Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Top 10 Books of 2015

How about a reading year in review? What did you read that was epic?

It wasn't as big a reading year for me as normal. With the sleep deprivation and baby, I set my sights low thinking 30 books was a reasonable goal. And doubled that. Not too shabby, eh? So, of those 60 books, I proudly present my top 10 of the year:



#10 THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL: While I had reservations about this one as far as content, appropriateness, and plot for MG, the characters are so solid that I can still hear their voices in my head.



#9 POLAR NIGHTS: I never read murder mysteries. Never. But when you've got a vampire involved? This isn't your sparkly crush variety, but a nasty, age-warped creature. What I adored most about this book was being transported to the arctic tundra of Alaska. I tell you, even while living in Florida, I felt cold while reading this one. (Adult novel.)




#8 SCHISM: This was a fun concept with character arcs that really stretch. (YA to NA.)




#7 QUEST OF THE HART: A sweet fantasy featuring a Disney-like princess who has to get her "hero on" or say goodbye to the kingdom. A fun YA.



#6 ILLUSIONS OF FATE: I ADORED Kiersten White's debut novel, Paranormalcy, so I thought I'd give this one a try. I wasn't disappointed to be sure. It felt almost like Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass type world, but definitely with a softer tone. (No crazy assassin business.) A fun read.


#5 BEING HUMAN: This book may not appeal to everyone, but it won me over by its uniqueness and true-to-reality (alternate reality) voice. The underlying themes grabbed my heart and I adore the characters and the struggles they face. This is contemporary meets vampires in a world that's been through a vampire apocalypse. Probably the best thinking book of the year.




#4 THE EIGHTH DAY: Epicness wrapped in bacon. This MG book series is rapidly becoming a favorite in my household. The concept is epic, the characters are loveable, and the plot? We're fans.




#3 PEACHVILLE HIGH: This is an entire series. I read the first book in 2009 and have been itching to get back to it ever since. (Doesn't that speak volumes?) I binge read 4 books in the series over Christmas break (and I usually abhor witches).




#2 THE INQUISITOR'S MARK: Love. Love. LOVE! MG at its finest. Break out your imagination and follow characters who are the embodiment of epic sauce. (Second book in the series.)




#1 CHIMERA: OH. MY. GOODNESS. This was my absolute my #1 read. Absolute. One of the authors contacted me and asked if I'd be willing to review the book. I tolerate Sci-fi (and occasionally like it), so I shrugged and decided to go for it. Best. YA. All. Year. The characters are so rich, so real, and their struggles keep you pinned to the pages. Please, go read this. Now!

 
Now how about a giveaway?

Last week Eric Price shared with us UNVEILING THE WIZARDS' SHROUD and THE SQUIRE AND THE SLAVE MASTER, along with two truths and a lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win a print book and eBook.

The Game:





1. I know some guys in a local St. Louis band called Earl. Back stage at one of their shows at the Pageant, they asked me to go out after the break and play bass, which I did.
2. I've met Rob Zombie. In a strange sort of creepy, quazi-ironic way, I met him on Easter Sunday.
3. I have a tendency to win front row seats to concerts. I've seen Billy Joel, Elton John, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers all from the front row.



The lie: #1. Eric met the guys in Earl through a friend who's a DJ for an independent radio station in St. Louis. He had been back stage at the Pageant with them, but the event he's talking about took place at a small club located above a restaurant. During a break, they had people go on stage and play. They tried to get him to take the bass, but he refused as he has negative musical talent.

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...


Congrats, Susan! 

And now for this week's feature... 

Emma never dreamed of being a super-sleuth. In her mind, she’s more Scooby Doo than Nancy Drew and when her nosy neighbor, Mrs. Perkins, drags her to an anniversary party to solve a mystery, she rolls her eyes, buys a box of chocolates and hops in the car.

