The Best Books I've Read This Year & Readers' Choice Nominations

Each year I give myself reading challenges. Beyond the fact that I love listing things, reading challenges remind me (when I get lost in the haze of writing) that I need to take time out to read. If you want to see what I've read and where I'm at with my challenges, you can see all of it here.

These organized lists also help me keep track so that I can look back over the year and see which books stood out the most. So today I'm going to list my faves of the year.

THEN it's going to be your turn. Last year I did the Fiction Groupie Readers' Choice Awards and featured your recommendations. I'd like to do that again, so in the comments tell me what was your favorite book of the year (it doesn't have to be a book released this year just one you read this year.) And then I'll feature the list next week.

All right, so on to my picks for this year...

Favorite YA:

Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly

A fabulous story about a girl with a "touch of Asperger's" finding her way through friendship and first love. Amazingly good.

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

The title may make this sound like a fun YA beach read, but, man, it is so much more than that. Beautiful book.

Romance:

Haunting Beauty (A Mists of Ireland Novel) by Erin Quinn

A time-travel Irish romance that had me guessing at every turn. Awesome.

Erotic Romance:

Pleasure's Edge by Eve Berlin

A BDSM romance -This was one of those that I knew from the very first chapter that I wouldn't be able to put it down.

Corralled: A Blacktop Cowboys Novel by Lorelei James

One woman and two hunky bull riders. The author did such a great job of world-building that she made me want to go to a rodeo--and believe me, that's saying something for me, lol.

Finding Eden by Kele Moon

A male/male BDSM romance. This is a prequel to Beyond Eden. You don't have to have read one to understand the other, but I definitely recommend both. Disclaimer: This one is considered "darker" or heavier BDSM. So if you've never read the genre, you may need to work up to this one. :) )

Romantic Suspense:

Smash Cut by Sandra Brown

A serial killer who imitates famous movie scenes in his killings. How's that for high concept?

Writing Books:

Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder

Changed my life. That is all.

Are You There Blog? It's Me, Writer? by Kristen Lamb

I'm sure most of you already follow Kristen, but here's where you can get all her blogging tips in a nice, neat package.

Books by Author Friends Which I Loved:

Tempest by Julie Cross

Time-Travel YA - I technically read this one last year because I was a beta reader. BUT, it comes out Jan. 17 and is fabulous. Go buy it.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

A girl quarterback, a love triangle, and a whole lot of fun.

Okay, so those are my picks. Now it's your turn. In the comments, tell me what was your favorite book of the year. I'll feature the books (and link to the person who recommended it) in a future post.

Fiction Groupie Reader's Choice Awards--Best Book

Last week I asked you guys to pick your favorite book you've read this year. Thanks so much to all those who have responded! Now get your Christmas list ready because here is the list of what everyone thinks you should add to your TBR pile:

JEM said...

Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins, YA

Miranda said...

REVOLUTION by Jennifer Donnelly. It's YA, and it's a contemporary historical novel thing 
that's too difficult to explain. Everyone should read this book. It's emotional, has powerful 
themes and ideas, and the character development is superb.

Stephanie McGee said...

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, YA paranormal fantasy

Cinders by Michelle Davidson Argyle, adult literary fantasy

Summer Frey said...

The English Patient. Nothing new, but first time I'd read it and wow. It stayed with me for months.

Jessica A. Briones said...

Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen was one book that stood out for me recently, it is so well written and its details so vivid you became part of the circus world the story surrounds.

Heather said...

MISTWOOD, a YA fantasy by Leah Cypess. It was so beautifully written that at times it made me think of poetry. The world building was excellent, character development was compelling, and there were great twists.

Teri Anne Stanley said...

"Outlander"

"Flowers From the Storm"

then the whole dang Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

VR Barkowski said...

 
THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak (genre YA), but it was released in 2007, so I'm not sure it counts.

ROOM by Emma Donoghue (genre Adult Fiction). Riveting, poignant, and unique. It's written from the perspective of 5-year-old Jack who was born into and has lived his entire life in a space he calls “Room,” an 11 x 11 shed where he and his mother are held capti

Travener said...

I avoid 800-page books like the plague, but the fact that I couldn't put THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO down once I picked it up says something, I guess.

Lynn Colt said...

The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I read it for book club, and thought it was fantastic :) Don't know what genre it fits into besides historical fiction, though!

Karla said...

Any and all of the OUTLANDER series by Diana Gabaldon (time travel/historical/romance).

SOULLESS by Gail Carriger (steampunk/paranormal/romance).

SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater (YA/paranormal/romance).

But my absolute faves were all of the Stephenie Plum series by Janet Evanovich (mystery/romance/comedy). A friend has been pushing me to read this series for years, and once I got started, I couldn't stop. I read all 16 books in less than two months (sorry, family, for neglecting you, lol). 

Milo James Fowler said...

I'm in the middle of THE PASSAGE--don't know yet if it should make your list...
in medias res

Sierra Godfrey said...

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. I thought about that one a long time, and tore through it when reading. Not sure what genre it was-- Adult. Fantasy? It was definitely commercial fiction. With paranormal elements. Hmm.

Tiffany said...

Soulless by Gail Carriger. Most fun thing I've read all year (not written by me ;)

Paul Joseph said...

