Favorite Reads: 2012
To be honest, every year, I dread making the Top Ten list more and more. I'm not sure why. I mean, it IS a lot of time and effort, no doubt, but even when I look at the titles, I have trouble trying to put myself back in the mindset of when I read them, which makes it harder to try and pick my ten favorites and rank them. After all, I've been rating them all year, right? It's tempting just to give you the list of books that made "7 - Good Read" or higher and be done with it, but that, too, takes some effort. So I'm forcing myself to sit down and make the list. Why am I whining about it? Honestly, it may be the last Top Ten list @ Calico Reaction. It may not, but I just wanted to prepare you (and myself) for next year if I decide not to do it. :)
A reminder to all of you who are long-time readers and a head's up for those of you new to the blog: my top ten list is based on what I read in 2012, regardless of the year the book was originally published. That means you'll see some titles published in 2012, but also some titles that are older. If you're curious to see the entire list I'm pulling from, click here on LJ or here on WP.
Also, ranking is HARD. It's kind of an emotional thing, which means books I read and loved earlier are at a slight disadvantage to those I read and loved later in the year. That being said, we have honorable mentions for a reason. ;) Remember, I do cheat a little, if I started a series that I loved the installments equally (or more and more as I read each installment), so if that happens, more than one book may take a slot.
With that said, welcome to the Top Ten List of 2012! For each entry, I'll provide a link to the original review, the "My Rating" portion of said review, along with a picture of the book cover and other necessary particulars. I'll also list my honorable mentions, so to speak, as well as discuss a few other interesting items of note.
If you're ready, it's time to check out Calico's Top Ten of 2012!
1) Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir (2012)
Written by: Jenny Lawson
Genre: Memoir
Pages: 336 (Kindle)
My Review: On LJ || On WP
I made a conscious decision to STOP being so stingy with my #1 rating. I couldn't put this down. I laughed. I nearly cried. I kept recommending that my friends read this book before I was even done with it. I want to get a physical copy so that when I re-read the book, I can see the pictures and the captions better (and while I'd like the hardcover, word has it the upcoming trade paperback release will have an extra chapter. EXTRA CHAPTER!). And yes, I want to re-read this. Because the theme of this book, amongst all the craziness, the astounding stories and the heartbreaking ones, lies an important message that I wish I'd learned early and I'm still not sure I've taken to heart: life isn't defined by your perfect moments, but rather your imperfect ones, and how you react to those moments defines everything. Lawson writes about her unique upbringing in such a way that no matter how insane, it's relatable, and her humor had me constantly tickled. It's my kind of humor (see the wheelchair comment behind the cut). When she publishes her next book, I'll be there with bells on. Hell, I should be reading her blog religiously by this point, but I'm afraid of spoiling the next book!
I know this book isn't for everyone. Hell, I can barely coherently write about it myself (another hallmark of a 10 rating). But I do think there's something in here for everyone to enjoy, even if it's not every page. So read it however you're able, and come back and share your thoughts.
2) Code Name Verity (2012)
Written by: Elizabeth Wein
Genre: YA/Historical Fiction
Pages: 343 (Hardcover)
My Review: On LJ || On WP
This book was utterly deceptive in a wonderful and satisfying way. I started off not understanding the hype, but my interest in the time period as well as the strength of the characters (the narrator, her best friend Maddie, as well as even the supporting cast, heroes and villains alike) kept me going, as did my internal guessing games, wondering who the narrator really was and wondering what kind of trick this book had up its sleeve. Because I was convinced the book had a trick up its sleeve. And of course it did. But even a jaded reader such as myself never saw it coming, and before I was even finished I wanted to flip back to the beginning to start over. It's that kind of utterly amazing reading experience that I rarely experience, where I'm left in complete and total awe.
Yet it was not a fast read by any means. That's not a detraction: it just took me time to read the book and really absorb the events as they happened. Despite the light, almost carefree tone of the novel, the events are dark and disturbing and feel more than real. I saw one review where the reader stated that by the end, she felt proud of the characters, and that's exactly right. They may be fictional, but they're so deeply rooted in history and so deeply rooted in humanity that you feel like you can open up the pages of a history book and they'll be right there. It's a lot to absorb, but it's also so, so, SO worth the read. I'm thrilled that I gave into the impulse to buy this, and I can't wait to read it again in the future.
