As December rolls around every year the annual Best Of lists start cropping up all over the internet, and I for one love them. Inevitably they mean adding books and movies and television shows and video games and music to my ever-growing list of entertainment of which I would like to partake, but that is a hazard I am willing to fully embrace as I wade into these posts, be they from professional outlets, from authors, or from passionate bloggers like yourself.
I get giddy every time I see one of these lists crop up via email or other blog links.
I generally wait until I see the year’s dying embers before posting my list because experience has shown that I end up reading something late in the year that will make it on to my list. This year was no exception. In fact my favorite book of the year was read a scant few weeks ago.
This promises to be a lengthy post, per usual, so I apologize in advance. At the end of the post is a Mr. Linky for you to post links to your various Year End posts and I do so hope you’ll provide links so that we can all blog hop and see what stories grabbed hold of you this year and wouldn’t let go, regardless of what format those stories were in. Please share your opinions, not just about my choices, in the comments as well.
My 12 Favorite Reading Experiences of 2012
Unfortunately I find myself in the position yet again where I have books that made this list that I did not review, much to my shame and disappointment. If a book title is highlighted then the link will take you to my review, if not I will try to do a brief summary.
In reverse order from when I read them (as I took them off of my 2012 Books Read list):
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows ~Alan Bradley
Bradley’s fourth offering in the Flavia de Luce mystery series finds the de Luce family snowed in at their family estate, Buckshaw, with cast and crew of a film unit using the house as backdrop for their latest picture. Bradley breaks ever so slightly with form to give us a touching Yuletide story that is so well realized that it wouldn’t have surprised me if snowflakes had fallen from the pages as I was reading it. The word “delight” frequently crops up in my reviews for the Flavia books as it the most apt one-word description for what Bradely’s stories do and what they make me feel.
Ready Player One ~Ernest Cline
I came quite late to the party on this one and when I finally decided to see what all the buzz was about I chose to have Wil Wheaton read it to me. It was an excellent choice. My admiration for Wheaton has grown tremendously over this past year and his audio book narration is just a small part of that. Had I read this book myself I may have complained more over the need for further editing. As it stands I am the target audience for this loving homage to video games and 1980’s culture and I felt enveloped in wave after wave of nostalgia as I experienced the adventures of Wade Watts, aka Parzival. Cline married an exhaustive knowledge of the 1980’s to highly plausible speculation regarding near future technological capabilities to tell a highly creative, innovative story. It is a story written for a niche audience and yet the inclusion of the 80’s pop culture references helps it bridge a gap between genre fiction enthusiasts and those who generally stay away from science fiction and fantasy. This one is a real winner and I highly recommend the audio version.
Apollo’s Outcasts ~Allen Steele
It has been a long time since I have been this thankful for a review copy of a book. Had I not gotten the email requesting a review I might have missed out completely on hearing about this gem of a book. Written in a style that is an affectionate tribute to Robert A. Heinlein’s juvenile fiction, Apollo’s Outcasts is one of these best sense of wonder books I have read in a long time. Allen Steele utilizes current scientific speculation to tell a story of a lunar colony that feels so plausible that you cannot help but have a melancholy ache that it isn’t a reality. It is a book featuring young adult protagonists that reads genuine without resorting to a host of teenage cliches. Irregardless of whether or not a person reads or enjoys science fiction, this is a book with broad appeal that I just know you will enjoy. If you care about characters and like a thrilling tale, pick up this book. This one very nearly came in as my favorite overall read of the year.
The End of Eternity ~Isaac Asimov
Arguably my favorite Asimov novel to date, and I am a self-proclaimed avid fan of the man’s work. If you already like Asimov’s work, this is a must read. If you read the Foundation books and don’t see what all the fuss is about, read this book. The End of Eternity is a fascinating tale of time travel and manipulation that gave me the same thrills as more recent “stories” in a similar vein in films like Dark City and Gattaca. Andrew Harlan is an insular character whose career path ostracizes him from the bulk of his society and that colors his narration in a way that adds a layer of suspense to an already suspenseful adventure/romance story. I could not put this one down once I started in on it.
