I decided to change things up this year from my usual Best Of lists. 2017 was a challenging year for almost everyone and won’t go down in the history books as anybody’s favorite. But some wonderful things happened to me this year, in the midst of all the tumultuous world events and existential despair. So along with my usual roundup of pop culture I loved, I’ve added in a few personal anecdotes and observations on the state of the world. So, in no particular order, here are my 10 Great Things That Happened in 2017.

I Found an Amazing Team of Collaborators

One of the things that kept me from self-publishing for so long was my desire to not be in it alone. My biggest takeaway from having my first novel published by an indie was the need for some talented collaborators as committed to making the book a success as I was. Also, as someone with a full-time job who doesn’t have a partner, I am the only admiral of my fleet. I was daunted by the thought of adding such a time-consuming side hustle to my already heavy workload. Which is why I am so grateful for Nancy-Anne Davies, Lady Tiferet, Rachel Maybury from Signal Boost Productions, Liv Rancourt, Karen Wellsbury, Francesca Borzi, Day’s Lee, and Judie Troyansky, and all the reviewers who helped me get the word out. Love you all!

I Read Some Exceptional Books… 

…but there wasn’t a ton of time for reading. See above for reasons why. I especially didn’t feel able to do a Best of Books list this year because my reading consumption was less than half of last year. I only had time for my faves and discovered very few new authors. This will hopefully change in 2018, #NewYearsResolution. But here are five faves my reading list.

Seven Summer Nights, Harper Fox

Spectred Isle, KJ Charles

Hexslayer, Jordan L. Hawk

Eagle’s Shadow, Aleks Voinov and Jordan Taylor

Ruin of a Rake, Cat Sebastian

Women Found Their Voices

Feminist rhetoric was everywhere this year, from the Women’s March back in January to the Silence Breakers this past fall. More people are speaking about women’s rights, and more men are aware of the incredible disparity between the genders than ever before. It’s been both emotionally crushing and exhilarating to live in such times. But this particular abscess needed to burst before it could be cleansed. There might be a lot more puss to come, but that’s the only way to heal.

I Finally Read Book 5 in the Adrien English Mystery Series

I figured since the apocalypse was nigh, it was about time to finish it before I no longer had the chance. Spoiler alert: it was amazing.

Those Committed to Change in the Romance Community

I love the romance community, especially my little niche of friends and followers. I don’t mean to go all Pollyanna on you, but the scandals always amaze me because 99% of the people I’ve met have been lovely. But those scandals can’t be ignored, and there is a huge need for change and inclusivity in terms of the acquisition and promotion of POC and LGBTQ+ authors. But there are so many authors, agents, readers, booksellers, and editors out there getting the word out and making the right choices when it comes to their own work. We absolutely need to do better. But I’m grateful for those giving it their all and for everything they’ve taught me. It’s rare you can say that something you participated in has improved you as a person.

I Watched Some Incredible Movies

Every year for the past few, I hear a lot of griping about how movies were “so bad this year”. All I can say to this is, you might want to do some research before going out to the movies because this year produced some gems I will treasure for the rest of my life. Here’s a list of my faves. And, seriously, hit me up on Twitter if you’re looking for something better to watch. Always happy to help. 😉

Get Out

Free Fire

Logan

Wonder Woman

The Beguiled

The Big Sick

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Atomic Blonde

Blade Runner 2049

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women

Thor: Ragnarok

Lady Bird

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

The Shape of Water

The Last Jedi

(I haven’t seen Call Me By Your Name yet, but there’s no way it doesn’t go on this list.)

This Four-Legged Wonder Survived Another Year With Me

#OfficialBlogMascot

People Stepped Up, Fought Back, Resisted

Allow me to annoy you with a glass-half-full description of the year. Because we can’t lose focus of the good in the world and in people. Then we would truly be lost. I write in a genre that’s about the underdog getting the win. One that teaches you can’t lose hope. And while it’s easy to feel that we are in the darkest timeline, at least people are awake to reality. Organizations have mobilized. The Resistance is in motion and people are fighting back. In prosperous times, it’s easy for some of us (i.e. the white and the privileged) to forget. To shrug off the ills of the world. If we do that now, if we ever let ourselves do it again, then we are truly the villains of this narrative. Don’t be a villain. Wake up. Educate yourself. Give back. Progress.

TV Was My Coping Mechanism

Part of the reason I couldn’t commit to an official Best Of is that when it comes to TV, there’s just so much good. No end of good. Netflix is a one-stop shop of amazingness and creativity, and it only produces maybe two of my favorite shows. I’m someone who watches everything, and even I couldn’t keep up. It’s an embarrassment of riches. It took me an hour to whittle this list down. But here are a few of my fave seasons of TV of the year.

Legion

Fargo

Big Little Lies

Game of Thrones

The Handmaid’s Tale

Alias Grace

Broadchurch

Master of None

Insecure

The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Riverdale

Howard’s End

Glow

Mindhunter

Crisis on Earth X – CW superhero crossover special

You Might Have Noticed I Self-Published a Book

There’s been enough said on this blog and elsewhere about Stoker & Bash, but its reception was without a doubt the highlight of my year. And that wouldn’t have happened without all of you. So thank you from the bottom of my heart, for reading, for playing along, for making my dream come true. This little hobby of mine is an oasis from all the ills of the world. Thank you for welcoming me into this heartening community. It means everything to me.

Have a safe and fun New Year’s Eve no matter how you’re celebrating, and wishing you all the love, happiness, and success for 2018!

Selina