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Showing posts from December, 2012

Best Books Read in 2012

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2012 has been an awesome reading year for me. I have discovered many wonderful new-to-me titles and authors all narrowed down to the following: 1. A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnely - This book is just so beautifully written that it was quite a page turner for me despite that it is under the historical genre. If you love books and words, it is impossible for you to not like Mattie and her story.  2. Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner - I didn't quite really loved The Thief but this second installment, boy was I in for a wonderful ride. This book has just one unexpected thing after another! One of the best plots of all time.    3. Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud - This series is a hilarious magical romp through old London and it's government. Magic + politics = a whole lot of fun. 4. Daughter of the Forest by Julliet Marillier  - One of my best fairy tale retellings to date. It's such a beautiful heartbreaking tale of love and family with a

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

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Summary from Goodreads : Sparkling white snowdrifts, beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicolored lights glittering in the night through the falling snow. A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks. Thanks to three of today’s bestselling teen authors—John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle—the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.(less) This is the first Christmas that I happen to have a Christmas themed book on hand, two Wintery Christmas t

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

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Summary from Goodreads : Annabeth is terrified. Just when she's about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo's fantastical creation doesn't appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace. And that's only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close—the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her? Annabeth's biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

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Summary from Goodreads : Hopelessly crossed in love, a boy of half-fairy parentage leaves his mundane Victorian-English village on a quest for a fallen star in the magical realm. The star proves to be an attractive woman with a hot temper, who plunges with our hero into adventures featuring witches, the lion and the unicorn, plotting elf-lords, ships that sail the sky, magical transformations, curses whose effects rebound, binding conditions with hidden loopholes and all the rest. I have always been a Gaiman fan, ever since I finished my first Gaiman book, American Gods. Followed by Anansi Boys and The Graveyard Book. All of which became my favorites. Plus I love fantasy and fairytales, so the possibility of me liking this one is huge. I always get lost in Gaiman's world and this one in Stardust is no exception. It's a story book world where the real and the fantastical exists side by side. The ordinary town of Wall alongside the realm of Faerie, only separated by an actu

A Golden Age by Tahmima Anam

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Summary from Goodreads : As young widow Rehana Haque awakes one March morning, she might be forgiven for feeling happy. Her children are almost grown, the city is buzzing with excitement after recent elections. Change is in the air.  But no one can foresee what will happen in the days and months that follow. For this is East Pakistan in 1971, a country on the brink of war. And this family's life is about to change forever.  Set against the backdrop of the Bangladesh War of Independence, 'A Golden Age' is a story of passion and revolution, of hope, faith, and unexpected heroism. In the chaos of this era, everyone must make choices. And as she struggles to keep her family safe, Rehana will be forced to face a heartbreaking dilemma. I have had a couple of adult fiction strike outs this year, so I was afraid that A Golden Age might just join the number of "unfinished adult literature casualty". But interestingly enough this was my first finished adult fic