nytimes best books 2017 fiction

Shen Lu opens her eyes to find she has transmigrated into a wasteland world, becoming the fake young lady who was kicked out of her home. With her is her equally miserable fiancé, the future major villain. Fortunately, her golden finger activates, and in this wasteland world where the average person can't even get a single hot meal, she embarks on the path to riches through food. Egg waffles, spicy hotpot, and crawfish. Braised pork belly, crock-pot soup, and egg fried rice. ... From a small stall to a small shop. Then from a restaurant to a holiday resort, in less than two years, Shen Lu's name became known throughout the world. Countless celebrities and dignitaries hold out Star Coins, begging for just one bite of Shen Lu's cooking. The Shen Family, who had used her up and ruthlessly abandoned her, regret their past actions, crying and shouting as they beg for her forgiveness. Shen Lu crosses her arms: "Sure. Why don't you slit your throats first to show me your sincerity?"

Yunyun is reincarnated into a post-apocalyptic novel with a powerful female protagonist. Unfortunately, she isn’t the heroine. She’s just a minor cannon fodder character… destined to die early. But after awakening memories of the novel, Yunyun accidentally reveals the future through her thoughts— [Mommy, boohoo… your scumbag husband has been cheating on you for years and even has a child with another woman. In the end, they’ll join forces to cripple and torture you to death!] [Uncle, you’ll be betrayed by an ungrateful subordinate and driven out of your own luxurious home, left to freeze to death in the snow!] [Grandpa… Grandma…] In the original story, only her young aunt—the novel’s female lead—survives to the very end, killing her enemies with her own hands… only to live on as something neither fully human nor a ghost. Before they can recover from learning their fates, another thought leaks out— [Sigh, the apocalypse is coming soon. As a three-year-old cannon fodder, can I go offline early? I don't want to suffer through the end of the world…] Looking at the little milk dumpling in their arms, pretending to be silly just so she can laze around… What else can the Bai family do but spoil her? They hoard supplies, renovate and fortify their home, and prepare in advance for the coming apocalypse. Meanwhile, little Yunyun follows her protagonist aunt, accidentally kicking off the base-building plot and helping create a super base where food and clothing are abundant, even in the apocalypse. Step by step, the Bai family rises to power. In the end, Yunyun is dumbfounded: [Wait… wasn't I supposed to be cannon fodder?! Why does this feel like a "pampered lucky baby" story?!] The Bai family: Their little Yunyun is, indeed, their precious lucky baby.

Olivia transmigrated from the apocalypse to the modern era. Not only that, her dimension and superpower came along with her. She felt that the good days were about to begin. But before she could be happy for even three days, the internet was flooded with posts slandering her. Advertisers and directors want to terminate her contracts, and her company wants to blacklist her? How could this be? She wanted to use the money to enjoy modern life to the fullest. Without money, how could she enjoy anything? So, who's slandering her online? I'll find you and dig up all your dirty secrets. Who wants to terminate her contract? Terminate it immediately. After termination, she'll go on to endorse international luxury brands instead. Terminating the script contract? Good, that's great! If the contract isn't terminated, how can she film the blockbuster drama of the year and win awards with it? Modern life is so wonderful, eating and drinking every day. There's just one tiny problem. Why are there suddenly two babies growing in her belly? And who is this ridiculously handsome man who appeared out of nowhere, claiming to be their father?

Feng Qing, a top surgeon from the 21st century, wakes up in a body no one wants — married off to Rong Ling, the most powerful Regent in Dayan, a man who makes it abundantly clear: "Do you think you're worthy of marrying this king? Foolish." While he keeps his distance, she keeps herself busy, saving lives with medical knowledge centuries ahead of its time, collecting debts from those who wronged the original body's owner, and planning her exit strategy. Later, he became the New Emperor— "Qing Qing, from now on, you are my Empress." "Not interested."

Lin Jingjing and her friends transmigrated together to the interstellar era, and she became a Grade D Spiritual Ability User. At the very beginning, she was mocked by others and was almost beaten to death. Lin Jingjing was furious. So what if your grade is high? Does having a high grade mean you can do whatever you want! Not wanting to be bullied, Lin Jingjing, who wanted to become stronger, trained hard every day. Just so that one day, she could trample these powerful experts under her feet, one by one. Until the day the mutant beasts attacked, Lin Jingjing was in a daze after her spiritual power suddenly materialized as she tried to save someone. Isn't it that only S-Class experts and above can materialize their spiritual power? How could she, a mere Grade D, do it too?

As a blade of grass, Ji Xiaosong wanted to become an immortal. But having only just gained sentience, she couldn't even leave the hillside. From the Turquoise Pool, a Caiyun named "Rongrong" flew out; she also wanted to become an immortal. But she had no body. By a stroke of accident, Rongrong and Ji Xiaosong teamed up, embarking on a journey of world-hopping through myriad realms. In every lifetime, Ji Xiaosong becomes the mother of powerful figures from the myriad realms, finding suitable fathers for them and raising these powerful figures to adulthood. "My wife is delicate and can't take care of herself, so don't you dare bully her." The protective General pulls Ji Xiaosong into his embrace, looking around warily. The crowd, who had just been bagged in a sack and beaten by Ji Xiaosong: ... "My mother doesn't have much ability to earn money; she can only rely on me." The genius son holds Ji Xiaosong's hand, a look of resignation on his face. Ji Xiaosong, the richest person in the world: ... Everyone thought Ji Xiaosong was weak and easy to bully; how could a blade of grass turn the world upside down? Yet, lifetime after lifetime, she is doted on and pampered, and all things are hers to command.

Before marrying Silas, Joyce had only met him three times. A marriage of convenience, a secret agreement, for a term of three years. She's fresh off a heartbreak — the man she chased for years told her they "weren't a good match." Silas has his own baggage: rumor says he's still hung up on a white moonlight who happens to look just like Joyce. So that's all she is. A substitute. ** In the second year of their marriage, on Joyce's birthday, she drank too much and, in front of everyone, tugged on his tie, pinning him underneath her: "You look... a lot like my husband." The Thorne family's second master, known for being rational and unfeeling, was flustered by her that night. He leaned in close to her ear and coaxed in a low voice, "Be good." The next day Joyce woke up to find her lips were swollen. This… Who did this! When she went to question him, she discovered Silas's lip was bitten. He stared at her and said slowly, "You crossed the line first." ** The scandal leaked. At a party, her ex-boyfriend stepped in: "She's mine. Who dares talk?" Then Silas walked in. The room went silent. "Yours? Since when?" "Joyce, tell me. Whose are you?" So much for the secret marriage. So much for being a substitute. This was supposed to be fake… wasn't it?