The year is wrapping up and not a moment too soon as it’s been particularly challenging. All the more reason to give thanks for the amazing books I was fortunate enough to read in the past twelve months.
I’m not a big fan of lists like this and I particularly dislike being asked my “favorite” book because it is an impossible question. Pick only one? Can’t be done. Top 3 is a bit more likely but inevitably as soon as I finish I’ll remember something else that moved me, made me laugh, and made me marvel at what writers can do with words.
Still, it seems to be somewhat obligatory for someone who reads and reviews books full time to opine on what they thought was the best. I’m just perverse enough to do this my own way—there are eleven works of fiction because, well, there just are. These are eleven books that made me pause, sigh, escape, think, dream, and even cry. While there are many great books out there (so keep reading!) these particular titles resonated with me and they’re not all highbrow or fancy. Sometimes I need fantasy, pure escape, and when done right it is a marvelous thing. I’m also relatively certain none of these won a single award but that’s why there are so many critics—even we can’t agree!
I am also including a non-fiction list because although I don’t read it as often, I did come across some really well-done books. Again, something grabbed me and kept me reading whether it was humor, inspirational or just plain fascinating.
Here then are the books from 2012 that I loved—in no particular order. The titles link to my review in case you missed it. Take a look and then please weigh in—what stuck with you this year? Made you laugh? What did you recommend to friends? I’m interested in it all.
Fiction
- The Submission
- The Art Forger
- The Dovekeepers
- The Sand Castle Girls
- White Truffles in Winter
- The Forgiven
- Shadow of Night (not reviewed here but book 2 in an amazing grown-up vampire fantasy trilogy)
- The Map of Lost Memories
- Song of Achilles
- Ru
- The Secret Keeper
Non-Fiction
- Coming to My Senses
- Yes, Chef
- Judging a Book by Its Lover
- The Great Work of Your Life
- Beaton in Vogue (gorgeous book of Beaton photos and text)
- Heads in Beds
- Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion (outsanding educational look at the fashion industry today- Super Size Me for clothes)
- Summer Palaces of the Romanovs
I agree with Sandcastle Girls! I’m reading the last in the Wicked series, Out of Oz. Technically, (C) 2011 but I’ll count it for 2012.