The Night Circus ~Erin Morgenstern
And so we come to the first book I did not review, a great travesty because I adored this novel. I bought it when it first came out and then foolishly sat it aside, missing out on being able to gush about the book with the many others who were simultaneously doing so. The Night Circus is a love story with characters that I cared about deeply, magic that permeated the story in creative ways, and language that conjured up all manner of fantastic scenes in my imagination. I want so desperately to step outside one night to see the lights of Le Cirque des Rêves in the distance. I was, and remain, so enamored of Morgenstern’s story that it is all I can do to not walk around all day with a red scarf wrapped round my next. I am a Rêveurs.
The Brutal Telling ~Louise Penny
Bury Your Dead ~Louise Penny
I discovered the fictional town of Three Pines and Lousie Penny’s wonderful Chief Inspector Armand Gamache in mid-August and quickly binge read through the first seven of her eight novels. Penny’s Three Pines mysteries contain a cast of memorable characters and Penny seems to have the unique gift of making each book better than the one before. Story arcs cross various books before being wrapped up and yet each book is a part of a large whole centered on Armand Gamache, who has quickly become a favorite literary character for many reasons, not the least of which is his romance with is wife. To say I fell in love with these books would be putting it mildy. I am including these two books as one entry because a major story thread travels between the two and even though Bury Your Dead is my true favorite of the series thus far, because of its interesting historical story line, the full impact of the book can not be appreciated without first reading the equally gripping The Brutal Telling. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, be they in book or television/film form, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of Still Life and allow yourself to get immersed in Penny’s small Canadian village.
The Freedom Maze ~Delia Sherman
Sherman’s win of the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy coupled with Kathleen Jennings‘ cover illustration lead me to seek out this book despite its subject matter. While I have a great sadness and respect for stories written about slavery, they generally are not the kind of books I seek out for reading enjoyment. Something about this one spoke to me though and a quick visit to the library was followed by a complete and total immersion into Sherman’s world. Subtle folklore mixed with real-world inspiration gives this young adult story a special magic that permeates every page. I was swept up in the story and found myself emotionally engaged in the adventure of thirteen year old Sophie Fairchild Martineau. I have yet to add this book to my collection but it is a given that I will be doing so at some point.
Mistborn: The Final Empire ~Brandon Sanderson
I read my first Brandon Sanderson novel, The Way of Kings, in 2011 as part of a group read and decided this past Spring to make my next foray into Sanderson’s imagination in the same way with a read-a-long of the first book in the Mistborn trilogy. The Final Empire pales slightly in comparison to TWOK only because it was written much earlier and shows the occasional lack of polish, but when I say “slightly” I mean just that because Mistborn:The Final Empire is a gripping, character-rich novel with an imaginative magic system that sucks you in from the very beginning and keeps the suspense building until the very end. It was a great pleasure to be reading and discussing this with others who were equally passionate about the story. I had a more deep and rich reading experience because of that interaction and when I think back to the time we were reading this I get that warm glow that comes from good memories. Sanderson is a top-notch author and that is very evident in this novel.
Dead End in Norvelt ~Jack Gantos
I heard author Jack Gantos on NPR speaking about his Newbery Medal win for Dead End in Norvelt and he cracked me up. Laughing that much during his brief interview had me convinced that this semi-autobiographical coming of age tale was one I just had to check out, and it was an easy decision to go with the audio version of the book once I discovered that it was read by the author. Having grown up in a small town myself, I gravitate towards young adult books and memoirs with a similar theme, irregardless of whether or not the era they were written in coincides with my own childhood years. There is a kinship in experiences in small town/rural life that crosses generations and I felt that kinship strongly while listening to Gantos’ recount his tales of adventure and woe in the summer of 1962. This story is equally funny and heart-warming and is one I would recommend highly for listening to on a family trip. The characters are easy to relate to and the story is very entertaining.
Hunt the Space-Witch! ~Robert Silverberg
I bought this collection of Silverberg 50’s era pulp stories because the cover was one of my favorites of 2011 and although I had not read any of his fiction, I was (and remain) a big fan of Silverberg’s monthly columns in Asimov’s Science Fiction magazine. The seven stories in this collection took me back to my early reading experiences of stories by Harry Harrison, stories that cemented my love of science fiction. These are pulp-era stories, replete with the cliches that are so well-worn now and are thus, unfairly at times, dismissed as unworthy of reading. Beyond the interest of these stories as pieces of the history of science fiction, the skill for which Silverberg has been praised over the years is quite evident in these space yarns, stories filled with action, adventure and the sense of wonder that makes classic science fiction such a pleasure to visit all these decades later. Although there are books that I rated higher than Hunt the Space-Witch that are not on this list, the experience of reading this collection has stood out strongly in my memory all year long.
