Favorite Reads 2017

Suspense / Thrillers

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

I loved this book.  It’s the best suspense novel I’ve read in a long time. It’s a really good story, with strong writing, tight plotting, and multi-layered characters.  I’ve already bought the second in the series (Killman Creek) and it’s near the top of my TBR list. I reviewed in on my chat page, here.

Noble Beginnings by L.T. Ryan

This book surprised me.  I’d never heard of the author before, and I’m always a little leary of books written by people who’s name I’ve never even heard of, but this was really good.  A very “guy” suspense, but with enough emotional resonance to keep the female reading interested.  I recommend it.

Fantasy / Urban Fantasy / YA Fantasy

Furies of Calderon (Codes Alera. Book 1) Jim Butcher

This is another book that I reviewed on my website. I haven’t read any of Jim Butcher’s books since the Dresden files — though I really enjoyed those. I got this book from audible and started listening to it. However, I don’t do a lot of driving around anymore and got impatient. I ended up buying the eBook and going and forth. This is really good high-fantasy.

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

Like most readers, I love series. However, I usually take years to go through one. There are just so many other wonderful books out there. That wasn’t true with The Raven Cycle books. I zipped through Books #1 – #3 in no time, and the fourth book is at the top of my to-read list for 2018. They are just that good. And no surprise, I also talked about these books on my chat link.

Historical Fiction

America’s First Daughter Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie:

I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, but I can’t tell you why. Probably because I just don’t get to it. However, I really should read more of it because when it’s done well, I love it. And America’s First Daughter is a wonderful book. It’s written beautifully, engaging, but with so much fascinating historical detail. If you’re at all interested in Thomas Jefferson, his life and the way he shaped the US, check out this book.

Horror/Post-Apocalyptic

Swan Song by Robert McCammon

Robert McCammon is one of my all time favorite authors (in my top five), and apocalyptic fiction one of my favorite subgenres. Swan Song hits both of these lists and is my favorite McCammon book. I’ve read it three times, and this year I added a fourth reading by listening to it on audio. (I almost never re-read books even once.) I just love his stories and his writing. So, if will you like this book? That depends on whether you enjoy apocalyptic fiction. If you do, this is the best out there.  I mentioned this book in my blog.  Check it out here.

Women’s Fiction

A Piece of Heaven by Barbara O’Neal

Loved this book — my favorite of the year. It is such a rich story, full of beautiful imagery and multi-dimensional characters. I reviewed in on my blog, here.

Summer Island by Kristin Hannah

I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by Kristin Hannah since reading On Mystic Lake years ago. Then, of course, there was the fabulous The Nightingale. (If you haven’t read that, you really should.) This year, I read Summer Island, and like all of her books, I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you enjoy woman’s fiction and haven’t discovered Kristin Hannah, you’re missing out.

TBR List for 2018

Here are the books currently at the top of my TBR list for 2018. This, however, is a pretty fluid list that’s subject to change when someone says to me, “You have got to read this book!”

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

Book Four in The Raven Boy Series. I’m so loving this series.

Year One by Nora Roberts

I don’t think I ever would have guessed Nora Roberts would write an apocalypse book, but since has, I have to read it. Anybody who’s been following for a bit, knows that this is one of my favorite sub-genres.

Academ’s Fury (Codex Alera 2) by Jim Butcher

If you read my review of the first book in this series, Furies of Calderon, you’ll know why this is at the top of my TBR list.

Artemis by Andy Weir

Did anyone NOT read The Martian by Andy Weir . I LOVED it!! The movie, too. So, of course, I have to read Andy Weir’s second book, Artemis