My Bloody Good List of Top Ten 2012 Book Picks

Choosing my 2012 book picks was a challenge, but I kept track of everything I read using the Good Reads site.  I read some romance novels for the first time (spurred by the nationwide phenomenon that is Fifty Shades), my usual contemporary fiction, young adult lit, and a little nonfiction. I read a grand total of 74 books last year, and being the math geek that I am, I’m going to break it down into subsets for you:

35 Contemporary Fiction

15 Romance (most from two series – I’m embarrassed to tell you about them)

12 Young Adult (interestingly, these are all books from series – six in all)

5 Mystery/Suspense

4 Nonfiction

2 Historical Fiction

1 Science Fiction

When doing my analysis, I noticed that I read an inordinate number of books with characters who were vampires. How many books? I was afraid to count, but I sucked it up…

…and I read thirteen vampire books. Jeez!

Oh – and I watch True Blood and the Vampire Diaries. I’m a little batty, I know.

But the shows are so sharp.

And they make me bloody happy.

Sorry, I know I’m being a pain in the neck.

But I digress. If you still lend any merit to my picks after my bloodsucker rantings, here are my top ten 2012 book picks (in no particular order).

1. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness (All Souls Trilogy #2) – Time travel, supernaturals, strong female lead, historical fiction, and more all wrapped into one. Can’t wait for the third book!

2. Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones – An account of one man’s life with two families, told in turn by both daughters – one legitimate and the other secret. The grass is always greener, and this book tackles the gray areas beautifully.

3. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments #1) – I love mixing it up with young adult books – fast paced and a fun, easy read. This one is a fantasy series with a likable heroine who discovers she’s much more than she thought she was, and that not everyone she thinks is human actually is.

4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – Kinda creepy and dark, this novel kept me guessing until (and after) the end.

5. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore – Thought provoking true story of two men with the same name and tragically different lives.

6. The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield – I seem to read quite a few novels set in the south, but this one is one of my favorites. Eleven year old Swan drives this story centered on family and faith.

7. Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James – I read this series in February, before the hype – so I had no preconceived notions and had no idea what to expect. Lots of strong feelings for and against this series, but it was the characters and their relationship that kept me turning the pages. I’m a sucker for a love story, regardless of how unrealistic it may be. The books were an escape, not prize winning literature.  And my husband was glad I read them too.

8. The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper – All of Tropper’s books are witty and worthy of movie scripts, but this one in particular showcases his ability to make f***ed up middle aged men sympathetic. A poignant and funny look at what happens when a man who burned all his bridges goes home again.

9. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand – Unbelievable true account of an American POW’s harrowing journey back home during World War II. I’ll admit I skimmed some parts, but Louis Zamperini’s survival story is amazing. I’ve read many WWII books (historical fiction mostly), but never about the Asia-Pacific theater.

10. Delirium (Delirium #1) by Lauren Oliver – There are so many dystopia YA novels, and Oliver’s creation of a future world where love is considered a disease was one of my favorites. Looking forward to #2!

I hope you’ll give a few of these books a try.  And since I’m always looking for my next read, what are your 2012 book picks?