The Planet Buyer ~Cordwainer Smith and The Underpeople ~Cordwainer Smith
Another regret over reviews not written. These two novels are also being included as one entry, only this case it is because they are both halves of a Cordwainer Smith novel titled Norstrilia. And were you to read these as I did in their separate novels, you would be advised to have the second book lined up and ready to go because the first simply ends and the story continues in the next. I am a fan of the short fiction of Dr. Paul M. A. Linebarger, aka Cordwainer Smith, and was excited to read this, his only novel. That excitement meant I had high hopes for this novel and those hopes were met with an emotionally satisfying reading experience. I would be the first to admit that Smith’s unique writing style is not for everyone and yet he remains an author that I strongly encourage readers to try. Norstrilia is a novel filled with romance in the grand sense of the word. It is a novel made more special because it is built upon the foundations of many of Smith’s short stories, thus I recommend reading the collection Space Lords and You Will Never Be the Same first. It would take a long post to explain exactly why this was such a special read, one that I will need to do at some point after a re-read of these books. Suffice it to say that this is one of the best visits to the classics I have made.
And Now, My Favorite Read of 2012
Wool, Omnibus ~Hugh Howey
My inaugural experience with a self-published ebook was an unqualified success. Hugh Howey’s short story Wool, which spawned reader-demanded sequels also hooked this reader, demanding that I buy all 5 ‘books’ that make up the overall story. I spent precious little time rushing through them as the story, the characters, and the setting captured my imagination fully. Wool won me over in stunning fashion, it was one of those books where the review practically wrote itself. Wool is an easily accessible book not only for fans of science fiction but for those who tend to shy away from the genre. Readers of all kinds will relate to the characters that inhabit Howey’s universe and those who sit down with a book longing to have an “experience” will find ample fuel for the imagination within its pages.
And there you have it. I completed 55 books this year, nearly half of which were science fiction. That percentage is much higher than it has been for many years. My goal was to finish 65 books, a goal I fell short of in large part because I spend a great deal of the summer reading magazines and websites related to running. It has been a very satisfying reading year and one I enjoyed sharing with you.
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My 5 Favorite Films Viewed in 2012
I may be one of the few bloggers willing to admit it, but John Carter remains my one of my favorite films of the year. I saw it multiple times in the theater and have enjoyed it on blu ray as well. It is far from a perfect film and numerous articles have been written about how the movie’s reception suffered in part because of its poor marketing strategies. I won’t go into that here. What I will say is that it is rare for a science fiction film to inspire in me the kind of enthusiastic response that I had when I was a kid watching the Star Wars films and John Carter gave me a glimmer of that feeling. The film makers set out with a passion to bring Burroughs’ now-dated classic to the screen with as much faithfulness to its spirit as could be had and I believe they succeeded marvelously in doing so. This is pulp-era storytelling with contemporary techniques and I am sad more movie-goers did not take advantage of the opportunity to see this on the big screen.
Castaway on the Moon is a Korean film that starts with a man attempting suicide while an agoraphobic young girl hides out in a darkened room on an upper floor in her apartment complex. Sounds delightful doesn’t it? Truth be told, that is exactly what this is. It is a quirky comedy populated by two protagonists who have very real pain in their lives. The triumph of the movie begins early as each character is forced by circumstances to begin to take control of their lives in small, seemingly insignificant ways. The two begin to share an unlikely, and comical, bond that does not shy away from their problems but instead embraces the humanity that we all share. In my review I wrote: “The smile on my face at the end of the movie was so bright I swear you must have all seen it and been momentarily blinded” and thinking about it now I cannot help but smile again. Available on Netflix streaming. Well worth a viewing.
