When the year winds down, we should all feel obligated to tout our favorite reads (woot! woot!), to show appreciation to the authors and books that kept us wildly entertained through 2012.
How do I keep track of all I read? Easily, with GoodReads. I encourage you to do the same if you haven’t already tried it.
Friend me and/or fan me there!
You can build your own shelves (without wood, allen wrenches or confusing directions from Ikea) to categorize your reads. Mark books you want to read and discover new reads similar to what you’ve already enjoyed. You can also see what your friends are reading and how they’ve rated books.
And while I loved Stephen King’s latest, 11/22/63, and other best-selling titles like Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 and Laura Moriarty’s THE CHAPERONE this year, it’s especially important to me to share the works of lesser-known indie authors, like Kathleen Kaska.
Kaska’s Sydney Lockhart mystery series from Salvo Press features a plucky 1950’s heroine, an independent woman in an age where her dismissal of the domestic lifestyle makes her a loner. Sydney is a journalist in her 20’s dead-set on building a successful career, and while reporting about the famous Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Sydney finds herself entangled in a murder-mystery and her unconventional ways make her a suspect. Eager to clear her name, Sydney strives to solve the case despite roadblocks from local authorities. Her wealthy, spoiled cousin Ruth becomes her unlikely side-kick, providing ample comedic opportunities. The two ladies do not mesh personality-wise yet somehow they complement each other. There’s also a little romance tossed in with a local detective who deems Sydney clumsy yet irresistibly charming. Moreover, the mystery keeps you guessing until the very end, reminiscent of Agatha Christie. (Kaska is a Christie fan and expert, having penned a Christie trivia book.)
After MURDER AT THE ARLINGTON, I dove right onto MURDER AT THE LUTHER…and now I’m ready for the newly-released MURDER AT THE GALVEZ.
So now I want to hear from you!
What lesser-known books knocked your socks off this year?
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 
12 comments
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December 28, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Caroline Starr Rose
My favorites were THE BRIDES OF ROLLROCK ISLAND, CODE NAME VERITY, and THE WICKED AND THE JUST.
Happy New Year, Tara!
December 28, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Tara Lazar
And what I love about GoodReads is I can add those to my TBR shelf immediately (TWATJ is there already)! Thanks, Caroline!
December 28, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Genevieve Petrillo
I don’t know if they’re “lesser known” but I really liked The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher, and Wonder by RJ Palacio
December 28, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Tara Lazar
What I mean by “lesser known” are small press books. There are some gems to be found, like Kaska’s books, but they don’t often get the recognition they deserve. Word-of-mouth is so important to these authors, that’s why I felt compelled to write about these books.
December 29, 2012 at 8:47 am
lindamartinandersen
Tara,
Thanks for this recommendation. I like the sound of using this to keep my reading lists more organized. It is sometimes hard to go back and name books I’ve read. This will keep it fresh in my virtual files. Thanks again for all you did with PiBoIdMo. It was fabulous. I’m going to try the 12×12 this year too. You inspire so many!
December 29, 2012 at 8:50 am
Shakespeare
Recently read book for of Shannon Hale’s Bayern series: FOREST BORN. I feel like the book was about me. Now I have to go back and read book 3!
Also really liked CINDER and CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT, though I think I like Shannon Hale’s AUSTENLAND better. I’m rereading that one now.
December 29, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Tara Lazar
I just finished HEMINGWAY’S GIRL by Erika Robuck this morning and loved it, too. Wish I could accurately articulate why I enjoyed it so much, but it was mostly the time period, the strong female heroine, and Hemingway, of course.
December 29, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Tina Zubak
Sorry, Tara, all my favorite reads of the year are children’s or teens’ books: Code Name Verity; Liar and Spy, Starry River of the Sky and The One and Only Ivan.
December 29, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Tara Lazar
I didn’t read as much MG or YA this year as in previous years. I felt especially drawn to mysteries for some reason, and besides newer titles, I re-read some classics like Sherlock Holmes and The Age of Innocence. I also read a lot of literature centered around the 1920’s and 30’s.
December 29, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Tina Zubak
Shakespeare, I too like anything by Shannon Hale, as well as anything by Austin.
December 29, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Debra Feldman
From One Place to Another, by Carol White. If you live in South Florida, it’s a must read. If you live elsewhere, you’ll find it just as hilarious and love engrossing yourself in how this woman remakes herself. Light, fun, neat format and inspiring.
December 30, 2012 at 10:17 pm
Darshana
Sorry haven’t read any lesser known titles. I am a slow reader as it is.
I really enjoyed MG books The One and Only Ivan and Wonder. Also liked YA titles Divergent and Insurgent. As well as listening to non-fiction titles such as Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity and the Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business.