One of the things that I most enjoy about the end of the year is reading everyone's "Best of ..." lists. I devour People Magazine's and Entertainment Weekly's lists, and I read as many book bloggers' posts as possible. However, I have never written one of my own... until now!
I have always been reluctant to write a "Best of Books" list because I find it so difficult to just narrow down my year in reading to just a few favorite books. I also fear that I will leave out one or two fantastic books, and I also wonder if my list would change if I did it a few days or weeks from now.
Anyway, here's my "Reading Highlights from 2012" for Best Audio Books, Best Mystery Books, and Best YA/MG/Kids Books (in no particular order):
Best Audio Books
- THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller - Review
- THE RACKETEER by John Grisham - Review
- THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB by Will Schwalbe - Review
- MY SISTER LIVES ON THE MANTELPIECE by Annabel Pitcher - Review
- WHY WE BROKE UP written by Daniel Handler and artwork by Maira Kalman - Review
Best Mystery Books
- GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn - Review
- THE BLACK BOX by Michael Connelly - Review
- THE ART FORGER by B.A. Shapiro - Review
- BROKEN HARBOR by Tana French - Review
- THE GODS OF GOTHAM by Lindsay Faye - Review
Best YA/MG/Kids Books
- ASK THE PASSENGERS by A.S. King - Review
- WONDER by R.J. Palacio - Review
- ENDANGERED by Eliot Schrefer - Review
- I HUNT KILLERS by Barry Lyga - Review
- MAY B by Caroline Starr Rose - Review
- BON APPETIT!: THE DELICIOUS LIFE OF JULIA CHILD by Jessie Hartland - Review
- ROCKET WRITES A STORY by Tad Hills - Review
- ARLO NEEDS GLASSES by Barney Saltzberg - Review
- ANNIE AND HELEN by Deborah Hopkinson - Review
I love looking at these lists. Ours overlap a bit -- mine will go up tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThank you for including May B. here! I love seeing two other Schwartz and Wade books -- Rocket and Annie and Helen -- on the same list.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Julie.
I really want to read The Art Forger. Looking forward to more great reviews from you in 2013!
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy these end of year lists! I hope to read The Art Forger soon.
ReplyDeleteI've only read a few of these books but have just started The Art Forger. Wonder is on my best of 2012 list as well - in fact, it might be one of my all time favorites.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had some great books this year!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed quite a few of the books on your list and have a couple of them on my must be read in 2013. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten about Song of Achilles - I haven't read it but have been meaning to. I loved Wonder!
ReplyDeleteI really need to read more by Tana French. I loved In the Woods when I read it a few years ago. Michael Connelly is another author I need to read more of. I adore him.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!