Romantics Anonymous (Les Emotifs Anonymes) is yet another quirky foreign romantic comedy featuring flawed characters that I fell hard for this year. This French film also features two main protagonists, each so painfully shy that it inhibits their ability to successfully navigate the romantic relationships they so desperately want. I couldn’t help but think of one of my all-time favorite films, Amelie, as I watched this. Like that film, Romantics Anonymous is rich in color and texture and it has such a sweet heart that you cannot help but want to grab hold of both characters and give them each a warm hug. The film is very funny while at the same time being surprisingly touching. Both main actors are pitch-perfect in their performances. I was so thrilled when I opened my Christmas presents to find a copy of this movie from my darling wife. This film is also available on Netflix streaming.
It took far too long for Daniel Craig to return to the big screen as James Bond, but Skyfall proved to be well worth the wait. Surprisingly enough the film was even a hit with the critics, who emphasized the maturity and growth of the character. I liked the film very much. I do not believe it tops Casino Royale as the best Bond film ever, due in large part because of that film’s faithful adaptation to the source material. But Skyfall was very, very good. The film eschews the opportunity to be yet another action film by infusing it with a worthy story element and well-timed emotional beats. I thought the rest of the cast was well chosen. If you have not seen the film and have managed to miss any spoilers to this point I strongly suggest you try to maintain that ignorance and see the film as soon as you can.
And Now, My Favorite Film Viewed in 2012
This can surely be no surprise to anyone. I am an avowed fan of both Tolkien’s work and Peter Jackson’s interpretation of that work and I was thrilled when circumstances changed and Jackson took over the helm of this project. I went in with expectations of disappointment on some level and came out thrilled with the results. I don’t pretend to be totally objective when it comes to these films, yet I would have no trouble voicing complaints if I had any. Perhaps the knowledge, and even the hope, that these films would not be as good as the Lord of the Rings films had an effect on how I viewed this. At any rate I enjoyed it immensely despite its length and the liberties taken with the story. The Hobbit is a worthy addition to the film legacy of both Peter Jackson and the adaptation legacy that is being built for Tolkien’s work on film (figuratively speaking). It was light-hearted as befitted the source material while also having an air of seriousness that both underlies Tolkien’s work and ties it in with the greater history of Middle-earth. The scenes with Bilbo and Gollum were alone worth sitting through the film.
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Those are my feelings as we sit here at the close of 2012. These are the books and movies that have stuck with me and/or I suspect will stick with me long after 2012 is but a memory. These are the stories I engaged with rather than merely reading or viewing them.
This post has gotten too long or I would spend more time talking about the first part of Dr. Who Season 7 and the recent Christmas special (I LOVED Asylum of the Daleks and the Christmas Special, the rest was okay but not as good as Season Six) and also about the enjoyable hours spent traveling in Skyrim and sneaking around in Dishonored.
From an entertainment standpoint it was a good year.
Now I want to know about you. What did you like? What failed to impress? Please share links below to any Best Of posts that you have written, be they one or many, and please feel free to let me know your thoughts of disagreement or agreement with my choices. I look forward to seeing what you have to say about the year in review.
The new Flavia, The Night Circus and Ready, Player One are in my list for next year… Seems I have a lot of good books ahead of me! I already made a note of the Wool omnibus when you reviewed it, very intriguing.
I will be anxious to see what you think of all four of those books if you get to them next year Joanna.
Interesting list as usual 🙂 I loved The Night Circus, Ready Player One and The Freedom Maze. Wool Omnibus is one I’m adding to my reading list for the upcoming year.
I’ve been loving all your lists these last few weeks, Tanya. I need to try to get to Mechanique next year since I know you liked it better than Freedom Maze of all the Norton nominees. It sounds like such an intriguing book.
I loved John Carter of Mars so much! I’m kicking myself for not making time to see it when it was on the big screen.
and you and I share a love for Cordwainer Smith. I could read just him the entire month of January and be a very happy camper.
my favorite thing about everyone’s year’s best lists is that they are all so different. . . it’s making my “books I want to read!” list explode. and that’s a good thing, right? 😉
I don’t know if I’ll manage it at all with everything else I want to read but I sure would like to read those two novels again and give them a proper review…although it was difficulty in trying to make sense of a good review that stopped me the first time, lol! I was so excited when you got hooked on him.
