Book Reviews

‘The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.’ Alan Bennett

“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.” ― Franz Kafka

Saturday 30 June 2012

Mid-Year Review 2012

2012 MID YEAR ROUND-UP  

We are already halfway through 2012. Hard to believe, and a little terrifying, I think, but it's true. So I've been looking back over the first six months of the year, and I am thrilled at how many really good books I've had the chance to read. 

There have been some wonderful books from across different genres, including literary fiction, young adult/crossover reads, crime and thrillers, historical fiction, and romance.

I have picked out just some of my favourites below to highlight again at this point (in no particular order). It's very hard because there have been so many brilliant reads this year so far. Looking forward to the second half of 2012!


I had a 'goodreads' challenge this year to read 100 books, and I think I am already at around 80, so I think I will be able to amend my 'goal' to maybe 150 instead. Did you set a goodreads challenge, how are you doing with it?

I would love to hear your comments, do let me know if you've read and enjoyed any of these, and if you agree or disagree, and what are your favourites so far this year?


(There are reviews of all these books on my blog - click the 'Review Directory' tab to find them.)

SOME OF MY FAVOURITE READS SO FAR THIS YEAR














21 comments:

  1. What a lovely selection of books you have there!

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    1. Thanks for your comment Nancy! Some fabulous reads this year so far.

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  2. Great choices, I have two on my tbr. I loved Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, Lost Angels by Manadasue Heller and Kiss & Die by Lee Weeks. So far this year these have been my favs

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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    1. Thanks Lainy. Thanks for sharing your favourites, I still need to read Me Before You, and will look into the others you have recommended.

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  3. Of the ones you listed, I'm most keen to read Heft & Tell The Wolves I'm Home (and of course Wonder Girls). I did set myself a GoodReads challenge but cancelled it as every time I logged in and saw how far behind I was, it filled me with guilt. I ended up picking my next book depending on how short it was or how easy it would be to read rather than how much I wanted to read it!

    Marie
    www.girlvsbookshelf.blogspot.com

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    1. They are really good reads Marie, I do hope you enjoy them. I was behind on goodreads last year, I seem to have managed to read a little faster this year. I agree though that's not a good way to feel about your reading as if it's a race!

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  4. It's interesting top see your picks...sometimes I feel like bloggers are all reading the same things...but we're obviously not! There's a few 've read form yours, The Light Between Oceans was amongst my favourites so far. I'm edging ahead of my Goodreads challenge of 180...but only by a few books so I'm not going to change it!

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    1. Nice that there is some variety then :) The Light Between Oceans was one of my very top reads so far.

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  5. Some fabulous books on your list. I enjoyed Bad Moon Rising and I'm currently reading - time permitting - The Queen's Secret. A fab read so far.

    Thanks for giving me more ideas for reading materials... :-)

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    1. Glad you are enjoying The Queen's Secret, Cathie. Hope you'll like some of the others here when you get time. Thanks very much for commenting :) I must read Dark Deceit.

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  6. That is a great list. If I made one The Last Summer, The Light Between Oceans, and Tom_All Alone's Would be there too.

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    1. Thanks :) So glad you loved those three too.

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  7. Good looking choices there, Lindsay.

    I am looking forward to reading Wonder Girls.

    carol

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    1. I hope you like it Carol, hope your copy arrived x

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  8. Hmm, haven't read any of those! Of the stuff I've read for my blog, Silverhorse stands out. Otherwise, the first three Gianrico Carofiglio books, having started with the fourth, last year...

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    1. I am going to read about those now, thanks for the tips!

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  9. That is a lot of favourites! Are they in order? If you put HHhH on the top line instead of Last Summer (which I haven't read) then that would be my top 4. Lots of the others in my TBR pile - I should start reading them now!

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    1. There have been so many books I've loved though, I debated with myself for ages how many to include, so I thought I'd highlight quite a number from different genres. They aren't in order but having said that the first four are very much my favourites. Lots for you to enjoy if you have them TBR!

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  10. Great that you've done a mid-year review. It's good to see some of your favourites.

    Some I've read Lins and a couple are on my Kindle.

    I've changed my Goodreads challenge twice now and no doubt will change it again. Thought I would direct some energy into other projects but I haven't! Still avidly reading.

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    1. Thanks Shaz. I changed my challenge a couple of times last year, towards the end.

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  11. Wonder Girls for me, too, Lindsay. Some fabulous choices! Well done on reaching 80! Phew! :) xx

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