My Top 5 Books of 2017
It’s early for an annual review, but at this rate my top five are hard to beat. These books, all fiction but one, carried me through the gauntlet of 2017 with the grace and wisdom of a trusted mentor. If you haven’t already, go check them out!
1. Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
| 1920 | Historical, Literary Fiction |
Across three volumes, 1000+ pages, and thirty-odd years, we follow the life of a strong young woman in fourteenth-century Norway. This is a historical epic in every sense of the word, lovingly and thoroughly researched. But it is also a book about resilience, coming-of-age, family, religion, passion, swashbuckling, politics, and the inner workings of a cast of amazing characters. The richness of its psychological portraits and immersive historical experience make Kristin Lavransdatter a masterpiece.
2. A Mercy by Toni Morrison
| 2008 | Historical, Literary Fiction |
Not my first book by Toni Morrison but definitely my favorite. Set in 17th century Maryland, A Mercy is a beautiful kaleidoscopic narrative about slavery as it shapes countless lives—black, white, native, orphans, wives, and all those who are haunted by the past. Despite its complex subject, the book is rendered with stunning brevity and elegance. And at the core of it, as always with Morrison, is compassion.
3. The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante
| 2015 | Literary Fiction |
I finally completed Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novel quartet this year and was not disappointed. Without giving too much away, The Story of the Lost Child is the conclusion of a saga about two friends, Elena and Lila, who grew up during the turmoil of 1960s-70s Naples, Italy. It pulls no punches. Hell, it’s more of an unravelling than a conclusion, and we see people and places crumble with heartbreaking clarity. Ferrante is the Tolstoy of our era, and a must-read for anyone who enjoys powerful storytelling.
4. Tehanu by Ursula K. Le Guin
| 1990 | Fantasy |
If you, like me, are weary of the same ol’ stories about magical young people fighting against evil to save the day, then this is for you. Tehanu follows a small group of characters in a world where magic has all but disappeared, meditating on what’s left when the dark, the real, and the ordinary maintain. It’s about people who do not have power in the external sense, but who do their best to live and grow in a difficult world. Down-to-earth, quiet, and moving, Tehanu is a gem.
5. The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins
| 2016 | Nonfiction, Personal Finance |
The last on my list, and the only nonfiction entry, is this book by the popular financial blogger JL Collins. I discovered Collins and his blog while listening to a podcast earlier this year, and have been a fan ever since. The Simple Path to Wealth explains the basics of savings, investing, retirement, and financial independence. Seriously, Collins’ writing is just so approachable, straightforward, and informative. I’ve never read such a digestible and motivating text about personal finance (ha!). I wish I had read this years ago, but I’m still incredibly grateful for it now.