Happy New Year! It's once again that time to list my favorite books I read this past year. I enjoy going back through my list and remembering all the worlds I had the privilege of entering, but it's always hard to choose the best. Surprisingly, since I thought I had less time this year than the previous one, I read a total of 44 novels. Woohoo!
Best Classic
Of the four I read, the one that lingered the longest is Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. I'm inching my way through her books, and though this novel wasn't my favorite of hers, it reminded me why she's so renowned today and why I should continue traveling to 19th century England. Who knows? Perhaps another of her novels will pop up here next year.
Best Adult Fiction
Brandon Sanderson's Elantris barely beats Neal Gaiman's Stardust for this spot. They're both fascinating, fantastically-written fantasy series, but the mystery of the god-like Elantrians who are now destined to rot forever in a desolate city seized me and wouldn't let go. I've loved every Sanderson novel I've read, so if you enjoy fantasy, please check him out! You won't regret it.
*This novel could also be considered young adult due to a lack of more mature concepts.
Best Young Adult Fiction
Though I'm no longer a young adult, I still adore these books and devour them like a two-year old with a stocking full of candy on Christmas. I read many delightful ones this year, too many to choose between them. So, forgive me, but I'm going to choose two. Like Sanderson, I've relished everything that Maggie Stiefavater has written and that I've had the opportunity to read. This year it was her magical-realistic novel, All the Crooked Saints. This tale explores the darkness found within every human and how we can conquer those shadows, together.
The other book I was torn between is Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein. Although I also loved her award-winning, Code Name Verity , I empathized more with the characters in the former book, loved its exotic Ethiopian setting, and the happier notes written throughout. But I'm still very much looking forward to perusing Rose Under Fire, the partner to Code Name Verity, this year.
Best Children's Fiction
This was an easy choice, as I only read one book in this genre. A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck is sassy, hilarious, and just plain fun. I shared this quick, easy book with several family members, and they all loved and laughed through it.
Best Non-Fiction
If you want to travel without the cost and annoyance of airports, then A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle is your ticket. This novel follows a year of Peter and his wife's new life in Provence, France, in a witty, charming way. What makes it even better is that it's all true!
Best Re-Read
I reread Marissa Meyer's Cinder and Scarlet to prepare for the next books in the series: Cress and Winter (more terrific young adult books that I had to choose between!). It was nerve-tingling and laugh-inducing to hang out with these unique, raw characters again. I definitely feel like I'm good friends with both the protagonists in Cinder and Scarlet, and it was a joy to observe the threads of their story twine together into a beautiful, unifying piece of art.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
By Agatha Christie
Adult Mystery
Roger Ackroyd knew too much. He knew that the woman he loved had poisoned her brutal first husband. He suspected also that someone had been blackmailing her. Then, tragically, came the news that she had taken her own life with a drug overdose.
But the evening post brought Roger one last fatal scrap of information. Unfortunately, before he could finish reading the letter, he was stabbed to death.
Besides the rather drab title, the Queen of Mystery does it again: wows the reader with a brilliant plot and unexpected culprit. I've only read a handful of mysteries, all Christie's (she is the master, after all), but each time I'm stupefied of who the murderer turns out to be, how they accomplished it, and how the detective (Poirot, in this novel), unwinds the knot of the mystery.
In The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, I enjoyed watching the banter between the main character, Dr. Sheppard, and his sister, Caroline, as the latter attempts to solve the mystery using her various gossip channels. The main character himself was rather blah, and it would have been nice to peek more into Poirot's mind about what he's thinking and why.
This was a quick, easy read, and pairs perfectly with a cup of hot tea and a rainy evening. I scatter three stars onto good, ole Roger, and recommend this novel for 15 year olds and up.
*What are some mysteries that you love cozying up with on a wet, wild night?
Winter
By Marissa Meyer
YA Fantasy
*Last in the Lunar Chronicles Series
"Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.
"Winter despises her stepmother and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend, the handsome palace guard Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be, and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long."
