When I set out at the beginning of 2012 with the goal to read more, even if it was just a few pages each day, I never knew that I would re-ignite my passion for reading and good books in such a fervent way. I have fallen head over heels in love with books again and have been incredibly inspired by an amazing lot of authors this past year. I’ve recapped my thoughts on each of these books in previous Connect Through Reading posts, but thought I’d share a brief post on my top favorites from 2012.
My new favorite way to read these books is with my Kindle Paperwhite. I have an old Kindle, a nook, plus an iPad with the reading apps on it but this new Kindle Paperwhite blows reading with the other devices out of the water. I love how it’s compact, backlit, easy on my eyes, and convenient to use. It’s a simple e-reader, without the distractions of email, facebook, twitter, etc. If you are looking for a fairly inexpensive (currently $119 on Amazon), yet wonderful e-reader, I have to recommend giving the Kindle Paperwhite a try.
Now, for my top six reads of 2012…starting with my favorite and in order from there (although it was hard to stop at 6!)…
1. Heft, by Liz Moore. Read my review here.
2. Unbroken by Laura Hildebrand. Read my review here.
3. 11/22/63 by Stephen King. Read my review here.
4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Read my review here.
5. The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield. Read my review here.
6. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman. Read my review here.
It has been such a great year of reading for me. I’ve taken the Goodreads challenge and have set a goal to read 30 books in 2013. Won’t you join me?
What were your favorite reads of 2012? I hope you’ll share them with me here!
Happy reading!
Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I need a new good book to read! I can’t tell you the last really good book that I read! I need to go through all of your suggestions and cuddle up somewhere for a while and just read!
Unbroken is on my list to read this year. I keep hearing how good it is so I knew it was a must read for this year. I love seeing what others have on their book list. It is a great way to get ideas and learn about new book, so thanks for sharing.
I would have to say 11/22/63 was definitely one of my favorites this year, as well as Gone Girl. I also loved The Secret Daughter and Still Alice.
I just discovered the Good Reads app for my phone (duh), I’m in such a reading mood lately and have a nice list of books to get through (a lot thanks to you!). Homecoming of Samuel Lake and Heft definitely on the list!
Happy reading Kristen! You always inspire me 🙂
Robyn – you would love so many of these books, but I guarantee you would love Heft and The Homecoming of Samuel Lake. I promise!
Thanks for this post!!! I was brooding yesterday about how little I had read last year and had resolved to fix just that and you have given me a list to dip into!! :))
I Love this post. I had set a goal to reach in 2012..to read 52 books…I didn’t quite make it, I read 36. Some of the ones you listed are some that I read, but Gone Girl, I have not read & seem to be seeing it everywhere now. I will put it on the list for 2013.
Lynn – Unbroken is a must read. It will give you a whole, new perspective on life!
I LOVE reading and still love the old school way…real books, no e-readers for me!!! Some of my recent faves are:
-More Than Words Can Say by Robert Barcley
-Stay by Allie Larkin
-City Girl, Country Vet by Cathy Woodman
I am currently reading A Gift From Tiffanys by Melissa Hill and am having a really hard time putting it down!!!
I just started The Fault in Our Stars by JOhn Green and am hal way thru! It is fantab!!!
what a great list, Kristen. thanks for sharing!
Love this! I am in need of a new book to read and now I have a whole list!!
Thanks for the ideas! I, too loved Unbroken!! I also loved the Divergent Series, and The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.
I added all of these to my good reads must reads! 30 books in a year is a huge goal! you go girl!
what a great list of books! i was just in need of some new titles! 🙂 thanks for the suggestions.
Great list! I have 11/22/63 on my list to read. I read Gone Girl and Unbroken and liked them both a lot. Adding the others to my list! Last year I really like Still Alice (am reading Left Neglected by the same author right now and love it too!) and The Art of Racing In The Rain. I really liked The Paris Wife too.
Thanks for the suggestions. I really liked Defending Jacob, probably one of the better books I read last year. We read The Kitchen House in book club and all enjoyed it. The Language of Flowers was also very good. I was just picking book and reserving books from my public library today as so many publishers have listed the best reads for 2012.
Kristen,
Thank you so much for this list. You have been an inspiration to me to begin reading once again. It will be wonderful to have your “go to” list.
I’ve loved your book posts in the last year – you always read such interesting things and I almost always head over to Amazon to download your recommendations! I look forward to more in 2013 : )
I’m ’bout to go willy nilly on this list!
I am so up for the challenge…i want to read 26 books this year…I’ve never kept track before and thinking 1 every two weeks sounded good…I just put a bunch of these books on my amazon kindle wish list…and you are so techy with your gadgets…i just have the basic kindle…i don’t do well with new techy change…hahahaha
this years favorites of mine…
The Bungalow
“I Heard You Paint Houses”: Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran & Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa
The Midwife’s Confession
My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey
Bringing Home the Birkin
Sarah’s Key
oh gosh I can’t stop now…and i just realized i could have looked back on my kindlee to count the number of books I read…hahahaha
looking forward to see what books you post about in 2013.
Oh thanks — I’m anxious to see more of what you read in 2013! I joined the GoodReads challenge too!
Ah HA! Two of my recommendations to your are in your top six… I’m so proud. ha ha
Hi there. I discovered your blog through Pinterest when looking for good book recommendations and am working my way through your list. I just finished Heft yesterday and thought it was great. It’s actually a book that I think would make a really powerful movie. Thanks for the suggestions and please keep giving them! I’m in grad school right now and haven’t had the time to read for pleasure since Christmas break (where I just read the HP series for the third time) and now I’m making it a priority to read more often again.
Thanks!
Thanks for coming here and letting me know! I hope you enjoy the books as much as I did.
I actually wrote the author of Heft begging her to do a sequel or something. I still miss the characters!
I’ve been kind of on a reading slump this year, which isn’t like me. But, I appreciate the encouragement and will keep sharing what I read!
Thanks!
Thanks for introducing me to Goodreads! And I appreciate your recommendations. Loved Gone Girl. My favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Kat Martin, Maya Banks. I like romance and mysteries. Read on!!!!!
I Loved The Meryl Streep Movie Club. I listen to audio books during my commute to & from work, which makes the drive so much more pleasant.