My Top 10 Reads for 2011 (Part I)

In no particular order:

(1) ANNABEL – Kathleen Winter

4.5 STARS

Wayne has never felt right in his own body and how he feels about the things around him.  His inclination towards the feminine clashes with his father’s view on normalcy and what defines a man.  His mother loves him for who he is but often finds herself in a tug of war of telling Wayne the truth of who he was born as.    What Wayne does not know is that he was born with both genitalia and his father chose male (this is what the medical profession deems should be his gender), while his mother thought he should be a girl.

This is an incredibly beautiful haunting novel written with such grace and compassion that I could not put it down.  I first heard about this novel on BBC radio where they had adapted it for radio.  I was totally blown away by it!  A must read!!!

(2) A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES (Book 1) – Deborah Harkness

4 STARS

See review from previous post:  https://anoveladdiction.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/how-twilight-s…e-been-written/ ‎

(3) SILENT IN THE GRAVE (Book 1) – Deanna Raybourn

4 STARS

See review from previous post:

https://anoveladdiction.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/victorian-ladies/

(4) THE CONDITION – Jennifer Haigh

4 STARS

Wow, this is her third book and I STILL LOVE HER WRITING!!! It is an amazing story of a family that has been coming apart for years. When they discover their daughter Gwen has Turner’s Syndrome – Frank retreats to science to cure his daughter and Paulette focuses on her appearance as if nothing is wrong. Billy their eldest son is distant and struggling with his sexuality as he is trying to date women but they are never enough for him. Scott the young rebel is married with children in Burbs and hating every minute of it. As the Holidays approach the McKotch family will either break or make it. Each family member has their own distinct voice and at times you find yourself loving and hating the same characters

(5) THE GREAT DELIVERANCE (Book 1) – Elizabeth George

4 STARS

A wonderful old time detective mystery story that keeps you engaged at every step. This is the first book in the Inspector Thomas Lynley series that teams up the Oxford educated Inspector with Barbara Havers, a working-class Sargent. They argue their way through the case as their opinions of one another clash with their theories.

An  older man is found butchered with his spinster daughter standing above him with the weapon. He was newly engaged to a widow in the village, his nephew and heir is back in town but are butting heads and there is his other daughter who ran away from home many years ago.

Part II of this list will appear later this week just in case I read a mind-blowing book in the meantime 😉

FALLEN (BOOK 1) Lauren Kate

2 STARS

After a bizarre fire kills a friend Luce is sent to a reform school where her classmates seem odd yet intriguing.  One student in particular catches her eye, gorgeous and standoffish, Daniel Grigori. Then there is charming handsome, Cam who tries to get her attention as well.  She is torn between someone who wants her or someone who does everything to avoid her.

I started out liking the novel and the teen angst and longing was all right. Luce was a bit annoying and weak but this seems to the new characteristics for teen heroines.  I thought that the “mystery” dragged out for too long and even when answers were given it still came out stilted.  I sort of felt letdown when everything was explained. It built up my expectations way too much. Unfortunately, I will not continue with this series.

Anyone love this book/series and have thoughts?

How TWILIGHT Should Have Been Written

Ever feel like the teen angst and whining in the Twilight was going make you crawl the walls?  Not that it is a bad series it just felt simplistic, unedited and a lacked passion.  The kind of love that when you shut the book it makes you swoon a bit.  I have the solution of you…

THE DISCOVERY OF WITCHES – Deborah Harkness

4 STARS

An epic forbidden relationship between a powerful Witch and ancient Vampire. It had Daemons, Witches and Vampires picking sides – for or against mixing of supernaturals. Enemies from all sides…threatening notes, kidnapping, stalking and murders. That is just the first part of the long yet quick novel.

It is a well written story that takes you away to another world and holds you a voluntary prisoner till the end! There is no flat love triangle or disturbing relationships. The characters are lively and jump from the pages.  And, the love…there is longing where he tries to keep her away from his dark side, but the push and pull has passion behind it.

 Matthew should be added to the list of tasty vampire men – handsome, worldly and of course brooding.   Diana, the hesitant witch, is his love and a strong heroine.  Did I mention this is only book one in the series?

http://deborahharkness.com/discovery-of-witches/

 

 

I am currently reading FALLEN (Book 1) by Lauren Kate another teen paranormal novel.  I am only halfway in the book and still in suspense.  This might be another good teen novel – will keep you posted.