San Antonio Public Library discussion

Hey SAPL Goodreads awesome people, hope everyone is ready for the holidays. Among the many things to be happy and thankful about, books are definitely on the list. There's been some good ones this year, and I'm interested to know what your favorite book of 2012 is. Mine's Caliban's War by James S. A. Corey (http://sapl.sat.lib.tx.us/record=b181...), a rollicking, Sci-Fi action fest with plenty of Space Opera goodness to make for an wonderful, wide-screen, cinematic picture in my head; I'm dying for the sequel, Abaddon's Gate, in May 2013. A close second was John Scalzi's Redshirts (http://sapl.sat.lib.tx.us/record=b180...).

So now it's your turn: what 2012 books did you enjoy -- please note: despite the fact that I mentioned two Science Fiction books, this discussion is not limited to any one genre; so let's hear it.

Happy Thanksgiving.

I'm a big reader of series - fantasy, fluff, mystery, etc. However, my favorite book of the year was "The New Lifting Rules for Women" (http://sapl.sat.lib.tx.us/record=b170...) because it got me motivated and interested in exercise again! There's one that's non-gender-specific, too: http://sapl.sat.lib.tx.us/record=b180...

I read a ton of graphic novels this year, but nothing seem to strike my five star fancy for some reason. Series I enjoyed however, were Irredeemable by by Mark Waid, RASL by Jeff Smith, and Sweet Tooth by Jeff Lemire.

Books too, seemed to hover mostly in the 3-4 star range, with the exceptions being Redshirts by John Scalzi (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...), perennial favorite for me, Terry Pratchett's Going Postal (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64...) and I also continued my journey through George R. R. Martin's opus and gave 5 stars to A Storm of Swords (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62...)

I have become a little sentimental in my reading this year and have a few titles I would say have been my favorites including: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Gilded Age by Claire McMillan, Where We Belong by Emily Griffin, Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

I read constantly and it is so very hard to pick favorites!
I am in the same boat as Didi, I love series, and this year I have started what will hopefully become one of my most favorite series of all time Name of the Wind. I have also started Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series which I am basically reading while waiting for Martin to come out with the next book in the A Song of Fire and Ice series.

I am also continuing my reading of the Dresden Files and am proud to say that I am almost caught up! I have started listening to the Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse novels, which are quite fun.
One of my faves for this year has to be Beauty Queens, however, I highly suggest listening to this one, the author reads the novel herself and is absolutely hilarious.

Since childrens books are my speciality, I'm mentioning two outstanding titles: Wonder by RJ Palacio and The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.

Sadly the books that stand out the most this year were the real stinkers.

I'm also a series reader. My favorite picks are all part of a series. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. Emotionally it's not my favorite, but I'm impressed by the sheer artistry.

My other two picks are from my two favorite series. David Weber's Midst toil and tribulation is the latest Safehold novel, a unique combination of futuristic sci-fi & old-fashioned sea novels.


Jack Campbell's Invincible, an old-fashioned futuristic military sci-fi.

As a children's librarian, I have favorites in several age categories. My favorite picture books this year (so far) are Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff; Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett; Green by Laura Seeger; Boot and Shoe by Marla Frazee; and Brother Sun, Sister Moon by Katherine Paterson. My favorite children's and YA fiction (so far) are: The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore; Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls by Mary D. Hahn; A Hero for WondLa by Tony Diterlizzi; and The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. I am a mystery fanatic, so I really loved $10,000 in Small Unmarked Puzzles by Parnell Hall and Trail of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz; both are very funny. "Lunatics" by Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel was also hilarious, although at times a bit crude and a bit improbable.

I think Cutting For Stone was the best book I read in 2012. My favorite cozy mystery series of 2012 was The Pizza Mysteries by Chris Cavander.

I thought Where Children Sleep by James Mollison was an amazing portrait book, showing children sleeping in some heartbreaking places. For Fiction, I enjoyed the characters in The Sparrow by Mary Docia Russell (what an exquisite fall from grace) and Flesh & Bone by Mayberry for fast-paced zombie teen fiction.