reading and reviewing on Goodreads and Amazon.
Until next time… I’m away to choose my next Netflix binge. Hopefully something with lots of seasons!
