In many ways, I am sad to see the year end. It was such an amazing year of growth for Mouse--for any child her age really--but seeing her grow and discover and explore . . . Being a part of her life and having her in mine. She brings me such joy. And to have a wonderful and supportive husband by my side--I feel so blessed. I am blessed. I have a job I like and coworkers who make the hard days more bearable. I have a mother who would drop everything and come flying in if I asked her to. Life is good.
Then there is the side of the year I am glad to see go. It was a very difficult year for me in some regards. When the year began, I was in a very dark place and it continued like that for quite awhile. I wasn't sure I would ever find my way out. I was too stubborn for my own good, and it took me too long to ask for help, so sure I could manage just fine on my own. I am fortunate to be in a better place now, and have learned much in the process. For that I am grateful. Even the worst of experiences can teach us something, can't they?
Through it all, my blog suffered. Blogging hasn't been high on my priority list. My family, my work, and my own health taking precedent. Yet I keep chugging along. And I continue reading. I am very pleased with my numbers this year--not that quantity is what matters most. But for someone who wasn't sure she'd be able to read two books a month, well, it's a big deal. I squeezed in 67 books this year, not including the number of children's books I read and reread, some I've come to love and others I wish I could hide from Mouse so I don't have to read them again.
I spent much of the year lost in comfort reads whether it be mysteries or urban fantasy. I read mostly e-books (41 compared to 22 print books and 4 audiobooks), finding it a much more convenient way to read, whether in the dead of night so I wouldn't disturb Mouse, or just in terms of mobility and ease of use. I learned how easy it is to purchase books on an e-reader--and how dangerous that can be to one's bank account! In honor of my father, whom I lost in September of last year, I read a book I knew he would have loved, and I loved it too. I took on fewer reading commitments this year and found I liked the slower pace. I branched out into audiobooks and think I might actually make a habit of listening to them (somehow). I stepped outside my comfort zone, reading books I normally wouldn't gravitate towards. I also returned to a few favorite authors.
I enjoyed answering Jamie's (The Perpetual Page Turner) End of the Year Survey last year and decided to join in again this year. I did alter some of the questions, subtracting a couple and adding some of my own.
I spent much of the year lost in comfort reads whether it be mysteries or urban fantasy. I read mostly e-books (41 compared to 22 print books and 4 audiobooks), finding it a much more convenient way to read, whether in the dead of night so I wouldn't disturb Mouse, or just in terms of mobility and ease of use. I learned how easy it is to purchase books on an e-reader--and how dangerous that can be to one's bank account! In honor of my father, whom I lost in September of last year, I read a book I knew he would have loved, and I loved it too. I took on fewer reading commitments this year and found I liked the slower pace. I branched out into audiobooks and think I might actually make a habit of listening to them (somehow). I stepped outside my comfort zone, reading books I normally wouldn't gravitate towards. I also returned to a few favorite authors.
I enjoyed answering Jamie's (The Perpetual Page Turner) End of the Year Survey last year and decided to join in again this year. I did alter some of the questions, subtracting a couple and adding some of my own.
1. Best books you read in 2012?
In Audio: My absolute most favorite book this year was Erin Morgenstern's Night Circus. It blew me away--it was so beautiful. The narration by Jim Dale was the perfect touch to such an enchanting tale.
Fiction: My favorite book that I read in print this year was Sarah McCoy's The Baker's Daughter. It was a book that appealed to my love for all things World War II and also touched me on a more personal note.
Young Adult: I was quite smitten with David Levithan's Every Day, whose characters stole my heart.
Crime Fiction: It is a tie between Julia Heaberlin's Playing Dead and The Hollow Man by Oliver Harris. Both were amazing reads: intense, thought provoking, and fun.
Speculative Fiction: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. I really liked the flow of the novel and the world she created around her characters.
Nonfiction: Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Mission Rescue of World War II by Mitchell Zuckoff. I read this book in my father's memory because I knew it would be a book he would have like. It was well researched and very readable. I quite enjoyed it.
2. What books most disappointed you?
When my face to face book group chose to read Under the Skin by Michel Faber, I was excited. I really liked the author's book, The Crimson Petal and the White. Under the Skin, however, was much different. While I knew that going in, I still had high hopes. I barely finished the book. It did make for a great discussion book, however.
