At long last I have found time in my busy schedule (har, har, I'm on holiday) to post. It's snowing out and I'm taking a break from all the reading and decorating. I've been around, but thanks to NaNoWriMo - which I won, yay - and the Christmas concert season, my time has been severely limited.
I have had enough time to watch many, MANY videos though. One I loved and had to do myself is by A Book Olive. The Superlatives Book Tag, where she crafted a way to showcase books you've read during the year but maybe haven't talked about them so much.
I read a lot of crap and so-so books this year. While many, hardly any are memorable. Here we go anyway...
Most Likely to be in the movies: a book that would make the best movieSecond in a series, this book has all the makings of a 'Game of Thrones' audience. Characters needing redemption, loads of actions, and DRAGONS.
Biggest Drama Queen/King: the most (overly) dramatic book or characterA Rose in Winter, by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss.
Holy wow was this book full of eye-roll moments. Abusive father, drunk brother, a mysterious dark stranger, a mysterious marriage, ALL THE THINGS. I was laughing at the unintentionally-hilarious dramatic reveals.
Best Dressed: the book with the best coverThe Chimes, by Anna Smaill.
A striking cover playing with negative space: beautiful water colour blues and a tinge of yellow, the silhouette of St. Paul's Cathedral and a bird (both significant to the story). The most surprising element that took me forever to catch. At first you notice only the violin's body shape, the two cut outs are actually the profiles of two different boys, our main characters. Well thought out.
Most Creative: most unique plot, structure, or character
Cannonbridge, by Jonathan Barnes.For having put off this book forever, this book sucked me in. The present day story is 'interrupted' by chapters of this famous, enigmatic author (Cannonbridge) interacting with various other famous authors from Dickens to Oscar Wilde. These were by far my favourite part of the whole. Of course it all came back around in a mild-melting ending.
Runner up: The Chimes (again… yes…)
How do you tell a story about constant memory loss? Have repeating, foggy remembrances of things you just finished reading about. So difficult to get into the style and well worth it in the end.
Most Popular (most read) on GoodreadsThe Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas
According to my Goodreads "Year in Books", at least. 900,000 readers. That's pretty good for a classic. Also a chunker of a book, 1000+ pages. And it went on and on and on. A classic revenge tale, but holy cow the revenge takes place over a lifetime. That's a grudge I'd never want to hold.
Most Likely to Succeed: a book that will be appreciated in years to come
The Fell Sword, by Miles Cameron (book 2)
This whole series should receive more attention. A memorable cast of hundreds, masterful interweaving of story lines, complex political situations, and creative otherworldly creatures. The first book and this (hopefully, I'll continue the series with praise) have spoiled most complex books for me. None will ever be as good as these.
Class Clown: a book that made you laughBeyond Heaving Bosoms, by Sarah Wendell & Candy Tan
Talk about a book that is intentionally funny, my sides hurt from laughing at a multitude of passages from this romp. It disects and comments on all things "Romance Book" related. Now I've always enjoyed Romance books for their silliness and happiness. Popcorn books to enjoy between the dense, depressing ones. HIGHLY recommended for anyone who's ever been afraid of sharing that they love reading Romance. And Lord, it's funny.
Most Improved: a book that started out slow and then picked upGoldenhand, by Garth Nix.
For fans of this universe, Nix spared no expense in indulgent wonder. We get to explore the world more fully, through the eyes of Lirael (and my least favourite aspect of the book - Ferrin). While Ferrin's chapters dragged, Lirael's basked in the world. It all came together with a push to the plot and a quick ending.
Cutest CoupleAn Irish Country Doctor, by Patrick Taylor
The couple in this, Barry and Patricia, are lovely. They are courting each other tenderly and tentatively. Also, she's an engineer. She worries that he will be intimidated by her career focus. He worries that he'll not have enough time for her. It's a lovely budding romance.
I must admit, this one was difficult. Glancing at my books no one stood out to me. None were 'cute'. I changed the word in my head to 'endearing'. The type of couple that gives you cozy, love vibes - not passionate engulfment. I find sometimes passion gets misconstrued as love, or perhaps it's another person's version of love. I find love to be quiet and unassuming. Not many books carried this sentiment for me.
Biggest Heartbreaker: book that broke your heartSo many let me down… therefore broke my heart. Left me disappointed and wanting.
Only one book made me bawl the ugly bawl. And why? It was so happy. Not sad. Therefore, I change the interpretation to 'the book that had the most emotional impact'.
The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I hated HATED the main character at the beginning of the novel. She grew on me, the garden grew on me, and all was good in the end.
Since this year was so terrible for memorable or decent reads, I'll have to do a 'worst of 2016' along with my 'best of 2016'.
To a better reading year, 2017!
~Happy Reading!~
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