Eli Celata's Top Books of 2017

Eli Celata is joining us today to share her top books of 2017!

2017 has been a year of revisiting classics and finding more books on random shopping trips than in book stores for me.
 
Human Evolutionary Biology by Michael P. Muehlenbein
Even though I’ve shifted careers this year, I still love non-fiction – especially anything on genetics or biomechanical engineering. If I can enjoy the fun of complex evolutionary theory with dry wit, I’m having a good time. A basic understanding of evolution and genetics helps, but anyone with a love of science and a dictionary/computer should be able to get through this one no problem. Like the next book on the list, you will get somewhat odd looks depending on where you decided to read this book.

Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life by Jason Hanson
Mistakes were made. I read this one on a flight to Philly, and several other passengers gave me nervous looks. Probably because I looked like my panic was rising as I read each page. Hanson’s book is informative, drawing on his CIA officer training. While somewhat self-serving in that he plugs his company’s safety/survival products, it is extremely informative, and I’ve already practiced escaping duct tape.

Night by Elie Wiesel
This book is one of a trilogy written about Wiesel’s experience as a teenager in the Nazi death camps. Short, honest, and heart-breaking, Night explores the philosophical and personal questions which surround the Holocaust and its legacy. More than once, I had to put this book down to simply absorb the horror and sadness which consumed me from the poignant and graphic writing.

The Pigeon Series by Mo Willems
My 2-year-old nephew can’t get enough of Mo Willems. As I work at a book company, I brought samples over for him, but the Pigeon has become his go-to. During naptime, he even quotes the Pigeon’s lines from Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late. Simple drawings, fun dialogue – if you have a young kid or know somebody with some for whom you need to buy gifts, I’d suggest anything by Willems.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling
After watching the movie, I delayed for a while to get the book and, due to Christmas last year, didn’t actually read it until the beginning of 2017. Just as fantastic as the movie. If I loved Newt Scamander anymore, I’d feel like I was cheating on my love of Sirius Black. This was undoubtedly my favorite book of the year.
 
Hope you enjoyed some fantastic reads this year (electronic or print)! If you need some more suggestions, pop over to my blog where I’ll be reviewing a number of books in my end of the month rush as December is New Book Month!
 

Eli Celata writes young adult fantasy including an urban fantasy young adult series (Warlock of Rochester) with two books out: 1) High Summons; 2) Grimm Remains. She also has a stand-alone paranormal romance: Aisling. When she isn’t writing, Celata works at a children’s book company which sells to nonprofit organizations.

Find her here: elicelata.wordpress.com