In the past, I’ve sent my “best of (year)” list in an email. And this year I did that. But my email service has made a lot of changes that aren’t working well for my needs, so I may end newsletters entirely and use this blog section instead. So for those of you who did not get this list via the newsletter, I’m sharing here!
In the past, I’ve compiled one list that included all my/our favorite books, even those that were rated high, and then shared another list that did not include them. This year, I’m keeping it simple by just sharing favorites that are rated moderate or lower.
Fiction
Homecoming, by Kate Morton. All I have to say is it’s another great novel from Kate Morton, so you should read it. As with her other books, she alternates between time periods and shows how secrets kept for years end up making a big impact. And as always, I found myself swept up into the tale, caring deeply about the characters. Rated mild.
Murder Your Employer, by Rupert Holmes, is a superbly entertaining novel in the form of a guidebook written by the dean of admissions of the McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts (a secret school whose purpose is to help people learn how to effectively “delete” people). It follows the plans and executions (double meaning intended) of those plans of three characters whose employers have caused them and others a great deal of pain and frustration. So clever. Rated moderate.
Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt, is a charming novel about family that just happens to be narrated by an octopus. I loved all the characters and couldn’t put the book down because I was so eager to see everything come together as I knew it would. But then I was sad it was over because it was so delightful. Rated moderate.
The Wishing Game, by Meg Shaffer, is just about my perfect book: it has romance, happy endings for all, a clever mystery/game, and a sweet story that gently touches the heartstrings (without being melodramatic or overdoing it). It is a book that pays tribute to books and the worlds readers escape in. Rated moderate.
Nonfiction
A Fever in the Heartland, by Timothy Egan, examines the period in history (during the 1920s) where the Ku Klux Klan pulled the strings in politics in Indiana. It is disturbing, sobering, and jarring. Not just because all of it actually happened, but because so much of it is echoing today. Rated moderate.
Young Adult
Anatomy and Immortality by Dana Schwartz. This gothic duology is set in 1800s Edinburgh; the heroine, who comes from a certain segment of society, wants to be a doctor but of course is expected to marry well and be ladylike. When she attends introductory anatomy classes dressed up as a man, she loves it. But then she’s discovered and has to figure out alternate ways to study anatomy. That brings us to the grave robber who will help her secure fresh corpses to study. And it just gets more interesting. Rated moderate.
Defiant, by Brandon Sanderson, concludes the Skyward series of four books (plus three novellas). I LOVED them all! Teens in space, served with sides of some romance and humor/snark, get me every time. And Sanderson does it so well. If you haven’t read them, go get started. Rated mild.
Divine Rivals, by Rebecca Ross. In this fantasy book, readers are transported to an alternate World War I-inspired world where gods clash, destinies entwine, and love blooms bright against the darkness. Katherine wrote, “Prepare to be swept away by this literary gem that showcases the power of words to capture the essence of humanity’s victories, struggles, and the enduring beauty of love in its most raw and authentic form.” Rated moderate.
Nettle and Bone, by T. Kingfisher, is “an original fairy tale that at first glance seems born of madness,” Meaghan wrote. “While it’s true the plot is crossed with a dark, eccentric mystery and a light touch of horror, it is also a meticulously built fantasy with endearing characters and page after page of sarcastic, witty dialogue.” She said it swept her away and became an instant favorite she recommends to everyone. Rated moderate.
The Stardust Thief, by Chelsea Abdullah, “takes inspiration from many stories within One Thousand and One Nights,” Meaghan wrote, “weaving lush mythology and vibrant world-building alongside Arab fairy tales. I absolutely loved this concept of stories within a story, and Chelsea Abdullah certainly delivers. Where it really shines is how it incorporates Arab mythology and fairy tales into the history of a new fantasy world, making it feel rich and alive and almost nostalgic.” Rated moderate.
