This is a weekly tag hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and this week’s challenge is Best Books You’ve Read In 2017 So Far!
I originally was going to focus this week’s post specifically on fantasy and sci-fi books, but I realized that it left me with no excuse not to pick multiple titles from the same series (looking at you, ACOTAR and The Lunar Chronicles!). Instead, I thought I’d just give you guys a rundown of my ten favorite reads of the year so far – any genre! I limited myself to one title per series, which is why you won’t see a few of my beloved titles in this list.
1. A Court of Mist and Fury – Sarah J Maas
While I love all three of the books in this series that have been released so far, ACOMAF is still by far and wide my favorite. Watching Feyre’s character develop from this broken creature into a raging badass, plus meeting the inner circle of the Night Court, made for such a fun time.
2. Gemina – Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
I loved Illuminae so much, but hot damn, no sci-fi book I’ve ever read has held a candle to the brilliance and delight of Gemina. It’s full of twists and turns, and has such an incredible delay of characters.
3. Cress – Marissa Meyer
Cress is the third installment in The Lunar Chronicles series, and is my personal favorite of the first three books (I haven’t completed the series yet). Cress is such an adorable MC and I loved watching her relationship with Thorne develop.
4. Royal Bastards – Andrew Shvarts
This was probably my ultimate “dark horse” of 2017 so far. When I got approved for an ARC, I went into it optimistic but honestly not expecting very much. What I received was an amazing story of family, friendship, romance, and adventure, all set in a beautifully sculpted world.
5. The Raven Boys – Maggie Stiefvater
Almost everyone I know who has read this series has raved about it and insisted that I needed to read it, so I expected that I would enjoy it, but I had no idea that it would only take me a few short chapters to become basically obsessed with Blue and her boys. This book has such endearing characters and a really intriguing plot, paired with Maggie’s beautiful flowery prose.
6. Now I Rise – Kiersten White
I gave the first book in The Conqueror’s Saga, And I Darken, 4/5 stars because, despite how much I loved the characters and plot, I was just bored through a lot of it. That was not the case at all with Now I Rise. I wasn’t bored for a second, and the characters that I already knew and loved were expanded upon so beautifully that I couldn’t stand to see this book end.
7. Stacking Jack the Ripper – Kerri Maniscalco
I have no idea why I didn’t pick this book up sooner than I did. It’s historical fiction, it features a kickass female protagonist, and it involves Jack the Ripper – what a recipe for a good time. I loved the scenery that Kerri painted in the book, and Audrey was such an enjoyable MC that I couldn’t help but want to be friends with her. Plus, Thomas is a trip all on his own.
8. How to Make a Wish – Ashley Herring Blake
Everyone knows I’m a sucker for a good LGBTQ+ contemporary, but especially one that depicts a bisexual gal as the narrator. This book was beautiful from start to finish and I just wanted to turn it over and reread it as soon as I finished it. The characters are wonderful and feel so real, and the story line is full of heartache that just made me want to hug poor Grace.
9. Tell Me Three Things – Julie Buxbaum
This is probably one of the most underrated contemporary reads in my library, I think. I hear so few people talk about it, but it’s absolutely adorable and has such a unique spin on it: girl moves to new school, girl gets a secret admirer, girl falls for secret admirer… It’s precious and fun and predictable and kind of feels like the book equivalent of snuggling up with a cozy blanket.
10. Fangirl – Rainbow Rowell
I actually didn’t think I would love this book when I first started it, because it admittedly begins pretty slow and a little bit boring, but by the time I got about 1/3 of the way in, I fell so in love with Cath and Levi that I had to finish the rest of it in one sitting (which I stayed up until 4am to do so). It’s hilarious, sweet, and brilliantly unique.
What have been some of your favorite reads of the year so far? What did you think of the titles that I picked? Did you love (or hate) any of them? Feel free to leave your thoughts below, and a link to your T10T post if you made one!
°The~OWL~hOOts°
June 27, 2017The Raven Boys is my first read this year and i loved the series so much. Other than that, the rest I’ve never read. But looking forward to, esp. Royal Bastards.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017I hope you enjoy the rest of the series, and Royal Bastards! It was so great.
J. Hooligan @ Platypire Reviews
June 27, 2017I’ve read a few of these! I’m going to have to check out How to Make a Wish. Thanks!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017I highly recommend it. Hope you enjoy!
Mallory @ The Local Muse
June 27, 2017I need to get caught up on both of Maas’ series and I need to read Gemina! I was really impressed with Illuminae, and I’m glad to see you enjoyed the sequel so much! The Raven Cycle totally sucked me in last year, and I couldn’t stop reading until I flew through them all!