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. I know it has been around for years, and I have to admit, it was the cover that turned me off. It was breathing a strong feminine vibe. But, having a background in secondary education, it had been suggested at least 100 times (no exaggeration) so I finally cracked it open. Once I did, I couldn't put it down. It made me think, it made me reflect, and it made me consider explainations I never wanted to think about. Not only was it a great book, it was one of the most valuable reads thus far in my life.

Sarah Skilton said...

I LOVED LOVED LOVED "Thieves of Manhattan" by Adam Langer (perfect for writers and aspiring writers as it cleverly blasts/satirizes the publishing industry for all the fake memoirs of recent years but also celebrates New York, writing and genres) 

Barbara Demick's  "Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea." (nonfiction). It depicts the awakenings and journeys of several defectors, and provides a history of a place I knew virtually nothing about.

Lydia Sharp said...

BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver. Read it months ago and still can't get it out of my head. Awesome.

Sara said...

ASH by Malinda Lo was my favorite book this year. It's gorgeous, literary, lyrical fantasy (shelved in YA fantasy)

Hannah Kincade said...

Hater by David Moody. His rawness blew my mind.

Joanne said...

The Passage by Justin Cronin. Futuristic/Science Fiction/ throw in a vampire. Not my normal genre, but the reviews were intriguing. Once I opened the book I could not put it down. Wow - mind blowing writing, story, and characters. Absolutely the best this year. And I read a LOT

Bee said...

The Sky Always Hears Me And The Hills Don't Mind by Kirstin Cronn-Mills. It's YA.

Heather Hawkinson said...

Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich. If you're having a bad day, pick up a Janet Evanovich book, and you're sure to feel better in a jiff. 



Also read Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin. Love her humor and honesty. 

A Precious Jewel by Mary Balogh. All I can say is .... I LOVE Mary Balogh. She rocks the
romance world.

The Host by Stephanie Meyer -- deliciously creepy. Not as good as Twilight series, but still an interesting read. Could have been a little shorter.

Stina Lindenblatt said...

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney was one of them, 



as was Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead. :)

Miranda Buchanan said...

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher. I read it in one setting.

Terry Pratchett's I SHALL WEAR MIDNIGHT, a Tiffany Aching & Wee Free Men novel (4th book).

For fantasy it is hands down RED SEAS UNDER RED SKIES by Scott Lynch. It's the second in the Locke Lamora series which is like a fantasy Renaissance Venice & Ocean's Thirteen mixed together.

For Literary it would be OF BEES AND MISTS by Erick Setiawan. It's actually magical realism. And if you get a chance, read this guy's story. He came to the US as a teen w/o his family, not knowing English at all and put himself through college. Amazing.

 And I know it didn't get great reviews (and I like an underdog) so I'm going to put THE SWAN THIEVES by Elizabeth Kostova (author of The Historian) on this list as well. I thought the book was beautiful.

Savannah Rose Writes said...

Nora Roberts Bride Quartet Series as the best for me this year. I'm reading the last of the series and have enjoyed them all.

Emy Shin said...

It's a toss up between MATCHED by Ally Condie (lovely writing and world building) 



and BRIGHTLY WOVEN by Alex Bracken (I adore the characters in here).

E. Arroyo said...

THERE ARE NO CHILDREN HERE by Alex Kotlowitz. Non-fiction written in the late 80's early 90s about Chicago's housing complexes for low-income families. It followed the story of one family for two years. Awesome.

Victoria Dixon said...

"Escaping the Tiger," by Laura Manivong, 

closely followed by "Crossing the Tracks," by Barb Stuber. 

The book that made  me think writerly thoughts the most was "Under Heaven," by Guy Gavriel Kay. That one had me tied in knots wondering how to do this and that....

Laraine Eddington said...

For sheer "can't put it downedness" "Room" by Emma Donoghue. It had the most remarkable voice (authentic five-year-old boy) of any book I read this year.

Ann said...

Camilla Gibb's The Beauty of Humanity Movement and The Book Thief by Zusak.

Griffinclaw said...

Shiver by Maggie Maggie Stiefvater and the Book Thief.

Amie Kaufman said...

I finished Unwind by Neal Shusterman a few days ago. I'm not sure yet if it'll be my favourite book for the year, but I'm still in a daze just thinking about it. It got me in the gut like The Hunger Games did, so that's my recommendation.

tahlianewland.com said...

The Strangely Beautiful tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Heiber -romantic, gothic, fantasy. Truly beautiful and passionate in an innocent way.

Ruth Donnelly said...

Favorite kids' book: The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman.

Favorite adult book: The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

Amy said...

The Help by Kathryn Stockett. And I'd add Loving Frank by Nancy Horan.

And now my picks, since erotic romance needs some love too ;):

Rough Canvas by Joey W. Hill (m/m romance)--really this whole series was awesome (this is the only book of the series that is m/m, the rest are m/f romances). However, these are not for the faint of heart. If you're new to erotic romance, start with one of the other recomendations and "graduate" to these, lol.

Liberating Lacey by Anne Calhoun (this is a great one to try out if you've never read EroRom.)

Four Play by Maya Banks and Shayla Black

Riding on Instinct by Jaci Burton. (I've read a few in the series--think hot biker dudes and lots of suspense-- and have enjoyed them all, so you can't go wrong picking up any of them.)

Nicholas: Lords of Satyr by Elizabeth Amber (historical paranormal erotic romance--how's that for genre blending?)

Alright, so that's a lot of books for everyone to check out!  If you didn't participate in the previous post, what books did we miss? Which was your favorite? Which one on this list is going on your wishlist right now?