I love the variety on the lists as well, Andrea. So many of the books I have read over the past several years came from year end discussions. And it is a good thing, I agree fully!
I really enjoyed Skyfall, and have yet to see The Hobbit (sick child through the holidays), though I am so anxious to get to it soon. I’ve seen John Carter a few times now , and it’s fun, almost campy, so once I realized that I really enjoyed it. I really want to see both the foreign films you listed, now 🙂
Books: I have wanted to read Freedom Maze for over a year, but haven’t been able to get a copy yet. I completely agree about Louise Penny, as Bury Your Dead is on my top 10 list for this year also. I finished it recently and it was so powerful. I’ve now added the Allen Steele to my want list! lol
You had such a lovely year in reading, Carl, and it is so good to see old books on your list as well as brand-new ones. I haven’t got my list done yet, I’m working on it this weekend.
Sorry to hear you had a sick child through the holidays. I feel so sorry for your child, especially. Couldn’t be a worse time for a child to be sick.
John Carter does stay just on the right side of being campy and I think that is because some of the very best camp builds off of the good old pulp ideas. Those are some good foreign films, I hope you enjoy them. I think we are going to give Romantics Anonymous a rewatch tonight.
Glad to see we agree on Bury Your Dead. Wow, what a book!
It was a lovely year, I look forward to your list and hope you’ll come back and post a link here.
Very interesting list. I own The Night Circus – thanks to Suey – but have yet to read it. I see it sitting on my book shelf patiently awaiting its turn. Apollo’s Outcasts looks good; on my list that one goes.
I have just started thinking about my year end list. Not too many books read by me so the list should not be too difficult to throw together. Off the top of my head, I am thinking that Mistborn will find its way onto my list too. I just read Still Life and loved it. That one may land on my list as well. I have yet to read more books in the series, but am greatly looking forward to it. Thanks for putting Louise Penny and Inspector Armand Gamache on my radar – I am strongly certain that he will be a literary favorite character of mine too.
Wool is intriguing; the cover alone has me wanting to open the book and fling myself into the words.
Movies – not a big movie goer. I need to think about this last year to even know if I saw a movie in the theater or not. I do want to see the Hobbit – maybe next week with the older girls. I also want to see Les Miseables….maybe next week. I do want to view John Carter, eventually one day. I am not a Bond fan so I will pass on Skyfall; don’t even know what it’s really about but have heard from others it’s good.
I will link up here if I manage to get my year end post up by end of next week.
Happy New Year and wish you tons of reading fun during 2013. I also wish you continued motivation and excitement for running.
Apollo’s Outcasts may be one others in your family would enjoy too, Deanna. Will be interested to know what you think of Night Circus. I’ve seen some divisive reviews, which I understand. It happened to be one I couldn’t help enjoying.
I’m so glad you read and enjoyed Still Life. Believe me, they get a lot better as the novels go on.
I saw far fewer movies in the theater this year than normal myself. Two of my 5 picks were actually things I saw on Netflix streaming. They get to be too expensive anymore. I’m hoping we can get out to see Les Miz in the next few days.
I do hope you get a list up, would love to read it.
Love this post Carl. Definitely going to read the Wool Omnibus. It’s on the list!
Can’t wait for all the sci-fi and Vintage Sci Fi. Got my books picked out. 😀
Lynn
I’m looking forward to both as well, and glad to hear you’ll be giving Wool a read. I hope you like it.
I love when someone can make their favourite post exciting and engaging, wish I had that talent, great stuff.
I had Alan B to read and decided on another, loved Flavia in the first, I must continue on. LouiseP is on my list to try. I have heard of some of the others and read you and Natalies comments regarding Wool.
My ultimate favourite was Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, just wow, an amazing gothic classic, can’t wait to read her other books.
Have a great new year.
Thanks Marce! This took an inordinately long time to do today, mostly because of resizing images. I’m glad I went through my book posts a few weeks back and had most of my decisions already made.
I really enjoyed Natalie’s review of Wool. Brought all my own excitement back to me.
Rebecca is a fantastic book. Very high up on my all-time favorites list. It is also a special one to me because I recall it as being the first book I picked up and read and then passed directly to my wife who also loved it.
You have a great new year as well.
