Reading 2012

• The Fault In Our Stars by John Green It is marvelous, so sad and marvelous.
• Spilling The Beans by Clarissa Dickson Wright Started well, then I got tired of it.  Not my cup of tea at all.  Just didn’t care to read about fox hunting et all.
• The Silent Girl by Tess Gerritsen Great thriller.
• The Prince of Soul and the Lighthouse by Fredrik Brouneus Local author, local book.
• The Raven (Skeleton Creek) by Patrick Carman Not my fave.  This book is in the middle of a series and I wasn’t able to really ‘get it’.
• My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece by Annabel Pitcher This small book is packed with a huge story. Tragedy through the eyes of a small boy.  Loved it.
• Erebos by Ursula Poznanski Great book for boys.  Action galore and a great gaming read.
• When She Woke by Hillary Jordan Oh My!  This is a fabulous book. Much to think about, and big issues galore.  Read this.
• Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Green Gorgeous book.  Made me cry like a babe.  Heartily recommended.
• Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion Zombie romance in the post-apocalyptic world.  A novel of redemption, love and hope.  It is good.
• State of Wonder by Ann Patchett This is officially my favourite book of the year so far, it would take something truly magnificent to better it.
• Kevin McCloud’s 43 Principles of Home Design – I love Grand Designs so borrowed the book to get the philosophy behind it.  Really enjoyed it.
• Pure by Julianna Baggott Post-apocalyptic world, this is a gripping, dark novel, dystopia of the highest order.  Really liked it.
• The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes brilliant writing, but not in my top ten for the year.
• Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson excellent thriller.
• Life: An Exploded Diagram by Mal Peet started with bad attitude not expecting to like it but ended up being obesssed by it totally.
• Shivers, Wishes and Wolves by various authors Graphic retelling of several classic fairytales.  Great graphics and quirky storylines. Really liked it.
• Pandemonium by Chris Wooding – Graphic novel – cool. Slightly disjointed storyline but cool.
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgernstern – magic, just magic. Lovely book
•  Agatha Raisin and the Quiche Of Death A cosy mystery of the Aga saga variety read it because I needed a change from teenage books and it was a great rainy day read.
• Midwinter Blood by Marcus Sedgewick Well this is a creepy sinister story.  A series of linked tales going back in time telling the story of a mysterious island.  It’s a great read and I read it in a day.
• The Snowman by Jo Nesbo – really great scary thriller which continues the story of his guy Harry Hole.  I’m a bit keen on Harry!
• Legend by Marie Lu  - more dystopian teenage fiction, it is almost the case that you’re hard pressed to find anything that isn’t dystopian at the moment. This is a great read with a good strong boy character – finally.
• One Day by David Nicholls - This book is great, a really good read.  I cried and laughed and got the giggles at one point.  Witty clever, it’s got it all. The story of Em and Dex is for everyone.
• The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien - Finally I’ve read it, didn’t love it in the way I loved LOTR, but a great adventure nonetheless.
• The Impossible Dead by Ian Rankin Great crime novel.  Lots of good meaty back story and a decent crime too.
• The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright A lovely book, old fashioned, good and wholesome and I really enjoyed it.  It would make a great read aloud to kids.
• Look at Me by Jennifer Egan Interesting concept, my thoughts on the main page.
• The Outcasts, Brotherband by John Flanagan - The boys will like it, I didn’t much, too much chest thumping for me but the series looks promising.
• Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey - A book which will stir you up, make you think, make you cry, make you see the world differently for a while.  Read it.
• A Room With A View - Something I’ve always wanted to read, very pleased I did.  Love a good feisty Victorian woman!
• The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry - this guy is an interesting creature.  Who would have thought he was so naughty as a young boy.  Good reading.
• Bel Canto by Ann Patchett  - what a wonderful book! Others will struggle to better this one in my year of reading.  If you haven’t read it I heartily recommend you do.
• Nemesis by Jo Nesbo – Great crime novel.
• The Devil’s Star by Jo Nesbo – Harry Hole, you and your dodgy police work have me hooked.