20 Best Books of 2012
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-BESTBOOKOverseas, by Beatriz Williams is thebest book I’ve read in 2012 and perhaps the best book I’ve read in a very longtime. It’s epic, it’s historical, it’s contemporary, it’s fantasy, it has someof the most memorable characters ever and remember this is a debut. It’s simplyamazing and I’m thrilled that it will be my March featured read at B&N.comGeneral Fiction forum.
Catch Me, by Lisa Gardner is again featured here and again has another toppick. This novel features her protagonist D D Warren who’s just returned from maternityleave to face a case involving child predators. Lisa’s unnaturally expert atbringing the most heinous of criminals and this one is no different.
Edge of Black, is the second in thenew Samantha Owens series by amazing storyteller and thriller writer JTEllison. Samantha Owens, if you’re familiar with JT’s writing was a co-star inher Taylor Jackson series. She’s suffered a great loss and she’s picking up herlife and starting over. In this novel Sam’s living in Washington DC, starting anew job and is caught in the middle of what looks like a terrorist attack, butlooks can be deceiving.
Ember’s Kiss, by Deborah Cooke is #8in her bestselling dragon shape-shifter series starring the oh so macho Pyr,only this dragon doesn’t really know about his heritage and thinks he’s moremonster than man, who needs his mate and his brother Pyr to show him who hereally is. If you know me you know how much I love this series, in factanything by this wonderful author who’s way with words and worlds is in a classby herself.
home front, by Kristin Hannah is anincredibly hard story to read, but a necessary one. It deals with not only thesoldiers “over there” but the realities they face when they come home. It’stouching, it’s dramatic, it’s a must read and a keeper for your shelves.
Illuminations, by Mary Sharratt isabout a real historical figure, who’s just this year finally been canonized inMay of 2012 and was raised in October 2012 to Doctor of the Church, it’s aboutHildegard von Bingen who was an anchorage (click the link for moreinformation). Mary has wowed me before with her historical research and whatresults in her novels. Whether you’re a lover of historical fiction or justgreat fiction this one will appeal.
King Of Thorns, by Mark Lawrence isthe second in his fantasy trilogy featuring Jorg, the anti-hero, the verynoir-ist of protagonists. Jorg has matured since we first met him in Prince ofThorns, he’s a King now and he’ll defend his throne any way he has to. (Thereview is courtesy of RT Reviews Magazine August 2012 edition)
Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend, byMatthew Dicks was a very refreshing change for me. The premise is quite uniqueas his protagonist is the imaginary friend of an autistic boy who’s job it isto be there for him in whatever way is needed. It’s a read that will appeal toa multitude of fans and genres. I’m pleased to announce that Matthew and hiswonderful novel will be featured for the monthly read at B&N.com GeneralFiction forum in June 2013.
One Breath Away, by Heather Gudenkaufwas a terrifyingly realist crime drama that will bring memories of Columbineand Virginia Tech and the Nickel Mines Amish school shooting. In a fictionalIowa town on the last day of school before spring break terror is about tounfold in a K-12 school building when a gunman holds the entire populationinside the walls hostage.
One Good Friend Deserves Another, byLisa Verge Higgins is a testament to what being a friend really means, whenthis group of 4 cemented their friendship 15 years ago they made a pact. These4 friends are as different from one another as dark and light but they havesomething special that shows through those differences. Friendship. Lisa is nota stranger to my B&N.com forum, she was with us in 2012 when we read anddiscussed her previous novel, The ProperCare and Maintenance of Friendship and will be with us in May of 2013 whenwe will read together her upcoming March release Friendship Makes the Heart Grow Fonder.( review is courtesy of RTReviews magazine)
One Mountain Away, by EmilieRichards is all about forgiveness, redemption and hope. It’s also about lossand it reminds we mere mortals that we never know what lies ahead so if we haveregrets we should take care of them. I also loved that the protagonist was awoman of a “certain age”, I love seeing an older, mature star of a story. Thisis the first of Emilie’s newest series entitled “The Goddess Anonyms Series” Emiliewas our guest for the month of September at B&N.com when we read anddiscussed this novel as a group.
