2012 & 2013 Reviews
Reviews of books read (and/or reviewed) in 2012 and 2013. Behind each title in brackets the year the book was first published.
Click on the blue title to go to the review.
Mercy (2007) by Jussi Adler-Olsen. Thriller
The Time of My Life (2011) by Cecelia Ahern. Chick-lit, 4.5 stars
A Trick I Learned from Dead Men (2012) by Kitty Aldridge. Contemporary fiction. 5 stars
Untold Story (2011) by Monica Ali. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
Predictably Irrational (2008) by Dan Ariely. Non-fiction, psychology, 4 stars
Miss Me When I’m Gone (2012) by Emily Arsenault. Contemporary fiction, 3.5 stars
The Reconstructionist (2012) by Nick Arvin. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
Still (2012) by Roelof Bakker. Short Stories, 4 stars
The Elegance of the Hedgehog (2007) by Muriel Barbery. Contemporary fiction
The Cottage at Glass Beach (2012) by Heather Barbieri. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
The Sense of an Ending (2011) by Julian Barnes. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
Blood Lure (2001) by Nevada Barr. Thriller, 3.5 stars
Strangers on the 16:02 by Priya Basil. Contemporary fiction. 5 stars
Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber (2010) by Dane Batty. Non-fiction, memoir, crime
Rubbernecker (2013) by Belinda Bauer. Thriller, 5 stars
The School of Essential Ingredients (2009) by Erica Bauermeister. Contemporary fiction, not finised
Agorafabulous! (2012) by Sara Benincasa. Non-fiction, memoir
Choose the Life You Want (2012) by Tal Ben-Shahar. Non-fiction, self-help, 4 stars
MWF Seeking BFF (2011) by Rachel Bertsche. Nonfiction: Memoir, 4 stars
This Year it Will be Different (1996) by Maeve Binchy 4.5 stars
A Virtual Love (2013) by Andrew Blackman. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
The Pearl Savage (2011) by Tamara Rose Blodgett. Fantasy, 3.5 stars
Away (2007) by Amy Bloom. Historical fiction
San Miguel (2012) by T. C. Boyle. Historical fiction, 3.5 stars
Rejection (2012) by Meagan Bridges. Chick-lit, 4 stars
Letters from Skye (2013) by Jessica Brockmole. Historical fiction, 4 stars
Where the Bodies Are Buried (2011, 2012) by Christopher Brookmyre. Thriller, 4 stars
I Am Max Lamm (2013) by Raphael Brous. Contemporary fiction. 3.5 stars
Notes from a Small Island (1995) by Bill Bryson. Non-fiction, travel, 5 stars
If You Were Here (2013) by Alafair Burke. Mystery, 3.5 stars
Etched in Sand (2013) by Regina Calcaterra. Non-fiction, memoir, 4 stars
Vanity Fare (2013) by Megan Caldwell. Chick-lit, 4 stars
Blameless (2010) by Gail Carriger. Speculative fiction, steampunk
A Land More Kind Than Home (2012) by Wiley Cash. Contemporary fiction, 5 stars
Killer Queens (2013) by Rebecca Chance. Contemporary fiction. 4.5 stars
You Remind Me of Me (2004) by Dan Chaon. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
The Mad Scientist’s Daughter (2013) by Cassandra Rose Clarke. Science fiction, DNF
The Look of Love (2012) by Mary Jane Clark. Mystery
Ready Player One (2011) by Ernest Cline. Science fiction, 5 stars
Someone Else’s Wedding (2013) by Tamar Cohen. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
The War of the Wives (2012) by Tamar Cohen. Contemporary fiction, 5 stars
The House Girl (2013) by Tara Conklin. Historical fiction, 4.5 stars
Life’s a Beach (2007) by Claire Cook. Chick-lit, 3.5 stars.
