I’ve read almost 200 books this year, so it’s difficult to narrow down my favs of 2012. There are certainly a few books that really stand out for me and those that- if i had the time- I would love to read again. So, I thought I’d share my 10 favourite books of 2012 across a range of genres. I didn’t realise until I started to pool together my five star reviews that 6/10 of my favourite books this year were written by Australian women writers.
My 10 fav books of 2012
Farewell to Lancashire by Anna Jacobs (historical)
Poet’s Cottage by Josephine Pennicott (contemp/ mystery)
Dead Heat by Bronwyn Parry (romsus)
North Star by Karly Lane (rural lit)
Burning Lies by Helene Young (romsus)
Ghost Gum Valley by Johanna Nicholls (historical)
The Red Chamber by Pauline Chen (historical)
Silenced by Kristina Ohlsson (crime)
White Horse by Alex Adams (dystopian)
Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey (romance)
It’s interesting that all these books were written by female writers and that most of them contain romantic elements. It seems suspense and historical fiction have been my favourite genres in 2012.
And these books deserve an honourable mention (rated 5 or 4.5 stars)
Band-Aid for a Broken Leg by Damien Brown
The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Green
Zoe’s Muster by Barbara Hannay
Origins of Love by Kishwar Desai
The Convent by Maureen Mccarthy
A Lady Cyclist’s Guide to Kashgar by Suzanne Joinson
Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs
Bridie’s Choice by Karly Lane
The Robbers by Paul Anderson
Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth
The Secret Keeper by Kate morton
Ironbark by Johanna Nicholls
Morgan’s Law by Karly Lane
Quite a few more Australian authors on the list. I’ve read so many fantastic books this year and there would be dozens and dozens more books rated 4 and 3.5 stars that I have also thoroughly enjoyed. I’ve discovered plenty of new authors, particularly Australian women authors and I hope to read plenty more in 2013.
I would welcome a printable list to take to the library. I understand that PLR is regarded as the gift that keeps on giving and this is the only way I could ever manage to read so many recommended books. My day is divided between the digital and print and the local library provides the balance.
Thank you for including my book ‘Farewell to Lancashire’ in your top 10. It made my day!
No problem Anna, I really enjoyed this series!
Some excellent books there!
Thanks Kandy!
That’s a great list, will have to check out a few of these. Thank you for sharing your top reads for 2012.
Katie ~ Turner’s Antics
Hi Lauren, I am in awe that you read 200 books in 2012! How on earth do you get time to read all those books, let alone write? The Convent and Poet’s Cottage were two of my favourite novels of the year too, and whilst I have yet to read Call the Midwife, I loved the series which I saw on DVD. Happy reading and writing in 2013.
Thanks Denise, I can’t believe I read that many either! To be honest I’ve slowed down a bit over the past two months and I don’t intend to read as many books in 2013 as I’d like to focus more on my writing. Good luck in 2013!
Some great books here! I am just about to figure out my Top Books for 2012 and I see a few that we’re going to have in common 🙂
I’m just about to do mine as well.
I look forward to seeing your list Bree!