Welcome to the final installment of the magnificent Lunar Chronicles! This novel is worth its place as the final book of the series.
Winter, bless her heart, is a bit crazy, but the reason why softened my heart so that her madness didn't throw up a wall between us. Although she's broken (who isn't?), she possesses a courage and strength that the other characters don't. I do wish I could've spent more time with her; the reader is thrown around into so many heads because there a mountain-load of events happening all the time.
However, I did enjoy watching the other characters grow more in this novel, especially Cress, who I believe matured the most. Cinder didn't seem to change much over the course of the series, which was a bit disappointing since she's the main character.
Meyer continued to enthrall me in this novel with her world-building prowess of the eerily majestic Luna, the fast-paced events that hint at the Hunger Games, the variety of the characters, and the satisfying conclusion (don't worry, I won't spoil anything!).
The main thing that niggled at me throughout the novel was that the fairy-tale surrounding Winter, that of Snow White, was more difficult to follow than in the other books. This could just be due to the fact that I'm not as familiar with this fairy-tale as I am with Cinderella and Red Riding Hood. But I still wish it could've been as straightforward and obvious as it was with the other characters.
Still, Winter deserves a 4 out of 4 like the rest of her comrades, and I recommend it for 15 year olds and up.
*What I learned: There are different kinds of crazy, and being so doesn't mean you're not smart, brave, or capable.
A Year in Provence
by Peter Mayle
Adult Non-Fiction
"Peter Mayle tells what it is like to realize a long-cherished dream and actually move into a 200-year-old stone farmhouse in the remote country of the Luberon with his wife and two large dogs. He endures January's frosty mistral as it comes howling down the Rhone Valley, discovers the secrets of goat racing through the middle of town, and delights in the glorious regional cuisine."
This book was an all-expenses-paid vacation to Provence, France, without the annoyance of standing through security, enduring a long, claustrophobic plane ride, and memorizing how to say the 'lady's room' from a tiny French guidebook. The best way to travel, in my opinion. And what a trip it was.
We get to see the back-roads, forests, and restaurants of France that a normal tourist wouldn't know existed. But it's really the characters and the narrator who are the heartbeat of this novel. In his witty, warm way, Mayle introduces us to his lecture-loving, humorous plumber, the inexperienced hunters who dress like they're experienced, and the various aspects of truffle-hunting.
Mayle has an entertaining way of sharing an anecdote about something that seems like an ordinary event, like a celebratory dinner, and shaping it with humor until it settles on your mind like a cozy blanket that you don't want to take off because it feels so good.
The author gives us a rich and real picture of Provence without dipping into criticism or dull facts. He takes you, month by month, through the year in this perplexing, wonderful place until you feel like it's your home as well.
The only aspect in this book that I had a hard time with was the usage of French words. I didn't have a problem with him sprinkling them in, since he is in France, after all, but several times he didn't mention the meaning of a particular word, leaving me in the dark about the point he was trying to tell. This did not occur often, however, so I still award this novel a 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it for 16 year olds and up.
Also, bring an empty stomach to A Year in Provence, because many of his anecdotes revolve around food!
*Mayle has also written a novel titled, My Twenty-Five Years in Provence, which I will definitely find and proceed to devour. Another cheap (if not free) trip to France!
Scarlet
By Marissa Meyer
YA Fantasy
#2 in the Lunar Chronicles Series
I'm not going to type out the synopsis on the back of Scarlet, as I typically do, so as not to spoil anything in case you haven't read the first book in the series, Cinder, yet. But if you have read that novel, then there's no doubt you're reading or have read Scarlet. One bleeds into the next like watercolor, all vivid and thrilling. I've found this to be true with each book in this delightful series.
Scarlet is the story of Red-Riding Hood, but more than that, it's the story of Scarlet, a stubborn, strong-willed young lady and her love for her grandmother. When her grandmother goes missing, and a suspicious, yet handsome wolfish man appears who claims he can help Scarlet find her, Scarlet jumps into an adventure that will bring her in close contact with Cinder and her dangerous reputation.
