Oh look how original I am \o.o/ Writing a favorite reads of 2017 post. Y’know originally I wasn’t going to do this because there are just so many of these posts out there but then I thought about adding some predictions for books that I’m planning on reading in 2018.
With all of the books I’m anticipating in 2018, and the books I didn’t get the chance to read in 2017 but want to finally get to this year, I think that I’m going to have a buttload of new favorites.
This will be a top 10 list because no i’m not too lazy to come up with 17 favorite books
Top Ten Favorites of 2017:
**these aren’t in any particular order since i’m the most indecisive person… except for maybe #1
**fair warning, some of these reviews that i’ll be linking are from very early last year so if you end up reading them, expect cringe
10) The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas // This is one of the rare moments when the book is worth the hype. I can’t wait for the movie!
9) I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson // SO LYRICAL AND WEIRD BUT PERFECT.
8) History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera // This book will leave you curled up in a corner bawling your eyes out.
7) Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills // This was so adorable! Highly recommend if you’re looking for a cute, fluffy contemporary with lovable characters.
6) When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon // I love Dimple and Rishi so much. Hope to see them again in When Ashish Met Sweetie.
5) Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater // I absolutely fell in love with this series in 2017. I read books 2-4 all in a row at the beginning of the year and my favorite was by far the third one.
4) Words In Deep Blue by Cath Crowley // MADE ME WANT TO CRY AND DIE i highly recommend
3) A Taxonomy of Love by Rachel Allen // The last book I read in 2017 ended up being a favorite of the year! If you want a cute contemporary that’s about friendship with a little bit of romance and grief mixed in, read this book! (Comes out tomorrow!!)
2) Truthwitch by Susan Dennard // This is the only fantasy book on this list (blue lily, lily blue doesn’t count since it takes place in the real world) I was very surprised by how much I ended up loving it.
1) Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman // THIS BOOK BROUGHT ME OUT OF MY READING SLUMP AND IT’S SO BEAUTIFUL (ESPECIALLY THE HARDCOVER OHMYGOD) SO YOU BETTER READ IT…please?
Top 3 Biggest Disappointments of 2017:
ha! wasn’t expecting that were you?? 😀
**these aren’t by any means my least-favorite books of 2017 – just the biggest disappointments
3) Caraval by Stephanie Garber // I in no way hated this book, but I just had a lot of issues with it and it was way too over-hyped. My review for this is one of my favorites I’ve ever written, so that’s good.
2) Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff // It made me so sad when I read this book and didn’t love it. I wanted to love it so much, but I guess it just wasn’t for me. I will be reading the sequel though.
1) Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor // I’ll also be reading the sequel since the character I didn’t care for is now out of the way (though i have a feeling she’s not…). It’s all explained in my review.
Top 10 Predicted Favorites for 2018:
these won’t just be 2018 releases, but books i plan on reading in 2018
ah, don’t you just love the diversity?
10) American Panda by Gloria Chao // I literally just read an excerpt of the first chapter and I cannot stop squealing. I need this book like I need air.
9) Rebel Seoul by Axie Oh // I still can’t get over the fact that this book even exists. It’s the second YA book released in 2017 for fans of k-dramas. That’s huge.
8) A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena // I’ve had this book in my clutches for a couple months now and it’s taken all of my willpower not to read it. I’m making myself suffer because I have other books that I need to read first #bloggerlife
7) From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon // Firstly, y’all need to stop throwing crap at Menon for deciding to name her WOC protagonists after Bollywood stars. Seriously. Just stop. Secondly, can you hear me squealing?? I’ve needed this book ever since I heard the title because unlike some of you (not necessarily y’all that are reading this, but just people in general) I like the name and think it’s adorable.
6) Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann // A biromantic asexual woc main character. That’s really all you need to know 🙂 Let’s just hope the rep is good because the first review I saw from a Goodreads friend that’s ace said the rep wasn’t the best so… we’ll see.
5) The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee // I’ve heard so many good things about this book!!! But then the first review I saw on Goodreads just now was 2 stars… why May, why?? I mean, I read the review so I know why, but why do the low ratings always come first? ANYWAY, I’m still anticipating it. I own it and it sounds amazing so like I just said, we’ll see.
4) Warcross by Marie Lu // Most of the reviews I’ve seen for this (gosh now I’m just mentioning reviews… I’m sorry it’s a habit, I read reviews and take them into a lot of consideration when I choose my books) have either been raving about the book or stuck in the middle. I’m scared I’ll be rating this one 3 stars or something in that range but also, it has so much potential to become a favorite. Y’all know I’m an optimist so I’m leaning more towards the latter.
3) The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan // I also need this book like I need air. It sounds like it’s going to be one of those contemporaries that I won’t be able to stop thinking about for a while. *note how i stopped myself from scrolling down to read reviews this time*
2) The Dangerous Art of Blending In by Angelo Surmelis // Ever since I found out about this book I’ve been thinking of it as another Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, one of my all-time favorite books. Now I really hope it’ll take it’s place because the author of Ari and Dante is apparently one of those authors that email reviewers and harass them about the negative things they say about their books. Yeah. Not reading another one of his books (which is unfortunate because he writes very very good).
