As we are now a little over midway through the year, I thought it was about time I made a list of my favorite books I’ve read in 2017 so far. There are, of course, some important caveats:

• Not all of these came out in 2017. Some came out a while ago and I am just behind on my TBR pile! *Shame*
• There are seven books on this list, but they are listed in alphabetical order and not ranked order. Choosing favorites of the favorites is too hard!
• None of these are books I have edited, since obviously I love my babies the most.
• And finally, these are all YA novels because, well, I’m a YA editor. (And Peter Pan. Who needs grown-up books? Okay, maybe grown-ups.)

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Not gonna lie, I was surprised by how much I loved this. Yes, I know, Stephanie Perkins is awesome, but I’m not usually a big contemporary romance reader. However, the descriptions of Paris, the ache of unrequited love, and the authenticity of Anna’s voice had me hooked. Sooo I may or may not have bought the other two books in the series.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Holy unreliable narrator, Batman! I’m a pretty fast reader (job requirement), but I took my time with this twisty, tricky novel, trying to uncover every clue and code (some real, some imagined on my part). I also may or may not have bought the other two books in this series, Rose Under Fire and The Pearl Thief.

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

Let’s set the scene… I am on vacation, reading by the pool while other people sunbathe and swim around me. I then start crying and laughing and laugh-crying and cry-laughing because this novel is hilarious and heartbreaking and perfectly written. After all the hysterics, I decided Jeff Zentner is a genius and immediately bought his previous book, The Serpent King. (Side note: If anyone wants to help finance my book-buying habit, I do accept donations.)

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Sometimes novels get overhyped. That is not the case here. Believe everything you read or hear or see about how important and powerful this novel is. And then go read it. Immediately. (And while this is Angie Thomas’s debut book, you can bet I am going to buy everything she writes in the future.)

The Reader by Traci Chee

For some reason I let this sit on my shelf for SIX MONTHS before I read it. I see now the error of my ways. If there were ever a book that captured the magic of reading, it is The Reader. It’s a stunningly rich fantasy with all the best bits of intrigue, romance, danger, pirates, and, of course, books. I guess the only benefit to my delayed start on this series is that I don’t have to wait quite as long for book #2, The Speaker.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Let’s set the scene again. Same vacation as when I was reading Goodbye Days. Except this time there is not as much laughter and there are a lot more tears. This book broke my heart, and it breaks my heart to think that not only is this based on true events, but that events like this are happening in the world today. This novel just won the prestigious Carnegie Medal, and no book deserved it more. (And yes, for those who are wondering I bought Ruta Sepetys’ other books. Obviously. Between Shades of Gray and Out of the Easy.)

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

While this beauty of novel did actually come out in 2017, I didn’t read my first Laini Taylor book (Daughter of Smoke and Bone) until SIX YEARS after it released. SIX YEARS! WAS I CRAZY?! I can’t even… Anyway, Laini Taylor’s books are lush and lyrical and imaginative and completely stunning, and Strange the Dreamer was no exception. If you like beautiful things, read this book. And then be like me and impatiently wait for when you can preorder the second one because you already own her other books and JUST WANT TO READ MORE!

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All right, that’s the end of the list for now. It could go on and on for ages, but then when would I have time to read more? Stay tuned for an updated and expanded list this December, and in the meantime, go read these books and spend all your money on the sequels like I did.