Top Reads of 2017

Perhaps this post is slightly late, however, 2017 was a rather fortuitous year book wise, and I wished to compile some of the top notch reads I have perused* over the last 12 months. As wont, the vast majority are classics and historical fiction, my favourite, or, more appropriately, only, genres I indulge in. This year I intend to “broaden my horizons” a bit and delve into a couple publications set at least a slight bit closer to the present. But, without further ado….my 2017 reads

A prayer for Owen Meany: This particular book boasted both a interesting plot AND a skilful writing style. Both facts, along with the knowledge that John Irving had written copious other novels, furnished me with a whole new reliable reading list I could fall back when experimental perusing* failed me. As of yet, I have only divulged in one other book of his, “The World According to Garp,” and I was not disappointed. However, I still attest “A pray for Owen Meany” is, and will forever be, the pinnacle of John Irving's career. The storyline was unconventional, peppered by seemingly insignificant details that, in reality, only made what should be a implausible narrative startlingly real.

A fine Balance: This books has been revered and recommended to me for ages. I, judging it based on the liberal number of pages, assumed the novel to be dense and intricate. In truth, it was the very definition as a page turner, conceiving relatable characters and a engrossing plot. Most importantly, Rohinton Mistry enabled some hint of hope, necessary as when faced with ample misery and heartbreak, one feels coerced to stop reading for fear of what tragedy may happen yet. The ending, throughout the entire “” page novel, thus remained ambiguous, and, when it finally occurred, deliciously unprecedented…..

The Great Gatsby: My first taste of F.Scott Fitzgerald was found completely satisfying. Once again, I suspected a tedious, only fascinating upon reflection, read, and, again, I was proven wrong. The book is short and concise, chronicling several events featuring several unlikable characters and cumulating in a climatic, rather unfortunate, end. As many are aware, “The Great Gatsby” falls under the same category as “War and Peace” or “Moby dick” - one of those compulsory classics one, for some obscure reason, needs to read. However, I would not compare the book to any of the painfully imperative, impossibly dense novels falling under the same genus, but approach rather as one would any other read, a stimulating, alluring page turner.

The Murder on the Orient Express: This book, a current literature trend as result of the recently released movie adaptation, rekindled my love of Agatha Christie. I am not typically attracted to the current “hot” reads of my generation, almost deterred, really, when a novel is elevated into popularity, but I received this particular novel for Christmas and couldn’t resist… In past, I have read “4:50 from paddington” and “and than there were none,” both of which were cleverly written to convey the most delightful plot twists, but sadly, merged into the profusion of books I read the summer in question. Now, now that my reading rate has sadly declined in tandem with a surplus of homework, I am eagerly anticipating my new purchase, the murder of mr. Ackroyd.

A year in Provence: Books generally are not particularly comedic, at least in my opinion. However, for an inexplicable reason, If found this novel both charming and rather witty. Perhaps the jocular quality was yielded by the multiple (and true) misadventure Peter Mayle chronicles as he and his wife attempt to integrate into french culture, or merely his writing technique, yet somehow, impossibly, I was on the verge of laughing (which is saying a lot.) Some will doubtlessly disagree with me, but, none withstanding, “A year in Provence” is what one would call a “delightful read” that, on a interesting side note, I happened on by chance at a second hand bookshop in Desolation Sound.

*This particular word is used quite liberally in my current read, Jane Eyre