1) Any Victoria Schwab // 2018 WILL BE THE YEAR I FINALLY READ SOME – IF NOT ALL – OF HER BOOKS AND I KNOW I WILL LOVE THEM. They’re just always so expensive… I don’t know why??? But I won’t let that stop me! I’ll Amazon them or coupon them. I’ll figure it out.
Do we share any of the same favorite books of 2017? Do we share any of the same disappointments? What books do you think you’ll end up loving in 2018? Let me know!
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I LOOOOOOOOVE all the 2018 reads you’re looking forward to! 😀 Great list Savannah!
I wasn’t a fan of Caraval either and I’m surprised it’s so hype. It’s just…. totes not for me. Glad to hear you’re continuing with Strange the Dreamer and Illuminae though despite your qualms!
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I knowwwwww 2018 just has so many amazing releases!! Caraval definitely suffered from too much hype! I’m happy about that too, I have a feeling I’ll enjoy their sequels more 🙂 Thanks for reading
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History Is All You Left Me and I’ll Give You The Sun are pretty much some of my faves of 2017 as well 🙂 And your 2018 predictions list is pretty similar to the TBR list in my head so here’s hoping we’ll both love all of them 🙂
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Wish you the best of luck on your reading!!
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I remember you reading I’ll Give You the Sun! Great pick, I read it a few years ago and also loved it. Truthwitch is on my TBR – I like the premise and my sister loved it, which surprised me, haha. I’m also excited for Let’s Talk About Love (I love the coverrrrrr). Good luck with reading Schwab! I’ve only read the Shades of Magic trilogy, which is fun, but I’m interested in some of her other books as well.
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I’ll Give You the Sun is SO beautifully-written!!! Truthwitch was such a good fantasy – I think you’d like it! There’s two strong female leads. I love the cover as well! I smile every time I see it. I’ve heard so many good things about all of her books 😀
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I loved THUG and TRC is one of my favourite series. I’ve just bought Starfish and can’t wait to read it.
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Hope you end up loving it!!
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Thank you!
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VE SCHWAB VE SCHWAB VE SCHWAB (can you hear me squeal through the internet??)
I hope you will love alllll the books!!
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I thought I heard something. Yesssssss I hope I love them as well eek I can’t wait!!
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Starfish is so pretty!!!! I got the hardcover for Christmas and it’s seriously one of the prettiest books ever (and it was a good read too!)
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I knowwwwwww i don’t own a physical copy because i read the eARC, but i saw it in barnes and noble once and fawned over it for a good five minutes or so.
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I haven’t read any of these, but I would really like to. I have heard mixed reviews on How Dimple Met Rishi though. I am mainly looking forward to the ARCs I have to read and then Chasing My Soul.
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I personally loved When Dimple Met Rishi. What are some of the ARCs you have to read?
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These are the ones i have read in 2018 so far: Three Blind Dates, What’s Hidden Within, Rumors of Marty Goode, Friends List, and last, but not least The Chimera . Also I am currently reading Rain Dance which is an ARC too. 😊 I feel like Dimple and Rishi would have a cute story.
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You’ve done good with your list!! Keep up the great work 🙂 WDMR does have such a cute story!
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Thanks! I’ve been trying really hard. 😄
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I love the aesthetics of your blog! the little flowery banners and all that!
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Awe thank you so much ❤
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Always so happy to see Words In Deep Blue on any positive list 😀
And I personally didn’t love Illuminae either but Gemina was much more for me, I hope it will work out better for you as well.
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Words in Deep Blue is one of the most underrated books of 2017. I’m so salty about it. You and maybe one other blogger I follow has read it. That’s what I’m hoping will happen with me – fingers crossed!
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Right? I convinced a couple people to read it, but not nearly enough ..
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History Is All You Left Me destroyed my heart 😭. I’m so excited you’re going to read Schwab! She is amazing and her books are absolutely magical.
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Adam Silvera is the devil in disguise I swear he loves destroying his readers’ emotions. i’M EXCITED TO READ HER BOOKS TOO!!! She’s such a huge author in the community and I follow her on Twitter and I love her as a person but I haven’t read her books it makes me feel like such a disappointment haha!