Mallory @ The Local Muse
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017I need to start the TOG series! I own all of them so far but just haven’t gotten around to it. I actually thought Gemina was even better than Illuminae, which is saying something, because I LOVED Illuminae!
Rissi
June 27, 2017The Lunar books is one series I *still* haven’t read. But they do sound amazing, and have been recommended to me lots!
Julie’s novel sounds interesting, particularly since I did read “What to Say Next” and enjoyed it. Oh, and “Stalking Jack the Ripper” is one I’m curious about too! 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017Oh, you totally should! They’re super fun.
Life of a Literary Nerd
June 27, 2017Great choices. I’m planning on reading Gemina laget this summer!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017I hope you love it!
ChrissiReads
June 27, 2017I did enjoy The Lunar Chronicles. Particularly Cress! 🙂 Great list!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017Cress is just so cute! Thank you 🙂
Sebastian
June 27, 2017I know that many people were disappointed by “Gemina” because they think it’s just a copy of “Illuminae” and I would even agree that the plot, the characters and of course the concept were very similar but I still had so much fun reading that book and it made my list, too!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017Oh yes, definitely similar, but I still loved it! Glad you did, too!
judithcmoore
June 27, 2017Always love your lists! So many of these I have either read or are on my TBR!
My ttt: https://chaininteraction.wordpress.com/2017/06/27/the-best-books-ive-read-in-2017-so-far-top-ten-tuesday/?iframe=true&theme_preview=true&calypso_token=fe8066da-e4f9-4674-b7fa-aaf0f1a2c327
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017Thank you! <3 I'll check yours out as well!
TeaPartyPrincess
June 27, 2017OK, I need to bump Royal Bastards up my list!
Cora ❤ http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017Oh man, you totally should! I highly recommend it.
everythingalyce
June 27, 2017Yet another person recommending Royal Bastards: I think it’s a must-read at this point!
Also, thank you for sharing the information that How To Make a Wish has a bisexual narrator – I knew it was LGBT+, but I’m definitely going to have to pick it up now.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017It is AMAZING! And yes, HTMAW has such authentic bi rep – it’s an own-voices book, which adds to the realness of it. I hope you enjoy it!
Jaymie
June 27, 2017A Court of Mist and Fury is fantastic! It totally agree that it’s the best in the series. Fangirl is also a lot of fun! I recently got a copy of Stalking Jack the Ripper and I can’t wait to dive into it! Great list!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017Ooh I hope you love it as much as I did! Thanks!
jaymiepierce93
June 27, 2017“A Court of Mist and Fury” is fantastic! I totally agree that it’s the best in the series. “Fangirl” is also a lot of fun! I recently got a copy of “Stalking Jack the Ripper” and I can’t wait to dive into it! Great list!
Iridescence
June 27, 2017I’m glad you liked The Raven Boys, Fangirl and Tell Me Three Things! They’re really great books! I added How to make a wish to my TBR after reading your post ?
Here’s my TTT 🙂
https://lightuptheshiningnightstars.wordpress.com/2017/06/27/top-ten-5-star-reads-of-2017-yet/
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017Yaaaay! I hope you love it! I honestly felt like I could reread HTMAW over and over. It was so great. I’ll check yours out, too!
Jacque
June 27, 2017Great list! I really enjoyed Fangirl and the Raven Cycle series and plan on reading Cress next month. Illuminae is another book I still need to read. I’m happy to see you are enjoying the series!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017Thank you! Oh, Cress and Illuminae are so good – hope you love them both!
sarabara081
June 27, 2017So many great books on your list that I’ve either loved myself or really want to read too! I haven’t gotten to my copy of Gemina yet and I LOVED The Raven Boys when I reas it upon release but haven’t returned to the series yet. I think perhaps I’ll reread this summer and binge read the rest of the series. Great list!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017Thanks! Gemina was soooo good. I hope you love it!
Poinsettia
June 27, 2017I really need to read The Lunar Chronicles! Here is our TTT.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017It’s such a great series!
Lynn
June 27, 2017Awesome list! Cress and ACOMAF are two of my absolute favourite books of all time! I’m really excited to read Royal Bastards! I’ve heard great things!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017They’re both so good! I hope you enjoy RB!
iloveheartlandx
June 27, 2017ACOMAF was on my list this week too!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2017/06/27/top-ten-tuesday-113/
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017Great minds think alike, haha! I’ll go take a look!
iloveheartlandx
June 27, 2017Clearly! Thanks 🙂
Kristen @ Shining Pages
June 27, 2017This list is awesome!! Literally all of these books are on my TBR… I’m hoping to continue the A Court of Thorns and Roses series soon because I’ve only read the first book (and loved it). After that, I’m hoping to read The Lunar Chronicles! I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed them 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017Haha yay! I hope you love all of them!
