READ: Book Review: What I Read in 2017. PDF, EPUB online free reviews.

I’m a bit late to the game, but I see people are listing what they read last year, so I thought I’d join in. I say “read,” but the truth is I listened to the majority of these books. Does that still count? I know some people hate how the narrator does voices in audio books, but I actually love it.

As I’ve mentioned before, I usually try to borrow books from the library instead of buying them and fortunately the library has two excellent apps for downloading audio books – OverDrive and Hoopla – in addition to Kindle for e-books.

Here’s what I read in 2017 in no particular order. I only included books that I read (or listened to) cover to cover…and not ones that I started and then abandoned. I tried to include whether or not I liked the books, but so much of that is subjective so you’ll have to decide on your own. There are no spoilers so it’s safe to read.

1. The Bible

This is the second year in a row I’ve read the Bible through the whole year. I have to say it’s A LOT, but if I can spend so much time watching TV or reading other books, I can commit to reading the most important book – God’s word – which nourishes and gives life. I use the Bible App which also has an audio version as well as a written Bible where you can highlight passages and write notes. Each day I received an email with the passages from the old testament, new testament and Psalms and Proverbs. I confess there were days when I got off track and didn’t do my reading, or where I felt it was a chore, but on other days, the verses were so applicable to my life and encouraging. This year I’m doing a different yearly plan that has a devotional content with my sister and a few other friends. Highly recommend. It will change your life.

A verse from yesterdays reading: In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:8 NLT

2-8. Agatha Christie Books

I first fell in love with her stories by watching the Poirot videos with David Suchet. This year I’ve read/listened to heaps of mysteries. I like the books because even though each story is different, you kind of know what you’re going to get and it won’t be sensational or gory. It’s intelligent, but exciting entertainment. I love trying to piece together the clues and guess who did it. I highly recommend all her books!

Murder on the Orient Express – The orient express is stopped on the tracks due to a snowdrift. To make matters worse, a passenger has been murdered and the murderer is still on the coach! Unfortunately for the murderer, world-famous detective Hercule Poirot is on board.Of course, I had to read the book before seeing the movie. I was on the wait list at several libraries and I thought I wouldn’t be able to read it prior to seeing the movie over Thanksgiving. Fortunately, I did get my hands on a copy. The story itself is actually quite a bit shorter than I expected it to be. Like many Agatha Christie books, there are some anachronistic parts of the story like racial stereotypes that don’t go over well with modern audiences, but at its core, I enjoyed it. The 2017 movie left out some clues and mental connections Poirot makes that were essential to solving the case. I’ve also watched the 1970s version 1970s version and the David Suchet version from 2010. My librarian and I agree that the David Suchet version is the best.

Murder at the Vicarage – Colonel Lucius Protheroe has been shot in the vicarage study! Unfortunately for the police, the suspect list is quite lengthy since he was universally despised. The The format is quite a bit different from Poirot since Miss Marple is a nosy old lady who happens to ask the right questions, not a world-class detective brought it to solve a case, but it is equally delightful. I actually found it easier to piece together the clues in the Miss Marple books than with Poirot.
The Body in the Library – A body of a young woman is found in the library at Gossington Hall! Mrs. Bantry calls her friend Miss Marple to investigate the mystery.
The Moving Finger – A series of nasty anonymous letters are going around the village. They seem harmless enough until someone dies!
They Do It with Mirrors – While visiting an old school friend, a puzzling murder takes place. Fortunately, Miss Marple has packed her bird-watching glasses and is ready to make subtle inquiries to get to get to the bottom of it.
A Pocket Full of Rye – Businessman Rex Fortescue suddenly dies while taking is morning tea and strangely rye is found in his pocket. Does his murder have anything to do with an old nursery rhyme about blackbirds?
The Plymouth Express – An American businessman calls in the best detective in the world to solve the murder of his daughter in this short story featuring Poirot.

4. Big Little Lies by Lianne Moriarty

I’ve read a few of Morirarty’s other books (The Husband’s Secret, What Alice Forgot) in the past so I thought I would pick this one up since there were so many references to the HBO show (which I have not watched). Somehow she makes small town gossip and the mundane exciting while addressing serious issues like abuse. This one was a pager turner because it starts right off with a murder! I was a good girl and didn’t skip to the end and it was worth the suspense! Recommend.

5-6. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

This young adult book follows Gemma Doyle who moves from Indian to an English finishing school following the death of her mother. She soon realizes she has special powers. I read this series at the recommendation of a friend, but got tried of the trilogy and never made it through the third book. I enjoyed the first book, but then things escalated quickly and too many people were dying (I thought this was for kids!?). Do not recommend.

