Books I Read in December 2014 and Yearly Favorites

Originally posted on 1/7/15 here.

First up, books I read in December:

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

It's been AGES since I read a Jodi Picoult book.  Looking through the archives, it's been since April of 2012, and my thoughts on Lone Wolf were the same as the last few Picoult books - they just felt a bit flat.  This book is definitely a redemption for me.  The characters all really come alive and have a great balance of humor and heartache.  I was completely engrossed Jenna's search for her mother and the mystery surrounding her disappearance.  I also love how Jodi Picoult very obviously researches the hell out of her subjects, as I learned a lot of cool things about elephants (which Jenna's mother studies).  I was sad that it had to come to an over-used gimmicky conclusion, but enjoyed the journey to get there.

Cress (Book 3 in the Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer

I don't think there's much more I can say about these books that I haven't said before.  They are certainly included in my favorites of the year and I loved how a Rapunzel character has been woven into this series.  Just great stuff.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

This has been on quite a few of the best of 2014 lists, and deservedly so.  It came close to being on my favorites for the year.  I immediately empathized with each of the characters and furiously turned the pages to see how each of their stories would unfold in this post-apocalyptic world.  Yes, it's another dystopian tale.  However, it is deftly told in flashbacks.  We see not only what becomes of people after the great flu epidemic, but really great back story on where they came from, which I found original and refreshing.  

My True Love Gave to Me, Twelve Holiday Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins

When deciding what to read next, I usually avoid short stories like the plague.  Why read a bunch of short stories that I'll most likely forget, when I can read an entire novel?  The exception to this is anything by David Sedaris, since all the stories are about him and they cohere in my mind easily as one story.  But I just couldn't resist a special holiday book that included a number of loved authors - I've read (and loved) books by at least five of them!  Now I need to read more!  I can't even say who's story I loved the most.  All were so very different, just as the writers are.  Maybe it was the holidays and enjoying these stories by the tree and sipping eggnog, but I just adored this book.    

Favorites of 2014!

As the year goes on, it becomes apparent by the number of times I recommend a book which is my favorite.  Hands down, the book I recommended most often this year was The Storied Life of AJ Fikry.  It's a total home run, so moving, and should appeal to everyone.  I also really loved We Were Liars, although it might not be everyone's cup of tea.  Sci-fi is definitely not everyone's cuppa, but I really enjoyed The Martian and finally Cinder and the Lunar Chronicles.  I loved this post from Book Riot: On Loving Books From Genres I Hate, complete with Clueless GIFs!  She went outside her sci-fi comfort zone and also discovered a love for Cinder. (I must admit, though, that I thoroughly enjoy sci-fi and I already had The Book of Strange New Things on hold at the library.) It can be a good thing to try a different genre, even if you think you'd hate sci-fi, YA, or (as I discovered last month) short stories.   

I'm always looking for good suggestions, so please feel free to share your best of the year books!

Also, here are my book lists for October and November, as I'm linking up with Everyday Reading's fourth quarter round up.

Books I Read in December 2013 and Favorites of the Year

Originally posted on 1/8/14 here.

Picking my top three books of the year was a no-brainer.  Anytime someone's looking for a good read, my default is always to recommend Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (read in June).



Yeah, I suppose I'm letting that take the top spot, as it's more universally appealing.  But, Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell won my heart and really spoke to me (read in August).  It's really a tie for my favorite of the year.  I loved reading all of Rowell's books this year - she is pure awesome.



And I have to add Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple as my third favorite: hilarious wit, fast paced with crazy fun plot twists (read in May).



In December, it would seem that I focused on books recognized by National Book Awards; with the exception of the last one, which is understandable...





The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Frankie Landau-Banks is one of the MOST awesome characters I've ever read. I'm not sure if I think she's crazy or a genius, maybe both - therein lies her greatness. A story of a feminist teen could come off as trite, but this story explodes with fun hijinks, wit, and real food for thought.





The Round House by Louise Erdrich

This story of a young boy looking to avenge his mother's attacker started with great promise as a suspenseful read. Erdrich's writing is peppered with an eye to detail and also comes across as mythical. Although, by inserting some compelling Native American myths into the narrative, the story meanders and I felt as if it lost focus/dragged on a bit too long.



