David Byrne: How Music Works
My last read of the year, and what a great one it is. Crunchy thought about context and art, much of which I found applicable to writing.
Elizabeth Hand: Radiant Days
Gorgeous. Completely.
Courtney Milan: The Duchess War (Volume 1)
Another fab historical-but-progressive romance. Inhaled it.
Laini Taylor: Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone)
Amazing doesn't do this book justice. In awe. Wrenching, gorgeous, fearless
- Bennett Madison: September Girls
A mermaid tale like none you've read before, set in my beloved Outer Banks. Highly recommended.
Julie Anne Long: The Perils of Pleasure (Pennyroyal Green Series)
I just whipped through the entirety (to date) of this fun, smart series.
Rae Carson: The Crown of Embers (Girl of Fire and Thorns)
My cup of great reading runneth over this month. No second book in a trilogy water-treading here. Ups the stakes in every way.
Leigh Bardugo: Shadow and Bone (Grisha Trilogy)
Just realized I never put this on the book list and got sucked into a reread while clearing the piano TBR stacks today. So great! Definitely one of the best debuts of the year, and a fabulous, fresh high fantasy.
Maggie Stiefvater: The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle)
How much did I LOVE this? All the much. It is gorgeous, odd, provocative, and mythic. Next book now, please.
Amanda Quick: The Perfect Poison (Arcane Society, Book 6)
See below.
Amanda Quick: Second Sight (The Arcane Society, Book 1)
This year's J.D. Robb-esque glom while trying to finish a book is: Amanda Quick Arcane Society novels. Lots of fun.
Michelle Hodkin: The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer Trilogy)
Excellent creepiness. I love these books.
Ben Aaronovitch: Midnight Riot
Just as much fun as everyone says.
Libba Bray: The Diviners
My favorite read of the year; love love love and more love. Full review in Locus.
Ellen Datlow: After: Nineteen Stories of Apocalypse and Dystopia
Wonderful, dark anthology filled with great stories. (Carrie Ryan and Carol Emshwiller's were my favorites, but lots of stand-outs.) Full review in Locus.
David Levithan: Every Day
One of the books of the year. Manages to explore identity issues in an intellectual way without ever losing its emotional footing. Full review in Locus.
Sarah Rees Brennan: Unspoken: The Lynburn Legacy
I adore SRB's novels, and this one is no exception. Full review in Locus.
Meljean Brook: Riveted (A Novel of the Iron Seas)
Another fabulous Iron Seas novel, with bonus inclusion of LGBT issues in the world-building.
Tiffany Trent: The Unnaturalists
A fabulous, rich fantasy--highly recommended.
Jonathan Strahan: Under My Hat: Tales from the Cauldron
A very strong anthology of witch tales; not a clunker in the bunch.
Ilona Andrews: Gunmetal Magic: A Novel in the World of Kate Daniels
I am addicted to everything these guys write. MOAR Kate Daniels world--I will read them all. My favorite urban fantasy series.
Kim Curran: Shift (Strange Chemistry)
Oh, I loved this. What a voice Kim has. I am proud to call her a pub sister.
Sherry Thomas: Not Quite a Husband
A new romance writer added to the instant-read pile.
Melissa Walker: Unbreak My Heart
I loved this. An excellent contemporary novel about a girl's summer sailing with her family while trying to get over a fractured friendship.
Malinda Lo: Adaptation
A genre switch from high fantasy to high stakes SF thriller with excellent results. Fuller review to come in Locus.
Courtney Summers: This Is Not a Test
I loved this, in so many ways. Fuller review to come in Locus.
Kendare Blake: Girl of Nightmares (Anna Dressed in Blood)
Even better than the first. V. much recommend both. Great voice.
Loretta Chase: Scandal Wears Satin
How much do I love the dressmakers series? LOTS. I didn't love this one quite as much as the first, but it's still highly enjoyable, and Sophy is a fabulous heroine.
Elizabeth Hoyt: Thief of Shadows (Maiden Lane)
Recent romance reading binge. I really like this series, and Hoyt's proto-Batman is great fun.
Margaret Mahy: Alchemy
A reread because I was making a books-with-alchemy list on goodreads and remembered it. Oh, Margaret Mahy, your books are the cracktasticest of all.
Cassandra Clare: City of Lost Souls (Mortal Instruments)
So. Great. I love these books so!
Paolo Bacigalupi: The Drowned Cities
A dark, tough and stellar follow-up to Ship Breaker that features Tool (yay!) alongside several memorable new characters.
Patricia Briggs: Fair Game (Alpha And Omega)
Wowza, now that's an ending. Very interested to see how this plays out in both series set in this world.
Julie James: About That Night (Berkley Sensation)
I'm a total sucker for James' contemporary legal romances.
William Alexander: Goblin Secrets
A magical middle grade debut, one of my favorites in ages. A sinister, beautifully-conjured world filled with memorable characters. (Fans of Mechanique, take note; you might like this one.)
Holly Black: Black Heart (Curse Workers)
Such a perfect ending to such a fabulous series. I hope people will be reading these books for a long time to come.
Seanan McGuire: Discount Armageddon: An InCryptid Novel
Cryptids and a former contestant on a fake version of So You Think You Can Dance? YES. IN.
Robin Wasserman: The Book of Blood and Shadow
A brilliant thriller. Ditch the Dan Brown comparisons: this book is far too interesting and beautifully written. Fans of The Secret History should be all over this. Team Alchemy!
Sarah MacLean: A Rogue by Any Other Name: The First Rule of Scoundrels
New Sarah MacLean book! Always = happiness.
Lucy March: A Little Night Magic
A very fun light fantasy with great characters; I think most Jenny Crusie fans would like this one.
Kristin Cashore: Bitterblue (Graceling)
GORGEOUS. <3
Cynthia Leitich Smith: Diabolical (Tantalize)
A divine (in all ways!) wrap-up to a fabulous series. Can't wait to read the next books in this world.
Y.S. Lee: The Agency 3: The Traitor in the Tunnel
How do I love these? I would read a million books in this series.
Katherine Applegate: The One and Only Ivan
Oh, so fabulous, even if it did make me sob and sob (there are funny bits too!). Reviewing for Locus.
Alyxandra Harvey: Stolen Away
I still love the Drake Chronicles best, but this was quite fun. Harvey has such an easy-going, natural voice.
Susan Ee: Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, Book 1)
Thanks to the Cybils, I found this self-published e-book gem. A well-developed apocalyptic future in which angels are bad guys and like speak-easies. Fuller review in Locus.
J. R. Angelella: Zombie
A fierce debut novel that pulls no punches. People will be talking about this one.