3) The Fault in Our Stars (2012)
Written by: John Green
Genre: YA/Fiction
Pages: 318 (Hardcover)
My Review: On LJ || On WP
This was just, simply put, a wonderful book. And as Hazel succinctly puts it, "it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book." (page 33, but obviously, she wasn't referring to the book she stars in!) The voice captivated me from the start, and I'm so glad I didn't wait to give this a shot, because the book is so rewarding to read. I was so terrified of the end of it, because I was convinced I knew not only how the story would go, but exactly HOW the author would end it (I'm curious, for those of you who've read this, did you have that same fear?). I was surprised on all fronts, and I see myself coming back to this book one day to read it again and again.
Fans of John Green should not, by any means, let this book slip through their fingers. And if you haven't had a chance to read John Green yet, this is a fantastically awesome place to start.
4) Leviathan Wakes (2011)
Written by: James S.A. Corey
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 592 (Kindle)
My Review: On LJ || On WP
Literally could not put it down. It took me four days to finish, and that's darn impressive considering the page count! Every time I'd reach the end of a chapter and thought about doing something else, I'd then go, "Oh, I'll just read one more chapter," and then I'd reach the end of the next chapter and the same thing would happen all over again. I love how Leviathan Wakes blends all kinds of genres, because we get space opera, SF horror, SF noir (!), a teeny-tiny love story, and even the illusion of hard SF, even though the authors say it's not. It's a story that's quite grounded in its POV characters, and the conflict inherent in the world-building is fascinating. There are so many layers to this book that just when I thought there couldn't be any more, I'd be wrong. While it's not a perfect book, I was so engaged that I had to stop myself from downloading the sequel, Caliban's War immediately, but now that I'm done with the book, I can't wait to read more in this world. Good thing, too: because there's a novelette in addition to the sequel waiting on me!
Leviathan Wakes is definitely one of my favorite books nominated for the Hugo this year. It doesn't take the very top slot, but it's a very, very, VERY close second, so close that I may need to sit back and compare my one and two picks before committing them to the ballot. I'd easily recommend Leviathan Wakes to any fan of SF or space opera. It incredibly readable, and while I wouldn't say it's a gateway SF novel, you wouldn't have to have a WHOLE lot of SF under your belt to be able to read and enjoy this without getting tripped up on any of the SF-nal world-building.
Caliban's War (2012)
Written by: James S.A. Corey
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 624 (Kindle)
My Review: On LJ || On WP
The sequel to Leviathan Wakes was utterly enjoyable, with an ending that convinces you you're missing the rest of the book and therefore has you chomping at the bit for book three. Fans of Leviathan Wakes shouldn't wait to get their hands on this sequel. Like its predecessor, it reads fast despite the length, and Corey expands and explores his futuristic universe and ramps up the tension between all kinds of factions, micro and macro. As I said before, this series is officially on my pre-order list, and I can't wait until the third book comes out. Sadly, I will have to wait, since the third book won't come out until next May. But if you haven't yet checked out this series? That gives you PLENTY of time to do so, so don't miss out!
5) Morning Glories Deluxe Collection: Volume 1 (2011)
Written by: Nick Spencer
Illustrated by: Joe Eisma
Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 352 pages
My Review: On LJ || On WP
I was a little worried that this title would be over-hyped, or that its similarities to Lost would be far less satisfying than I'd hoped. But I figured, one hardcover, not a big loss, and it'd give me plenty of time to figure out if I liked the story.
Well, I'm 100% sold, and salivating for the next collection. Everything's here that was promised, and the comparisons to Lost are nothing but a good thing. That being said, I can see how some people would hear that and take it as a warning: this kind of complex storytelling and myth-making always runs the risk of having no payoff, or even worse, a disappointing payoff. I don't know what to tell you. The series is on-going, and this is only the first twelve issues. For me, I'm thrilled to be a part of the ride. The characters all have their own unique personalities, and better still, they act like the teenagers they're supposed to be. The mysteries are all fascinating so far, and answers to some questions have been solely doled out through out the series thus far, all while raising new questions. That's the best kind of storytelling for me -- it keeps me on my toes and has my brain actively engaged in trying to figure out what's going to happen. 12 issues in, and I'm completely thrilled so far, and can't wait for more.
