Casual Readers discussion

Okay, Ladies and Gents, inquiring minds want to know: what is the single best book you have read so far this year? I mean, which one have you had the most fun with so far this year?

That is a tough one, Chuck. I will give it some thought. My brain is mush after writing all day, but the first one that comes to mind is NOS4A2.

Of course there was Bleed by Ed Kurtz, which was a big surprise and Boy's Life was enchanting and quite possibly one of the best books I have ever read. There have been so many great ones this year.

I have to go with: . I absolutely loved it. Every time I stopped I couldn't wait to get back to it. Then, I wanted to skip ahead because the tension was making me all antsy, but I didn't want to read it too fast because I was having so much fun with it. That just doesn't happen for me much anymore. It had been along time since I got into a book like that. That was a month ago and I'm ready to start the fourth book in the series. I'm convinced it's McCammon's best book.

Adam wrote: "That is a tough one, Chuck. I will give it some thought. My brain is mush after writing all day, but the first one that comes to mind is NOS4A2."

Oh yes, that one rocked!

Adam wrote: "Of course there was Bleed by Ed Kurtz, which was a big surprise and Boy's Life was enchanting and quite possibly one of the best books I have ever read. There have been so many great ones this year."

Cool. I'm going to have to check BLEED out.

I cannot believe I haven't read Boy's Life. Well, actually I'm about 100 pages into it. I have SO got to finish it. I just have sucky audiobook version of it.

I haven't had a chance to get to any of McCammon's newer books, but I am excited about this one now.

Adam wrote: "I haven't had a chance to get to any of McCammon's newer books, but I am excited about this one now."

It's just so different than his other stuff. It's different genre. It's like an entirely different author. You know he quit publishing for 10 years because they wanted him to keep doing the horror thing and I guess he was just wanting to do something different. I'm glad he stuck to his guns.

I'm glad to see he is still writing, too. He is a great storyteller. I see this one is the first in a series, so making it all the more enticing.

Definitely The Sumer I Died

I think the best book I've read this year would have to be Last Days by Adam Nevill. I really enjoy some of the horror movies done in the documentary vein, like Blair Witch & Last Exorcism, and I wasn't sure how a novel about the filming of one would be. It was fantastic, and the first book I've read by Adam Nevill.

The Summer I Died is on my short list, Addy. Heard great things about it.

The Summer I Died and Hero are the best i've read this year

Best book I've read so far this year is by Victor LaValle.

A close second would be by Joe Hill.

This is a tough one since I've read several great books this year. I also rate them by genre since each one is great depending on my expectations for each specific genre. Hmmmm, well, I think if I had to choose the very best so far, it would have to be a tie between by Anthony Ryan, and the Riyria series by Michael J. Sullivan,

Adam wrote: "That is a tough one, Chuck. I will give it some thought. My brain is mush after writing all day, but the first one that comes to mind is NOS4A2."

Agreed! That is the first one that popped up in my head.

Hi everyone,

I would have to go with Inferno by Dan Brown . I couldn't put that book down. I needed to know what was going to happen next. If you have already read the book, you know what I am talking about. Looking forward reading your comments. Wishing you all the best! :)

I absolutely loved Angel Gelique's Hillary: Flesh and Blood, followed by its sequel Hillary: Tail of the Dog. However I also loved Gary Caruso's Our Souls to Keep. Along with all the Kilborn/Konrath books. Sigh. Similar to the Lay's potato chips, there's no way I can pick just one! :-)

I have not read this one Antonello. I know this is probably gonna start a lot of crap, but it is my opinion only. After all the controversy with The Da Vinci Code, I have a bit of a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to Dan Brown. However, I do make every attempt to stay open-minded and may give it a shot. It has received some high praise.

Cindy wrote: "I have not read this one Antonello. I know this is probably gonna start a lot of crap, but it is my opinion only. After all the controversy with The Da Vinci Code, I have a bit of a bad taste in my..."

Hi Brenda,

Don`t worry, I completely understand. You`re not the only person who shares the same emotion. As you`ve mentioned, I would recommend for you to keep an open-mind if you choose to read Inferno. It might change your perception. Wishing you all the best! :)

I've read so many great books this year! But I think Shantaram and The Fault in Our Stars tops the list. But I also read Looking for Alaska which was beautiful, and A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers, which was also amazing. This is hard.

Lina wrote: "I've read so many great books this year! But I think Shantaram and The Fault in Our Stars tops the list. But I also read Looking for Alaska which was beautiful, and A Concise Chinese-English Dictio..."

SHANTARAM absolutely KICKS ASS! Probably my favorite read ever.

Lina wrote: "I've read so many great books this year! But I think Shantaram and The Fault in Our Stars tops the list. But I also read Looking for Alaska which was beautiful, and A Concise Chinese-English Dictio..."

I agree, Lina! It's like a parent having to choose the child they love best! Yikes! LOL! SO MUCH STRESS!!!!!

Antonello wrote: "Hi everyone,

I would have to go with Inferno by Dan Brown . I couldn't put that book down. I needed to know what was going to happen next. If you have already read the book, you know what I am tal..."

I've read all of the Robert Langdon books, but I didn't care for INFERNO too much. It's like he's working from the same outline. It's taken on a TV-type feel for me. I loved the others, though, especially A&D.

I've read all of Dan Brown's books except Inferno. Haven't been able to shell out the dough yet. My favorite of his is also A&D. To me, he uses the same formula for all his books.

