As voted by Goodreads members. Over 1,000,000 votes. I say we choose at least a few of these for our next 3-4 polls. http://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2012 Spoiler Fiction The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling Nonfiction Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain Mystery & Thriller Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Historical Fiction The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman Memoir & Autobiography Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed History & Biography Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith Poetry A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver Science Fiction The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett Horror The Twelve by Justin Cronin Young Adult Fiction The Fault in Our Stars by John Green Fantasy The Wind Through the Keyhole by Stephen King Paranormal Fantasy Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness Romance Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction Insurgent by Veronica Roth Humor Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson Goodreads Author Veronica Roth Food & Cookbook The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl by Ree Drummond Graphic Novel & Comic The Walking Dead, Vol 16: A Larger World by Robert Kirkman, Illustrated by Charlie Adlard Children’s Book The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan Picture Book Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer
The Saxon Stories is a continuing historical novel series written by the historical novelist Bernard Cornwell about 9th century Britain. The protagonist of the series is Uhtred Ragnarson, sometimes known as Uhtred Uhtredson. Uhtred is born in Northumbria, but captured and adopted by the Danes. The story takes place during the Danish invasion of Britain, where all but one of the English kingdoms is conquered. The story centers on the ruler of Wessex, Alfred, later historically dubbed 'the Great'. Cornwell mentions that he is in fact descended from an historical Uhtred of Bebbanburg, on whom the protagonist is based.
I haven't, but I was looking at it yesterday and will probably read it soon, maybe within the next few days.
I read that it would probably be lingering on bookshelves in the back of the store (if it had even gotten published in the first place) if not for it being J. K. Rowling.
Yeah, I'd agree with that statement. The only reason I read it was because of it being Rowling and seeing it on this list. I downloaded it on Christmas and just now finished it. It was just a struggle to get through. I kept hoping that she would find her magic from Harry Potter and it would get better but it never did.
My wife tried The Casual Vacancy and made it about 100 pages in before giving up out of boredom. The Round House won the National Book Award and it was pretty good but not great. Gone Girl was fucking good. It will probably be a badass movie when it's picked up (I'm sure it will be). I have said it a few times but Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk is the best book I have read this year and I can't recommend it enough. I'm currently reading Narcopolis by Jeet Thayll and I'm going to start A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers after that.
Finished this this morning. Spoiler I'd give it an 85/100. It was a really good book, a bit melodramatic at times, but good none the less. If it were made into a movie, it would be a movie of the week on Lifetime. It borders on chick-lit, but not really. The main character is a strong male and the main female lead sometimes comes across as unlikable, which kind of rules out chick-lit. It's a sad story which only gets sadder the longer you read. The characters, aside from Tom, seem a bit one-dimensional and it sometimes plays out like high school play. But the story is good and you really, really care about what happens, especially to Lucy. There were a few times it was hard not to shed a tear for her, and for everyone. There is a point in the book where every-fucking-body is All in all, a good read. Would recommend. Definitely a break from my normal reading habits. It elicits emotion and has you caring about the characters and what happens to them. All signs of a good book.