I don't plan to tell you about all 41 books I read, but here are 13 that rank at the top of my list for last year.
13. Top Secret 21 by Janet Evanovich. No matter how cheesy her "numbered" novels get, I still get a kick out of them. The main character is an unlikely bond enforcer wit a hunky boyfriend and a sexy protector/friend of the male persuasion. She and her sidekick, a former Ho, get into more situations than is humanly possible, and it is often hilarious!
12. Unlucky 13 by James Patterson. This is part of Patterson's Women's Detective Series. Lindsey Boxer, a new mother, and also a great detective, is at work again.
11. The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly. I love all of Connelly's books, this one especially. The "gods" referenced in the title are members of a jury. This book features Mickey Haller of The Lincoln Lawyer fame. Connelly is good with clever plot elements.
10. Bones of Betrayal by Jefferson Bass. This is part of the Body Farm series, which I am one book away from completing. This novel tends to get a little "icky" as far as the science goes, but it really doesn't bother me because my interest level is so high when reading these books. This one has a little romance and a little World War II history, too, which was a bonus.
9. Point of Origin by Patricia Cornwell. I have liked all of the Kay Scarpetta novels I've read. This one is #9 in the series. I really enjoyed this one because much of the action takes place at a farmhouse in Virginia, and Scarpetta and her team are trying to determine the "point of origin" of a fire as well as trying to steer clear of her nemesis who has escaped.
8. Reckless by Andrew Gross. This is the third book in the Ty Hauck series, and this book reveals more about Ty's past. It also involves international banking and other intriguing surprises. A great mystery.
7. Galveston by Nic Pizzolotto. This book surprised me. My husband recommended it, and we don't always share the same taste in books. It shouldn't have surprised me since it was set in a town that is a 30 minute drive from my house. The main character, who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, knows his boss wants to kill him. (Long story, literally!). He has some surprises in store, though. This is a dark and intense thriller.
6. Gone (Not Gone Girl, which was an excellent book) by Mo Hayder. This is actually #5 in a series, but I didn't read the first 4, and that doesn't leave the reader at a disadvantage. The story, set in the UK, is about a carjacker who takes vehicles with children in them and the detective assigned to the case.
5. Gray Mountain by John Grisham. This isn't your typical Grisham legal thriller. An attorney is the main character, but it's set in the Appalachian Mountains in Brady, Virginia where coal mining is big business. This book surprised me.
4. The Color of Law by Mark Gimenez. This is my newest "favorite" author. I love all his books. This one is fast-paced and suspenseful. It's also set in my home state of Texas, so it has a familiarity about it for me. A prominent Dallas lawyer is forced to defend a prostitute accused of murder.
3. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. You've probably heard of this one or seen the movie. The movie is good, but the book is so much better! When I first started it, because it was so figurative, rather than literal, I thought it was going to be cliche'. I was wrong. This book was remarkable. Briefly, it's about a young girl living in Germany during WWII. That's all I'll say. Read it!
2. Inferno by Dan Brown. I've read several of Brown's books, and I like some of them. Robert Langdon is back in this mystery of art, architecture, and science set in Italy. Read it!
And the best book I read in 2014...
1. Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran. The love of this book is a departure from my usual routine of reading mystery, suspense, and thrillers. There was definitely some intrigue, but I learned so much about history. Yes, it's fiction, but much of the story is based on history, and the author describes the time period, culture, scenery, clothing, and customs so well. I had no idea Cleopatra's had boy/girl twins (like I do), nor was I aware of what happened to them and to her legacy after she died. This one was hard to put down! Read it!
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some real goodies by my standards
ReplyDeleteAnd there's your 13 on 12. should have made it #13. I'm curious about the John Grisham book. Saw the Book Thief.
ReplyDeleteI loved The Book Thief. I want to read Gray Mountain, Inferno, and Cleopatra's daughter. They are on my wish list. After reading your post I want to read them even more. Thanks my friend!
ReplyDeleteOh, I don't think I've read Top Secret Twenty-One. I'll look for it. Thanks. By the way 41 books in a year is impressive.
ReplyDeletehttp://otherworlddiner.blogspot.com/2015/01/i-bet-you-didnt-know-strange-and.html
The only book I've read in your list is The Book Thief. I just recently saw the movie with the same name, too. I liked them both.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
http://www.miaceleste.com/?p=508
I usually read about 50 books a year, but this year only made it to 40. I am trying to do better this year but already struggling, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteI am only familiar with three of the books on your list. Of those, The Book Thief is my favorite. Good list. I will add some of your recommendations to my wish list.
I simply adored the Book Thief, you have a great mixture of books on this list though that I need to check out.
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I LOVE YOUR BOOK REVIEWS! I wish I kept better track of the start and stop dates, but at least I get the books logged into Goodreads. I'll have to sit down and count from my amazon account what I read last year, but I'd guess around 35-40, it's usually 3-4 a month.
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