New Year, New Reading Goal: My Top 5 Best Reads of 2017

I am quickly becoming a compulsive book hoarder. I own more books than I have read and my wish list of books is much longer than I can afford. I need to be physically, forcibly removed from any used book shop I step foot into and I basically live on my #bookstagram. My entire camera roll on my phone is pictures of books for said bookstagram. I go nowhere without a book in my giant tote bag of a purse and I am unashamed to pull it out if the party's getting a bit boring. I have a problem. And yet, it's a pretty good problem to have.

I have always enjoyed reading, but I had sort of fallen off track and realized I was only reading academically, and not for pleasure. In early 2017, I set a goal for myself to read more. Soon, I discovered the Good Reads Reading Challenge, and my goal to just "read more" quickly turned into "read 30 books in 2017." So I did. I read more than 30 actually - I spent New Years Eve day finishing my 32nd book of the year. My 2018 Good Reads Reading Challenge is set at 40 books for the year and I'm feeling confident that I can make it!

Here are my Top 5 Best Reads of 2017:

"Turtles All The Way Down" by John Green

Read if: You, like me, struggle with mental illness, such as anxiety, OCD, depression, etc. and you need a character to relate to.

"Forever, Interrupted" by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Read if: You need an unexpected, sad story with a happy ending. Also, if you're looking for some good ol' fashioned girl power.

"Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun, and Be Your Own Person" by Shonda Rhimes

Read if: You're a fan of Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, or How To Get Away With Murder. Also if you want to laugh out loud because Shonda Rhimes is hilarious and she writes books as well as she does TV shows.

"The Light We Lost" by Jill Santopolo

Read if: You need a good cry. Seriously.

"Harry Potter" by J.K. Rowling

(Technically, this is a series, not one book - but re-reading the entire series was one of the highlights of my entire year!)

Read if: You need to be reminded of magic and feel a lot of feelings. Also, if you have NEVER delved into the Wizarding World, this is a tale for all ages and I promise you won't be disappointed.

Some Books on my "To Be Read" list for 2018:

"After You" and "Still Me" by Jojo Moyes - the sequels to "Me Before You"

"What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarty

"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald - How have I never read this classic? I honestly am not sure but I plan to change this as soon as possible.

What did you read this year? What's on your to be read list for 2018? Share with us in the comments!