TWELVE BOOKS FOR THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!
*available in the IMC
1. YA Literature - *Grave Mercy by Robin Lafevers. Ismae escapes an arranged marriage to join the convent of St. Mortain. She learns that she has been blessed with dangerous gifts, and she will be trained as an assassin. Can she carry out her orders upon a target who has stolen her heart? This is a "Rosie" student favorite in the IMC. This is book #1 of His Fair Assassin series.
2. Non-fiction, Biography - *Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different by Karen Blumenthal. "Your time is limited....have the courage to follow your heart and intuition." Steve Jobs was given up for adoption at birth. He only stayed in college one semester, and at the age of twenty, he had the idea of creating Apple with his friend Steve Wozniack. Steve Jobs changed the face of music, videos, computing, and tablets. This is a "Rosie" book.
3. YA Fantasy/Science Fiction- *Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She is hated by her stepmother and stepsister. She meets Prince Kai, and she becomes caught between loyalty and betrayal when she must recover secrets to save her planet. I really liked the concept of a bionic Cinderella.
4. Mystery - Gone Girl Gillian Flynn. On Nick and Amy's fifth wedding anniversary, Amy disappears. Nick maintains his innocence, but Amy's diary tells a different story. Nick doesn't appear to be the golden boy that everyone loves. The police are closing in, but where is Amy?
This book had me guessing until the last chapter. Oh, the twists and turns in this book! Don't see the movie before you read the book!
5. Fantasy - *A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. Magic, mystery, romance, adventure, and intrigue introduce us to the world of seasonless world of the Starks. Winter is coming, and that brings unnatural and deadly things known only in myths. The first book in the series is A Song of Fire and Ice. Don't start the series unless you have a bit of time on your hands. It becomes addictive - Long Live Tyrion!
6. Nonfiction - *Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. On a May afternoon in 1943, a young lieutenant, Louis Zamperini's plane crashed into the Pacific. He finds a life raft and pulls himself aboard. This begins his odyssey into the unknown. This New York Times bestseller spent more than 180 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Need I say more?
7. Mystery, Comedy. Romance - Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich. Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter. Hey - she needs the rent money. Trenton, New Jersey is the setting for the car chases, feral Chihuahuas, and Grandma Mazur's funeral visitations. The books are fast paced and hilarious! One piece of advice - Start with the first one in the series - *One for the Money.
8. Historical Fiction - *Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. A circle of stones stands near Inverness, Scotland. In the year 1945, Claire Randall is on her second honeymoon with her husband, Frank, when she is hurled back in time to Scotland circa 1743. She meets James Fraser, and the adventure begins. Travel through time with Jamie and Claire in the Outlander series.
9. Mystery, Suspense - *The Cuckoo's Calling - Robert Galbraith. Cormoran Strike is a down-on-his-luck private eye whose current residence is his office. John Bristow walks into his office one day and hires him to solve a case that will change his life. Harry Potter fans! J.K. Rowling is starting a new series. I heartily recommend this book!
10. Biography. Non-fiction - Wild by Cheryl Strayed. Life has not been easy for Cheryl Strayed. Her mother was overbearing, and she acted out by exhibiting reckless behavior. At the age of twenty-six, she finds herself on the Pacific Crest Trail, woefully unprepared. Read how she comes to terms with her life and the mistakes she has made throughout the journey.
11. Fiction, Cultural - *The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. "I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid, overcast day in the winter of 1975." Amir and Hassan are friends. Amir is the son of a wealthy businessman, and Hassan is the son of the household's servant. This is a book about Afghanistan in which there is cruelty, cowardice, and evil. There is also bravery, friendship, and redemption. This book will remind us that even though we can make some pretty terrible mistakes, we can still strive to become better persons and try to end the violence and prejudice that exists. This is a "Rosie" book.
12 Pipers Piping! Last but by no means least, I am closing with one of my favorite books of all time.
Fiction - *Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress. Who is crazy? Is it Aunt Lucille who wants to appear on the "Beverly Hillbillies?" Is it Peejoe who sees racial injustices in his southern town during the summer of 1965? While this book might have a few disturbing scenes, it resonated with me the moment I opened the cover. As a matter of fact, I am ready to read this one again! "Rosie" book!
What books will you read this year? Follow my blog, and submit the book titles you love. I will compile the list and periodically share your suggestions. Let's share our love of reading! I will also be collecting movies and music for sharing. I can't wait to see your suggestions!
