It took me awhile to piece together this list. I couldn't figure out why.... my reading consumption this year was about the same as the prior two years; in terms of quantity. I didn't want to admit to myself what the problem is: $$$$. Got a Kindle last Christmas, and, in terms of maximizing my savings this year, I almost bought no hardcovers; just Kindle downloads and free books I got thru the Amazon Vine program. I took an early dislike to to the spike in Kindle prices....from $9.99, which was common in 2011, to $12.99 and $14.99 from 2012. So, I focused on older books and bargain books.
Thus, I find that I didn't read enough good books in 2012 to comprise a 10 item list. But here is what I settled for:
1. BRINGING UP THE BODIES - Hilary Mantel Mantel's sequel to her tour de force of "Wolf Hall"...which made a prior year's list. So well researched! Historical fiction at its best.
2. GONE GIRL - Gillian Flynn... I've enjoyed her prior books, but none so much as this effort with all its twists and turns. Superb fiction.
3. TEAM OF RIVALS - Doris Kearns Goodwin I have never put an "old" book on my list
before; essentially, my lists are about what was written in 20xx, that I read. But this 2006 account of Lincoln, revisited in the superb "Lincoln" by Spielberg was a must read and greatly satisfying before I saw the film.
4. THE ROUND HOUSE - Louise Erdrich Possibly her greatest book, recognition from the
National Book Prize. Evokes, "To Kill A Mockingbird"; and I can never resist books
set in North Dakota or Minnesota
5. LIVE BY NIGHT - Dennis Lehane Dennis Lehane (!), AND he moves his locale from Boston to Tampa. Couldn't be better.
6. AFTERWARDS - Rosalind Lupton Free from Amazon Vine and superb. An emotional rollercoaster
7. STEVE JOBS - Walter Isaacson An extremely fat biography given to me for XMas last year - a fascinating account
8. 12 TRIBES OF HATTIE - Ayana Mathis I usually try to stay away from Oprah's picks, but couldn't resist this well-written novel.
That's it. 8. Sigh. I'll be more discerning in 2013.
From Prior Years:
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3858636945560489201#editor/target=post;postID=7815291527772493979
http://livingimperfectly.blogspot.com/2011/01/best-books-of-2010.html
http://livingimperfectly.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-best-books-of-2009.html
5 comments:
I read "Gone Girl" this month and really enjoyed it! I bought Lupton's "Sister" with some of my Christmas money, but haven't gotten to it yet. Someday I'll get to the Mantel books.
I find that I'm often reading things that were on folks' "top 10" lists from several years ago. I usually don't splurge on new releases unless it's an author or series I feel I must read immediately.
Quid,
A very interesting and varied list.
And I am interested in your #1,3,
4,6 and 7. Even though I do not
comment much I continue to
follow your posts. Raven
Thanks for this, Quid. It's always interesting to learn what friends have been reading.
I've read only one on your list, "Gone Girl," which I really liked.
Well, it looks like I'll have to look up 'Gone Girl'.
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