Top Three of 2008
Last year I picked three favorite books from my year's book log. I believe I'll make that a tradition. I do have to say, though, this year didn't have standouts like last year when Widow of the South skyrocketed into my top five favorite books of all time and Natural Born Charmer became my favorite romance novel ever. I didn't get that "I'm in love with this story and could read it over and over again" feeling from any book I read this year, but out of the 60 books on my list, these were the best.
#1 The Road by Cormac McCarthy
I already shared why I think this book is so powerful, and you can find it in my journal under the tag for book reviews or the entry titled, “The Saddest Story.” Everyone should read it. It's life changing. I can't say it has become an all time favorite of mine because it's just not something I can read over and over. The content is too heavy for that.
#2 The Arcane Society Novels by Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick
Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz
White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz
Second Sight by Amanda Quick
Third Circle by Amanda Quick
I'm not usually one for paranormal or fantasy romance (I know, I know...the subgenres are HUGE right now, but I tend to have a problem with suspending my disbelief that much). That said, I really like these. Granted, they're light paranormal, but they're a mix of romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal with an overarching secret society of people with psychic talents that's been in existence for centuries. How can stories like that not be fun? The fact that some of the stories are historical (Quick's) showcasing the society during the Victorian period and some are contemporary (Krentz) showing how the society works in the modern age just makes the reading that much more interesting. The newest in the series just came out and I'll definitely buy a copy.
#3 Writing the Breakout Novel and Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass
I'm obsessed with writing craft books. Not a lot of them make it onto my book list because I only list books I've read cover to cover and I don't tend to do that with craft books that often. These were an exception. I read them with highlighter in hand. The information is that good.
And there you have it--my top reads for 2008.
#1 The Road by Cormac McCarthy
I already shared why I think this book is so powerful, and you can find it in my journal under the tag for book reviews or the entry titled, “The Saddest Story.” Everyone should read it. It's life changing. I can't say it has become an all time favorite of mine because it's just not something I can read over and over. The content is too heavy for that.
#2 The Arcane Society Novels by Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick
Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz
White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz
Second Sight by Amanda Quick
Third Circle by Amanda Quick
I'm not usually one for paranormal or fantasy romance (I know, I know...the subgenres are HUGE right now, but I tend to have a problem with suspending my disbelief that much). That said, I really like these. Granted, they're light paranormal, but they're a mix of romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal with an overarching secret society of people with psychic talents that's been in existence for centuries. How can stories like that not be fun? The fact that some of the stories are historical (Quick's) showcasing the society during the Victorian period and some are contemporary (Krentz) showing how the society works in the modern age just makes the reading that much more interesting. The newest in the series just came out and I'll definitely buy a copy.
#3 Writing the Breakout Novel and Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass
I'm obsessed with writing craft books. Not a lot of them make it onto my book list because I only list books I've read cover to cover and I don't tend to do that with craft books that often. These were an exception. I read them with highlighter in hand. The information is that good.
And there you have it--my top reads for 2008.