In 2017, I read 37 books. I highly recommend the following books, my favourites from the past year. FYI, there are no spoilers in these reviews! I wouldn’t want to ruin the adventure for you :)
I usually read 40-50 books a year (I fell a bit short this year!), and I review all of them on Goodreads. If you’re on Goodreads, too, I look forward to connecting with you there!
His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman
Everything about the His Dark Materials series is absolutely on point: From the adventure to the characters to the world building to the writing, I can't find a fault with any of it.
The main character Lyra is inspiring, fun, and loveable. The fantastic world that is like our own but with the ever-present daemons is so totally believable, it now seems like our world is strange for its missing daemons.
Author Philip Pullman is clearly a master writer, seamlessly using the omniscient viewpoint, and weaving a gripping story that is impossible to put down.
The themes are surprisingly dark at times for young adult books, and I’m glad I ended up reading the books as an adult so that I can appreciate the underlying themes better.
If you haven’t read this series yet, now might be the best time because Philip Pullman has just released a new book in the same universe, La Belle Sauvage.
The Witchcraft of Salem Village by Shirley Jackson
I've read The Crucible and watched the 1996 movie, but fact is so much stranger than fiction. The Witchcraft of Salem Village is a creative non-fiction telling of the Salem witch trials. It brings the tragedy to life, giving context about the social and political setting that allowed for it to happen.
Shirley Jackson seamlessly weaves together written historical records and creative conjectures about what the people involved must have been thinking.
The book and the events that take place are also eerily relevant to today, where we regularly see groups of people ganging up on targets to destroy them, using the "evils" of the modern day to bring them down. The court of public opinion is merciless.
Shirley Jackson is one of my favourite authors of all time. If you haven’t read The Lottery or The Haunting of Hill House, go read those books right now!
Firewater: How Alcohol Is Killing My People (and Yours) by Harold R. Johnson
Firewater is one of those rare books that changes the way you see the world. The book was not written for me; Harold Johnson prefaces the book stating that he wrote it for his people, the Woodland Cree of Treaty 6 territory.
But the message is universal. Alcohol has wide-ranging effects in society, and the problems Johnson describe are evident in almost all communities, so no matter who you are, his words have impact.
Plus, author Harold Johnson is incredibly wise, with insights and ideas that will open your mind to new ways of thinking.
If your life has been affected by alcohol, you should read this book. And if you think your life hasn't been affected by alcohol, you should read this book. What you find here might surprise you.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Every fan of young adult and/or fantasy should have Stardust on their to-read list, if they haven't read it already.
The story is familiar but fresh, like a fairy tale I've heard before, but with unexpected twists. Packed with adventure, magic, and humour, I had a hard time putting it down, and when I wasn't reading it, I was wondering what was going to happen.
I drank the story like a cold glass of water when you're thirsty. This is definitely a book that begs to be re-read.
What was your favourite book of the year?
Another one of my favourite books this year was The Shining, which I reviewed in more detail in this Steemit post.
I’m always looking for new book recommendations; what was your favourite book you read in the last year?
I love His Dark Materials! Great choice!
I'm excited that there are going to be more books in that universe! Have you read La Belle Sauvage yet? Your blog looks awesome, by the way; I've followed you :)
The Witchcraft of Salem Village sounds so intriguing! I will immediately add it to my TBR :D Plus I've never read anything by Shirley Jackson and I keep exclusively hearing praise, so I think it's about time ;)
Omigod, you NEED to read The Lottery by Shirley Jackson! It's one of the best short stories I've ever read: https://sites.middlebury.edu/individualandthesociety/files/2010/09/jackson_lottery.pdf
Hi from Germany :)
I loved the first book of the dark materials series and read it twice but struggled with the second one. The third is still waiting for me. But at the moment I can't pic myself up and read it. What do you think? Do I have to know the story from the second one in detail? Because I don't remember much but I want to finish this.
I actually didn't like the second book in the series as much as the first or third book. If it's just the second book stopping you from reading the conclusion, I'd say skip it. Yes, you'll have missed some details, but I don't think that will ruin the third book completely. I recently accidentally read the conclusion to a series without knowing it (Children of Earth and Sky by Guy Gavriel Kay), and I still really enjoyed that book!
Thanks for your answer. That gives me a little bit of relieve. Maybe there is a summary somewhere in the internet, so I can continue with some more details.:)