bookworm

The older I get, the more often I find myself starting books and not finishing them.

It used to be that if I started a book, I would finish it, no matter what. But these days, with so many options, and so little time to give to reading, if a book doesn’t grab me pretty early on, it goes back in the pile. And even if I get halfway through and it isn’t holding my attention, it goes back in the pile.

I feel a slight twinge of guilt about this, always. But, so be it.

I didn’t find an over-the-top favorite this year.  A beautiful book to vie for a place on my top ten list. Of course, that can’t happen every year, that list is only for the exceptional standouts.

But there were a few that came very close. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, The Fault in our Stars by John Green, Nightwoods by Charles Frazier, Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. All excellent.

There was also When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams, non-fiction, but beautiful just the same. And I also bought several of Mary Oliver’s books and read her poetry for the first time. To be honest, I hadn’t expected to love it as much as I did. Oh my. Silly me.

So let me ask you this question: What was your favorite book of 2012?

Because you know, there’s still time, and I’m still looking.

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Reverb 12/Cultivate 2012:

What was the best book you read in 2012, and why??

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10 Responses to “bookworm”

  • kim Says:

    I enjoy your posts for their simplicity and thought. I did read the hot series this year/my friend and I read it simultaneously on our trip in June, but I have the last book of three(Fifty Shades) to finish yet. I wrote a book myself so you could say that is my favorite this year/French Bleu by Caroline Clemens, though I have to promote it now and I’m not a promoter. Happy Holidays ;)!

  • honey Says:

    “The Round House.”

    The collection of Louise Gluck poems still dazzling me…

  • Marcie Says:

    State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

    The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

    Quiet – the Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Caine

    All among my favorites this year!

  • Kelli Says:

    The Night Circus was fantastic – so different from anything I’ve read.
    I just finished Tell the Wolves I’m Home – also a good read.

    I’m a teacher, and read tons of YA lit. I was just at Barnes and Noble yesterday and was not inspired. It seems like publishers are just going with what will make a good movie or be a best selling series. Kind of ruins the variety of genres and books.

  • Robin aka Gotham Girl Says:

    This past year I’ve read all of Kris Radish’s books. I think I could relate to some portion of each and every one of them! Thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one that has multiple books going at one time. I’m the say way…if it doesn’t grab me right away…it’s history!

  • beth Says:

    sadly, i didn’t read nearly enough books this year….but i have to say that “the language of flowers” was by far my favorite. having worked with kids in foster care, that book will always hold a special place in my heart !!

  • Kim Says:

    I also enjoyed When Women were Birds this year. My hands down favorite was “Where the Heart Beats: John Cage, Zen Buddhism, and the Inner Life of Artists.”

  • Kathryn Dyche Dechairo Says:

    As much as I want to discard a book if it isn’t grabbing my attention I still can’t do it. It drives me nuts. I don’t think there were any books that truly stood out for me either. I have a whole bunch on my shelf to read though like Freedom, The War of Art, The Dogs of Babel etc so maybe just maybe one will contain something that truly grips or moves me.

  • Diane Says:

    Oh I love this post. Of the ones I read, so far, this year my absolute favourites are: “Sarah’s Key” by Tatiana De Rosnay plus “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett, and another by LIsa Genova but do not miss out reading her first novel: “Still Alice” It was impact you like no other novel, I promise.
    If you want to read what I had to say about these check my blog post that discusses them:
    http://www.dianeschuller.com/blog/2012/10/14/my-bookmark-rests-between-these-pages/

  • Tracy Mangold Says:

    I am so excited you started reading Mary Oliver! I had a feeling you would love her! 🙂

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