I am totally intrigued by WOOL now that I’ve read your recap and Natalie’s (Coffee and a Book Chick’s) review. Cool!
Wasn’t Natalie’s review great? Very fun to read. You must check it out.
love these kinds of posts too. I collect them and spend time deliberating my to-be-read list and -watch list and think about coming year. working on faves list presently.
great reads and film choices. I adore your eclectic reading/viewing tastes.
Me too. I’ve been aching to post mine after reading so many of them over the last month but I’m glad I held out until today.
Thanks for the kind words. My reading tastes aren’t as varied as others I sometimes feel, but I do tend to enjoy what I read.
My best-of in books will go up tomorrow! It also includes Mistborn. 😀 Though I still say the Mistborn books were far superior to The Way of Kings. 😀
I’m so glad to hear you loved The Night Circus. I read it right before Halloween last year, and ended up going as a reveur for Halloween. 😀
We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one Amanda! At least at the moment. I haven’t read more than part of book two of Mistborn so I obviously cannot do a full comparison. 🙂 Looking forward to your list.
What a great Halloween idea, especially because if people asked you what you were it gave you the chance to tell them about the awesome book.
I love these lists. The only book on the list that I read this year was The Night Circus. And I really did enjoy it a lot. Very creative. I will probably try to pick up a couple of these other books as they look quite interesting as well. I rarely go to the movies so I didn’t see any of these movies this year. Although I do plan on seeing The Hobbit.
I saw The Hobbit for a second time today, Deb, and enjoyed it even more on a second viewing. Knowing all that happened I could just sit back and let it sweep over me.
The Night Circus is a very creative book. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, I really appreciate it. 🙂
Hmm, quite a few books on here I’ve read or have been meaning to read… I keep hearing I should read Sanderson, and I’ve been intrigued by Night Circus for a while. So many books…!
And I’m with you on John Carter–one of the best movies I saw this year. And that’s really saying a lot when I love the books so much, giving the movie a lot to live up to! I was very sad that didn’t do better at the box office. I was hoping for at least a trilogy. Well…at least there’s more Hobbit to look forward to!
Sanderson is great! I’m reading his most recently published book, a novella called The Emperor’s Soul. Liking it very much so far. If it continues this way it may be the book I recommend to get people hooked on Sanderson, since it is such a nice bite-sized sample.
So glad we agree on John Carter. I’ve been itching to watch it again but am waiting to do it as part of the Sci-Fi Experience. I was hoping for a trilogy as well, but that is obviously not to be and it is a real shame.
Hi Carl, that is such a great list. I have a great time participating in your reading events this year and I look forward to 2013. Last year, I read some of Cordwainer Smith’s short stories for Little Red Reviewer’s January Vintage Scifi month and really enjoyed his work. I will have to seek out more of his stuff.
Its been great having you! Thank you!!! Smith is a different bird, but I do so love his stuff. Space Lords remains my favorite collection and recently I bought Rediscovery of Man which has ALL of his works in one volume and I really would like to sit down and just start reading it, savoring stories over a long period of time.
I only read two of the books that you read. One I liked ( the Flavia de Luce book) and the other was “ok” but not a favorite (Night Circus) But I certainly can’t argue with the Hobbit movie! I saw it twice and wouldn’t mind seeing it again!
I am trying to write up a “year end” post and will link it above when I post it :o)
I thought I remembered The Night Circus being a “meh” experience for you. Glad you enjoyed Flavia though. And soon we get a new one to enjoy!!!
I went out today and saw The Hobbit for a second time. Loved it all over again!
doin’ the happy dance! I think I liked it even better the second time! lol
🙂
Thank you for this list! I’m already adding titles to my TBR list for next year! 😉
I read my first Chief Inspector Armand Gamache book because of your review! 🙂 I’m 3/4 of the way through the third. It took me forever to get the first from my library! 🙂
~Hope
I’m so happy when I hear that I’ve turned people on to the Gamache books as I feel like I’m returning the favor for those who got me started on them. I really like that third book. So good!
Impressive list of books and movies! Like you, I loved THE HOBBIT and can’t wait for the sequels. And, because of you and Rick Robinson, I’ve discovered Louise Penny’s mysteries. Very impressive! I’m a fan of Cordwainer Smith, too. The NESFA volumes of Cordwainer Smith’s works are well worth owning.
