Based solely on the evidence here at Stainless Steel Droppings (5 posts in the entire year up to this point, not including this one), it is safe to surmise that 2017 has been an atypical year, at least in regards to reading. I have read far fewer books this year than in any year since I started keeping track, which was about two or three years before I started blogging. And out of those books that I did start reading this year, the majority remain unfinished.
I am not certain I can pinpoint any one reason. Certainly involvement in my community (church, work, family, friends) has been of much more importance to me than ever before and I have made more of a concerted effort to make memories based on interacting with others, which understandably cuts into reading time. But I have also spent more time gaming and watching various things on streaming services than I have in previous years, time that before would have been devoted to the printed word.
That being said, I have had some very nice reading experiences this year, as well as viewing and gaming experiences, and so I in no way consider this a down year…just a different one.
As before, my post is not so much a “best of” post as it is a review of what were my favorites for the year. Some of what I will share are certainly outstanding works in their own right. Others are things that made an impression on me and because of that and no other reason, they have lingered with me through the year.
