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Today is giveaway day at Armchair BEA, so make sure you head on over and try to win some free books and other goodies!
Those of us not sponsoring a giveaway are asked to write about our favorite books of 2012.
I rarely accept books for review because I have discovered that I hate reading on a deadline, so I mostly read from my own shelves or from my local library. So when I say “My favorite books of 2012,” that means books that I read in 2012. I don’t think I’ve read any that were published this year.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King was fantastic. I do enjoy King’s work, so I liked reading “behind the scenes” of some of his stories. I can’t say that I’ve read any other writing manuals, but King’s advice seemed to be pretty straightforward and simple enough to follow. Says the non-writer.
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese is a great big story like I rarely take the time to read any more. I loved getting lost in Ethiopia. Verghese brought the sounds and smells of the country to life for me.
I re-read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee in April and I loved it just as much this time around. I came away with a new appreciation for Jem. Don’t you love how you get something different from a book every time you read it?
I haven’t written a review yet, but I was surprised by how much I loved Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. My aunt finally talked me into reading it by promising to do a read-along with me and I had so much fun texting with her about it! My emotions about Rhett and especially Scarlett were all over the map, and I still don’t know whether I grudgingly admire them or admiringly hate them.
I’ll give an honorable mention to The Thorn and the Blossom by Theodora Goss because I loved the physical book itself so much. I could just love on that book all day.
What have been your favorite reads of 2012?
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21 Comments
I still request books for review but I have cut back quite a bit. Many of the books I've read this year were actually published this year but not all. Most of my favorites of 2012 were not published this year. I did read Cutting For Stone this past February and it was a fantastic book, the kind of story that stays with you. I read Gone With the Wind when I was a teen and I hated Scarlett. I think I'd still feel the same way about her now. I also read To Kill a Mockingbird as a teen and need to reread it sometime.
+JMJ+
How I wish someone would do a read along of Gone with the Wind me! I'm usually happy thinking of reading as a "solitary" activity, but sometimes I just want a reading buddy. You know? =)
I have On Writing on my shelf and reallly need to get to it one of these days!
Cutting for Stone was one of my favorites for this year as well.
A nice selection of reads. The Thorn and Blossom cover is gorgeous.
The Thorn and the Blossom looks really good!
I'm reading Gone with the Wind right now and I'm really enjoying it. I think I read it way back in high school but I didn't appreciate it then.
Cutting for Stone is an amazing novel. Yes it's long but absolutely worth the time.
I've heard really good things about Cutting for Stone from most people who have read it. I love the cover art for The Thorn and the Blossom. I want to read it just because it is so pretty.
I read Gone With The Wind and To Kill a Mockingbird in the '70s. I also saw their respective movies which I liked even better. Back then it was common for folks to buy the book after seeing the movie as the general assumption was that the book would be better. I am dating myself aren't I?
I love your choices for your favorite reads of this year!
I really enjoyed Stephen Kings writing book. I liked the advice but I liked the stories too.
I've only skimmed Gone With The Wind but it's one of my favorite movies. I find people either hate or love Scarlet and Rhett, there's not in between. I personally love them.
And, last but not least, I finally read To Kill A Mocking Bird a few years ago and am so glad I did. What a great book.
My faves are rarely read in the same year they come out. I loved re-reading To Kill a Mockingbird a few years ago. I had a totally different take on it.
I adore To Kill A Mockingbird, always an amazing classic to go back. It's nice to see that on the list. Gone With the Wind was a really good one too.
I've always wanted to read On Writing, after hearing sooo many great things about it! The Thorn and The Blossom sounds wonderful! Great picks!
<3 Britta
novelday.blogspot.com
Having read Gone With the Wind in about 8th grade, I am happy to have anyone discover and love it! That was my favorite book for a long time. Good choices!
I'm the same, I only read and review what I want, so it's mostly older books. I like your choices. I've read To Kill a Mockingbird and it is amazing. It's one of those books I can see myself re-reading and enjoying for years to come. I really want to read Gone with the Wind. Started it years ago but had to return it to the library before I could finish it. And On Writing looks great too!
I love To Kill A Mockingbird, and thanks to a blogger, in 2010 I got to read it.
I hope you'll come by my giveaway.
I'm happy to see Gone With the Wind on your list, it's one of my all-time favourites 🙂
I'd love to read that Stephen King book…I've enjoyed his fiction and recently read 11/22/63.
Here's MY ARMCHAIR BEA POST
I don't always read books as soon as they are published either. My list is a combo of books published this year and some not.
I've heard really good things about Cutting for Stone and am hoping to read it soon.
Happy Day 2 of Armchair BEA!!!
Check out my best of 2012
On Writing is great. I need to reread To Kill a Mockingbird. It has been years.
I haven't read many books published in 2012 either – I always wait until June or July – but my 2 stand-outs this year have been Daughter of Smoke & Bone and Mistress of Rome!
Tanya
Girlxoxo.com