I love how Meyer introduces the reader to new characters while continuing to develop those in former novels. This requires true talent.
The first time I read this book, my heart galloped in fear and pleasure at Wolf's and Scarlet's interactions. Their relationship spun out differently than I anticipated, and they both changed for the good at the end. I also enjoyed the French culture tossed into the book and into Scarlet's character; it was light enough to be charming.
Although I thoroughly devoured this novel, I gobbled up the next one in the series much quicker.
Cress
By Marissa Meyer
YA Fantasy
#3 in the Lunar Chronicles Series
This novel explores the fairy tale of Rapunzel. Cress has been imprisoned in a satellite by a wicked Lunar to spy on Earthens. Until one man shows up and hurtles her into Cinder's and Scarlet's plot to save their world.
Every chapter of this book was a feast! So much happens on every single page, that I definitely extended my lunch hour to longer than an hour just to get to the end of a climax. But then another one would begin, and my eyes kept swinging across the pages.
Also, I love Cress. I love her more than any other character (so far). This is probably due in part to her utter innocence and how pitiable her position is at the beginning of the story. But more than that, I love her because she is so like me: enthusiastic and passionate, imaginative, and yes, because she loves to sing out loud (and in the shower).
This book devotes more time to the other characters (due to there being more characters around), and Cinder and her friends are (finally) sharpening their plans and plots to protect their planet(s). Things are happening, and Meyer yanks you through the story with all of her plot twists, but it's so exhilarating that you just feel as if you're soaring through the action. It would be worthwhile to read the other two novels just to read Cress.
The problem of the various languages spoken throughout the novel did niggle at me, and Meyer's quick explanation didn't tie it up neatly enough for me. Also, my husband, being the engineer/logic-brained one, questioned the anti-gravity on the ship, but those were our only obstacles.
Both Scarlet and Cress deserve four gold stars. I recommend them for 15 year-olds and up.
What I learned: People are more than their appearances, and a beautiful face does not equate to a beautiful heart.
Code Name Verity
By Elizabeth Wein
YA Historical Fiction
"On October 11th, 1943, a British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. But just one of the girls has a chance at survival. Arrested by the Gestapo, "Verity" is given a choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution. They'll get the truth out of her. Only, it won't be what they expect."
This book is a masterpiece. It's also a tear-jerker, so have a box of Kleenexes ready if you're one of those readers who melt into tears when something somber occurs.
But veritably, Wein did an amazing job sculpting the world and characters of England and France in the 1900s. I can't fathom how much research she did, but it is (as much as I am aware of, which isn't much), spot on. Everything, from the airplanes to the scarves 'Verity' wears seems current to the time period. Her characters also make references to books and other media in thise time period. This was fascinating and definitely helped push the reader thoroughly into the characters' world, but it also sometimes was over my head, since I obviously didn't live in this era, and it frustrated me at times.
Overall, though, this novel and the other Wein book I've read has caused my expectations of historical fiction to rise to Mt. Everest heights. Sorry, future historical fiction books I will read and historical fiction books I long to write; you just won't measure up.
'Verity's' and Maddie's best-friend love for each other are as real and apparent as my husband's love for me. I can't believe they're not real! The characters charmed me with their British and Scottish slang, the way they played make-believe to incite their courage, and the way they fought through all the trials that confronted them.
It did take a while for me to get used the narration style. The narrator is unreliable for an exceptionally good reason, but it did throw up barriers between her and myself. I also didn't relate to her personality as much as most characters in previous novels I've read; she's just wild. I much preferred the narration and personality of the other main character, Maddie. Too bad she didn't have much talking time! However, she features in the book, Rose Under Fire, so I'm quite excited to enter that story once I can get my hands on it.
For all the above reasons, I give this novel a 4 out of 5. It would have been a 5 if I had not felt so left out of 'Verity's' mind. Again, it was for a good reason, but I do not enjoy the experience, nor am I used to it.