Thanks George! I went out today and saw The Hobbit for a second time, this time in the 48 FPS version. I personally liked it, thought it looked great and enjoyed the movie even more the second time around.
Richard was the main one who turned me on to Louise Penny. Something I’m very thankful for, as are my wife and daughter who are listening to all of them on audio.
I have Rediscovery of Man from NESFA and want to get Norstrilia at some point.
Great list! The ones intriguing me are the science fiction books Apollo’s Outcast and The End of Eternity. I totally agree with John Carter as well 🙂
Just added the link to my post in the linky!
Apollo’s Outcasts was so good. I was very excited to pass it on and even bought a copy for someone for a Christmas gift. End of Eternity was great too.
Ah, John Carter. When he says that line at the end of the movie it just makes my heart leap!
Oh, I know! I really wish they’d make another one but I don’t think it’ll happen.
Me either. There is all kinds of talk, or at least was at the time, about the director not getting another shot at a live action movie and I certainly hope that isn’t true. I think he treated this property with the kind of respect that few other directors would have.
Totally agree with Ready Player One (it made my list as well) and The Night Circus made last years. Wool looks interesting, I’ll definitely have to investigate further on that one!
Both are great books, aren’t they? I suspect you would enjoy Wool. It is a very well realized universe and one darn good story.
Great list! I also loved Skyfall and have just added Emotifs Anonymes and John Carter to my to view list. Like you, I found The Night Circus magical. I’m really sorry I bought that one for the kindle as I now wish I had a hard copy to share. (I’ll rectify that little problem soon.)And this year I learned of Louise Penny thanks to you. I’m currently on my third of her books–the holiday one, which is fun to read this time of year.
Glad you enjoyed Skyfall. You will have fun with Romantics Anonymous. We watched it again the other night and found it just as sweetly quirky on a repeat viewing.
Yes, I’m glad I bought The Night Circus in hardback when it first came out, it is a lovely book in and of itself.
Yea! Louise Penny! I had forgotten the third one was set during the holiday season.
So I’ve putted Wool on the wishlist and taken it off so many times now, but it’s officially going on there for good now!
Glad to hear it! It is well worth keeping on the list. 🙂 You can read the original short story for free online on Amazon if you want a sample of what the story might be like.
Yay for a good year! I saw The Hobbit on Christmas and really liked it. I owe you a big thanks for posting about Romantics Anonymous. I got my husband to watch it with me and we both loved it! Happy New Year!
I’m so glad you liked it Stefanie! Also very glad you guys both enjoyed Romantics Anonymous. Such as sweet film. Give Castaway on the Moon a try too, it is very good.
Oh no! MORE books for my TBR list!!!!
I was quite impressed by John Carter, which was nowhere near as bad as many of the reviewers made out. The same is true for The Hobbit, which I loved . . . but then it would have had to have been really rubbish for me to dislike it! I loved Radagast with the bird poo down his face and the bunny-pwered sled, and I can’t believe that they actually managed to make Rivendell look even more beautiful!
Happy New Year, and thank you for all the fun that you have led me to this year!
Yes, Rivendell looked really cool. Was so great to see that again. I wasn’t a big fan of the bird poo, gotta say. 🙂 Loved the bunnies.
Happy New Year to you too, and you are very welcome.
I too love Flavia, and I am really looking forward to the new book in the series which is coming soon 🙂 I own Night Circus but just haven’t gotten around to it yet — so many books to read! (I believe that is known as “best problem ever”)
I watched Les Emotifs Anonymes this year as well, and found it quite charming over all. Of course, it is French and about chocolate so it was pretty much a given that I’d like it… glad to see that you did too!
Isn’t Flavia a dear? I like your definition of “best problem ever”, I agree!
I wanted to go on a chocolate binge both times I watched Romantics Anonymous.
Will be interested in your opinion of The Night Circus.
I just added my favorites of the year post to the linky. I loved your post and it inspired me to write my own. My husband also enjoyed this list. I will probably be back to comment on specific titles you covered.
I’ll be by to check it out Tracy. Glad you and your hubbie liked the list.
