This year I read 83 books. The majority were published this century,
with only 10 published prior to the year 2000 and, unusually for me, I didn’t
read any published in the 19th century or earlier.
Thirty-six were by Australian authors. Followed by US
authors 28, UK authors 13, NZ 2, and Canadian 1. Would love to read more
translations, or authors from non-western countries. Any recommendations?
Out of the 83 books, 10 were non-fiction, leaving 73
fiction books. There were 11 picture books, 20 middle-grade, 35 YA, and 16
adult (quite an achievement for me as I generally avoid adult literature, but
audio books make it easier). I listened to 8 audio books in total.
Of the fiction books 30 were fantasy, 22 contemporary,
9 historical, 3 crime, 3 humour, 3 sci-fi, 1 dystopia, 2 survival. One of the non-fiction books was in graphic
novel form.
Here’s an interesting breakdown I recorded this year:
|
Female
Author/Female Main Character
|
30
|
|
Female
Author/Male Main Character
|
16
|
|
Female
Author/Neutral Main Character
|
17
|
|
Male
Author/Female Main Character
|
5
|
|
Male
Author/Male Main Character
|
9
|
|
Male
Author/Neutral Main Character
|
6
|
Neutral main character could mean the story followed
both male and female characters (such as The
Guy, The Girl, The Artist and His Ex), or as in the case of many picture
books, genderless characters. I also recorded most non-fiction under neutral
unless it clearly followed one particular person or gender (such as Warrior Women).
What were my reading highlights of 2017?
Reading Fiona Wood’s fabulous and funny YA books.
The Ghost Bride
by Yangze Choo.
Discovering the Warriors
books with my son (by Erin Hunter).
Northern Lights Phillip
Pullman (La Belle Sauvage will be my
first read of 2018).
Finishing Andrew McGahan’s Ship Kings series.
Yes, I’m behind the times but Girl with a Pearl Earring has been on my wish list for years. I was
not disappointed.
Illuminae and Gemina by Amie Kaufman/Jay Kristoff - mind blowing.
There are so many more highlights I
could add to this but I will stop here and wish everyone many happy hours of
great reading in 2018.
