The Best Books I read in 2017
The notion of a “Best Books” list annoys me. How is it possible to have read, reviewed, or be even aware of every book out there? On Goodreads, I reviewed forty-five books this year. That’s a lot of books! In addition, I’ve probably thumbed through a few dozen others for work, research, etc. Still, that number is woefully inadequate compared to the universe of books published in 2017. That said, there is value in saying, “These are books I really enjoyed or found useful.” because finding a great novel often requires following a largely grass roots route. I depend on friends, peers, co-workers, my nose, and the wonderful reviewers on Goodreads, blogs, etc. to help chart my course.
So, this is by no means a Best Books list for 2017. In fact, some of these books were not even published in 2017. They are though some of the books this year that made me laugh, think, cry, wonder, and helped stop the world for a moment.
These really are in no order.
Doc by Maria Doria Russell
This lovely and well-researched historical fiction tracks the life of Doc Holliday. It illuminates both well-known characters and figures that have long deserved to have their contributions sung about. It’s not a gaudy adventure or a bloody western, but a smart book. At its best, it paints a captivating picture of the times while using only realistic hues, textures, and strokes.
City of Stairs Trilogy by Russell Bennett
This is a really great trilogy. It’s also an interesting one in that each of its three books are a bit different. Book one celebrates world building and engineered history. Characters and plot take a backseat to the amazing world being crafted. From one angle, it’s really a political mystery masquerading as fantasy. Book II is a wonderful character-driven story. The hero of the novel is not the hero of the first book. In fact, we never even see that book’s champion. Book III delivers an adventure book that may hide a morality play. It certainly wrestles with philosophy and the nature and place of gods, men, time, darkness, etc. One note. I felt book three was a little overwritten and some of the dialogue got clunky. I think that’s because Bennett wanted to make sure every word was perfect and had meaning. Overall though, this really was a great trilogy with a satisfying conclusion.
Dodger by Terry Pratchett
Dodger tells the true story of Oliver Twist’s Artful Dodger except that it’s wholly made up. I guess it’s what should have been the true story of the Artful Dodger. The feel of 19th Century London is wonderful, the mystery is sufficiently complex and gripping, and the hero/cast is a good one. This one’s a romp though not as silly as many of Pratchett’s other works. It should be noted that I was on my way to be the literary Guest of Honor at a comic con for the first time while listening to it as an audio book and that may have put me in a pretty receptive mood.
Every Kingdom Divided by Stephen Kozeniewski
It’s always dangerous to read a friend’s book… even if they only became a friend because you were accidentally placed as neighbors at Shore Leave Con. I admit with a little bit of shame that it took me a while to read one of Stephen’s books. That’s because he’s primarily a horror writer and I don’t love the genre. Every Kingdom though is dystopia. Better, it was a really well told story with good characterizations, an interesting plot, some wonderful humor, and great pacing. There’s a gimmick that Kozeniewski overuses, but that’s not enough to diminish a book that works so well both as an escapist journey and a bit of dystopian satire.
Bone Universe Trilogy by Fran Wilde
It’s rare that my enjoyment of a trilogy improves with each successive book. That happened here. Book I was a pretty cool bit of political intrigue, but it was mostly about building the world and society. The story became richer by Book II, but by Book III, it really soared (which is pretty ironic consider that the characters spend much of the time grounded). What I loved about Book III was that it was a story of little moments and tiny heroisms. I also fancied the clever use of music. If beauty can be found in the tiniest of details, than Bone Universe is a beautiful trilogy.
Choosing the “best” even when you are only selecting among fifty or so is still a challenge. There are so many others that deserve a nod. I really enjoyed The Waking Fire as a pure epic fantasy, Strange the Dreamer for its beautiful lyricism, Caught for its inventiveness and the way Weech paints action scenes, and nonfiction works like Voor Elise for its ability to unfold some of our most important historical events through a touching family story.
What were some of your favorites this year? I’d love to hear. After all, I’m on the hunt. I plan to do a lot of writing this year, but you have to make time for great books! As for the other books I read this year… the main reason I don’t like lists in general is that I always forget at least one that desperately deserves inclusion. To that novel and that author… know you are cherished.
So, this is by no means a Best Books list for 2017. In fact, some of these books were not even published in 2017. They are though some of the books this year that made me laugh, think, cry, wonder, and helped stop the world for a moment.
These really are in no order.
Doc by Maria Doria Russell
This lovely and well-researched historical fiction tracks the life of Doc Holliday. It illuminates both well-known characters and figures that have long deserved to have their contributions sung about. It’s not a gaudy adventure or a bloody western, but a smart book. At its best, it paints a captivating picture of the times while using only realistic hues, textures, and strokes.
City of Stairs Trilogy by Russell Bennett
This is a really great trilogy. It’s also an interesting one in that each of its three books are a bit different. Book one celebrates world building and engineered history. Characters and plot take a backseat to the amazing world being crafted. From one angle, it’s really a political mystery masquerading as fantasy. Book II is a wonderful character-driven story. The hero of the novel is not the hero of the first book. In fact, we never even see that book’s champion. Book III delivers an adventure book that may hide a morality play. It certainly wrestles with philosophy and the nature and place of gods, men, time, darkness, etc. One note. I felt book three was a little overwritten and some of the dialogue got clunky. I think that’s because Bennett wanted to make sure every word was perfect and had meaning. Overall though, this really was a great trilogy with a satisfying conclusion.
Dodger by Terry Pratchett
Dodger tells the true story of Oliver Twist’s Artful Dodger except that it’s wholly made up. I guess it’s what should have been the true story of the Artful Dodger. The feel of 19th Century London is wonderful, the mystery is sufficiently complex and gripping, and the hero/cast is a good one. This one’s a romp though not as silly as many of Pratchett’s other works. It should be noted that I was on my way to be the literary Guest of Honor at a comic con for the first time while listening to it as an audio book and that may have put me in a pretty receptive mood.
Every Kingdom Divided by Stephen Kozeniewski
It’s always dangerous to read a friend’s book… even if they only became a friend because you were accidentally placed as neighbors at Shore Leave Con. I admit with a little bit of shame that it took me a while to read one of Stephen’s books. That’s because he’s primarily a horror writer and I don’t love the genre. Every Kingdom though is dystopia. Better, it was a really well told story with good characterizations, an interesting plot, some wonderful humor, and great pacing. There’s a gimmick that Kozeniewski overuses, but that’s not enough to diminish a book that works so well both as an escapist journey and a bit of dystopian satire.
Bone Universe Trilogy by Fran Wilde
It’s rare that my enjoyment of a trilogy improves with each successive book. That happened here. Book I was a pretty cool bit of political intrigue, but it was mostly about building the world and society. The story became richer by Book II, but by Book III, it really soared (which is pretty ironic consider that the characters spend much of the time grounded). What I loved about Book III was that it was a story of little moments and tiny heroisms. I also fancied the clever use of music. If beauty can be found in the tiniest of details, than Bone Universe is a beautiful trilogy.
Choosing the “best” even when you are only selecting among fifty or so is still a challenge. There are so many others that deserve a nod. I really enjoyed The Waking Fire as a pure epic fantasy, Strange the Dreamer for its beautiful lyricism, Caught for its inventiveness and the way Weech paints action scenes, and nonfiction works like Voor Elise for its ability to unfold some of our most important historical events through a touching family story.
What were some of your favorites this year? I’d love to hear. After all, I’m on the hunt. I plan to do a lot of writing this year, but you have to make time for great books! As for the other books I read this year… the main reason I don’t like lists in general is that I always forget at least one that desperately deserves inclusion. To that novel and that author… know you are cherished.
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