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.