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Aahh, I love this list! Starfish was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING,,, but I’ve heard things about the abuse rep that has me like
But! It means so much to me as an Asian reader and I think that’s so important to note? And we all have our problematic favs. 😂 DUDE I WAS GONNA SCREAM AT YOU FOR GENIE LO AND THEN I SAW YOU MENTION ME HAHAHAHA. I swear, you will DIE after reading that book. It was so cringy oh my god. I’m thinking of lowering my rating to 1.5 stars. 🙈
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Oh, and a friend of mine who I trust highly has said that the Dangerous Art of Blending In has REALLY bad abuse rep and I’m super sad bc I wanted to love it so bad 😭
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nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
*sobs*
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What about the abuse rep in Starfish?? And yes I love it because of the asian rep – seeing that it’s made so many bloggers who’s reviews i’ve read that are asian feel like they saw themselves in a book (represented correctly) is definitely a great start and i hope it keeps happening. YOUR REVIEW NOW HAS ME NERVOUS AND NOW I’M GOING TO BE GOING INTO THE BOOK EXPECTING TO NOT LIKE IT ERGHHHHH. We’ll see… we’ll see
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Ah, well, there were lots of criticism about how it was ableist, and also how Kiko’s mom was written to seem to have a mental illness (so it was kind of showing that abusive people are mentally ill). But Akemi apologized and revised a few things for future editions so that’s really nice??? And YES. The rep in it was THE BEST Asian rep I’ve seen for myself yet, and it was amazing. 😍
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Ah. I guess I could see how that’s not good rep. That’s good that she listened and revised a few things. Hopefully with the revisions it’ll be better.
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So sad you didn’t like Illuminae as much as you hoped. I’m currently re-reading and I LOVE it ❤ 🙂 Very curious about Gemina though, because I'm excited to see how they're going to top the first book for me. But maybe you'll like the sequel better!
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I’ve heard some better things about Gemina so hopefully I’ll end up liking it more. You’ll probably love it!
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This is such a neat idea!
I’m glad that you had so many faves, and am sad about Illuminae, Caraval, and Strange the Dreamer having been disappointing to you! I own Illuminae, loved Caraval, and Strange is on my TBR hehehe.
Also, I hope that you love all of the ones that you predicted that you would love! 😀
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Thank you, I’m happy that you like the idea 🙂
Although I was disappointed by them, that doesn’t mean they were bad books by any means – just not as great as I expected them to be. I hope I love them too haha, thanks for reading
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Ohhh I see what you mean! That kind of happened to me with A Darker Shade of Magic. I think my expectations might have been waaaay too high.
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i just picked up When Dimple Met Rishi from the library!!! I can’t wait to read it, especially since it was one of your favorites ❤ ❤
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AHHH HOPE YOU ENJOY!!!
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Fantastic post, I love your choices! I loved The Hate U Give, When Dimple Met Rishi and Words in deep Blue so, much. I haven’t read Starfish just yet but I am DYING to read it ahah, hopefully I will get to it this year 🙂
I am SO impatient to read The Astonishing Color of After, it sounds like the kind of book I would fall in love with ❤ Warcross and ADSOM were amazing, I hope you will love both 🙂
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Thank you!! READ STARFISHHHHHH 😀 The Astonishing Color of After gives me that vibe as well. It seems like I’ve been waiting to read Warcross and ADSOM for SO LONG! I hope I love them as well. Thanks for reading 🙂
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Totally agree with you on how much a disappointment Strange the Dreamer was!
– Caidyn
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Yeah, it was a disappointment 😦 Thanks for reading!
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I’m so excited to get in on the Silvera hype! I bought several of his books but still haven’t gotten around to reading them yet! OMG I definitely agree with you on When Dimple Met Rishi – soooo adorable.
I hope all your bookish predictions work out! 🙂 Happy reading!
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History Is All You Left Me is the only book by him that I’ve read but I loved it so much! Hope you end up loving it as well 🙂 Though you’ll definitely need tissues. WDMR is the most adorable of adorable contemporaries!!!
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I am totally with you on V Schwab….I own a couple but haven’t read yet……😁
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I hope that once I own some of her books I’ll actually read them. I tend to buy books and not read them for a while haha
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Oh me too *looks at my tbr of 5346753357 books* 😂
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*looks at mine*
*cries*
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🤣🤣
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I’m so excited for American Panda and Let’s Talk About Love. I want to squeal *.* And A Gilr Like That too! Bet American Panda and A Girl Like That are gonna be quite heavy with their topics ❤
I love I Will Give You The Sun and THUG, but for reasons I wasn't blew away bu the latter. Still I enjoyed it a lot and got emotional many times U_U
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American Panda and Let’s Talk About Love are definitely squeal-worthy books! I’m SOOOO excited for them 😀 I’ve heard that American Panda does have some heavy family topics and A Girl Like That – another reason I’ve been holding it off is the heavy topics. Glad to know you loved them both (even though you weren’t blown away by them both).
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I’m SO excited to read The Hate U Give! I didn’t have a spare moment throughout the rest of 2017 but as it turns out, I’m going to be reading it for a literary analysis class (it analyzes perspectives in popular culture) that I’m taking for my English program in university. I’m heard so many amazing things about it! I hope you have a lovely 2018!
Laura @BlueEyeBooks
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Ah that’s so cool that you’ll be reading THUG for a literary analysis class! That’s actually a book I’d have loved to read and analyze for a class (something I usually don’t enjoy) It’s really a wonderful book, I hope you end up enjoying it and having a great 2018 as well 🙂
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