Witch Words

In 2017, my first year of blogging was truly magical. It began my blogging journey, and we established our Goodreads Reading Group, The Traveling Sisters. It was a year filled with memorable reading experiences. I decided to take a nostalgic stroll down memory lane by immersing myself in the books I had devoured and re-exploring our shared sister reads. Join me as I revisit the most notable books and reading experiences that captivated me during this remarkable year.

I devoured 176 books in 2017. Out of them, I was fortunate to encounter 56 exceptional books that captivated me. Although there were a few books that didn’t quite meet my expectations, it’s the standout ones that remain etched in my memory.

As I reflect on my literary journey, I’ve looked back at some of my early blog posts, and it’s evident how far my blogging adventures have come. Feeling the winds of change, I decided to bid farewell to outdated posts and instead recap the books that truly stood out to me.

Navigating the abundance of exceptional sister reads from 2017 made this no easy feat. I’ve saved the 10 outstanding books by “Word Witches” authors for a later post—stay tuned! With careful consideration and a sprinkle of nostalgia, I proudly present my handpicked selection of the crème de la crème.

“Witch Books” were my five notable books of 2017

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste NG

This was one of our biggest sister group reads that had some buzz on Goodreads. It was a Goodreads Choice Reward Winners for the best fiction of 2017 and one of the most talked about books on GRs.

I was bewitched by Celeste Ng’s captivating story when I first delved into its pages in 2017. Ng wielded her pen like an ethereal wand, conjuring up emotionally complex and multi-layered family drama. She woven themes of parenthood, class, race, and familial bonds. With every pen stroke, she stirs potent emotions and breathes life into her characters. She cast a spell of fascination and opened up questions for my Traveling Sisters to discuss and think about.

As time passes, I question if I still feel the same enchantment. Once impactful, the portrayal of class themes fills me with uncertainty, and I now wonder if the theme was as balanced as I thought.  Nevertheless, in my literary experiences, Little Fires Everywhere remains a gem, leaving me with a lasting impression.

The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker

Goodreads Choice Reward Nominee for Best Debut Goodreads Author (2017) Traveling Sister Read

There wasn’t much buzz surrounding this one, and I was surprised to see it was nominated for the Goodreads Choice award. However, I felt it was deserving.

Kayla Rae Whitaker weaves a spellbinding tale, stirring emotions and thoughts in an enchanting and haunting way. The story unfolds in New York City, where the friendship between two small-town misfits, Sharon and Mel, takes center stage. As animators, they embark on a journey that transcends the mundane, delving into the depths of their pasts through the bewitching art of animation.

Kayla Rae Whitaker crafts a narrative that is as profoundly touching as it is enchanting. Narrated by Sharon, she reveals the intricate threads of her personal life and the mystical bond she shares with Mel. Together, they form a dynamic duo, with Sharon, who is quietly ambitious, and Mel, the brash life of the party, creating a narrative that alternates between heartwarming and heart-wrenching scenes. The dynamics between Mel and Sharon are akin to a magical dance, their friendship revealing layers of emotion and strength.

The Animators is not your ordinary tale; it’s a journey that takes unexpected turns. My emotions felt like they were riding a broomstick, soaring through moments of humor, sadness, and deep reflection. This bewitching story leaves an indelible mark, and the characters, like mystical familiars, still haunt me.

This book is more than a story about friendship and animation; it’s a journey through the complexities of human emotion, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Traveling Sister Read

I cannot summon 2017 without talking about this enchanting book. If you have not yet gazed upon its magical glory, you must dwell beneath a veil of oblivion, untouched by the bewitching whispers that have spread across the realm. This spellbinding book has become a subject of countless conversations, all thanks to Ticktok, the mystical harbinger of trends. There is not much that I can utter about this book that has not already been woven into the very fabric of our collective consciousness.

The Ballroom by Anna Hope

Traveling Sister read

This profound book captivated me from the beginning, immersing me in a world where the shadows of obsession and injustice loomed large over women’s lives. Its pages delicately whispered their secrets, unveiling the hidden stories of women silenced by society’s ironclad grip. As I turned each page, I was entwined in a narrative filled with captivating characters and the unseen forces that shaped their destinies. In the group read, we gathered like sorcerers, discussing how we felt about each character.

Years have passed since I first embarked on this literary journey, yet the spirits of these women still linger in my thoughts, their stories haunting me.

The narrative weaves through the perspectives of three main characters—Charles, Ella, and John. Each character unfolds with enchanting precision. Their tales intertwine seamlessly, offering intriguing perspectives. Charles’s complexities and inner struggles with self-doubt, denial, and obsessions. Anna Hope orchestrates Charles’ transformation, infusing an ironic twist that adds brilliance to the narrative. Clem, a character without a POV, became the story’s heart. As the characters grow, emotions of anger, compassion, and heartbreak swell within our enchanted hearts.

This haunting journey led us to contemplate the darkness that people, believing in their pursuit of good, can unwittingly unleash. As Anna Hope dances through the growth, destruction, and reflection on the dark consequences of well-intentioned actions, she offers us a window into the future by delving into history and offering lessons wrapped in enchantment.

All the Best People by Sonja Yoerg

Traveling sister group read

All The Best People by Sonja Yoerg is a bewitching, beautifully woven story that delves into the mystical realms of family, hope, and acceptance across three generations in the face of mental illness. With an easy flow, Sonja Yoerg introduces us to a world where the relationships between mothers and daughters unfold like ancient spells. She crafts characters that are not merely ink on paper but living, breathing entities with realistic conflicts and complexities. The story draws us into their emotions, allowing us to feel their fears, pain, and heartache. Sonja Yoerg opened our hearts with compassionate strokes, inviting us into the dark corners of mental illness, where understanding, insight, and compassion bloom like potent herbs in a witch’s garden.

The tale unfolds through four different perspectives across two timelines, one from the past of 1926 to the present day of 1972. Carol, the matriarch, unveils signs of her illness, and we are entranced by the whispers of her thoughts and the echoes of her fears. Solange, her younger self, reveals a backstory leading to her commitment to an asylum, shedding light on stigma and treatments. Eleven-year-old Alison, caught in the web of her mother’s illness, tuged at our hearts with her strength and perseverance. And let’s not forget Walt, a character who captures hearts with his sweet and genuine nature, who earned a few book crushes along the way.

As we read, a spell is cast, connecting us to the characters and weaving personal experiences into our discussions. The story becomes a mirror reflecting bits of ourselves, evoking both emotion and heartfelt connection. Love, hope, compassion, and understanding permeate the pages, revealing who genuinely are “All The Best People.”

Witch Dust

“Don’t hold back your tears. Let them flow like a faucet.”