Vandeervecken's
Top Ten Best Reads of 2012 List
Here
is my annual list of the 10 best books I read in the last year, and a
few that just missed the list. This is subjective, based solely on
what moved me and what did not. I'm thinking next year of upping the
number to a top 20 list because I read so many good books this year,
and found two new genre's, Young Adult, and New Adult where a lot of
great young writers are working telling great stories. Here is the
list:
1:
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
2:
Slammed by Colleen Hoover
3:
Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover
4:
Easy by Tammara Webber
5:
Freeing Carter by Nyrae Dawn
6:
Grounding Quinn by Steph Campbell
7:
Flat Out Love by Jessica Park
8:
My Life Next Door by Huntley
Fitzpatrick
9:
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
10:
The Outpost by Jake Tapper
Honorable
Mention
If
I Stay + Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Bits
and Pieces Series by Shirley Miranda
Story
of a Girl By Sara Zarr
Girl
with the Dragon Tattoo Series by Stieg Larson
Hunger
Games Trilogy Suzanne Collins
Just
Listen by Sarah Dessen
20
Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Why
They Made The List
1:
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
This
is one of the best books I have ever read. A complex and moving
story about life and the twists and turns life throws at you. I do
not do spoilers, but let me say there is no emotion known to human
kind that you will not feel when reading this book.
2:
Slammed by Colleen Hoover
Another
simply great book about life. Colleen writes complex characters
dealing with all aspects of life, death, parenting, and dealing with
both the extraordinary and mundane that life throws at you all the
time. I thought this was a lock on my best book of the year till
Hopeless came out in the last couple of days of the year.
3:
Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover
Colleen
completes the Top-3 trifecta with this follow up to Slammed. I
simply could not put it down. Everything I said about Slammed
continues to apply here. These two books make up one of the best
love stroies Ihave ever read.
4:
Easy by Tammara Webber
An
amazing and affecting novel. The difference between this on the 3
books about it is microscopic. Any one of them could arguably be the
best book I read last year. This book should be mandatory reading in
High School. A love story yes, but it is oh so much more than that
as well. This book initiated a long and serious conversation about
life, and men and women between myself and my teen daughter as we
read it together.
5:
Freeing Carter by Nyrae Dawn
Another
book that in all fairness deserves to be higher than 5. One of the
best examples of a family dealing with functional alcoholism I have
ever read. As someone who grew up in a family with alcohol and drug
problems, I have to say she nailed it. Ms Dawn also writes male
point of view better than most men. I am especially impressed when
she is writing about what males are thinking, because it is how men
think. So many women writing male POV come across as women guessing.
This woman is well beyond that. I've read every one of her books
and ANY of them would not be out of place on this list.
6:
Grounding Quinn by Steph Campbell
I
loved this book a lot. The title character Quinn reminds of some of
the young women I loved in my youth. She is so beautiful in every
important way and doesn’t know it. So many times I wanted to reach
into this book and hug her and tell her it would all be okay.
Profoundly moving.
7:
Flat Out Love by Jessica Park
So
unexpected. So unlike anything else I have ever read. This book
strikes you to your emotional core again and again, and every time
you think you have it figured out it surprises, and strikes you
again. I exclaimed out loud at one point, and by the way, have
Kleenex handy.
8:
My Life Next Door by Huntley
Fitzpatrick
A
wonderful book about the different types of families out there. An
exploration into not just love, but honor and duty, and honesty as
well. You cannot read this book and remain unmoved.
9:
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
A
very different type of book, written in a very different way.
Emotionally exhausting, often depressing, no clean or easy answers,
and yet so very moving. Another book that lead to long serious life
discussions between my teen daughter and myself. Another book I
think should be on High School reading lists.
10:
The Outpost by Jake Tapper
This
book pissed me off to no end, and should be required reading for all
US citizens. The true story of an outpost in Afghanistan and the
lives and deaths of the troops we sent there. If this book does not
piss you off I question your humanity.
Honorable
Mention
If
I Stay + Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Moving,
real, and unforgettable.
Bits
and Pieces Series by Shirley Miranda
You
learn quickly to love the protagonists and feel a part of their
journey.
Story
of a Girl By Sara Zarr
Another
book that opened great dialogue between my daughter and myself about
life,m consequences and reputation.
Girl
with the Dragon Tattoo Series by Stieg Larson
Interesting,
complex, and unlike anything I have read. Great adventure/thriller.
Hunger
Games Trilogy Suzanne Collins
Wonderful
dystopian series that paints a very real picture of the society
there.
Just
Listen by Sarah Dessen
My
favorite Dessen book, there are several others I might put here too.
She is a great writer and lots of fun.
20
Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
A
great book about life and death. Another one that lead to wonderful
life discussions with my daughter.