What I learned: Writing historical fiction requires too much research! But in all seriousness, life is fleeting and short; it can leave us as easily and quickly as blowing out a candle. So what am I doing with mine?
The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee
By Marja Mills
Non-Fiction Memoir
"To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best loved novels of the twentieth century. In 2004, with Alice and Harper Lee's blessing, Mills moved into the house next door to the sisters. She spent the next eighteen months there, sharing coffee at MacDonald's and trips to the laundromat with Nelle (aka Harper Lee), feeding the ducks and going out for catfish suppers with the sisters, and exploring all over lower Alabama with the Lees and their inner circle of friends.
"Nelle shared her love of history, literature, and the Southern way of life with Mills, as well as her keen sense of how journalism should be practiced. As the sisters decided to let Mills tell their stories, Nelle helped make sure she was getting that-and the South-right. Alice, the keeper of the Lee family history, shared the stories of their family."
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I checked this book out of the library, as I've never read a book about living next door to a famous author. Mills opened up a window into these sweet women's lives, who were graciously willing to allow her and us, the readers, into them. It was mind-boggling how simple their lives truly are (except for, perhaps, that Alice still practices law at age 90). Why wouldn't they be? But we, at least I, expect people who write great things to live great lives. Not that simple living isn't great, but it just wasn't what I had in mind. It was refreshing, though, to relax and just enjoy the simple pleasures in life that the Lee's explore on a day-to-day basis.
There is some background information about the making of the various movies, the Lee's family, and Harper Lee's fears, which help put flesh on this mysterious woman, and I found fascinating.
I enjoyed traveling with Mills through the back roads of Alabama with these wise, yet fun-loving, sisters and their friends. I loved seeing how their Alabama, the Alabama of To Kill a Mockingbird, once existed, and how, sadly, it is fading away like a cicada's song at the end of summer. At the end of the book, I felt like I had become good friends with all three, a part of their intimate, book-loving, adventure-hunting trio. It was sad to say good-bye on the last page.
I do wish I had re-read the novel before I read this book, as characters and places from the book are mentioned in this memoir, and they're bit foggy in my memory. You don't have to re-read the classic tale before you read this book, but I do suggest it so you can reap even more gold from Mill's laid-back telling. I also wish she had mentioned something about the second novel Lee wrote, Go Set a Watchmen, since she discusses almost everything, but perhaps she left before then or didn't have permission.
I give this novel a 4 out of 5 and recommend it for anyone (older than a child) who adores To Kill a Mockingbird.
What I learned: Beauty can be appreciated without the need to possess it.
Best Classic
Brandon Sanderson's Elantris barely beats Neal Gaiman's Stardust for this spot. They're both fascinating, fantastically-written fantasy series, but the mystery of the god-like Elantrians who are now destined to rot forever in a desolate city seized me and wouldn't let go. I've loved every Sanderson novel I've read, so if you enjoy fantasy, please check him out! You won't regret it. 
Though I'm no longer a young adult, I still adore these books and devour them like a two-year old with a stocking full of candy on Christmas. I read many delightful ones this year, too many to choose between them. So, forgive me, but I'm going to choose two. Like Sanderson, I've relished everything that Maggie Stiefavater has written and that I've had the opportunity to read. This year it was her magical-realistic novel, All the Crooked Saints. This tale explores the darkness found within every human and how we can conquer those shadows, together. 
The other book I was torn between is Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein. Although I also loved her award-winning, Code Name Verity , I empathized more with the characters in the former book, loved its exotic Ethiopian setting, and the happier notes written throughout. But I'm still very much looking forward to perusing Rose Under Fire, the partner to Code Name Verity, this year. 
I reread Marissa Meyer's Cinder and Scarlet to prepare for the next books in the series: Cress and Winter (more terrific young adult books that I had to choose between!). It was nerve-tingling and laugh-inducing to hang out with these unique, raw characters again. I definitely feel like I'm good friends with both the protagonists in Cinder and Scarlet, and it was a joy to observe the threads of their story twine together into a beautiful, unifying piece of art. 
