2012 Favorites: You'll want to add these to your wish list.

These are some of my favorite reads of 2012. These books really stood out, and I have no problem recommending them to others.

The Bellwether Revivals by Benjamin Wood was an amazing read. Wood is an incredible writer.

Love Anthony by Lisa Genova will pull at your heart strings and you'll be wanting to ask everyone to read it.

The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly was really well written, filled with twists and turns. I couldn't believe I waited so long to pick this one up.

Overseas by Beatriz Williams When I wrote my review, I stated this would be on my list..and it is! I loved this book. I'm not a huge romance reader, but I couldn't put this book down until I finished.

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty lived up to all the hype. The plot was more intricate then I thought, and it really pulled me in.

What to buy for the ereader in your family?

I wanted to offer some suggestions for those who don't know what to buy the ereader in your family. Maybe you'll want to buy one of these for yourself... I usually order accessories on ebay.

As an ereader, I was really happy when I found a stand for my ereader. This is particularly useful when I'm on lunch by myself or cooking supper.

Both are compact, and fold up. I prefer the smaller one but both are great.

Stand #1

Stand #2

Not everyone has the new glo ereaders, I love my Kandle for my none glo eink readers. I paid 20$ on ebay for it. It also came with a case and extra batteries.

Kandle

Some other suggestions would be a case. I love accessories, and I have multiple cases. It doesn't hurt to have a second case.

A gift card for an online bookstore! Make sure you know which store to get the gift card for.

A waterproof case. I don't have one but it would be great when reading in the bath.

Case

*Please note I'm not affiliated with any of the online stores linked.

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In My Mailbox

Hi!

 

I want to mention that my thoughts and prayers are with the victims families in Newtown Connecticut. Friday, I was glued to my twitter and CNN. I was shocked, and disgusted. I felt shaken and so, so sad... What happened to those children, teachers and faculty is unimaginable. My heart is broken and grieving with that community.

 

On the book front, I haven't been buying many because Christmas is around the corner. I'm not going to have any more reviews in the next coming weeks. I'm going to save them for 2013. I'm hoping to start the year with a few weeks of scheduled posts. I will continue to share some recommendations.

Review Books:

An Uncommon Education by Elizabeth Percer

The Lives We Lost by Megan Crewe

A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash

 

Ebooks:

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

Two Solitudes by Huge Mackennan (2013 Canada Reads)

 

Egalleys:

What A Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr

The Eloquence of Desire by Amanda Sington-Williams

The Death of Bees by Lisa O'Donnell

 

We bought and decorated our tree this weekend.

 

 

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Catherine McKenzie- Recommended Reading

Catherine McKenzie was born and raised in Montreal. She's a graduate from McGill university. Her books are wonderful reads. Her plots are unique, her characters are likable and you won't be sorry you picked these up. I also recommend gifting these over the holidays for those who are looking for a fast-paced, original story. Honestly, I've read all 3 of her books this year, and I enjoyed each one more than the previous book. I can't wait for her forth book! She has proven that she's an amazing writer. I have no idea where she comes up with her plots...

Spin (review): A writer pretends to be an alcoholic to check in to the same rehab as a famous celebrity.

Arranged (review): A young women, dumped decides to give an arranged marriage a try. It's worked for some, maybe it'll work for her too. The process is expensive, exclusive and a little bit scary...

Forgotten (review): Emma's mother died and gave her a plane ticket to Africa. On her trip an earthquake hits, and it takes her six months to get home. When she finally gets home, she learns that everyone assumed she was dead.

Don't these sound like unique reads?

2012 Recap: Amy Hatvany- Have you tried one of her books?

During the month of December, in addition to  reviews, I will be sharing some of my favorite books and offer some suggestions to read for 2013. No matter how many books we read, there are some that slip through the cracks and I want to encourage you to read some of my favorite reads. 2012 has been a great reading year for me and I hope 2013 is just as good.


In this case, I want to share an author I discovered this year and I loved all 4 of the books that I read. Amy Hatvany is incredibly talented and her stories remain with me long after I close the pages. I remember seeing Best Kept Secret on Skrishna's Blog and I was really curious about the book. The book was about an alcoholic mother who never saw her alcoholism begin until it was too late. Since Swapna and I have similar taste in books, and I decided to give it a try. I found a book that I would be recommending over and over again. Hatvany offers characters who have unique circumstances and difficult family situations. Her characters are real, and they can be easily be someone you know.

"Best Kept Secret is one of the most thought-provoking, emotional books I have read in a long time. It’s real, honest and heartbreaking. Amy Hatvany had me glued to the pages."