Pamelibrarian
June 27, 2017I was super bored during And I Darken, even though it was really beautiful. I’m wondering if I should try Now I Rise … hmm.
And I still have to read Gemina! AHHH!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017I will admit that I was bored during parts of And I Darken, but I definitely found the sequel to be SO much more exciting. I would highly recommend it!
Sarah
June 27, 2017Ah, I loved Fangirl!! Most of these are actually on my TBR, so I’m glad you enjoyed them, it’s a good sign. 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 27, 2017Fangirl was so cute! Haha, I love when you share tastes in books with someone and see that they loved a book on your TBR – it’s always encouraging to me. ?
Olivia
June 27, 2017The Raven Boys is so amazing. The Royal Bastard sounds intriguing. I also liked Fangirl 🙂 Great list!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Thank you! 🙂
megst13
June 27, 2017I LOVE this list so much! We have so many that are the same, but I also love Cress so much!! I hope you love the last book just as much! 🙂 Cress is my favourite too!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Thank you!! Oh man, I can’t wait but at the same time I dread it coming to an end!
megst13
June 29, 2017I was the same, I didn’t want it to end! But it’s so worth it!
Ashley S.
June 27, 2017Great list! I loved Cress! I keep seeing Stalking Jack the Ripper everywhere, so I think I need to check it out! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017You definitely do! 😀
Anindita@A Bohemian Mind at Work
June 27, 2017I love Marissa Mayers! have some mixed feelings for Sarah J Maas. Thanks for stopping by. Your list looks pretty interesting. Wish there were more than 24 hours a day…
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Thank you! Wow, me too. I would love to add an extra 8 hours of just reading time per day, lol.
pennma05
June 27, 2017Such a good list!! Gemina! ACOMAF! THE RAVEN BOYS! YES!!! I am dying to get my hands on Stalking Jack the Ripper. I’ve heard so many good things about it!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Oh I loved it! I actually borrowed it from the library but now it’s at the top of my “books I’ve read but really need to own” list, haha!
anovelglimpse
June 27, 2017I loved The Raven Boys! Such a good book. Gemina is on my TBR. I need to read it soon. Nice list!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017I hope you love it, and thanks!
Tangled
June 27, 2017Really enjoyed Royal Bastards! Whoo I wanted to check out Jack the Ripper and Three Things are on my tbr. So glad you enjoyed them!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017I hope you love them!
thebookishlibra
June 27, 2017I love this list! Every single one of these are either favorites of mine or else are books that I’m dying to read. Hope your second half of 2017 brings you just as many great reads 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Oooh yay! You too – thanks!
Alexandria
June 27, 2017Out of these I’ve only read Fangirl (I guess I don’t read much YA anymore) but I’ve heard great things about Sarah J Maas and the Illuminae books.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017I hope you enjoy if you check more of them out!
Nicole @ Nicole's Novel Reads
June 27, 2017Tell Me Three Things, Fangirl and Stalking Jack the Ripper are some of my favorite books! I hope you read Hunting Prince Dracula because that one is super creepy! Lovely TTT list this week.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Oh, it’s sitting on my shelf as we type and I can’t wait to get to it! I’m just waiting until a little bit closer to the release but tbh I’ve kind of wanted to dive into it since they sent it to me! lol and thank you. <3
ReadingMaria
June 27, 2017I love this post! It gives me a great perspective on books I wouldn’t normally pick up, but I definitely want to now thanks to you! Now adding Royal Bastards and Tell Me Three Things to my TBR!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Thank you! Oh, that’s fantastic. I hope you love them!
Cass (Words on Paper)
June 27, 2017I also adored Cress! <3 She is adorable, and she and Thorne are just so so cute together. I love that series so much, like, I don't know many people out there who aren't also on the bandwagon. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your list!
Cass @ Words on Paper
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017They are honestly SO PERFECT. <3
Zoe
June 28, 2017Gemina and Cress are two of my favorite books as well, so I’m thrilled to see them on your list here. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous choices! <3
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Thank you!
Alexandra P. (@alexperc92)
June 28, 2017Most of the books are quite favorites! I still haven’t read “Now I Rise”!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Ooooh, I hope you enjoy when you do!
pagesandtea
June 28, 2017I really enjoyed Fangirl too 🙂
I have a few of these on my TBR list, I think I’ll have to start the Lunar Chronicles soon, and Stalking Jack the Ripper looks good too.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Oh, definitely do! They’re so good.