I had hoped for more when I decided to read Sandra Hill's Deadly Angel books, Kiss of Pride and Kiss of Surrender. At the same time, I knew I was taking a chance on them. While I like urban fantasy and don't mind a good love story, I generally do not like books where the main story line is the love story. I hoped it would be different with these books, but it only reinforced what I already know about my reading tastes.
The two books I liked the least this year were E.L. James's Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker. If I'm honest though, I can't really say I was surprised. I went into the books with low expectations.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?
Karen Marie Moning's Darkfever. It wasn't what I expected. I loved it and cannot wait to read more by the author.
4. Books you recommended to people most in 2012?
Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy, and Every Day by David Levithan.
5. Best series you discovered in 2012?
I've only read the first book, Darkfever, in Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, but if the rest of the series is anything like the first, I am sure I will love every single book in the series.
It was love at first page with both Louise Penny's and Deborah Crombie's mystery series. The two books I read from their different mystery series made quite an impression me.
Oh! And Charles Todd's Bess Crawford series. I can't wait to read more in the series as well.
I was also quite taken with Amy Plum's series and am anxiously awaiting the third book in the series. I'm still mad at the author for the ending in her second book. Cliffhangers suck.
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?
Absolute Must Reads:
Amy Plum
Susanna Kearsley
Lisa Lutz
Deborah Crombie
Oliver Harris
Karen Marie Moning
Louise Penny
Sarah McCoy
Erin Morgenstern
David Levithan
Julia Heaerlin
Terri Nolan
I also really liked and will be reading more by:
Sabrina Benulis
Tina Connolly
James Swain
Deborah Harkness
Susan Elia MacNeal
Charles Todd
Erika Chase
Liz Strange
Shawntelle Madison
Lisa O'Donnell
Terri Nolan
Lisa O'Donnell
Terri Nolan
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. I put off reading this book for quite awhile, and even then, decided to settle for the audio version thinking it might be the better format to use to get through it. I went into the book expecting to hate it. The subject matter alone being repulsive. And while Humbert Humbert is everything I despise in a person, the book was . . . well, let's just say by the end, I was quite impressed with the book.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable books in 2012?
It's a tie between Playing Dead by Julia Heaberlin and David Levithan's Every Day. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough in either book.
9. Book you read in 2012 that you are most likely to re-read again?
Erin Morgenstern's Night Circus. I listened to the audio version and now I must--MUST--read the book.
10. Most memorable characters in 2012?
There was also Maggie Hope from Susan Elia MacNeal's mysteries set during World War II. I had such fun reading about her adventures. She is a woman ahead of her time.
And I really liked Natalya Stravinsky from Shawntelle Madison's series. She isn't your typical urban fantasy hero and that's one of the things I loved most about her.
Oh, and who can forget Junior from Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian? He was such a great character. I still find myself wondering what he's up to now.
11. Most beautifully written book read to in 2012?
Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was my favorite by far, but if I had to name a book I read in print, I would say Susanna Kearsley's Shadowy Horses.
12. Book that made you laugh out loud in 2012?
Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson. Oh my goodness, how I laughed and laughed as I read this book!
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?
You might think I would select one of the nonfiction books I read this year. They were all good in their own way, the books relating to motherhood and the like. But no, the book that had the greatest impact on me in 2012 was The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy. I enjoyed the book for many reasons: from the characters, to the historical aspects, to the story itself. I had this to say about the book, particularly about the character Reba:
In some ways, as I read, I felt like Sarah McCoy had gotten into my head and was holding up a mirror to me--See?" She was saying, "I know you. I understand." I couldn't have chosen a more perfect time to read this book as I am coming to terms with my own past and the loss of my father.
14. Books you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?
I think it is fair to say it wasn't so much the books that had me wondering what made me wait so long to read, but rather the authors. Why did it take me so long to read a mystery by Deborah Crombie or Louise Penny? And Charles Todd? I'm still scratching my head over those. Now to go back and read their back lists.
I also am wondering what took me so long to try Lisa Lutz's series. I adored The Spellman Files. Another series I want to catch up with!
15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2012?