Looks like you’ve had a wonderful diverse and exciting year in books and films. Happy New Year to you and your family. Here’s hoping 2013 will be just as good if not better.
It was Jessica! Thanks for the well wishes and I wish all the same and more for you and your family this year!
I need to put more book covers with my end of the year lists. Carl and others have made some very beautiful layouts with covers.
Reading these lists makes me want to add a lot more books to my to-be-read pile. Time, I need more time.
I love looking at book covers Jim so it is just too hard to resist putting them in the post.
I have added so many books mentally to my to be read pile from these lists this year. And I love it!
Happy New Year Jim!
Wow, Wool was the best of the year! I am so glad you loved it! Did you know Flavia’s next book is out in January? I am so excited! as to the movies, i’m going to drag the husband to Skyfall over the weekend. I liked John Carter as well, though we watched it on 3d bluray rather than the theater. I really didn’t see why people hated it so much?
Yes, I’m very excited about the next Flavia book. I’m going to try to actually get to it right away this time!
Wool was incredible. I so loved it!
I think the critics were just overly harsh on John Carter. I read SO MANY blog posts from average movie goers who loved it. I hope you both enjoy Skyfall. Will be interested in what you think.
You’ve already dropped in on my lists, but I’ll link here anyway for posterity. I split mine into two so I could cover just this year, which I though was a particularly strong genre year, and the other 70+ books I read. Nary an overlap for us! In fact, I haven’t read anything on your list, though a couple are waiting on the pile. I’m eager to see what other people are talking about this year, but I have to get the kids down first.
Thanks, I’m glad you did. Isn’t it fun when you read a lot, or feel you’ve read a lot, and you don’t have any overlapping books when comparing to another? I actually love that there are enough books out there for that to happen.
Get those kids to bed and start blog surfing!!! 🙂
It’s a nightly battle, one that I have been losing lately.
Oddly enough, your cover for Castaway on the Moon is in Japanese, which threw me momentarily. 🙂
Kids are tenacious, to be sure!
I liked that cover image best when I was looking for poster art to include, so yes, Korean movie, Japanese writing. Odd. 🙂
Happy New Year, Carl!
Some interesting choices here, one in particular that keeps popping up on other blogs, Wool Omnibus.
Just finished my list for 2012, it was a much more mellow year than 2011.
Thanks Delia! Wool is fantastic, well worth checking out, especially since you can grab the first short story free on Amazon. I’ll be over to check out your list, Happy New Year!
It sounds like you had an excelling reading/viewing 2012! I think, just based on your recommendation I’m going to have to look for John Carter at the library–the marketing certainly encourage me to watch it, but your enthusiasm has. Also, you’re making me want to go watch The Hobbit again (also my favorite movie of the year).
Happy New Year and Happy Reading!
Happy New Year. I like you, also wait until the year is over, before posting my favourite reads, because I always read to the last minute, and sometimes one of those books makes it on the top ten list.
By the sounds of it, I need to read, Ready Player One. It seems to pop up everywhere I go. Glad to see the Night Circus make your list, as it was one of my favourite when I read it in 2011.
Favourite movies for me where Avengers and Dark Knight Rises. Hobbit was great, but not a favourite of mine.
Good luck for 2013
If you do read Ready Player One I cannot recommend the audio version enough. I am not alone in the feeling that I might have quit reading it had I been doing it in paper form because it is a book that could have used a liberal amount of editing for length, but the audio version was spectacular.
Isn’t Night Circus wonderful? I’m looking forward to seeing what Morgenstern has for us next.
Avengers was a lot of fun. I’m kicking myself for not having seen it on the big screen, was most impressed with it.
The first of the Mistborn trilogy was one of the best of 2009 (impressive worldbuilding), but had such a hard time with the second (it seemed endless!) that the third is languishing in the TBR for years now. Looking forward to your thoughts on these two.
I need to get back to the second book. I was having a hard time getting into it myself and decided to step away rather than have hard feelings about it. I will get back to it at some point.
What a great year! I really like I Am Half-Sick of Shadows and Dead End in Norvelt, too, and just LOVED The Night Circus. Romantics Anonymous sounds fantastic; I’m adding it to my Netflix queue.
Oh do, I think you’ll like it very much.