For the third year, we’ve asked staff to tell us their favorite books that were published this year. Here are the 2017 adult fiction titles they enjoyed the most.
See our favorite adult nonfiction titles and our favorite young adult and children’s books.
Staff Picks 2017: Best Adult Fiction
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn: Great read of WWI, female spies, love, and revenge. If you liked Guernsey Potato Peel Society or Code Name Verity, I bet you’ll like this, too. – Heather P., Free Library of Northampton Township
All Systems Red by Martha Wells: The first in a projected series, “The Murderbot Diaries”, tells the story of an android who begins to think for itself. It discovers the joy of watching movies and soaps, preferring watching entertainment to work, interaction with humans or “talking about feelings”. However, murder, sabotage and interplanetary conspiracy keep interfering with TV watching. I was hooked on the first page. – Ceil H., Doylestown Branch
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden: This was my favorite book of 2017. It weaves together Russian fairytales, loveable characters, and a perfectly atmospheric, wintry setting. Best of all, the sequel is due out December 5! – Jennifer M., Doylestown
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough: HOLY MACKEREL! What a thriller to the end. If you like a thriller and a great read, do not miss this. – Heather P., Free Library of Northampton Township
Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda: LOVED this book. The SUSPENSE! No children or animals are harmed. A very bad man gets away. Great read. – Heather P., Free Library of Northampton Township
Caroline: Little House Revisited by Sarah Miller: This book recreates all the events of “Little House On The Prairie” told from the viewpoint of Ma. The 700-mile journey in a covered wagon of the twenty-something, pregnant Caroline, along with Charles, Mary and Laura, shows the grit and determination (or insanity) needed to leave everything behind for a new life. – Ceil H., Doylestown Branch
The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir by Jennifer Ryan: Reminded me of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society for all the folks joining together to make war suffering a little better. Also of The Postmistress because everyone was always on the lookout for spies. – Heather P., Free Library of Northampton Township
The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty: This epic fantasy, set in the 18th century Middle East, is from a first time author. Nahri makes a living as a thief and con artist by using her power of healing. Things quickly change for her when she accidentally summons an ancient warrior and is whisked away on flying carpet. Best fantasy book I read all year! – Holly A, Doylestown Branch
The Cutthroat by Clive Cussler: I very seldom read fiction, but the time period of this mystery novel caught my attention. Fast paced, exciting, and an easy read. – Mary Beth C., Morrisville Free Library
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: This novel is narrated by the title character, Eleanor, and we see the world strictly from her perspective. The beginning of the novel invites comparison to The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (2013) because Eleanor’s social awkwardness results in comic conversations, situations, and insights. However, there is much more to learn about Eleanor, and there are surprises along the way. Alternately humorous, heart breaking, and heartwarming you will come to love and root for Eleanor. This character driven novel reminds us in a very moving way that, while life is sometimes full of heartache, it is also full of goodness and love if you are willing to risk opening your heart. – Pat H., Yardley-Makefield Branch
Harbors of the Sun by Martha Wells – Book 5 in the Three Worlds fantasy series. This series has it all: shapeshifters, kidnappings, searching for your identity, dead cities, threats of genocide, love, betrayal, plus temperamental queens. This book is the conclusion of Wells’ Three Worlds series, where all the loose ends come together. Can Moon and Jade save the Three Worlds? Start at book one, The Cloud Roads, and travel to strange and wonderful lands to find out. – Ceil H., Doylestown Branch
The Lost Book of the Grail by Charles Lovett (historical fiction): Lovett creates an all-new grail quest story in the search for the lost Book of Ewolda in the town of Barchester. The manuscript and the town are the author’s invention, but he supplies the right balance of detail, opinion, and humor to make it a fun story. – Mary Catherine B., Doylestown Branch
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware: Three adult women in their thirties are contacted by their best friend from boarding school with a message “I need you”. They are bonded together by the secrets and lies they share from an event during their teens and a lying game they played during school. Rushing to her side, they find themselves returning to the distrust and manipulative relationships they had years ago. The author twists and turns the chilling tale to provide a page turner that will continually surprise readers. – Cheryl G., Yardley-Makefield Branch
