Looking back at 2017, it wasn't a good reading year. After a disappointing run with books accepted for review, I decided to stick to my own reads and preferences hoping to get my reading mojo going again.
Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. I could keep up with reading with one kid and a baby, but with two school-going kids, and a full-time job, I have realized that reading is going to have to be on the backburner - behind homework, school projects, extra classes, office work, and numerous other things that just have to get done.
Still I did have some reading highlights that I want to share with you.
- Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn - I picked up this book because I loved Gone Girl so much. And I loved Sharp Objects every bit as much as Gone Girl - maybe even a bit more. So very good, I read it twice this year. My review was a bit on the fence. But when I read this book the second time, I found myself not caring about its flaws all that much.
- The spy who came in from the cold by John LeCarre - This is billed as an all-time spy classic, and on reading this book, I agree with that billing. A slow boil of a book that gradually ups the intensity, I loved every minute of reading this slim little book.
- The Constant Gardener by John LeCarre - I was on a LeCarre kick this year reading three of his novels. When two of his books make the annual best of 2017 list, you know that he is a dependable author. The Constant Gardener is different from his usual thrillers, but is a very beautiful book with a conscience. It's one that will remain in my memory for some time to come. You should catch the movie too if you can - that's just as good.
- 3 and a half murders by Salil Desai - This is the only review book that makes it to my favorites list. This is the third book in the Inspector Saralkar series and is the best one in my opinion. Had me guessing till the last page.
- Gone Baby Gone by Dennis Lehane - The excellent movie prompted me to read the book, and I loved it. I have an up and down relationship with Lehane, some books I love, some I am completely bored by. However, Gone Baby Gone was one of the hits, and now I am determined to read the other books in this series.
- Fingersmith by Sarah Waters - This is one of those books that took time to hook me in, but once hooked, I just fell in love with it. The second half of this book was a real Dickensian style roller-coaster ride, and I relished every bit of it.
- The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy - I have yet to find the words to describe what I thought of this book. It has many flaws especially with the flow in the first half. However, once the character of Tillotamma enters the book, I completely fell in love with it. Also, this book is very Rushdie-like in tone. These two aspects were enough to make me fall in love with it.
So this was my list of the best books I read this year. Have you read these books? What are the best books you read in 2017?