My 5 Favorite Books of 2017

This has been my go-to recommendation for almost anyone who’s asked for one this year. In fact, I liked it so much, I’ve managed to read it twice already. The story of an artist and her daughter moving into an upper-class suburban neighborhood and the disruptions they cause will keep you reading all night. The author handles the relationships throughout the book so beautifully, showing everyone’s side with equal fairness, that you won’t know who to cheer for—but finishing their stories will leave you totally satisfied. 

At first, I wasn’t sure what I would make of this book. Sure, I love wolves, but would I like a book about them? Luckily, the answer was a resounding YES. The narrative not only follows the dramatic story of alpha female O-Six and her incredible ability to keep her family alive, but also goes into the politics behind the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park. Reading this book will leave you with a newfound appreciation for wolves and the wildlife specialists who follow them, as well as rare insight into how our current political climate came to be. 

I’m a huge Anglophile, so I was beyond excited to receive a copy of this book. While Winston Churchill and George Orwell couldn’t appear to be more different—many years separate them in age, and they were on different sides of the political spectrum—they were both focused on keeping their country safe from fascism and communism. Although they both thrived in the 1940s, many of their philosophies will deeply resonate with modern readers. 

This was one of those books I just couldn’t put down. Our heroine Eleanor might be very awkward, but her quirky manner proves to be extremely entertaining—even when she’s at her worst. Her ability to learn and grow will keep you from giving up on your own personal development. 

While I’m not usually a YA reader, I enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars so much, there was no way I could pass up reading John Green’s newest book. The novel begins as a mystery, but the true heart of the story is the main character Aza’s battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Whether or not you have any prior knowledge of OCD, this deeply personal novel will resonate with anyone who’s felt like she or he has lost control of their lives.