What’s a party without an attack on its host—or more accurately on the host’s grandson, sparking an allergic reaction and moving the party to the hospital waiting room. Suddenly, everyone is a suspect. Emma and Mrs. Perkins, along with Great Aunt Alice (a spirit with boundary issues who keeps stepping into Emma’s body like a new dress and playing matchmaker), dive into an investigation that almost gets Emma killed along with the man they are trying to protect. With so many reasons to kill him and so much to be gained if he died, Emma and Mrs. Perkins must unravel the tenuous ties that point to every member of his family as potential killers.

Even if it means going back to the psych ward, Emma will protect her friend and this innocent man. What good is freedom if it’s haunted with guilt?
Get your copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author?

Anna Simpson lives near the Canadian-US border with her family. Even though she’s lived in several places in British Columbia, her free spirit wasn’t able to settle down until she moved back to her hometown.

She is easy to find though, if you know the magic word — emaginette. Do an internet search using it and you’ll see what I mean. :-)

You might find her with brie and a nice merlot when friends drop by. (It seems to set the perfect mood.)

Anna gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win signed bookmarks and a charm bracelet! (Open Internationally.)



You have until Tuesday, January 19 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on January 20.
TRUTH OR LIE

1. I have stood exactly where I was born and it is in the middle of the produce section of our local grocery store.
2. I was given a tarot deck from a complete stranger.
3. I overcame my fear of spiders when my son mimicked my jumping around like a lunatic when he was two years old.

So sleuths, which is the lie? What are your favorite books from 2015? Have you read any of these? Do you like mystery novels?

74 comments:

  1. I know some of those authors on your list!
    Eric really met Rob Zombie on Easter. Now that is wild.
    Wow, I'm just going to have to just randomly guess the lie - number three.

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    1. Yep, and he was a down to Earth, ordinary guy. I think I even saw hints of a childhood nerd burried behind the hair and tattoos.

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  2. I know some of the authors on your list, too! Yay! I sadly can't even remember what I read last year, and it's only mid-January. 60 books is an amazing total. I only managed about half that.

    I'm going to guess that number two is the lie. I really want #3 to be true, because it's awesome.

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  3. Yeh for reading and awesome books! I managed about 85 this year - lots of good ones! - but I can't pick a favorite off the top of my head. :)

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  4. I LOVED The Eighth Day and The Inquisitor's Mark as well (The Morrigan's Curse is coming soon!). I think #2 is the lie. But I'm usually wrong.

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  5. I'm guessing number three is a lie. Who overcomes fear of spiders?

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  6. That's awesome that you read so many books! I never even make it close to my goals. A few of those books are on my TBR list as well. I'll guess #1 is the lie.

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  7. Glad I stopped by today--I've been looking for some juicy new YA to read :-)

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  8. I've only read two of those (Dianne's Eighth Day books). I'll have to pick up the rest!

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  9. Squeeeak! On the list twice?! You've made my day!!!!!

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  10. I've not read any of the books on your list. Must be an age thing!

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  11. My reading number was pretty low last year in large part that I started a lot of books but did not finish. Congrats Crystal on doubling your reading goal. I think I'll buy Eighth Day right now. I was going to buy it when it first came out but TBD did a double whammy shifting the release date by over a 100 days for some reason and that turned me off.

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  12. I didn't do as much reading last year either. I plan to read more this year, or at least the books I really need to read.

    This is a great list. They all sound like books I'd like.

    I'm guessing #3 is the lie because I'd think it would take more to get over a fear. But I could be wrong. ;)

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  13. Great review. It's amazing how many books are out there that I'm not familiar with.

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  14. Great list of books. Hopefully you have another ten great ones throughout this year!

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  15. I have to call Anna's #3 the lie because no one ever gets over being afraid of spiders.
    Thanks for the book lists.

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  16. Loved to see your list. I did not read as much last year either. I'm really struggling to read for some reason right now.

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  17. Great list! I've read a few on there, but I should get your #1. Congrats to Anna! I say the lie is #1.

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  18. 60 books is impressive with a baby in the house!

    I say the lie is #1.

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  19. Crystal, I've said it before and I'll say it again: You are superwoman. I think you are an alien species that can do so many things it makes me narcoleptic just thinking about it. Lend me some of your motivation, if you will?

    I think 3 is the lie because it takes more than that to get over a fear of arachnids.

