Thursday, January 10, 2013

2012: A Retrospect in Books

Ok, I know that this post is a little late. Most of you are organized and had this post up at the end of December or in the first week of January. But 2012 was a great year in books for me and I want to share all of that goodness with you.

Books Reviewed in 2012: 105
Pages Read: 33,543
Fiction: 86 books
Non-fiction: 19 books
Books by male authors: 41
Books by female authors: 64
Most Disappointing Book: The Slap 
Favorite New Author: Nick Harkaway


Top Ten Books of 2012 at Literary Lindsey:
(title links to my review) 

Angelmaker
Angelmaker
I loved this book. It's funny, the characters are wonderful, and the action moves at the perfect pace. This is the book I want to push into everyone's hands, proclaiming that it is smart and heartfelt and more fun than you've had reading a book in a long time.

Code Name Verity
Code Name Verity
My husband likes to tease me about my love of WWII era novels and I do read a lot of them. This book is an extremely compelling story about two spies that will make you question everything you think you know about the characters. In addition to being an incredible page-turner, it is wonderfully refreshing to find a novel about two friends that is unencumbered by contrived romantic plots.

Mr. Fox

I read this book very early in the year but it stuck with me for a long time. In a sea of cookie cutter novels, this one really stands out. The lines between a writer's life and his work are blurred in this inventive and unique book that will remind you why you love stories.

No One Is Here Except All of Us

In this heartbreaking story, the residents of a small village decide to face the imminent Nazi invasion by rewriting the story of their lives. No One Is Here Except All of Us is about the strength of the connections with our family, friends, and neighbors and how easily they can be broken.

People of the Book
People of the Book
People of the Book follows Hanna Heath, who specializes in rare books as she studies the Sarajevo Haggadah. As she uncovers details of the book, Brooks gives us a possible history of this incredible (and real) book. This novel spans decades and countries and I wished that it wouldn't end.

The House at Tynneford

This novel about a Jewish woman who goes to work in an English manor house during WWII manages to be  comfortable without compromising wonderfully rendered characters or beautiful writing. This is perfect for curling up with on a cold winter's day with a cup of tea.

The Imperfectionists
The Imperfectionists
This collection of linked short stories follows the employees at a failing English newspaper in Rome. The characters are incredibly well-written and I was often surprised by the choices they make. In addition to beautiful writing, it is a meditation on the heart of journalism as newspapers are losing their position as rulers of the news.

Wish You Were Here
Wish You Were Here
This is a great family saga. It centers around the last summer a family will spend at their cabin after the death of their patriarch. The characters are so rich and nuanced and I wanted to spend more time with this wonderfully dysfunctional family. I look forward to reading the sequel this year.

The Fault in Our Stars
The Fault in Our Stars
I do not read a lot of YA because I am usually disappointed. I loved this book, though. The characters were unique and funny and I loved the unexpected ending and the realism that pervaded the pages. Not every story ends happily, but there is always joy and humor to be found along the way. If you are going to read one YA novel, pick this one.

Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War 

I try to read a decent amount of non-fiction because I think it's important to be informed about the people and places of our world. Leymah Gbowee is an incredibly courageous woman who fought for herself and other women in the midst of a terrible war. She writes with brutal honesty and grace. This book will give you new insight into the conflict in Liberia and into the mind and heart of an incredible woman.


Alright, it's your turn. What was your favorite book in 2012?

4 comments:

  1. Better late than pregnant, as my friends always say!

    No, seriously, this is a very interesting top ten list. I also had the John Green in my Top Ten, too.

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    1. Haha, thank you. I read a lot of great books this year. Have you read other books by Green? What did you think of them?

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  2. I like that you posted later, your post isn't just one in a sea of 'best of 2012' posts... :)
    I loved People of the Book too,and I really need to read Mighty be our Powers.

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    1. I'm glad my procrastination goes to good use!
      I liked People of the Book so much that I went out and got the Year of Wonders the next week. Have you read that one?

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