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Thursday 28 December 2017

My Top 5 Books of 2017

books-covers-favourites-2017

Without it even seeming possible, we've come to the end of another year. Last year, I did a round-up of my top 10 books of the year which proved to be popular, but this year, my reading stats dropped dramatically as books fell by the wayside due to various other commitments like work and life. So, this year, I've narrowed it down to my top five books of the year instead.

My trusty Goodreads informs me that I've managed to read only 20 books in 2017 (poor show for a supposed book blogger, I know) despite setting my goal as 50 like I have in the past.

However, with 20 books or 200, there are bound to be some crackers and some, well, less good books in the mix. As ever, it's been a bit of a mix, though I've had a larger focus on Young Adult and managed to get through an entire series this year too. See, it's not all bad!

Note: These are all books I've read in 2017, not necessarily books that were published during the last year.

Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner

Never mind a top-five place, this is worthy of being in my top two books from 2017. Phantom Limbs is a contemporary Young Adult tale about disability, young love, acceptance and loss. At times both bittersweet and achingly sad, it's earned Paula Garner's next novel a place on my must-read list for 2018.

Surrender by Sonya Hartnett

The other top-two contender is Surrender by Sonya Hartnett. Another YA novel, this one is written in beautiful prose with truly outstanding descriptions that will stick with you long after you turn the final page. Haunting and atmospheric, Surrender is a definite favourite from 2017.

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

The Lorien Legacies series was the set I decided to tackle this year. After all, you can't just go through life reading stand-alone novels! Packed with action and adventure, the fast pace had me rushing to keep up - I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! My favourite novel from the series was number five (The Revenge of Seven) but I don't think it's fair to rave about a book which is midway through a series, hence the inclusion of I Am Number Four in its place.

Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

Non-fiction and American football come together in this outstanding piece of sports journalism. The biography-style memoir details the ups and downs of a season the author spent with a high school football team in Odessa, Texas, back in the '80s. Gritty and dark yet still strangely uplifting, this is a real no-holds-barred insight into the heart of the sport. A must-read for any sports fan.

Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz

The only non-YA piece of fiction to make the cut (sorry, not sorry) is Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz, a tense thriller jam-packed with action and adventure. It's real nailbiting stuff and a cracking read, one of those rare books that open the crime and thriller genres out to wider readers of fiction. No surprises here regarding this book's great success!

Honourable Mentions

As ever, there are always going to be some great books that I read and enjoyed but just narrowly missed out on making the cut. However, they still deserve some recognition, so here are my honourable mentions from 2017:
  • The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
  • Truth or Dare by Non Pratt
  • Beck by Mal Peet
Giveaway

Since so many of you participated in the giveaway I ran last year, I've decided to do the same this year! 

If you would like to enter for a chance to win your choice of one book from my top five shortlist, you can enter via the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and conditions:
1. Giveaway closes on 10th January 2018 at 11.59pm (GMT).
2. The prize consists of a copy of one of the books from my top five shortlist above, as chosen by the winner.
3. The prize will be posted out to the winner by me directly from Amazon.
4. This giveaway is open to residents of the UK aged 18 and over.
5. The winner will be randomly generated once the giveaway has ended.
6. The winner will be informed by email once the giveaway has ended.
7. The winner will have 72 hours to claim their prize. If the winner has not responded by this time, another winner will be announced.

What were your top reads of 2017? Let me know in the comments below!

95 comments:

  1. I'd pick Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz

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  2. Definitely "I am Number Four" - I've seen the movie and would love to read the book! :)

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  3. I think I’d choose Orphan X please.

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  4. Surrender by Sonya Hartnett - I love your description of "Haunting and atmospheric" - I think that sounds a great read x

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  5. I'd choose Phantom Limbs, I'm intrigued after reading how highly you rate it.

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  6. Dean T (ribbons1978)31 December, 2017 02:51

    I think I would go for I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

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  7. Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

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  8. Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz - sounds just like my type of read

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  9. I would pick Surrender by Sonya Hartnett.

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  10. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

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  11. Phantom Limbs sounds a good read

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  12. I would choose Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz :)

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  13. I would pick Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz
    Your comments on I am number 4 were spot on, I have read most of these and they are really great.
    My favourite read was Behind her eyes by Sarah Pinborough, you might like to try it I thought it was terrific.

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    1. Ooh thanks for the recommendation, Julie - I'll have to check it out!

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  14. I would love Orphan X - I love a gripping thriller

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  15. Surrender by Sonya Hartnett - looks like a great read

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  16. Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz from your review it sounds good

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  17. If really like to read Orphan X. It's been on my to read list. Great sounding titles.

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  18. Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner

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  19. I'm immediately gripped by your description of Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz, which I'd choose if I won.

    - Anthony G.

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  20. Orphan X, I've heard its a great read so its already on my list.

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  21. Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner

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  22. Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner please

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  23. Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner

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  24. I would love to read Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner

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  25. I'd pick I Am Number Four. I already have Orphan X in my TBR pile!

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  26. Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

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  27. fiona johnstone06 January, 2018 18:35

    I would choose Orphan X. Sounds exciting

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  28. Phantom Limbs, sounds like my type of book!

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  29. I would pick I am number four if I won.

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  30. Phantom Limbs, I like a book I can learn from

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  31. Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner

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  32. Surrender sounds like my kind of book x

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  33. Hard choice! Phantom Limbs is a book I would like to read

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  34. Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner, sounds very interesting!

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  35. I would go to for Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

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  36. I am number four - I’ve seen the movie and would love to read the book also

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  37. Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

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  38. Orphan X - havn't read a 'nailbiting' thriller in ages!

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  39. Surrender, sounds like my kind of book

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  40. Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner sounds educational as well as a good read (@PeanutHog)

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  41. I would choose Orphan X


    EJ Dunn

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  42. I'd have to go for Orphan X I think. Hard choice though as they all look like great reads!

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  43. I would choose Phantom Limbs

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  44. Michelle Ferguson09 January, 2018 21:23

    Orphan X looks good

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  45. Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner

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  46. I would have to choose Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz, I have already read I am Number 4 and Phantom Limbs so Orphan X sounds really appealing!

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  47. Phantom Limbs has grabbed my attention. (Ruth Wollerton)

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  48. I would go for Phantom Limbs. There is so much great YA literature out there; I would read this and then pass it one to my students.

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  49. Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger, as I love sport biographies or Phantom Limbs because the subject sounds really interesting.

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  50. I think I would choose Orphan X if I won this

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