This year, I made myself a goal to read at least one book a week, or 52 books. I just barely squeaked over the wire with 57 books. Some were pretty bad and there were others that were much better. Here is a list of 10 that I would recommend.
Tisha - Robert Specht: A true story about a young teacher in the 1920s who gets sent to a small town in Alaska to teach. She learns quickly that the divide between the whites and Indians is deep, but somehow manages to not bend to the white men's prejudices. Her struggle is moving and her courage is inspiring.
The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn: This book kept me on my toes the entire time, so much so that I read it in one day! It was about a girl that goes missing and her husband gets the blame for her murder. It kept me riveted and was a quick page turner. I disliked the characters but loved the book.
The Forgotten Garden - Kate Morton : This was a fun, easy read about a
woman who goes searching for her grandmother's ancestors and finds out
more than she bargained for.
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford : This book was about a Chinese boy growing up in Seattle during WWII. He
has a Japanese friend, and when she gets sent to the concentration
camps, he is devastated. Not only that, but he has to deal with his
father's hatred of the Japanese.
Sarah's Key - Tatiana De Rosney : About the removal of the Jews from France during WWII during the
Vel' d'Hiv' roundup, when a little girl locks her brother into a hidden closet to hide him from the Nazis. The story is written from two points of view, the little girl and a reporter in present day France, who tries to get to the bottom of what happened back in 1942.
Sarah's Key - Tatiana De Rosney : About the removal of the Jews from France during WWII during the
Vel' d'Hiv' roundup, when a little girl locks her brother into a hidden closet to hide him from the Nazis. The story is written from two points of view, the little girl and a reporter in present day France, who tries to get to the bottom of what happened back in 1942.
The Other Boleyn Girl - Phillipa Gregory : This book was about the sister of Anne Boleyn, during the reign of
Henry VIII. It was a great way for me to learn more about that time
period while still engaging me in an interesting story.
Tisha - Robert Specht: A true story about a young teacher in the 1920s who gets sent to a small town in Alaska to teach. She learns quickly that the divide between the whites and Indians is deep, but somehow manages to not bend to the white men's prejudices. Her struggle is moving and her courage is inspiring.
The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern: This book was not about what I thought it was going to be about. It was so much better! The characters are likeable and you never know what is going to happen next. I was highly entertained by this story.
The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn: This book kept me on my toes the entire time, so much so that I read it in one day! It was about a girl that goes missing and her husband gets the blame for her murder. It kept me riveted and was a quick page turner. I disliked the characters but loved the book.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower -- Stephen
Chomsky : About a high school boy and his trials and
tribulations and was narrated in letter form, which I find very easy to
follow.
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood: It took me a long time to read this, but it was a very interesting tale and I am glad I finally got to it!
Have you read any (or all) of these? What were your favorite books from 2012?
I've read 4 of these and 2 more! My favorite reads off the top of my head were Gone Girl and Prisoner of Tehran.
ReplyDeleteI have used your lists for suggestions this year. I will have to look into a few of these to keep myself reading into 2013.
ReplyDeleteYou always inspire me with your reading! I read mostly running and nutrition books this year, so I'll be referring to this list for ideas for 'fun' reading. Hope you had a nice Christmas! And I can't remember if I already said this, but thanks for the sweet card!
ReplyDeleteI concur on The Handmaid's Tale... took me forever to pick it up, but once I did, I could not put that book down!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I have read most of these actually, and some of them will be making my best of list for 2012 as well (which I am posting on Friday).
ReplyDeleteI read The Handmaid's Tale when I was 13 or 14. I think I need to read it again sometime in the near future. I loved The Night Circus -- I think it was the best novel that I read this year.
ReplyDeleteI go back and read "the handmaid's tale" every few years or so. "Sarah's Key" was very disturbing to me...good read tho.
ReplyDeleteMy son recommended "...Perks...". I LOVE reading books he has read - makes for fun discussions - except for books that have detailed *intimate* scenes (i.e. The Hyperion Series). I don't like knowing he read that stuff. ;)
Thanks for the list - I'll have to check out some of the other books. What were your least favorite books?
Great list! My favorites are Gone Girl and Perks.
ReplyDeleteI really liked The Forgotten Garden and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Gone Girl and The Night Circus are both on my list. Maybe in 2013.
ReplyDeleteI need to re-read The Handmaid's Tale. I was a teenager the last time I read it, and I bet I'd get more out of it now.
ReplyDeleteCatching up with your blog! Sorry I've been away so long.
I'll have to check out the ones on this list I haven't read. I'm so glad you loved Sarah's Key and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet so much. Sarah's Key is one that I still think about from time to time.
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