Both of my favorite passages/quotes come from Erin Morgenstern's Night Circus:
Someone needs to tell those tales. When the battles are fought and won and lost, when the pirates find their treasures and the dragons eat their foes for breakfast with a nice cup of Lapsang souchong, someone needs to tell their bits of overlapping narrative. There's magic in that. It's in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict. From the mundane to the profound. You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone's soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift. Your sister may be able to see the future, but you yourself can shape it, boy. Do not forget that... there are many kinds of magic, after all.
and
Most maidens are perfectly capable of rescuing themselves in my experience, at least the ones worth something, in any case.
16. Shortest and longest book you read in 2012?
Does a book of comic strips count? If so, the shortest book I read this year was The New Yorker Magazine Book of Mom Cartoons coming in at 112 pages.
The longest book I read this year was The Stand by Stephen King. I read the uncut version, which was 1472 pages long.
17. Best short story you read in 2012?
"I Heard a Romantic Story" by Lee Child was perhaps my most favorite short story this year. It was heartbreaking, about a sniper about to take out his latest target. I also really liked Alexandra Sokoloff's "In Atlantis" which was much more lighthearted and fun. The story is a romantic mystery about a woman who re-imagines her life while on vacation where she meets a man she is sure is a jewel thief.
18. Favorite relationship from a book you read in 2012?
Cecelia and Marco's relationship in Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern for one. I liked how subtly the two came together and the way their relationship evolved. They were the couple I was most rooting for.
In The Death of Bees by Lisa O'Donnell, the relationship between sisters Nelly and Marnie and their neighbor Lennie is especially memorable. Thrown together under complicated and difficult circumstances, the three form an unlikely bond that really touched by heart. (My review is coming later in the week.)
I was also quite taken with the relationship between David and Jamie in Liz Strange's Missing Daughter, Shattered Family and A Fresh Set of Eyes. They had their share of problems, but the two make a great team, and I appreciated realistic they were as individual characters and as a couple.
In The Death of Bees by Lisa O'Donnell, the relationship between sisters Nelly and Marnie and their neighbor Lennie is especially memorable. Thrown together under complicated and difficult circumstances, the three form an unlikely bond that really touched by heart. (My review is coming later in the week.)
I was also quite taken with the relationship between David and Jamie in Liz Strange's Missing Daughter, Shattered Family and A Fresh Set of Eyes. They had their share of problems, but the two make a great team, and I appreciated realistic they were as individual characters and as a couple.
19. Favorite book you read in 2012 from an author you read previously?
The Forgetting Tree by Tatjana Soli. I expected no less.
20. Best book you read that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from someone else?
Every Day by David Levithan was recommended by my friend Nicole. I bought it immediately after she said I had to read it. It was as awesome as she said it was. Somehow I had missed all the buzz about this book going around the blogosphere before that. I am not sure how that happened.
Looking Ahead
I am looking forward to seeing what 2013 will bring, both in life and in reading. Other than a couple of read-alongs and one challenge, I have no set plans for the New Year. I hope to continue reading more of my TBR back log and would like to follow through on some themed reading that I have been wanting to do for awhile now. I also want to get back to posting more regularly, two or three posts a week, and visiting--and commenting on--other book blogs.
On the personal front, I plan to spend more time in the moment, something I am not always very good at doing. I also plan to practice more patience, be more organized, and eat a more healthy diet. Typical New Year's resolutions--although I refuse to call them resolutions. I have already put much of these in practice. There's no reason to wait until January 1st, after all.
Somehow, we made it through another year, with all its ups and downs. Some of you have been with me for awhile and others I've only just met. I am very grateful to all of you for your support and thoughts. I wish you and your families all the best in 2013. Happy New Year!
On the personal front, I plan to spend more time in the moment, something I am not always very good at doing. I also plan to practice more patience, be more organized, and eat a more healthy diet. Typical New Year's resolutions--although I refuse to call them resolutions. I have already put much of these in practice. There's no reason to wait until January 1st, after all.
Somehow, we made it through another year, with all its ups and downs. Some of you have been with me for awhile and others I've only just met. I am very grateful to all of you for your support and thoughts. I wish you and your families all the best in 2013. Happy New Year!
© 2012, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
