Category Archives: Bookish Talk

Best of 2012: My Favorites

Best of 2012

Happy New Year!

2012 was a tough year of reading for me. I enjoyed many books, but when it comes to my “best of” list, the books needed to be more than just entertaining or elegantly written. They had to spark something within me. That said, some of my choices may seem odd to you but they all meant something to me at the time and they are the ones that I often think about, even now.

Here’s my list, in the order in which I read them:

1.Then Again (audio) by Diane Keaton
2.Wish You Were Here by Stewart O’Nan
3.Heft by Liz Moore
4.A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
5.The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont
6.The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
7.The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
8.So L.A. by Bridget Hoida
9.The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
10.The Lighthouse Road by Peter Geye
11. Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami (added at the very last minute!)

Looking at this list which is is all fiction with the exception of the first title, I can honestly say that the characters won me over. Each of them complex, richly developed and memorable. If you are looking for a great read, you can’t go wrong with any of these.

Here’s to another year of great reading!

The Sunday Salon: Wrapping up 2012

Sunday Salon

I wasn’t going to post today but it’s the last Sunday Salon post of the year so I decided to write one up anyway. I’ve been off from work for over a week and I’ve literally forgotten what day it is. It’s lovely! I’ve been sleeping in and watching tons of movies. I haven’t read much but what I am reading now is really good. I may have to adjust my “best of” list because of it. We’ll see. It’s a Murakami.

What I love about this time off is that we have no plans at all. Absolutely nothing. Like today. Nothing planned but we could go for a drive…or grab a bite to eat or pop in yet another movie. Whatever we do, is fine by me.

The Boy has been going to track practice in 36 degree weather. He’s also thinking about Winter formal and what he’ll be wearing. I swear. That kid loves clothes.

The Girl has been spending time with the Otter Pup. Lots of snuggle time on the couch. I don’t know what the pup will think when we all go back to work and school. She’ll have withdrawals!

The Hub couldn’t take as much time off as I did so he’s been working some short work weeks with a day off here and there. He’s okay with it for the most part, but he hates to leave the house when we are all sleeping! That’s got to be hard.

I am trying to savor my time off because The Music Man is right around the corner and production week is hellish! Lots of rehearsals and stress. I cannot lie. Getting them back and forth for their call times and me helping backstage can be rough.

But…

I am pushing it from my mind and going back to my book. What are you doing today? Any big plans for New Year’s Eve? We plan to order Chinese take-out. Exciting, huh?

As I update my calendar for 2013 and begin to take the Christmas decorations down, I can’t help but think about all the people I’ve chatted with this year. I’ve “met” a lot of new readers through this blog and it’s been wonderful. Talking about books with others is something that makes me incredibly happy and I have to say, all of your comments and yes…friendship have made me a happy girl. Thank you.