The Trout Opera (2007) by Matthew Condon (read in 2011). Contemporary fiction
The Orchardist (2012) by Amanda Coplin. Historical fiction, 4.5 stars
The Wish List (2013) by Jane Costello. Chick-lit, 4.5 stars
Tulipomania (1999) by Mike Dash. Non-fiction, history, 4.5 stars
The Gargoyle (2008) by Andrew Davidson. Contemporary fiction, historical fiction
Falling Together (2011, 2012) by Marisa de los Santos. Contemporary fiction. 4 stars
The Starboard Sea (2012) by Amber Dermont. Contemporary fiction. 4 stars
The Sisters Brothers (2011) by Patrick deWitt. Historical fiction, 4.5 stars
Norse Greenland (2005) by Jared Diamond. Non-fiction: history, 4.5 stars
A Christmas Carol (1843) by Charles Dickens. Classic, 5 stars
A Tale of Two Cities (1859) by Charles Dickens. Classic, DNF
The Language of Flowers (2011) by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Contemporary fiction
The Tea Rose (2002) by Jennifer Donnelly. Historical fiction, 5 stars
Room (2010) by Emma Emma Donoghue. Contemporary fiction
Without Mercy (2001) by Renate Dorrestein. Contemporary fiction. 4.5 stars
The Infinite Within (2013) by Michael Drakich. Science fiction, 3.5 stars
Cartwheel (2013) by Jennifer Dubois. Mystery, 4 stars
The Power of Habit by Charles Dugitt. Non-fiction, 4 stars
Wild Abandon (2011) by Joe Dunthorne. Contemporary fiction. 3.5 stars
The Circle (2013) by Dave Eggers. Science fiction, 5 stars
A Hologram for the King (2012) by Dave Eggers. 5 stars
Zeitoun (2009) by Dave Eggers. Non-fiction, memoir
What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank (2012) by Nathan Englander. Short stories. 3.5 stars
There Was an Old Woman (2013) by Hallie Ephron. Thriller, 4,5 stars
Round House (2012) by Louise Erdrich. Contemporary fiction. 4 stars
Cathedral of the Sea (2006) by Ildefonso Falcones. Historical fiction, 4.5 stars
Pieces of Light (2013) by Charles Fernyhough. Non-fiction, memory. DNF
Man in the Empty Suit (2013) by Sean Ferrell. Science fiction (DNF)
A Perfect Proposal (2010) by Katie Fforde. Chick-lit, 4 stars.
The Duplicate (2012) by Helen Fitzgerald. Thriller, 4.5 stars
The Reluctant Cannibals (2013) by Ian Flitcroft. Contemporary fiction. 4.5 stars
Beneath the Shadows (2012) by Sara Foster. Thriller, 4 stars
The Collector (1963) by John Fowles. Thriller
A Tiny Bit Marvellous (2010) by Dawn French. Contemporary fiction, 3.5 stars
Schroder (2013) by Amity Gaige. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
My Legendary Girlfriend (1998) by Mike Gayle. 5 stars
The Bone Garden (2007) by Tess Gerritsen. Thriller, 4 stars
The Mephisto Club (2006) by Tess Gerritsen. Thriller, 4 stars.
The Sinner (2003) by Tess Gerritsen. Thriller, 4 stars
Love Virtually (2006, 2011) by Daniel Glattauer. Contemporary fiction. 4 stars
The Winemaker (2012) by Noah Gordon. Historical fiction, 5 stars
Christmas Carol (2013) by Michele Gorman. Contemporary fiction. 4 stars
The End of the Point (2013) by Elizabeth Graver. Historical fiction, DNF.
The Fault in Our Stars (2012) by John Green. Contemporary fiction, YA. 4 stars
The Travel Auction (2012) by Mark Green. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
Triburbia (2012) by Karl Taro Greenfeld. Contemporary fiction. 3.5 stars
The Mall (2011) by S. L. Grey. Science fiction. 4.5 stars
The Magician King (2011) by Lev Grossman. Fantasy, 4 stars
One Breath Away (2012) by Heather Gudenkauf. Contemporary fiction, 3.5 stars
The Red House (2012) by Mark Haddon. Contemporary fiction. 3 stars
The Humans by Matt Haig (2012). Science Fiction, 5 stars.
