2016 In Review

Here are again, at the end of another year and a brink of a new one.  This has been a year of massive change in so many ways, including this blog.  The one thing that hasn't changed is my obsessive need to read, it is one of the things that gives me stability when everything is in flux...although I admit I love the chaos :-)  Anyways here is a list of my faves from each month that helped keep me sane.

Station 11

This book is still indefinable.  It has been read by me and several of my fellow bookies and while we can all agree it is an excellent book that stuck with us all...we still have no idea what genre to place it in.  It is the perfect book to start off the year.

The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

A collection of Holmes stories written in every style imaginable.  The stories in this collection rekindled once again my love of this great detective and the supporting cast that never leaves me bored.

Room

This pick which was suggested to me by my partner at the firehouse was intense.  Probably one of the most emotionally draining, well written, thought provoking books I have read in a long time, go read it!

Peter Pan

One of my favorite books of all time.  It is one of my go to's when I need to be reminded that all of life is just one great adventure and to treat it as such.  This is one of the reasons books exist.

The Expanse

This is Sci Fi at its finest.  I enjoyed this book so much more then I thought I was going to and cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment in the series.  If you are looking for a very readable science fiction series, this is it my friends.

The Magican's of Caprona

Magic, magic, magic.  I could (and do) read Diana Wynne Jones all day everyday, pure magic.

The Mermaids Sister

A solid little fairytale that was both original and familiar.  The content was perfect for a midsummers read, especially in the hectic moving days.

Press Start to Play

August was a rough month overall, but this collection of stories at least gave some things to think about, which is always a good thing.

Chime

I loved this book so much.  I had high hopes for it and they were exceeded...which is really rare.  This book is weird and wild and different and I love it!

Cuckoo Song

This random read ended up being the perfect October read.  It combined mystery, atmosphere and a few hair raising moments, good book, good timing, happy reader.

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

This book was long, epic and pretty awesome.  It took me close to three months to finally get through the whole thing, but I think it was definitely worth it.

When Santa Fell to Earth

This surprising and accidental find reminds me to look for unexpected joy, especially during the holiday season.  This book was a great little Christmas story which put the star on the tree so to speak.

There we have it folks, a quick year in review of some of the books that stuck with me.  Hopefully I will find more reading/rambling time this next year in between my new epic adventures.  Happy Reading Everybody!

Wordle Roundup

Hello, happy last day of the year to you all.  I always like to take today to look back over the year and reflect on everything that happened both big and small.  I also like to look back over my blog and see which books I rambled on about.  This year I have chosen my favorite one from each of the last twelve months and put it into wordle form, just for something a bit different.  Let me know what you think :-)

January

A Wizard of Earthsea

I loved this book because it hit all my happy spots and started me on a new series, which has not happened in a very long time.

February

Saga Vol 1

A family of fairies and badasses, showing that Mamma's are always gonna win...even when nursing.  We need more stories like this that combine family life and...well...having a life

March

A Different Girl

I liked this book because it made me look at normal, every day things from a completely different perspective.  It was different, just like it's title.

April

Midnight-Bluelight Special

The second book in the InCryptid series cemented my love for Verity and her entire family.  I love it when the second book lives up to the first

May

Isaac Asimov's Faeries

An old school collection of old school style fairy tales.  I loved the variety and the feel of the stories in this lovely collection

June

In the Serpent's Shadow

A book that successfully combines healing, magic, animals, fairy tales, and women's rights is a rare one and should be treasured...even more so when it's a series!

July

Ancillary Justice

I love a book that makes you think, and this book made me think about a huge number of things.  The plot was a bit convoluted, but it stayed in my brain for a long time after reading it.

August

The Bards of Bone Plain

This book was sheer and utter magic.  It was like reading a song, or a piece of art, or a wonderful piece of food...it was lovely.

September

Clockwork Fairy Tales

Fairy tales, steampunk, creativity, traditionalism, actual world building so much cool stuff, crammed into these amazing short stories, definitely worth the read.

October

The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two

While not as amazingly awesome as the first two, this third book in the series holds it's own and still kindles that feeling of being in a place full of magic and wonder.

November

The Paper Magician

I love a story that creates magic out of the ordinary.  This book does it twice, once with paper and once with an actual beating heart.

December

The Thirteen Days of Christmas

This was a doubly cool read as I had been searching for it so long, it's mere presence was like a present.  When it was as fun as I remembered I knew it had to make the list.

Well there it is folks, my list of monthly favorites.  I hope you have enjoyed this year as much as I have, and look forward to a new year with excitement.  Tomorrow I will drag my slightly hung over self out of bed and try and get up my book resolutions.  Until then, tell me what awesome new (or old) books you have read this year.  Happy Reading Everybody!