7. Patriot Games by Tom Clancy

While visiting England, Jack Ryan foils an assassination attempt on the Prince of Whales and he soon becomes the target of terrorists. I’ve seen various Jack Ryan action movies so I thought I would give the books a try. It was OK. I found it to be a rather long read and not as compelling as other books. Eventually I switched to the audio version, which was much better. Part of the story takes place at the Naval Academy in Annapolis where Jack teaches, which I had visited last year, and I always like having a concrete area to visualize. My favorite part of the book was not the action, but how dated parts of it were. It takes place in the 1980s so at one point in the book Jack is looking up stocks on his computer, but then calls his stockbroker to place the trades. It was OK.

The Yard in front of Bancroft Hall at the US Naval Academy

8. Ross Poldark by Winston Graham

Ross Poldark returns from the fighting in Britain’s former colonies to Cornwall where he finds life has changed drastically since he left. I enjoyed this trip into pastoral English life, especially after having watched TURN: Washington’s Spies. I had also watched the first season of Poldark on BBC and enjoyed it. There are several other books in the series, which I might read at a later point. Enjoyable, but not amazing.

9-14. The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer

This was another recommendation, and it was light and fluffy everything I hope for from young adult books. Meyer mixes sci-fi with good old fashioned fairy tales like Cinderella, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel. Again, you kind of know what you’re getting and for the most part the books end in happily ever after. I loved the series so much I read the companion books. Highly recommend.

15. The Circle by David Eggers

Mae Holland lands her dream job working for tech giant the Circle, but things soon get weird. I wrote about how freakishly close the book is to reality. Maybe it’s like Black Mirror? I’ve heard the show also an eerie version of reality. Someone who has read both the book and seen the TV show please tell me because I’m too scared to watch the show. Recommend.

16. The Man in the High Castle by Phillip K. Dick

In an alternate reality, the Nazis and Japanese won World War II and the world is split up between the two. For those of you who have seen the series, the book is very different. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t make me happy. Recommend.

17. Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

I was intrigued by the movie so I got the book, which is much more detailed, because you have all the time in the world. The book mentions more women than the movie and provides broader historical context beginning with background into the women’s childhoods, university studies, and detailing the work of human computers at NACA, the predecessor of NASA. Gain excellent insight into history of the space race, the contributions of black women, and get inspired! The book also deals with racism black women (and men) faced and leaves you with questions and issues that we are still dealing with as a society today. Great food for thought on both fronts. Bonus – I used to live in the Hampton area so it was interesting to hear about a place that I’m familiar with. Highly recommend.

Katherine Johnson, who calculated flight trajectories for John Glenn’s first orbital flight in 1962, receives an award from a NASA administrator.

18. The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman

Another biography, this one follows the lives of Jan and Antonina Zabinski who helped Polish Jews escape during World War II. A more personal account of history that weaves in snippets of Antonina’s diary along with historical texts. For animal lovers, this book also weaves in plenty of interesting tidbits about the zoo’s animals and animals in Europe during the war. Highly recommend.

19-21. Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon

While taking a walk in rural Scotland in the 1940s, Claire Randall falls through time and finds herself in the 1740s. I read the first three books of the series and started the fourth one, but got bored. I also watched the TV show. The first book is definitely my favorite and I’ll probably come back to the series at some point. I enjoy the adventure and the love story, but could do without some of the graphic details. Recommend.

22. The Making of Outlander by Tara Bennett

OK, yes I did listen to this audio book. Please do not judge me. My roommate and I got really obsessed with Outlander over the summer and after watching all 3 seasons before the 4th one came out I downloaded the free audio book from the library. It gives you details about the series from how they cast Jamie and Claire, to how costumes were constructed, how the Sky Boat song got chosen as the theme, to how the book became a TV series. You know I read this only because it was related to Outlander…It was OK.

23-30. Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery

In the summer my former roommate Amber and I drove up to upstate New York to visit a friend. We both love Anne of Green Gables so we downloaded the audio version to keep us awake on the road. Although it takes place in the late 1800s, many of the experiences Anne goes through are universal and apply to me even today, especially Anne of the Island, where Anne is a young woman making her way in the world and facing serious decisions about her future. Highly recommend.

31. A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Meg Murry is doing badly at school, has no friends, and to top it all off her scientist father has gone missing. Then, one dark and stormy night she gets a visit from three strange ladies, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, who promise to help Meg find her father. I picked up this childhood classic in anticipation of the movie, but after re-reading the book, I will probably pass on the film. I’ve read most of L’Engle’s children’s books and enjoyed the cross between science, religion, family, and love. There are some deep themes and complex topics for kids to think about. Even as an adult, I’m not sure I have everything straight in my head, but maybe that’s the point. Highly recommend.

Wow! That’s a long list and I have a lot of thoughts on all of these books. Hopefully this helps you out if you’re looking for books to read in 2018. If you have any questions about the books on the list, simply comment below and I’d be happy to answer them. Here’s to more reading this year!

Photo Credits: Bookstore – Barn Images Public Domain, Psalm word art – the Bible App, Naval Academy – A Lively Fancy, Katherine Johnson – Robert Sullivan via Flickr Public Domain

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