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  20. Ooo, Chimera looks good, I'll have to try that:) As for an entire year's worth of books to review, I don't think I've got the patience for it, but it would be a neat exercise.

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  21. Thanks for sharing your book list. It's great to see some female authors on there - all of the horror "best of" lists I've been seeing are completely male-dominated (as in, 100 to 99%) - shameful!

    I'm guessing #3 is the lie. Can't wait to read that book!

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  22. THE SCHOOL OF GOOD AND EVIL has been sold for adaptation some time ago :)

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  23. I also liked The Eighth Day. I read it, then passed it on to my nephew. Lie...#1...

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  24. 60 books is awesome!! I love to find a new read that was unexpectantly amazing! ^_^

    I so love the premise of White Light!! I'm going for #2 for the lie this week.

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  25. That charm bracelet is so cool looking.

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  26. Hi Cristal, you have read a lot of exciting books this past year - nothing better than a good read! Thanks for visiting my blog today, hugs, Valerie

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  27. Hi Cristal, you have read a lot of exciting books this past year - nothing better than a good read! Thanks for visiting my blog today, hugs, Valerie

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  28. Polar Night is a great book and I really enjoyed Patricia Lynne's Snapshots.

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  29. Loved Polar Night. Here in the sweaty season I could do with some of that arctic chill.
    So many books, so little time...

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  30. Congratulations to Susan on her win! Loved Anna's snippet!

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  31. So many great books in this post! I've got several on my wish list!

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  32. Thank you!!! What a cool way to start out the new year, and Eric has already contacted me. :)

    I love Dianne's books, too. I read well over a hundred books this year, but would be hard-pressed to narrow my "favorites" down to just ten. So many good books, and in so many different genres. It'd be like comparing chocolate to cheese. BOTH are great... but different!

    The blurb for Anna's book is awesome. Well-written, clever, and intriguing. Bodes verrrry well for the book being awesome, too. Good luck, Anna! I hope you sell a bazillion copies!

    Now, for the lie. Is it possible for me to guess correctly two weeks in a row?! (Insert drum roll here...) I'll say #2 is the fib.

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  33. "Epicness wrapped in bacon" - I love that! I may need to borrow that sentence sometime...:)

    Thanks for the intro to Anna. Wishing her well. Have a great weekend!

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  34. Great list. Several are on my TBR pile.

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  35. Not too shabby indeed at your feed, more than me. I hit 30 I think, or near it at least.

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  36. I think 1 is the lie.

    I really want to read my copy of Polar Night.

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  37. Congrats, Anna!
    I'm going with #3. (The hospital where my hubs was born has been replaced by a grocery store, so I totally believe #1)

    Great book review! I read four good books right after Christmas, so I'm muddled about my favorites for the year, now. So many good books are out now.

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  38. I haven't read any of those! And I do read a lot
    I will check them out.

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  39. Oooh, I am definitely going ot check out Chimera! You did a lot of good reading in 2015, for having a new baby and all. Wow. I only read 10 books and have no excuse :) As for the lie, I'm going to go with #1, though I would love it if it were true!

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  40. My reading of novels last year was the worst it's been in a long long time. I did read a gob of short stories though--and not just from the IWSG contest. ;) I subscribe to Asimov and an Aussie magazine called Dimension 6. Lots and lots of short stories, novelettes and novellas. After your praise, I'm going to have to read Chimera now.

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  41. So excited to be on the list!! Awesome, thank you! :-D

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  42. So many cool books there.. I've heard of some of the books, but not all of them. Am going to check them out:)

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  43. Love your list! Lots on there that I also enjoyed or am looking forward to!

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  44. Hi Crystal - congratulations to Susan on her win. I'd guess #1 for the lie ... Dianne and Julie's books I really want to read .. cheers Hilary

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  45. Congrats to Susan! I think a top 10 reads for the year is a great idea. I only know a couple of your picks, but I agree that Dianne's 8th Day series is SUPER!! Have a great Fri and weekend!

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  46. Chimera does sound good. I'll have to take your recommendation and read it.

    Congrats to Susan!

