Let's Bust a Recap : 2017

2017 has come and gone, and I more than doubled my reading goal for the year! I even exceeded my secret goal. If you'll remember waaaay back to New Years Day, I posted my 2017 book list and stated my official goal for the year as 12 books: one a month. Really, my unofficial goal was 15 books for this year. I wanted to do better than I did in 2015 (my first year with a book list), but I still wanted to keep my expectations realistic. My secret goal evolved throughout the year. At first, it was 20 books. But when I got to October and realized I was already 18 books in and going strong, I upped it to 24 to match last year. When I hit 24, I even flirted with the idea of trying to get to 30, but alas, my final tally ended up at 26. It was a good year, and overall, I read some great books.

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie : completed 1/6

A touch of whimsy to start the new year. Loved this charming read.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (re-read) : completed 1/26

Never gets old.

Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott : completed 2/6

Immediately added to my list of go-to books. Little Women, Little Men, and Jo's Boys are perfect.

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare : completed 2/27

Possibly the best Shakespearean comedy I've read so far although it's pretty neck-and-neck with Much Ado About Nothing.

John Adams by David McCullough : completed 3/15

For sure the best presidential biography I've read to date.

Under A Maui Moon by Robin Jones Gunn : completed 3/20

Sisterchicks in Sombreros by Robin Jones Gunn : completed 3/23

Salty Kisses by Robin Jones Gunn : completed 4/19

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. : completed 5/18

Ugh. Worst read of the year.

The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers (re-read) : completed 5/28

Emma by Jane Austen (re-read) : completed 6/14

Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis : completed 7/26

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas : completed 8/2

Not my favorite. Hopefully we can only go up from here with Dumas.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare : completed 8/10

EVERYONE DIES.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom : completed 8/20

This could be the best book I've ever read in my entire life. So good.

Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte : completed 8/29

Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy : completed 9/19

Excellent. Made me excited for more Hardy.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (re-read) : completed 10/7

11 years since I last read it?? I'm so old! *sob*

Sunset Lullaby by Robin Jones Gunn : completed 11/2

All. The. Tears. Perfect ending.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie : completed 11/9

SO much better than the movie.

Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham : completed 12/7

Left a lot to be desired.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (re-read) : completed 12/11

Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn : completed 12/13

Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn : completed 12/16

Kissing Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn : completed 12/19

Angels at the Table by Debbie Macomber : completed 12/22
Silly book with outrageous theological implications. After my second Debbie Macomber read, I can't really say I'm turning into a fan. Fun but totally ridiculous.

How did you make out with your 2017 resolutions? Check back in a few days for my 2018 book list!