5 Best reads of 2017
best reads of 2017
My best reads of 2017
I hope that this might spark you to think of your best reads of 2017. Did we read some of the same books?
Growing up we went to the public library frequently. I have my mother to thank for this and my father was a great reader too. I'm endlessly grateful for being introduced to books and seeing my parents read. I can't imagine not having a book on the go. The only time I can remember not reading every day was just after my son was born. It took me a few months to have the energy to do anything other than just getting by. But man I missed it!
When I read time just disappears. I think this is called being in the zone or something. Unfortunately reading itself is not a career. You have to do something with it to make a living from it. For years I've worked in libraries on the basis of a love of reading. That's right I'm that cliche.
Unfortunately, librarians have very little to do with reading in their daily work. I have known many librarians who don't even enjoy reading. Personally, I question if they are in the right job but hey we all end up in interesting places and stay for various reasons.
I read a variety of things and currently being a school librarian I spent a lot of time reading young adult fiction. Generally, I find contemporary fiction bores me as I like to use reading as an escape. I'm not very interested in reading about the current world we live in. I have to deal with that every day... But of course, when I force myself to read it I normally get something good out of it.
Reading for pleasure is about following your own reading journey.
Without further ado. In no particular order, here are my top 5 books of 2017
Long way down
I've never read a book in verse before but man this one was a good place to start. What a fast-paced read! We journey down an elevator with the main character as he has a ghost of Christmas past experience. Every stop brings a new piece of information to aid his decision, to avenge his brother gang death or not.
“ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE RULES
They weren't meant to be broken.
They were meant for the broken
to follow.”
Six of crows duology by Leigh Bardugo
Everyone loves a good heist and I'm no different. I loved the Grishna trilogy so getting to delve back into this universe was awesome for me. If you liked Oceans 11 you might want to check this one out.
Fantasy, Magic, Crime, Heist
best reads of 2017, book suggestions, six of crows
“When everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.”
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
I loved this for so many reasons. It really made me think of my prejudices and what I can do to become more aware of them. The story is the fall out after Starr watches her childhood friend be fatally shot by the police.
racism, family, prejudice, America
The hate u give, best reads of 2017 by Ngaio Blackwood
“Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right.”
The Collapsing Empire By John Scalzi
There is a bit of swearing in this book. Personally, I don't mind a bit of cussing but everyone is different so thought I better mention it. A Science fiction future that seems very possible with a lot of black humour equals an excellent read. I've wanted to pick up a John Scalzi book for ages after really enjoying fuzzy nation years ago. Now I want to read everything he's written.
Science fiction, space, humour, politics
collapsing empire by John Scalzi, best read 2017
“I’m continually confronted with the human tendency to ignore or deny facts until the last possible instant. And then for several days after that, too.” Attavio”
― John Scalzi, The Collapsing Empire
Strange the dreamer By Laini Taylor
I picked this up because I loved her other books. It's the story of a librarian who joins an expedition to help a neighbouring city (the lost city of weep). We uncover what happened in this city's past and the issues they are dealing with currently. Gods, strangeness and egos. Oh my!
Gods, dreams, fantasy,
“I turned my nightmares into fireflies and caught them in a jar.”
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Please please read this right now. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the 3rd instalment. It covers so many things but really it's about ethics, morality and mortality. Big themes and questions about right, wrong and power?
“Therin lies the paradox of the profession,' Faraday said. 'Those who wish to have the job should not have it...and those who would most refuse to kill are the only ones who should.”
I'd love to hear about what you're reading. Leave a comment below.
-Ngaio Blackwood
Rose tea towel by Ngaio Blackwood
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