Reading in 2017: Review and Resolve
My reading in 2017.
At last it’s New Year’s Eve. I’ve yet to speak to anyone who is not happy to bid farewell to this year of greed and infighting and fake news and war mongering.
Of course, reading is never something to regret but rather to look back on with affection even as we anticipate the new reads of the new year. With that in mind…
I read many books but only recorded 30 of them on Goodreads. Among those, a few stand out.
I read a Newbery Medal:
a PEN Faulkner nominee:
a Hugo and Nebula winner:
a Man Booker nominee:
a Man Booker winner:
a Kirkus Prize and Goodreads Choice nominee:
and the latest novel by Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguru
I’m still wrapping my head around The Buried Giant. My book group is discussing it in a week, and I will write a post about this novel and versatile author. Watch for it. The Diamond Age was optioned for a drama series long ago; fingers crossed it is produced soon! I think it would be absolutely stunning. Of all the books I read in 2017, my favorite, favorite read was A Gentleman in Moscow. It has everything: historical drama, buddy love, romantic flutterings, and family devotion. Every single member of my book group loved it, and that’s hard to achieve.
All told, 30% of my Goodreads selections were literary prize winners. I had set a goal of 25%, so I’m happy. I’m setting a reading goal of 32 books on Goodreads. I easily read that much and more. The challenge has been to record and/or review them, so I resolve to do a better job of that in 2018.
Tomorrow, January 1, 2018 begins Book Challenge by Erin. I’ve already made my selections and will discuss the challenge next week. Some great categories coming up for 2018!
How about you? What books did you love or hate in 2017? What are you looking forward to in 2018?
4 thoughts on “Reading in 2017: Review and Resolve”
I also read the Buried Giant, but I didn’t love it. Sort of felt unsatisfied by the end… maybe it was just too deep for my frame of mind at the time.
I know what you mean, Allegra. Overall, I didn’t engage with The Buried Giant as much as I did with the other books of his I read–Never Let Me Go and When We Were Orphans. I do know there is deep meaning in The Buried Giant, which is part of the reason I have to think about it some more.
Hi Deb, Happy New Year! May your 2018 be filled with lot of books and memorable moments. You have read great books in 2017. I am yet to catch up with most of yours read. I read ‘Behold The Dreamer’ which I really loved. 🙂
Hi Deepika. What I liked about Behold the Dreamers was the empathy with which the author portrayed the two families in crisis, especially her depiction of the children. I’m going to take a look at your book list, too!