Reading 2012

• This Is Life by Dan Rhodes I love this guy, loved this book.  Sigh with loveliness.
• Ostrich Boys by Keith Gray Great teenage boy novel, part road trip, part coming of age novel. Great
• Cat’s Table by Michael Ondaatje  wanted to love this book but sadly didn’t, not that it is bad, it just isn’t what I was expecting
• The Faceless by Vanda Symon Really enjoyed it and looking forward to the next one
• The Age of Miracles by Karen Walker Thompson Fantastic read.  all kinds of excellent
• Virals by Kathy Reichs the boys will enjoy it, I didn’t much but I’m so not the target audience
• Reach by Hugh Brown very disappointing novel
• The Red House by Mark Haddon cleverly told novel.  Witty and smart
• Red Rocks by Rachael King Excellent first teen novel more excellent NZ writing
• The Other Hand by Chris Cleave  This is an interesting novel, Little Bee’s voice is a joy to read
• The Nature of Ash by Mandy Hager Great NZ teen novel, full of issues and drama
• The Marriage Plot by Jeffery Eugenides Interesting novel, I just wanted to punch Lionel in the nose a lot of the time, so I guess it’s job well done Jeffery Eugenedies!
• Blink & Caution by Tim Wynn Jones All kinds of awesome.  Excellent novel, not just for young adults
• The Shack Started ok, then the Jesus factor kicked in majorly and killed the story
• Assault by Brian Faulkner  is an excellent adventure, aliens, war stuff, turncoat characters.
• Nice Day For A War – deserving winner of the non-fiction prize in the Childrens Book awards this year.
• Foundling (Monster Blood Tattoo) by D.M. Cornish Oh lovely fantasy for kids.
• The Leopard by Jo Nesbo Oh Harry you are so awesome
• Wonder by R.J. Palacio It is sweet, sad and Augie is a lovely main character.
• Wash This Blood Clean From Our Hands by Fred Vargas I love Fred Vargas she writes a great crime novel with feeling
• Sparks, urban fairytales feels a bit dated now but it is a great story
• Life: an exploded diagram by Mal Peet Wonderful story, marketed to teenagers but it isn’t a teen book, this is an adult book and it is great.
• Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson This is a great mystery novel, very cleverly done
• Shivers wishes and wolves by Beth Bracken creepy cool fairytales
• Pandemonium by Chris Wooding Graphic novel, it was just fine couple of clunky bits in the storyline
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgernstern Magical and mystical and romantic.
• Erebos by Ursula Poznanski Creepy scary gamers novel for teens. Excellent.
• When She Woke by Hilary Jordan – this is a fantastic read. Dystopia but not of the usual post apocalyptic style.  Highly recommended.
• Memoirs of and Imaginary Friend by Matthew Green It is a lovely book.  Sad and sweet.
• Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion A zombie romance with heart and soul.  Loved it.
• State of Wonder by Ann Patchett – my book of the year so far.  So much in this novel to think about and mull over for a long long time.
• Kevin McCloud’s 43 principles of home – Loved this book, really enjoyed this lovely book.  If you were building a house it would be great to read this first.
• Pure by Juliana Baggott  Quite horrific in places this is a gripping dystopia.  Really enjoyed it and went out and bought a copy for school.
• The sense of an ending by Julian Barnes – didnt love it
• 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.