6) Paladin of Souls (2003)
Written by: Lois McMaster Bujold
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 482 (Mass Market Paperback)
My Review: On LJ || On WP
It's so funny that The Curse of Chalion was an okay book for me. Good but not great. Now that I've read Paladin of Souls, I want to go back to Curse and sink my teeth into everything that I missed the first time. Granted, it helped already being familiar with the world, the characters, and the gods, so I was immediately comfortable with Paladin of Souls in a way that I was never comfortable with Chalion. That being said, Ista is a wonderful heroine. A kind of running joke regarding her is that instead of calling her "Sweet Ista," she should be called bitter or cranky or cross instead, and yet all of this comes as an endearment, because Ista is the kind of woman who does not suffer fools gladly, and yet has her own grace. It's the kind of woman that's inspiring to me, as well as a woman I don't get to see very often in fiction.
So I'm thrilled I decided to give this Hugo and Nebula-winner a shot. I'm glad I have the third book in the series waiting on the shelf, though it's definitely going to wait. Because I've been warned it's very different from both Chalion and Paladin, and that it's better appreciated with some distance from both, which is what I intend to do. And then one day after that, I may just re-read these books all over again.
7) How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe (2010)
Written by: Charles Yu
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 256 (Kindle)
My Review: On LJ || On WP
This book is not for everyone. I'll say that first and foremost. And because most of my review is quoting, really, all you have to do is sample the book, look at the quotes, to see if they resonate with you at all. The book is so many different things at once: a fictional memoir of what I bet is a somewhat factual story; a time-travel loop brain-melter; a humorous piece; a story about memory and regret and family; a love letter to science fictional geekery everywhere. This book is META, and it's a fascinating and fast read, but I will say it's best read in big chunks. Not only does that allow the voice to hook you and stick with you, but it helps when the narrator goes on the tangents comparing time travel to memory and all that wonderful fun stuff. This is the kind of book that resonates with me deeply on an emotional level, because it touches on so many things I can relate to, and yet the science and geekery makes the book fun to read. This is a book I can see myself coming back to again and again, because there's so much to get out of it. So glad this ended up being our book club pick for January!
8) The Testament of Jessie Lamb (2011)
Written by: Jane Rogers
Genre: Futuristic Fiction/Post-Apocalyptic
Pages: 348 (Trade Paperback)
My Review: On LJ || On WP
This is a great and easy book to recommend. For fans of literary SF, who enjoy chewing over futures found in books like The Handmaid's Tale, Children of Men, and Never Let Me Go. For readers of feminist SF, because there are a lot of things to discuss and debate in this little beast. For readers who want to read more SF but don't want to be bombarded with the science of it all, and mostly, for readers who want to see a mature post-apocalyptic story that isn't just an excuse for a romance. This book raises big questions, and gives you more than enough to find the answers that make sense to you. And while I haven't read the other Arthur C. Clarke nominees, this was a great pick to win, and it was better than some of the books nominated for the 2012 Hugo (sadly, the US didn't get this book until 2012, so that's why American readers didn't know to nominate it. I wonder if it'll be eligible for the 2013 Hugos?). It's a compelling and satisfying read, and it's one I plan to revisit one day.
9) The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There (2012)
Written by: Catherynne M. Valente
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Pages: 272 (Hardcover)
My Review: On LJ || On WP
It took me a while to read, but that's more due to my busy life than anything, and besides, Valente's work is meant to be savored and enjoyed. The first book managed to get quite a lot of award recognition, and I can only hope and pray that this one does as well, because Valente's writing simply delights. The Fairyland books are so accessible, and her imagination and words inspire wonder in readers of all ages. If you haven't yet read The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, go forth and read it now. You can even read the free Tor.com short story The Girl Who Ruled Fairyland -- For a Little While, which is a prequel to the first book. Wherever you're at in this series, get yourself caught up and read the latest gem. I can't wait for the next one!