Paris in Love by Eloisa James is anovelty for me, it’s a non-fiction. A memoir of the year award winning, #1 NYTimes Bestselling author and Professor of English Literature packed up herentire family and moved to Paris for an entire year, she fascinated and entertainedher fans on FaceBook for the entire year with snippets of what was happening,the humorous, the sensitive, the sad, the happy and finally turned herexperience into a book. Paris in Loveis a 2012 Goodreads finalist.
Scorched, by Laura Griffin is #6 in her Tracers series, this time it starsforensic anthropologist Kelsey Quinn and her ex, Navy Seal Gage Brewer. It’s aweb of intrigue of suspense and of ever loving terror which Laura is an expertat, it involves murder and mayhem and a huge who done it. It definitely needsto go on your read list.
Shadow of Night, by Deborah Harkness was definitely one of my most awaited readsof the year after the monumental first in the trilogy A Discovery of Witches from last year. It did not disappoint. It’sas epic as ever, it takes us to 16th Century Elizabethan Englandwhere we knock elbows with all the name droppers of the time, where witch Dianaand her forbidden vampire spouse Matthew go so Diana can be taught the art ofher craft and to search for the alchemic tomb known as Ashmole 782. 
The Book of Lost Fragrances, by MJRose who’s another of my favorite go to authors. Her newest in her looselyrelated series in this novel she takes us to France where perfumer JacL’Etoile’s fragrance heritage can be traced back centuries perhaps all the wayto the very first fragrance factory built by Marc Anthony for Cleopatra, she’salso haunted by glimpses of past lives. MJ mixes genres with mystery, romance,historical and a bit of non-fictional facts as well. If you’re a fan of any ofthese, this might be right up your alley. It was my pleasure to have met MJ inperson last summer when she visited as part of the Atria Mystery Bus Tour.
The Bridge of Scarlet Leaves, by KristinaMcMorris is a culturally beautiful piece of Americana and yet nothing thiscountry has to be proud about. It’s a WWII piece involving the not so happilyever after of a Japanese American man and a Caucasian woman. What they wentthrough for the sake of their love, what they gained and especially what theylost. It’s a look at the dirty little secrets of our nations history that theynever taught when I was in school, that should never be forgotten and toldoften. I am lucky to have Kristina with us the entire month of January whenB&N.com General Fiction forum discusses this wonderfully worded novel.
The Dog Who Danced, by Susan Wilsonis an especially uplifting novel about the power of unconditional love given tous by our pets and one pet in particular that had a knack for dancing. Nomatter who you are, where you are in your life or what age you will findsomething to love about this story. Susan was my guest in November at theB&N.com General Fiction forum when we read this very inspiring novel.
The Flight of Gemma Hardy, by MargotLivesey is one of those novels that would have never crossed my path if not forthe cover having inspired me to look inside where I found a work of recenthistorical fiction. Gemma Hardy was an orphan from the 50’s in Scotland whereshe went through some life trauma because of her status. The author tells abrilliant story of neglect, hardship and success. It’s heartbreaking andheartwarming with characters who’re quirky to very realistic.
The Other Woman by Hank PhillipiRyan is the first of Hank’s brand new series starring girl investigativereporter Jane Ryland. Jane’s been recently fired from the TV news because ofnot revealing her source of a particular story. She’s landed on her feet at thenewspaper where she’s given the mundane assignment of interviewing acandidate’s wife. Well Jane smells a story and boy does she get one. Kudos toHank for this fast paced new novel. Hank was my guest in October when theB&N.com General Fiction forum read this amazing new novel.
The Reckoning by Alma Katsu was anovel that my editor at LibraryJournal thought I might like, yeah she wasright. I loved it. This is the second in Alma’s Taker trilogy and I was beamedright up into the plot, the characters and the amazing storytelling of thisvery talented fantasy author. The characters are very un-hero, very dark, verysensual, a very adult novel. But this adult can’t wait to get her hands on bookthree of the trilogy. (The review is courtesy of LibraryJournal)Well that’s my list for the best of 2012, I hope you enjoyedone or more of the selections. I’d love to compare notes. Bring on 2013 whichI’m sure will be a bumper crop of glorious new titles to pick from for nextyear.Happy New Year everyone!!!!
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