Best Kept Secret (Review)

"Amy Hatvany gives a voice to all parties involved. The characters come alive, and their stories are so real and unbiased."

Outside the Lines (Review)

"Hatvany creates stories that cause readers to rethink a difficult situation, and be able to put themselves in those shoes. Her stories give readers a sense of the everyday lives and relationships of the characters, strong secondary characters are well developed and cement the story."

The Language of Sisters (Review)

Heart Like Mine releases in March 2013. I received an egalley and I couldn't wait to read it. I thought it was another 5 star rated book, and my review will be upcoming.

If you haven't tried one of Amy Hatvany's books, do yourself a favor and pick one up soon. You will not be sorry. Her books are great, and you will be glued to the pages.

In My Mailbox.

Christmas is coming soon! Montreal is gearing up for its first storm. I like snow for Christmas, but I don't deal well with cold temperatures. I wish I could hibernate in the winter. I'm really lucky the commute to work is short. I haven't received any physical Ebooks, but I want t start incorporating my egalleys. I use both Netgalley and Edelweiss.

 

Ebooks bought:

Away by Jane Urquhart (Canada Reads 2013)

The Age of Hope by David Bergen (Canada Reads 2013)

The Passing Bells by Phillip Rock

Egalleys

Leaving Everything Behind by Jacqueline Winspear

Easy by Tamara Webber

Vanity Fare by Megan Caldwell

Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

A Murder at Rosamund's Gate by Susanna Galkins

The Smart One by Jennifer Close

A Christmas For Katie by Shelley Shepard Gray

True by Hilary Duff

 

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Canada Reads 2013 Upcoming reviews

For those of you who don't know, Canada Reads is an annual "battle of the books" held in Canada. Started in 2001, five Canadian's chose a book they though Canadians should read. They defended their choice through a series of debates, and eventually one winner was chosen. This year they shook things up, and the books were split into geographic regions; Atlantic, British Columbia, Ontario, Prairies & North, and Quebec, with Canadians recommending which novels they thought should be represented. I think the regions are interesting, but I'm not rooting for Quebec, just because I'm from Quebec. I'm more interested in reading and comparing the five books for myself. Every year I want to read the books, but this year I'm actually comitting myself to reading all five books. I will review each indiviually and then finally choose which one I think should win. The debates will be in February.

Here are the Five books that have been selected, including their panelists:

British Columbia and Yukon:

Carol Huynh defends Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese

Prairies and North:

Ron MacLean defends The Age of Hope by David Bergen

Ontario:

Charlotte Gray defends Away by Jane Urquhart

Quebec:

Jay Baruchel defends Two Solitudes by Hugh MacLennan

Atlantic:

Trent McClellan defends February by Lisa Moore

Will you be reading them?



Review: No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 336
Released: 2012
Source: 4/5



Synopsis:

Cara Hamilton lost her parents and soon after thought her brother was dead as well. When she received a letter from her brother, advising her that he was still alive, she boarded a boat to Ellis Island. When Cara steps foot off the boat, her brother, Eoghan (pronounced Owen) is nowhere to be found. The letter mentions for her to trust no one and wait for him to find her. Cara decides she won’t tell anyone about Eoghan, and prays that he’ll come find her soon. She befriends a man named Rourke, but decides to keep his knowledge of her limited. Cara faces many twists and turns, trying to find her brother. When the trust about her is revealed, her life is in danger.



Review:

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started No Safe Harbor, but I was immediately drawn to the story. I feared for Cara, and I wanted her to reunite with her brother. At the same time, I didn’t know what kind of trouble her brother had gotten himself in, and I questioned his character. I allegiance was with Cara and I wanted what was best for her, whether that was reuniting with her brother or trusting Rourke. It’s clear that there’s more to Rourke than Cara is aware of, and I kept wondering if she should trust him, and if their friendship would harm her.

Ludwig’s portrayal of 1890’s New York was fantastic. I’m a big fan of historical fiction, and although this is Christian Historical Fiction, I really enjoyed it. I do enjoy Christian Fiction, but I don’t like it to be very preachy, which this was not. No Sage Harbor was first and foremost, an entertaining read that kept me interested throughout the story. I will definitely be continuing this series. If you're looking for an interesting read, a plot that keeps you engaged, and a historical background, this one will be for you.

In My Mailbox

Hi,

December is here! I didn't get any review books this week, but I did buy a few Ebooks. I'm hoping to read 100 books this year, and I'm almost at my new goal. My original goal was 80 books, which would have maintained the same amount as least year and I'm already at 97 books read.

 

Baroness by Susan May Warren

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald

The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King

The Pilgrim by Paul Almond

 

 

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