I feel like talking about books.
[Try not to fall over in a dead faint….]
I’m putting together a list of the books I’d like to find under the tree for Christmas, and it occurs to me I’m probably missing a bunch that I’d really like. I’ve started off with Zadie Smith, Ivan Coyote, Ami Mckay, Mary Roach and Joe Hill books on my list, but this is only the beginning.
So — if you had to recommend your favourite read of this past year, which would you choose? If you can tell me why [without giving too much away…] all the better!
I’m going to keep this post open until Christmas Eve, and let’s see what kind of a list we can generate, shall we? I’ll add in any suggestions from twitter and FB, too. I’ve read a TON of great books this year, and my goal is to increase my reading time in 2017. What should I read next?
Can’t wait to read your suggestions!
[Check the list below — adding new updates twice daily!]
~kc
The List:
Danyelle Drexler gives five shiny stars on twitter to Karma Brown’s COME AWAY WITH ME.
Annie Bee suggests Sara Donati’s ‘Into the Wilderness’ series. I haven’t read these books, but I met Sara many years ago, and I know they are very popular with Outlander fans.
On twitter, Tyner Gillies suggests MY SISTER’S GRAVE, by Robert Dugoni. I love Bob’s books — this one goes on the list for sure!
Shari Green, also on twitter suggests an historical YA by Ruta Sepetys called SALT TO THE SEA.
And from @flirtydirtybookblog, a suggestion for Diana Gabaldon’s OUTLANDER, which I can most heartily recommend, as you might imagine. [My friend Emma sorta likes it, too…]
My sister Lisa loved ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE, by Anthony Doerr. [I’ve read this one, but adding it here for those who may not yet have. It was lyrical and beautiful, but I have to say I was unhappy with the ending. No spoilers, but happy to discuss in a different forum!]
The wonderful Kathy Chung offers her most recent read: LETTERS FROM PARIS by Juliette Blackwell. I am eager to jump on the Blackwell bandwagon!
And Kaitlyn Till [@Bookful42] suggests UPROOTED by Naomi Novik. I LOVED the Temeraire stories — def this one is a keeper!
On Facebook, librarian Sarah Wethered suggested WITH MALICE by the marvellous Eileen Cook. I heartily concur! This twisty marvel will keep you guessing to the very end.
@KarenEmilson suggests Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch. And Jillian Foster is very excited about Leisa Rayven’s ‘Starcrossed’ series!
My fellow lover of the macabre Pamela Patchet says she couldn’t put down YOU by Caroline Kepnes. And Val McDermid fan Mary Fangman suggested THE SKELETON ROAD. I read a ton of Val’s books this year — SO scary I had to stop for a while. Mary also enjoyed Louise Penny’s STILL LIFE.
And the great entries keep coming. See the comments below for lists of faves from Shari Green and Kathleen Ladislaus!
Thank you so much, everyone. Keep ’em coming, please! Ask your friends — let’s DO this thing!
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I finished Sara Donati’s “Into the Wilderness” series, and loved it. I could not put it down until i finished the 6th book.
I think I might have missed some of my Scottish tour with my nose in the series…
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Oh gosh, I have read so many great books this year, including yours kc. This year I have gotten seriously addicted to a few series. You may see a trend.
I developed an addiction for Phil Rickman’s series of Merrily Watkins books. There are fourteen so far and I am eagerly awaiting the 15th on January 5.
Lev Grossman’s The Magician’s Trilogy
Michael Sullivan’s Riyria Revelations and his more recent Age of Myth
Sam Sykes Bring Down Heaven Series – I’ve only read to #2 so far
Jonathan Renshaw’s Dawn of Wonder – I listened to this one. Looking forward to the next installment.
Just finished The 7th Canon by Robert Dugoni – I have enjoyed everything he has written.
Also, Chevy Stevens – just finished That Night. Once I start one of her books, I end up losing sleep. Can’t put them down.
.
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Thank you, Kathleen! Some really great entries here!
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Wait until you read THE TWILIGHT WIFE by A.J. Banner! It is a thriller! It hits the stores December 27th. You will love it!
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Will watch for it, Gwynn! Thanks!
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How can you tell I have bookish friends? Pose one question on FB about fave books and my feed explodes, lol. Here are the titles people have mentioned as favorites (so far…there may be more!):
BURIED, the first in the Twisted Cedar Mysteries by C.J. Carmichael (cozy mystery series) – “I liked that the protagonist was a writer, a library was part of the setting and it kept me engaged.”
FOLLOWING CHELSEA by yours truly – I swear I didn’t pay her to post that, lol
A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES, by Sarah Maas
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN – “I could relate to the main character as she is so vulnerable and flawed, in a sad way.”
MY SISTER’S GRAVE by Robert Dugoni – “My most emotional read”
SHARP ENDS by Joe Abercrombie – “The read that had me laughing the most”
THE MISTRESSES OF CLIVEDEN – non fiction. “I bought it thinking it to be a historical fiction and thoroughly enjoyed the well researched (three centuries) actual story of this castle. It would seem royalty has not changed very much.”
A GREAT RECKONING by Louise Penny “was great as usual”. And from another reader: “I think A Great Reckoning is Louise Penny’s best yet!”
non-fiction – Escape From Camp 14 (Blaine Harden) because North Korea was just not on my radar until someone suggested this book. Fiction – The Hanging Girl (Jussi Adler-Olsen) because Scandinavian noir is such a great genre.
MG was definitely Pax. YA? A tie between Crooked Kingdom & Code Name Verity. Adult was Seveneves.
The Curious Charms of Arnold Pepper – “for fun and reflection”
The Secret Life of Violet Grant, by Beatriz Williams
Mongrels by Stephan Graham Jones. “One of those rare books I will read again.”
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch – “interesting, exciting, and I couldn’t put it down, even during the SIWC”
“Anything written by Melanie Dickerson”
Nigella Lawsons Christmas Cookbook. “Everything yummy. And her vocabulary is outstanding….beautiful reading”
in MG: ECHO & GHOST, in YA, STILL LIFE WITH TORNADO, WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS, AS I DESCENDED, OUT OF DARKNESS
Dispatches from the Front by David Halton “It is his father, Matt Halton’s biography. Matt was a one of the finest of the 2nd World War correspondents. I learned so much about a war that was happening while I was in my early childhood. A really good read!”
The Gospel Truth. “Loved that book.”
The Universe has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein. “Loved it!”
A Handful of Stars, by Cynthia Lord. “So much heart. Loved the setting and the diverse characters.”
Swati Avashti’s Split. “I enjoy gritty YA.”
MY LADY JANE – “dying laughing. Very Princess Bride-esque.”
Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton- “memoir. Deep, insightful and beautiful.”
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Awesome list, Shari. Thank you!!
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