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware: I like every one of her books better than the last. Good character development. And those last three sentences! – Heather P, Free Library of Northampton Township
No Place I’d Rather Be by Cathy Lamb: Lamb usually writes one book a year, and I always anxiously await its arrival. Her books make me laugh hysterically one moment, and choke back tears the next. Be forewarned, these sweeping family dramas do have some heavy subject matter in them – but they’re more than worth it in my opinion. When you turn the last page of one of Lamb’s books, you realize you’ll miss her characters like they’re old friends. – Kate T., Doylestown Branch
On Turpentine Lane by Elinor Lipman: I am a long time fan of Elinor Lipman’s romantic comedies, and this one didn’t disappoint. Faith Frankel’s adventures in her new home on Turpentine Lane and on the job, writing thank you notes at Everton Country Day School, will leave you smiling. With witty and intelligent dialogue, it’s the perfect escape from the stress of the real world. This charming novel is funny and heart-warming. Maybe you, too, will be inspired to write a thank you note – as I was! – Pat H., Yardley-Makefield Branch
Righteous by Joe Ide: Another great IQ book! I promise, it’s just as good as the first one. – Heather P., Free Library of Northampton Township
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman: This was a wonderful prequel to Practical Magic. It takes you through the 50’s, 60’s and into the 70’s, following the lives of Jet, Franny, and Vincent, three siblings growing up in turbulent times of change in New York City. Add in some forbidden magic and a family history of witchery, and you have a powerful, quick read. Great for fans of realistic magic. – Kate T., Doylestown Branch
Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan: Guilt and shame are the catalysts for many of the events in this engrossing saga of an Irish Catholic family living in Boston. It examines the complicated love shared by siblings and the destructive power of secrets. Nora and Theresa Flynn, two immigrant sisters from Ireland, come to Boston to create a better life. However, Nora and Theresa’s lives evolve in ways that cause estrangement between the sisters. The members of Nora’s family alternately narrate the novel, giving perspective on the repercussions one event can have throughout a family. – Pat H., Yardley-Makefield Branch
She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper: A good read. Not for the faint of heart. A shy, quiet little girl is turned into a criminal in a couple of months by her father. But he does it to save her life. – Heather P., Free Library of Northampton Township
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward: This is the story of the strength of family and roots in the face of struggle. Jojo and his sister, Kayla, live in rural Mississippi with their grandparents. Their mother, Leonie, is a drug-addict who tries to reconcile the murder of her brother, Given, by the family of the man who fathered her children, Michael. The past and the present merge throughout the journey Jojo, Kayla, and their mother take to pick up Michael from prison to create a powerful story of trust, mistrust and what it means to have family. – Tracey R., Levittown Branch
The Sleepwalker by Christopher Bohjalian – Bohjalian is at his best as this mysterious psychological thriller unfolds about a woman who suddenly disappears one night and we learn how her family could be involved. – Kathleen L., Doylestown Branch
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel: Great read of family love. A story on a tough topic for those who have to live with it. It’s not insurmountable and I hope this novel opens up some minds. – Heather P., Free Library of Northampton Township
Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken (audiobook): Listen to this fantastical time-traveling journey in the stunning conclusion of Bracken’s Passenger series. – Kathleen L., Doylestown Branch
The Wildling Sisters by Eve Chase and The Lying Game by Ruth Ware: Both novels are atmospheric, suspenseful mysteries with satisfying endings. Readers who love creepy old houses, mysteries that reach through time, and lots of twists and turns will enjoy these books. I often recommend these authors to readers who are fans of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca or Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train. – Emily K., Quakertown Branch
The Wind in His Heart by Charles de Lint: My favorite urban fantasy author of all time has finally, after six years, released a new adult novel. Familiar settings and crossover characters from his other stories make this book a treat. I downed it in one sitting, then started it again. De Lint’s understanding of magic makes one long for a trip to his world. – Karen S., Doylestown Branch
The Women In The Castle by Jessica Shattuck (historical fiction) – Shattuck weaves the stories of three very different women through the aftermath of World War II in Germany. – Mary Catherine B., Doylestown Branch
