21 Mini Book Reviews

Whether you’ve made a resolution to read more in 2018 or are looking for some new recommendations, these are mini reviews on every book I read in 2017.

I set reading goals every year. Last year, it was simply to read 20 books. Here are some ideas for different challenges you could try yourself.

Read a certain number of books this year.
Read a book you’ve been meaning to read for years.
Read a book in a genre you don’t normally choose.
Read a classic.
Read something from 5 different genres this year.

Add your own ideas for reading goals or suggestions I should add to my 2018 reading list in the comments below! Find me on Goodreads if you’d like to keep up with what I’m reading throughout the year.

What follows is a list of the books I read in 2017 along with my brief thoughts on each. Click here if you’d like to skip to my top 5 recommends from this list.

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton – It’s the 1870s and Newland Archer plans to marry May Welland, until the arrival of May’s cousin, the intriguing Countess Ellen Olenska. Wharton combines romance with social commentary and a dash of the bittersweet in this classic. I love classics and an element of the bittersweet, so this was a 2017 favorite.
The Murder House by James Patterson – The Murder House is a mansion in the Hamptons, where (surprise!) people keep turning up dead. Like most of James Patterson’s books, this is a fun, suspense-filled page-turner. I enjoyed it more than I expected to. If you’re looking for some lighter reading, I’d give this a try.
Cujo by Stephen King – One of Stephen King’s most well-known works, Cujo is about a rabid dog as well as the marital problems between two couples. While it’s an interesting and classic psychological thriller, it doesn’t rank on my top 5 list of Stephen King novels.
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley – When a private plane crashes into the Atlantic, there are only two survivors, Scott Burroughs, an artist, and JJ, the child of fellow passengers. The ensuing investigation into what caused the crash threatens to expose the passengers’ secrets. It’s a fun, suspenseful read sprinkled with some thoughtful perspective on art, wealth, and fame.
Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier – When Mary Yellan’s mother dies, she goes to live with her aunt and uncle at Jamaica Inn, an isolated, rundown establishment with a terrible reputation. Mary soon finds out that reputation is well-deserved in this dark romance and classic mystery novel.
Turning Angel (Penn Cage novel #2) by Greg Iles – This series follows Penn Cage, a lawyer-turned-author. After losing his wife to cancer, he and his young daughter return to the small town in Mississippi where he grew up. The town has a rich history, and there, they encounter their fair share of drama. Some of this drama uproots buried secrets from Cage’s own past or that of his family. Some of the secrets are far larger. Of the four Penn Cage novels I have read, Turning Angel (#2 of 6 books) is my least favorite. Natchez Burning (#4 of 6 books) is far better. In fact, you could skip right to #4 and treat this as a trilogy.
The Devil’s Punchbowl (Penn Cage novel #3) by Greg Iles – See above and look for my full review of this series coming later this year!
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls – This is a very poignant memoir that was adapted into a film in 2017. About a girl growing up in a highly unconventional family, it is extremely memorable. Despite extreme challenges during her childhood, Walls treats each of her family members with respect and tenderness.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi – This autobiographical memoir chronicles Kalanithi’s life and career as he underwent treatment for lung cancer. Both a doctor and a patient, Kalanithi thinks deeply about life. This one is poignant and insightful, a beautiful book I’m not likely to forget.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari – This nonfiction title gives a bird’s-eye view of the history of our species. It is certainly eye-opening and thought-provoking. If you’re looking for information as a member of our species and inhabitant of the world, I highly recommend this one.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck – Part autobiography and part biblical allegory, I thoroughly loved this book. Of those I’ve read, it is my favorite Steinbeck novel; I greatly prefer it to Grapes of Wrath. It is a bit on the long side but absolutely worth the commitment.
Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris – This mystery pits Roy Straitley, a retiring teacher of the Classics, against a young, up-and-coming faculty member, who is plotting revenge against the elite prep school for childhood wrongs. Read my full review here!
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Monique Grant is a journalist writing the biography of famous actress Evelyn Hugo, who has had an illustrious career and life in the limelight. At age 79, Hugo is ready to divulge the backstories of her seven marriages. Taylor Jenkins Reid crams a lot of themes into this quick-paced, touching novel. I certainly enjoyed this one, but it covers a lot of ground and ultimately leaves some aspects underexplored.
Finders Keepers (Bill Hodges Trilogy #2) by Stephen King – This trilogy revolves around retired police detective Bill Hodges, who grows increasingly endearing over the course of the three novels. I loved all three, but End of Watch (#3) is my favorite. These are among my favorite Stephen King books.
End of Watch (Bill Hodges Trilogy #3) by Stephen King – See above and check out my review of the trilogy here.
Forty Autumns: A Family’s story of Courage and Survival on Both Sides of the Berlin Wall by Nina Willner – The subtitle kind of says it all. This is a beautiful telling of a family history. Along with the family elements, Willner integrates much of the historical context of the Cold War.
You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero – The writing style was not my cup of tea, but if you’re looking for some inspiration, this could be a place to start. While funny at times, it was a bit touchy-feely.
Kiss Carlo by Adriana Trigiani – This is a charming novel that takes place in Philadelphia after WWII and follows Nicky Castone, a cab driver who moonlights at a theatre company. Despite a few weaknesses, this story of self-discovery is filled with many memorable characters. Read my full review here.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote – This is an impressive work, considering the level of research that must have gone into the writing. I thoroughly enjoyed the first half but found the second half a bit tedious. I’m glad to have read it, but it isn’t one of my personal favorites.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving – This novel explores themes of fate and faith as it chronicles the experiences of two best friends growing up in a small New England town in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Owen Meany is truly exceptional – exceptionally small, strong-willed, and convinced that he is God’s instrument on earth. Lending the book a unique perspective, Owen’s best friend and the book’s narrator, John Wheelwright, is as much an observer of the remarkable Owen Meany as we, the readers, are. A beautiful book, this was one of my favorites of 2017.
If the Creek Don’t Rise by Leah Weiss – This one is about a poor community in the Appalachian Mountains in the 1970s. The writing is beautiful, and the characters are excellent. I’m so happy I came upon this one.