Tuesday’s Top Ten – 2017’s Best Books So Far

This Tuesday I am jumping back into networking with other blogs and participating in The Broke and Bookish weekly meme, Top Ten Tuesday. This week’s top ten is the best books we have read so far in 2017. They are in no particular order.

1. The Queen of the Tearling – Erika Johansen

Wednesday’s Whammy – The Queen of the Tearling

I had heard really good things about this book and the cover intrigued me so the moment I saw it at the library I scooped it up and borrowed it. This was enthralling. I could not put it down. I loved the protagonist, Kelsea. Her determination, her spirit, her fierceness. I just loved her. If you haven’t read this, you definitely should.

2. The Florentine Bridge – Vanessa Carnevale

Wednesday’s Whammy – The Florentine Bridge

This was a beautiful book about finding love and life beyond cancer. This is definitely a favourite for the year. It takes place in beautiful Tuscany. The perfect setting for such a beautiful book. I cannot begin to tell you how much I think you should read this book.

3. The Other Side of the Season – Jenn J. McLeod

Wednesday’s Whammy – The Other Side of the Season

This Australian book was so wonderful and so emotional. I was a mess by the end of it. I understood why it ended the way it did but it was still shocking none the less. Definitely a favourite of mine.

4. Confess – Colleen Hoover

Sunday’s Spotlight – Confess

I had such a hard time putting this book down. Typical CoHo style, this book was an emotional rollercoaster filled with angst. It has been turned into a television show that I cannot wait to watch. If you haven’t read Colleen Hoover, then you need to start. She will literally rock your world.

5. Plus One – Mae Wood

Monday’s Madness – Plus One Release Blitz

Plus One is the latest book in the Pig & Barely series by my American sister, Mae Wood. I just need to say this (sorry to any family who may read this) but Mae writes THE best sex scenes I have ever read. They are realistic, sexy and not over the top. Her female characters are strong and don’t give everything up for the man. She has this way with characters, they get in her head and she cannot finish them until she is satisfied with her story. It really shows in her books.

6. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey

This book has opened my eyes. If you have been following my blog for a while, you will know that I love reading personal development books. This book has changed the way I organise my day. I now get where my priorities lie. It was amazing that I thought I was organised and couldn’t figure out why it is that I couldn’t manage to finish anything on time. This book will hopefully be a huge help when I go back to university.

8. Beautiful Burn – Jamie McGuire

Wednesday’s Whammy – Beautiful Burn

Every book by Jamie McGuire is hard to put down! I gobbled this book up. It wasn’t as emotional as Beautiful Sacrifice but it was just as good. It was good to see a really dysfunctional character like Ellie.

9. Jasper Jones – Craig Silvey

Sunday’s Spotlight – Jasper Jones

This book was a Book Club pick and was incredibly good. I loved the nuances to To Kill A Mockingbird (a favourite of mine). The way this book tackled significant issues that faced  Australian society at the time was incredible. It made me think. A good Aussie book!

10. The Art of Keeping Secrets – Rachael Johns

I finished this book a few hours ago and had to think long and hard about which book to bump off the list because this has to be on here. If you love Aussie authors, read this. If you love books about family dynamics and powerful friendships, read this. I can’t say too much or I will spoil my review post coming up, but it is worth the read. It was the first time I had read Rachael Johns and it was totally worth it. I cannot wait for her next book. Tomorrow I am sure I’ll be borrowing out what the library has of her collection.

What is the best book you have read so far this year?

Cai xx