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  47. My favorite book from last year was Virtues of Way by Bennett R. Coles. It's military science fiction by a fourteen-year veteran of the Canadian Navy. I enjoyed the realistic feel to it.

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  48. Oh my goodness! Your fave books--I haven't read any of them. Wow. I have THE EIGHTH DAY on my to-read list though. My fave of the year? Uh...too hard to choose! They are all different and good in their own way. ;o)

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  49. I need to make a commitment to read this year.. wow to reading 60 books with your busy life. That's really good ♡

    I like a wide range of book topics, mysteries are my favorite xox

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  50. Sorry Crystal, can't linger...I'm off to buy Polar Nights. I read Julie's first book, but missed this one. :-)

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  51. Such a great list! A few of my favorites are listed here, I was wary about The School for Good and Evil, I still need to read it, but I remember my daughter coming to me and telling me she wasn't too comfortable with the content. Such a bummer, the book cover allured her :/

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  52. I'm guessing number one is the lie, although it would be cool if you were born there. And thanks for the recommendations on books! I've been meaning to read more, especially in 2016 (actually, that should be one of my resolutions); I spend way too much time reading random news articles online, which only end up depressing/irritating me half the time.

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  53. Sounds like you read some amazing books in 2015! I've only read Polar Night from your list, but absolutely loved it. So refreshing to see a vampire being evil for a change!

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  54. I'm going to say 3 is the lie, because it doesn't matter how much my mom gets made fun of, she is still terrified of spiders. She broke a toe trying to get away from one.

    Awesome list! Love all the bloggy authors in there.

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  55. I haven't read any of those! Back away, back away...Must not add more books to the wishlist... Must not...

    I'll guess #3!

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  56. You managed to read a lot this year. I'm not sure how many books I read last year I really must keep a record of them this year! I did have several favourites from the year though. I should put them in a post soon.
    I think the lie might be number one.

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  57. A great list of books of which... I'll admit, I've not heard of many of them. But some of them are intriguing enough that I might want to check out. I'll admit, I came up way short of reading 30 books last year, which is sad. I'm hoping to make up for that with some serious reading time this year.

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  58. Those are some great books! The School For Good and Evil is so good!

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  59. Those are some great books! The School For Good and Evil is so good!

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  60. I can't resist a book review. I'll be checking out Being Human for sure.

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  61. All of the books sound interesting, but I haven't read any of them.
    Congratulations to Anna on her new book.
    I think #2 is the lie. Have a great weekend.

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  62. blessings...
    Quite a list you have there, i just might put some on my "want to read" list. I read a lot, managed 92 books last year. Currently reading "Final Analysis by Jeffrey Moussaieff Massons.

    peace.
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  63. Interesting book list to consider for future reads. I can empathise with your comment about ontent appropriateness, as i have started buying books for my niece and nephew and while i may enjoy them, I can't always imagine that they are old enough. Some authors have said that children will read it when they feel ready, so if they don't like it, they will stop reading it until they feel ready, which I can relate to.

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  64. well, I'm gonna guess you were given a tarot deck . . and now, I've got to copy titles from your reading list recap . . . gadzooks, these look good.

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  65. Crystal, I'm bookmarking this and will read a couple with my kids. The Eighth Day and Chimera sound like real winners.

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  66. I read Polar NIghts and thought it was very well-written. Thanks for posting about the nine others that I haven't read yet!

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  67. 60 books on sleep deprivation is awesome! I like the sound of quite a few of those stories. :-)

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  68. Thanks for the great reading list. I am way behind on reading anything. Need to get back into it! ♥

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  69. I just want to say I've been lurking all week and found out I'm not much of a liar. Thanks everyone for participating. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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  70. Wow! Way to go! I'm so far behind on my reading...

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  71. Happy to see Julie's book on the list. I have that on my Kindle. Hopefully I'll read it soon.

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  72. A lot of these sound really great! Need to add some to my TBR list. I read about 52? Books last year. My fave was The Diviners by Libba Bray. I'd have to look at the rest I read to figure out some sorta top ten post..

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Hit me with your cheese!