Maraia
June 28, 2017I’m so glad you loved The Raven Boys and Fangirl! They’re two of my favorite series/books. Cath and Levi are just so adorable. <3
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017They really are! I just wanna squish ’em.
whatadifferenceawordmakes
June 28, 2017I think Levi is one of my favourite characters ever. He’s just like a big ball of sunshine! I’ve got The Raven Boys and the ACOTAR series on my TBR!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017He really is fantastic! Oooh I hope you enjoy them! They’re both such amazing series!
Ivyclad Ideas
June 28, 2017The Raven Boys is glorious! And I’m hearing a lot of good things about Royal Bastards. The title alone has me interested. :’)
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Haha the title caught my eye originally, too! I hope you pick it up soon because it’s honestly SUCH a good read.
kris
June 28, 2017OH MY GOODNESS FANGIRL. I loved that book with everything in my soul! I read it a few years ago now, but I think I should give it a reread because it’s just so lovely. I feel like the book looked at me, slapped me across the face, and then hugged me because we are kindred spirits. (Yes, this actually happened).
Also, of course, ACOMAF was fantastic 😉
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017It was so precious! You totally should. I’m not gonna lie, I kind of wanna reread it and I JUST read it a few months ago. Ugh. THIS IS WHY MY TBR NEVER SHRINKS.
Eve Langell
June 28, 2017So many of these are favorites of mine! I LOVED ACOMAF I mean seriously…Rhys…yes! Cress, The Raven Boys series, and Fangirl are favorites for sure. I also enjoyed And I Darken and look forward to checking out Now I Rise, glad to hear it doesn’t have those somewhat dragging / slower parts. Still need to read the Illuminae series still.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Yeeesssss! Definitely check out the Illuminae series and Now I Rise. So good!
exploringallgenres
June 28, 2017Great list. Only one of those that I have read is Cress, but a few others you have listed here I have my eye on for future reads.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Thank you!
Alice @ A Reader's Fiction
June 28, 2017Great list! I also love both Gemina and The Raven Boys, and The Dream Thieves actually made my list for this week, as for me the series just keeps getting better and better somehow, so I hope you enjoy the next books in the series as well 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 28, 2017Yay! 🙂 I hope you do too!
Kourtni @ Kourtni Reads
June 29, 2017So many of these are on my TBR! I really want to read How To Make a Wish ASAP. I just bought it a couple of weeks ago so hopefully I’ll be able to make time for it soon. Royal Bastards looks awesome. I tried to get an ARC but got denied and then kind of forgot about it, haha. I haven’t seen much about it either so I’m really glad to see you liked it! 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 30, 2017Oooh, I hope you’re able to get to both of them soon because they were soooo good!
Marissa
June 29, 2017Destiny – I love your list! And I adorded the Lunar Chronicles… I was surprised how fast I read them all. And I just finished The Raven Boys – my second attempted at the book – and I’m so confused… my reading buddy swears it gets better… we will see!
Thanks for stopping by Reading List earlier!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 30, 2017Thank you! I hope you enjoy the rest of The Raven Cycle. 🙂
Flavia
June 29, 2017Yessssss! Such good choices! All of these I’ve either read, are on my TBR, or will be added to my TBR now 😀
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 30, 2017Ooooh thank you!
Helia @ Rose Quartz Reads
June 29, 2017Fangirl is such a great book, and The Raven Boys is probably my all-time-favourite series! I’m really glad you liked them. I can’t wait to read Now I Rise – I adored And I Darken and I really want to see Lada and Radu’s messed up sibling relationship to develop (and also see how dark they both can really get). Lovely list!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 30, 2017I hope you love Now I Rise as much as I did. Thank you!
Ellie Warren (@patchworkbunny)
June 30, 2017I’m reading the Raven Cycle first the first time too, for some reason I never got on the bandwagon when it first came out. At least this way we have no wait between books!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
June 30, 2017That’s what I’m saying! haha I hate having to wait between titles!
Lauren Marion
July 2, 2017So many good series! I’ve been wanting to read a lot of these, but I’m one of those readers that can’t start a series until ALL of the books have been published. I hate waiting for the next book, and I’d much rather binge through them. Stalking Jack the Ripper looks great, I’ve always been interested in that case. And I’m definitely adding Royal Bastards to my TBR list! Great post 🙂
Here’s my TTT: Bookgirl Secrets
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 3, 2017Ohh, that’s understandable! Sometimes I’ll put a series off until every book has been released, too. Thank you!
lindseyhabets
July 3, 2017Ah ACOMAF was amazing! And SOO happy to see Tell Me Three Things on your list as well! And Cress! And The Raven Boys! And Fangirl! So basically all of these 😉 Amazing list!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 3, 2017Hahaha great minds think alike and all that. 😉 Thanks!