10) Redemption in Indigo (2010)
Written by: Karen Lord
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 224 (Kindle)
My Review: On LJ || WP
This is one of those books I can see myself re-reading in the future. It's short and sweet, but with a whole lot packed into its pages. While I finished it quickly, Redemption in Indigo had a lot of depth and constantly surprised me with its characters and story decisions. Other authors would've taken a more convention route, but not Karen Lord, resulting in yet another utterly enjoyable read for my book club. Well, utterly enjoyable for me. We'll see how all of you book-clubbers liked it, but I will say if you've haven't had the opportunity to read this book, you're certainly missing out. Also, reading this book will make you hungry. That is all. :)
Normally, I do 11-25 in this slot, but my brain isn't firing on all cylinders today and I ended up doing 11-35. Because for some reason I thought I was supposed to have 25 books behind this particular cut. Oh well. It is what it is. :) And you'll notice I've cheated a bit: if the books were part of a series, they're all in the same "slot." But I can do that. I will say, I read some great books this year, and it was really tough to choose the top ten, let alone cut this list down to size, so trust me when I say, you can't go wrong with any of these (depending on your own personal tastes, of course).
So here's the runners-up, in alphabetical order by title (NOT by order of preference).
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor (review on LJ || WP)
Ashes of Honor by Seanan McGuire (review on LJ || WP)
Bellwether by Connie Willis (review on LJ || WP)
Blackout by Mira Grant (review on LJ || WP)
Bloodchild by Octavia E. Butler (review on LJ || WP)
The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells (review on LJ || WP)
The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson (review on LJ || WP)
Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente (review on LJ || WP)
Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire (review on LJ || WP)
The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi (review on LJ || WP)
Fables: Deluxe Edition: Book 2 by Bill Willingham (review on LJ || WP)
Ganymede by Cherie Priest (review on LJ || WP) AND The Inexplicables by Cherie Priest (review on LJ || WP)
Goliath by Scott Westerfeld (review on LJ || WP)
Ha'Penny by Jo Walton (review on LJ || WP)
Heart of Iron by Ekaterina Sedia (review on LJ || WP)
Joe the Barbarian by Grant Morrison (review on LJ || WP)
Jovah's Angel by Sharon Shinn (review on LJ || WP)
The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin (review on LJ || WP)
Lies & Omens by Lyn Benedict (review on LJ || WP)
Mockingbird by Sean Stewart (review on LJ || WP)
Redshirts by John Scalzi (review on LJ || WP)
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (review on LJ || WP)
Silver Screen by Justina Robson (review on LJ || WP)
Timeless by Gail Carriger (review on LJ || WP)
Unholy Magic by Stacia Kane (review on LJ || WP)
Some interesting observations:
1) About half of the top ten was actually published in 2012. In the runners-up, it's about twelve, so again, roughly half. Considering that last year the number of books I read was equally split between new 2012 releases and old TBR titles, it makes sense the lists ended up this way.
2) The top ten itself is a little different. Three YA titles, but two of those aren't even SF/F. I've also got a nonfiction book in my #1 slot and a graphic novel nabbing a slot as well. Quite the variety, when you consider past years. And considering my top three aren't even SF/F titles, it may be an indicator I really need to start branching out more, genre-wise.
3) I had two book club selections make the top ten list (the first two, which I find interesting) and two make the runners-up (the last two, also interesting). I feel better about last year's book club than I did for 2011.
4) I got to read a lot of short fiction this year, thanks to the Hugos. I didn't add those to the list because that'd just make the whole thing unwieldy. I will say, though, that my absolute favorite piece of short fiction was Ken Liu's "The Paper Menagerie" (review on LJ || WP). I read other fabulous pieces, but that one stands out sharp in my memory.
Whew, that's it! You'd think I'd come up with a better way to do this, like somehow rank these books as I read along during the year. Hey, that's actually not a bad idea… at any rate, I'm still gathering info together for the Top Ten Giveaway, but in the meantime, please feel free to browse through the lists and talk about how your favorites compare to mine!