On Top Ten Tuesday today, Broke and Bookish asks you to list the Top Ten Books of 2012. Without further ado - books are in no particular order and links are to my review if it is posted:
The World We Found by Thrity Urmigar: What a way to kick off 2012! This was one one the first books I read this year and I devoured it. As I said in my review - just read it!
The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani (audiobook): This epic tale is still with me weeks after finishing it - from the mountains of Italy, to the streets of Little Italy in NY and mining towns in Minnesota, the story follows Enza and Ciro's dreams and losses. By far, best immigrant read of the year.
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker: This one surprised me - the premise of the gradual slowing of the earth is apocalyptic which is not usually my thing but this book is really more about the coming of age of the book's young protagonist. Beautifully written.
Mrs. Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn: The Queen of England wanders outside the walls of the palace and ends up on a train north to Scotland as she questions what has come of the monarchy and her considers her own disappointments. I couldn't read this fast enough - it is so well done - smart and funny.
The Underside of Joy by Sere Prince Halverson: Beautifully written, this book drew me in from the beginning and I still think of the characters 10+ months later
The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain: This author's books feature well drawn characters and complex but easy to follow storylines and draw me right in .
The Year of the Gadfly by Jennifer Miller: This book doesn't seem to have gotten the attention it deserves. Smartly written and set in a boarding school, this author debut combines psychological thriller with coming of age.
Gold by Chris Cleave: I waffled between putting this book or the author's earlier work, Little Bee, on this list but landed on Gold since 2012 featured the London Olympics. I see why the author has so many fans.
Bossypants (audiobook) by Tina Fey: I love a good memoir and an intelligently funny one is even better - this is a winner for sure!
Happy Accidents (audiobook) Jane Lynch: On a business trip, I found myself parked in the hotel parking lot not unable to pull myself away from this audio in the car - enough said.
