The year is just about at an end and not to sound like Scrooge, but bah humbug to that. Not that I am ungrateful, in fact I am extremely grateful to join The Broke and the Bookish once again for Top Ten Tuesday and that I managed to read more than 10 books this year so that I can at least make a selection of my Ten Favorite Books for 2017.
As with most books, my selection is strictly based on personal experiences. None of my favorites for 2017 are actually published in 2017. In fact I have two books on my list that were published in the previous century! But that is the wonder of books and the magic of reading. It is always in the present tense the moment you open the book.
I don’t really have an ascending order from most favorite to least favorite list for this year. Each of the books listed meant something to me through a really tough year. Let’s have a quick look at the books that made my list: 
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult Okay, this one is actually my favorite for the year. It’s my blanky book. A book that brought comfort and peace and understanding from a rather strange, but wonderful source.
“The moral of this story is that no matter how much we try, no matter how much we want it…. Some stories just don’t have a happy ending”
That’s life, I guess. Sometimes, we don’t end up with a and they lived happily ever after. And sometimes, that’s just the way it is. Sometimes your grief is as big as an elephant. Sometimes the only consolation is an elephant.
The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra and The perplexing theft of the jewel in the crown by Vaseem Khan Seriously, you have no idea how much comfort a baby elephant can bring.
Yes Please by Amy Poehler I’ve read this one twice. Once as an audio recording read by the lovely author herself (so worth the listen) and I’ve read the physical book as well. With the cute notes and quirky family photos and the glossy paper and that stunning cover of course. It’s called YES PLEASE because it is the constant struggle and often the right answer. Can we figure out what we want, ask for it and stop talking? Yes please. Is being vulnerable a power position? Yes please. Am I allowed to take up space? Yes please. Would you like to be left alone? Yes please.
All the ugly and wonderful things by Bryn Greenwood The most disturbing book I’ve ever read. But gosh, it was excellent. Don’t think I would have read it though. The audio recording of this book was magnificent.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman If you haven’t read it, I’m not going to tell you about it. Because it sounds absurd and wicket and extremely evil and totally inappropriate for children to read. But so does Harry Potter. And we all know how that turned out.
A monster calls by Patrick Ness The most quotable book of 2017. And what is a book if you can’t make little notes and copy numerous phrases and passages into another little book? “I don’t know,” Connor shrugged, exhausted. “Your stories never made any sense to me.”
The answer is that it does not matter what you think, the monster said, because your mind will contradict itself a hundred times each day. You wanted her to go at the same time you were desperate for me to save her. Your mind will believe comforting lies while also knowing the painful truths that make those lies necessary. And your mind will punish you for believing both.”
Mareli
Awesome book review. I love to read the book. I will get the book later eBooks download online on mobile and read the full story of book.
I've never thought about the comforting properties of a baby elephant but you have me intrigued. And of course I agree that an Agatha Christie book needs to be read every year! The Mirror Crack'd is a good one though it's been too long since I've read it. The Graveyard Book is the only Neil Gaiman book I've read so far but I loved it. I'm hoping to add more next year! I LOVE the idea of a buddy read/watch for Murder on the Orient Express but not sure when I can manage it. I've gotten a little buried in books and my nonbookish life seems to have gone crazy as well. Let me spend some time with my calendar and see what I can come up with and let me know what you're thinking as well! I'm SO glad to see you around the blogosphere again! I was just wondering where you'd wandered off to.
I LOVED The Graveyard Book!
My Top 10 Books of 2017
It's very difficult to describe The Graveyard Book to someone who hasn't read it before. But glad you enjoyed it as much as I did!
A Monster Calls was one of my favorites last year. I love that book.
Aj @ Read All The Things!
I think A Monster Calls will be one of my favorites for all eternity. Loved that book!
Thanks for stopping by!
Truly, Madly, Guilty was quite good, I thought, and I need to read some Christie!
Good to see you back!
Hi Greg! I sommer (that is an afrikaans expression) get a warm feeling in my heart when I see your name.
STILL no Christie? Goodness no!!!! Have you seen the new adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express? If you haven't yet, why don't read the book first and then go and watch the movie?
It's been hectic this past two months. I've started a school library and it is a lot of time and effort, but I can't begin to explain how much I enjoy it!
Hope to be back a bit more now….
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are well?
Inspector Chopra has been on my radar. I LOVE the Vish Puri (aka Chubby) series which is a fun, rather than a violent or gritty series. I enjoyed Light Between the Oceans and Truly, Madly… Good list!
Hi Lisa!! How are you? Inspector Chopra falls under feel-good without fluff. If that makes sense! Vaseem Khan's writing style is excellent and the stories are quite easy to follow. Ideal holiday reads!
Thanks for stopping by, hope you are having a good holiday season!