Miracle on Regent Street (2011) by Ali Harris. Contemporary fiction. 4.5 stars
A Father’s Son (2013) by Richard Harris. Contemporary fiction. 4.5 stars
172 Hours on the Moon (2008) by Johan Harstad. YA, science fiction, 4.5 stars
The Treatment (2001). by Mo Hayder. Thriller, 5 stars
Dark Tide (2012) by Elizabeth Haynes. Thriller, 4 stars
Into the Darkest Corner (2012) by Elizabeth Haynes. Thriller, 4.5 stars
The Dog Stars (2012) by Peter Heller. Post-apocalyptic fiction, 5 stars.
The Devotion of Suspect X (2005) by Keigo Higashino. Thriller, 4.5 stars
Salvation of a Saint (2012) by Keigo Higashino. Thriller, 4 stars.
N0S4A2 (2013) by Joe Hill. Fantasy. 5 stars
A Gift to Remember (2013) by Melissa Hill. Contemporary fiction, 5 stars
The Bee-Loud Glade (2011) by Steve Himmer. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
Prior Bad Acts (2006) by Tami Hoag. Thriller, 4 stars
The River King (2000) by Alice Hoffman. Contemporary fiction. 3.5 stars
The End of Alice (1996) by A. M. Homes. Contemporary fiction
May We Be Forgiven (2012) by A. M. Homes. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
The Hairdresser of Harare (2010) by Tendai Huchu. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
Nocturnes (2009) by Kazuo Ishiguro. Short stories, 4 stars
Between a Rock and a Hot Place (2012) by Tracey Jackson. Non-fiction, memoir, 5 stars
Fifty Shades of Grey (2011) by E. L. James. Contemporary fiction, 3.5 stars
Being Lara (2012) by Lola Jaye. Contemporary fiction
The Finkler Question (2010) by Howard Jacobson, Contemporary fiction, not finished
Perfect People (2011) by Peter James. Science fiction, 4.5 stars
The Uninvited (2013) by Liz Jensen. Science fiction, 5 stars
Lighthouse Island (2013) by Paulette Jiles. Science fiction, dystopia, 4.5 stars
Tongue (2007) by Kyung Ran Jo. Contemporary fiction, 5 stars
Perfect (2013) by Rachel Joyce. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. Contemporary fiction. 4 stars
The Orphan Master’s Son (2011) by Adam Johnson. Contemporary fiction, 3 stars
On the Road to Mr. Right (2006) by Belinda Jones. Chick-lit, 3.5 stars
The Uninvited Guests (2012) by Sadie Jones. Historical fiction, 5 stars
Mudbound (2008) by Hillary Jordan. Historical fiction, 5 stars
The Rock Star in Seat 3A (2012) by Jill Kargman. Contemporary fiction, chick-lit, 2.5 stars
The Lens and the Looker (2011) by Lory S. Kaufman. YA Science fiction, time travel, 4 stars.
11/22/63 (2011) by Stephen King. Science fiction, 4.5 stars
Flight Behavior (2012) by Barbara Kingsolver. Contemporary fiction. 5 stars
I’ve Got Your Number (2012) by Sophie Kinsella. Chick-lit, 3.5 stars
The Dinner (2010) by Herman Koch. Contemporary fiction, 5 stars
Mrs. Queen Takes the Train (2012) by William Kuhn. Contemporary fiction. 4 stars
Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri (2008) Short stories, 4.5 stars.