Picture Me Gone by Meg Rosoff

Enjoyed this YA story of a young girl from London who accompanies her father on a trip to find his missing friend in upstate New York. The writing is so subtle and nuanced; I felt like I went on this journey with Mila, given just the right amount of perfect detail. It was interesting to read a story about the complicated nature of adult relationships told from a rather innocent child's point of view. Definitely thought provoking material.


 

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

This Romeo and Juliet style love story between a Chinese boy and a Japanese girl during WWII was a quick read. I enjoy historical fiction and it was additionally engaging to me, as it takes place where I live (in Seattle). It was definitely bittersweet, but maybe overly sentimental and rather predictable.

Books I Read in December and Favorites of 2012

Originally posted on 1/3/13 here.

December reads:

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

I've never read Kinsella's books (nope, not a single Shopaholic), but decided to check this one out based on Everyday Reading's book club recommendations post. It was just what I was looking for after finishing Dark Places: light and fluffy chick lit. I'm just disappointed whenever these books have a totally spineless and rather clueless heroine. But, it was a fun story with a fun concept.

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

This is the second book in yet another YA trilogy, the first book was really great though: Daughter of Smoke and Bone which I read in April.  I really like this series compared to a lot of others out there right now. It's highly original, funny, snarky, romantic, action-packed and (most of all) has a kick ass heroine. It didn't have the same amount of romance and humor as Daughter of Smoke and Bone, but I think that to move forward, the story had to go in a more dark direction. I was glad to spend a bit of time in Taylor's fully realized non-human world. Hopefully the next book will gravitate toward lighter themes.

Please Don't Come Back From the Moon by Dean Bakopoulos

Ah, another coming of age novel - I've read quite a few this year. As with a number of them, this one was also a bit on the depressing side. However, I turned the pages with great anticipation - how would Michael turn out??  Would he be OK, would his father come back? A lot of interesting themes and I liked the juxtaposition of the fantastical idea that his father might actually be on the moon and the gritty realism of his day to day life. It was touching and thought provoking, albeit heartbreaking at times.

Favorite of 2012:

State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett 

I was totally surprised by this book in so many ways - by the contents of a very boring cover, by the author that I wasn't super impressed with (I didn't think Bel Canto was THAT great), and by so much of the story itself.  I mean, there were several parts where my hand literally flew over my mouth in an 'OMIGOD!' moment of surprise.  I read it in March and it has stayed with me all year. It's strange, mysterious, thrilling, mystical...  I can't even explain what it's about, just get it.  

(Very close) Second favorite:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I don't think there's anything more that I can say about this book that hasn't already been said on the back cover: luminous, pitch-perfect, romantic, a triumph. It's a devastating and yet wonderful read. John Green's writing is almost TOO good. This is the second book of his that I've read (Looking for Alaska is another great one) and I love the interaction/dialogue between his characters, but I can't help but feel that NO ONE is that cool. At the same time, that's why I love his books. The characters are like witty superheroes that put thoughts so beautifully into words and say all the things we wish we could say. I hardly ever highlight passages from books, but Green's are (to use a phrase from the book) lit up like a Christmas tree. A few of my favorites: 

"As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once."

And all of the passages on infinity were a revelation:

"It seemed like forever ago, like we'd had this brief but still infinite forever."
"You gave me a forever within the numbered days"
These would probably make more sense in the context of the book, but I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone, especially the last pages: all are one big highlight. 
If you're looking for the meaning of life, this book has got a lot of answers.  

Third (guilty pleasure) favorite:

Across the Universe, by Beth Revis 
Yes, I have a real soft spot in my heart for YA novels - usually the dystopian literature that seems to be all the rage since everyone finally caught on to The Hunger Games. This one is a bit sci-fi/dystopian - the main character and her parents are cryogenically frozen and supposed to awaken 300 years into the future when they arrive on a distant planet. Due to some hi jinks she wakes 50 years too soon and many mysteries about the ship she is travelling on begin to unfold. I devoured it in just a couples days - probably would have sat and read it in one sitting on a rainy Sunday, pre-punks. And, like all YA these days, it's a trilogy. So, I had to read the sequel, and A Million Suns was really good.  Not as great as the first, but enough to make me want to read the finale which will be released in less than two weeks.  If you're not a fan of having to wait for sequels and like to read a trilogy in one sitting, you're in luck!

These were hard to choose, as I did read a lot of good stuff this year (apparently 37 books according to Goodreads) so feel free to click on the 'booooks' tag below to check out those posts if you're looking for something new to read.