The Devil in Silver (2013) by Victor LaValle. Contemporary fiction. 4.5 stars
Fingerprints (2012) by Marcia Leonard. Mystery, 4.5 stars
The Tall Tale of Tommy Twice (2012) by Nathan Leslie. Contemporary fiction. 4.5 stars
The Secrets of Mary Bowser (2012) by Lois Leveen. Historical fiction, 4 stars
Swimming Home (2011, 2012) by Deborah Levy. Contemporary fiction. 4 stars
Various Pets Alive and Dead (2012) by Marina Lewycka. Contemporary fiction. 4.5 stars
The First Book of Calamity Leek (2013) by Paula Lichtarowicz. Contemporary fiction, 5 stars
The Flight of Gemma Hardy (2012) by Margot Livesey (read in 2011). Historical fiction
Afterwards (2012) by Rosamund Lupton. Mystery, 4.5 stars
Sister (2011) by Rosamund Lupton. Thriller, 4 stars
A Beautiful Truth (2013) by Colin McAdam. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
Have Wormhole, Will Travel (2013) by Tony McFadden Science Fiction, 3.5 stars
This is How it Ends (2012) by Kathleen MacMahon. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
The Borrower (2011) by Rebecca Makkai. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
The Long Shadow (2013) by Liza Marklund. Thriller, 4 stars
Vanished (2000) by Liza Marklund. Thriller, 5 stars
I Am Legend (1954) by Richard Matheson. Speculative fiction, science fiction, dystopia
The Rise and Fall of a Domestic Diva (2009) by Sarah May. Contemporary fiction
The Truth About Love & Lightning (2013) by Susan McBride. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
First You Try Everything (2012) by Jane McCafferty (read in 2011). Contemporary fiction
Not a Drop to Drink (2013) by Mindy McGinnis. Science fiction, dystopia, 5 stars
Arranged (2011, 2012) by Catherine McKenzie. Contemporary fiction, chick-lit, 4.5 stars
Forgotten (2012) by Catherine McKenzie. Contemporary fiction. 4.5 stars
Spin (2009, 2012) by Catherine McKenzie. Contemporary fiction
The Heart Broke In (2012) by James Meek. Contemporary fiction. 3.5 stars
The Other Life (2011) by Ellen Meister. Speculative fiction, 3.5 stars
Cover of Snow (2013) by Jenny Milchman. Mystery, did not finish
The Ghost of Neil Diamond (2008) by David Milnes. Contemporary fiction, 3 stars
Ghostwritten (1999) by David Mitchell (DNF). Contemporary fiction, not finished.
The Snow Whale (2011) by John Minichillo. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
The Orchard of Lost Souls (2013) by Nadifa Mohamed. Contemporary fiction, 5 stars
5 Reasons to Leave a Lover (2011) by Carolyn Moncel. Contemporary fiction
The Book of Why (2013) by Nicholas Montemarano. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
The Four Fingers of Death (2010) by Rick Moody. Science fiction, 4 stars
Heft (2012) by Liz Moore. Contemporary fiction. 5 stars
How to Be a Woman (2011, 2012) by Caitlin Moran. Non-fiction, memoir, 3 stars
Beloved (1987) by Toni Morrison. Historical fiction, 3.5 stars
The Secret Keeper (2012) by Kate Morton. Historical fiction, 4 stars.
The Returned (2013) by Jason Mott. Science fiction, 4 stars
The Thief (2009) by Fuminori Nakamura. Contemporary fiction. 5 stars
The Snowman (2007) by Jo Nesbo. Thriller
A Monster Calls (2011) by Patrick Ness. YA, Fantasy, 4 stars
John Saturnall’s Feast (2012) by Lawrence Norfolk. Historical fiction, not finished
Reach for a Different Sun (2011) by Jenni O’Connor. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
Star of the Sea (2002) by Joseph O’Connor. Historical fiction, 5 stars.
Closed Doors (2013) by Lisa O’Donnell. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
The Death of Bees (2012) by Lisa O’Donnell. Contemporary fiction, 5 stars
Songs for the Missing (2008) by Stewart O’Nan. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
Half Brother (2011) by Kenneth Oppel. YA, historical fiction, 4.5 stars
The Holdout (2013) by Laurel Osterkamp. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
More Like Her (2012) by Liza Palmer. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
The Turnaround (2008) by George Pelecanos. Contemporary fiction, mystery, 3.5 stars
Starters (2012) by Lissa Price. YA Science fiction, 4 stars.
Every Last One (2010) by Anna Quindlen. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
The Imperfectionists (2010) by Tom Rachman. Contemporary fiction, 3.5 stars
Flamenco Baby (2013) by Cherry Radford. Contemporary fiction, DNF.
Waterline (2010, 2012) by Ross Raisin. Contemporary fiction, 5 stars
Virals by Kathy Reichs. Thriller, YA, 3 stars
The Starlite Drive-in (1997, 2011) by Marjorie Reynolds. Contemporary / historical fiction
The River of No Return (2013) by Bee Ridgway. Time travel, historical fiction, 4 stars
The Discovery of Jeanne Baret (2010, 2011) by Glynis Ridley. Non-fiction, hystory
The Whole Golden World (2013) by Kristina Riggle. Contemporary fiction, 3.5 stars
Amity & Sorrow (2013) by Peggy Riley. Contemporary fiction, 5 stars
The Lifeboat (2012) by Charlotte Rogan. Historical fiction, 4.5 stars
Just in Case (2006) by Meg Rosoff. YA, Contemporary fiction, 3.5 stars
The Casual Vacancy (2012) by J. K. Rowling. Contemporary fiction, 5 stars
The Little Prince (1943) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Children’s book, 3 stars
The Double by José Saramago. Literary fiction, speculative fiction, 4 stars
The First Warm Evening of the Year (2012) by Jamie M. Saul. Contemporary fiction, 3 stars
The Taste of Tomorrow (2012)by Josh Schonwald. Non-fiction, food, 4 stars
An Equal Music (1999) by Vikram Seth. Contemporary fiction
Important Artifacts […] by Leanne Shapton. Story in photos. 4 stars.
Big Brother (2013) by Lionel Shriver. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars.
Love Water Memory (2013) by Jennie Shortridge. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
My Soul To Take (2006) by Yrsa Sigurdardóttir. Mystery, 5 stars
The Story of Beautiful Girl (2011) by Rachel Simon. Historical fiction
The Rosie Project (2013) by Graeme Simsion. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
The Miracle Inspector (2010) by Helen Smith. Dystopian fiction, 4.5 stars
Dinner at Mine (2012) by Chris Smyth. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
This Bright River (2012) by Patrick Somerville. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
The Light Between Oceans (2012) by M. L. Stedman. Historical fiction, 4 stars
Of Mice and Men (1937) by John Steinbeck. Classic
Battle Royale (1999) by Koushun Takami. Speculative fiction, science fiction
Children of the Fog (2011) by Cheryl Kaye Tardif. Mystery, 3.5 stars
The Perfume Collector (2013) by Kathleen Tessaro. Historical fiction. 5 stars
The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year (2012) by Sue Townsend. Contemporary fiction, 5 stars
Genus (2011) by Jonathan Trigell. Science fiction, Dystopia, 5 stars
The Shoemaker’s Wife (2012) by Adriani Trigiani. Historical fiction, 4 stars
The Supreme Macaroni Company (2013) by Adriana Trigiani. Contemporary fiction, 3.5 stars
The World We Found (2012) by Thrity Umrigar (read in 2011). Contemporary fiction
Dirt (2012) by David Vann. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
Goat Mountain (2013) by David Vann. Contemporary fiction, did not finish
Cutting for Stone (2009) by Abraham Verghese (read in 2011). Historical fiction
What I Did (2011, 2012) by Christopher Wakling. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
The Submission (2011) by Amy Waldman. Contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
The Age of Miracles/ (2012) by Karen Thompson Walker. Science fiction, 4 stars
Charlotte Street (2011, 2012) by Danny Wallace. Contemporary fiction.4.5 stars
POD (2009) by Stephen Wallenfels. Science fiction, YA, 4 stars
Beautiful Ruins (2012) by Jess Walter. Historical fiction, contemporary fiction, 4.5 stars
Stay Close to Me (2012) by Helen Warner. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars
The River (2004) by Tricia Wastvedt. Historical fiction, DNF.
Eleven (2010) by Mark Watson (read in 2011). Contemporary fiction
The Unseen (2011, 2012) by Katherine Webb. Historical fiction, 4.5 stars
The Apple Orchard (2013) by Susan Wiggs. Contemporary fiction, 4 stars.
Fondly (2013) by Colin Winnette. Short stories, 4 stars
Elegy for Eddie (2012) by Jacqueline Winspear. Mystery
Annabel (2011) by Kathleen Winter. Fiction. 4 stars
Lost & Found (2013) by Tom Winter. Contemporary fiction, 5 stars
Kitchen (1993) by Banana Yoshimoto (read in 2011). Contemporary fiction
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe (2010) by Charles Yu. Science fiction, 3.5 stars
Harlequin’s Costume (2001, 2013) by Leonid Yuzefovich. Historical fiction, mystery. 4 stars.
The Prisoner of Heaven (2012) by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. Historical fiction, 4.5 stars
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