Lina wrote: "I've read so many great books this year! But I think Shantaram and The Fault in Our Stars tops the list. But I also read Looking for Alaska which was beautiful, and A Concise Chinese-English Dictio..."

Lina, do you ever watch any of the booktubers on YouTube? There are some really good ones, and that's how I heard about the John Greene books and A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers.

A Storm of Swords. Honourable mention goes to NOS4A2 and Gone Girl

Adam wrote: "I've read all of Dan Brown's books except Inferno. Haven't been able to shell out the dough yet. My favorite of his is also A&D. To me, he uses the same formula for all his books."

Hi Adam,
Thanks for sharing your comments. I agree with you- Dan Brown tends to use the same formula when writing a story. However, we also educates his readers when introducing an historical theme in connection with an apocalypse. I guess that's his trademark. Wishing you all the best!

Great feedback, Antonello. I agree.

I really enjoyed so much that I made it a favorite.

This book is not a military book discussing intricate military language and “life behind the front-lines”. It is rather a book how members of the military interact within American society with all the elements. There are funny, thought-provoking scenes along sad upsetting ones that can leave you angry.

Courtney wrote: "A Storm of Swords. Honourable mention goes to NOS4A2 and Gone Girl"

I agree with Courtney - the best book I read in the last year was A Storm of Swords

Rick wrote: "Lina wrote: "I've read so many great books this year! But I think Shantaram and The Fault in Our Stars tops the list. But I also read Looking for Alaska which was beautiful, and A Concise Chinese-E..."

I've only just started, but the Fault In Our Stars I heard of on tumblr, and the Dictionary I heard of from a friend. I watch some of them now though.

Lina wrote: "Rick wrote: "Lina wrote: "I've read so many great books this year! But I think Shantaram and The Fault in Our Stars tops the list. But I also read Looking for Alaska which was beautiful, and A Conc..."

Hi Lina,
It's a great book. I'm sure you will enjoy it. It feels very realistic and makes you appreciate life. Happy reading! :)

Antonello wrote: "Lina wrote: "Rick wrote: "Lina wrote: "I've read so many great books this year! But I think Shantaram and The Fault in Our Stars tops the list. But I also read Looking for Alaska which was beautifu..."

Oh, but I already read it :) But thanks anyway!

So far my favorite new to me books of the year are Boy's Life by Robert McCammon and The Terror by Dan Simmons. Carrion Comfort also by Dan Simmons is up there too.

Got to be honest my best read so far is Karin Slaughter - Criminal although that might all change when I read Unseen. Am really loving Karin Slaughters work at the moment

Traci L. wrote: "So far my favorite new to me books of the year are Boy's Life by Robert McCammon and The Terror by Dan Simmons. Carrion Comfort also by Dan Simmons is up there too."

Have you read any other Dan Simmons? I've read CARRION COMFORT and we are reading THE TERROR right now. They are so different from each other it's unbelievable. It's almost like they were written by different authors. I love Robert R. McCammon's books, BTW. He's definitely one of my very favorites.

No. Those are the only two Simmons I've read. So far. I read The Terror first and read Carrion Comfort after. They are quite different but I loved both.
Boy's Life was my first McCammon and I loved it. And now I'm reading Blue World. Swan's Song is next.

I just looked and realized I read Boy's Life in January. That does top NOS4A2. It took me a few weeks to read because I savored every bite. The introduction section alone was full of memorable quotes.

NOS4A2 has been my favorite 2013 release so far. I think. I enjoyed it.

I have three:



If I had to pick just one, it would be Sharp Objects.


My favorite 2013 release will be NOS4A2 as soon as I read it.

Traci L. wrote: "No. Those are the only two Simmons I've read. So far. I read The Terror first and read Carrion Comfort after. They are quite different but I loved both.
Boy's Life was my first McCammon and I loved..."

I loved BLUE WORLD! Not the short stories in the book but the story BLUE WORLD.

Adam wrote: "I just looked and realized I read Boy's Life in January. That does top NOS4A2. It took me a few weeks to read because I savored every bite. The introduction section alone was full of memorable quotes."

It really does. I love all that stuff about the magic of childhood.

Andrew wrote: "I have three:



If I had to pick just one, it would be Sharp Objects.


My favorite 2013 release will be NOS4A2 as ..."

Have you read GONE GIRL? If so, how does SHARP OBJECTS compare quality wise?

Having just finished A Man in Full, I have to move it to my number one spot. Last Days was a quicker, lighter read, but Man in Full was so...BIG. So many characters and situations, and I loved the way everything was eventually interconnected. I didn't necessarily love everything about the ending, but it was unique and definitely kept me interested all the way through.

So far...The Round House by Louise Eldrich
Daughter of smoke and bone by Laini Taylor
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley
One more!!! Storm of swords

Has anyone read, Gone Girl? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts on it. Thank you and all the best to all of you! :)

Antonello wrote: "Has anyone read, Gone Girl? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts on it. Thank you and all the best to all of you! :)"

Read it. LOVED it!! It is SOOOOO messed up but that's why I think I loved it so much. I love books that keep my on edge wondering what will happen next and then being SHOCKED because I didn't see that coming!! It was amazing! NO kidding!

Brooke-True Story Book Blog wrote: "Antonello wrote: "Has anyone read, Gone Girl? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts on it. Thank you and all the best to all of you! :)"

Read it. LOVED it!! It is SOOOOO messed up but that's w..."

Thank you so much for sharing your comments, Brooke. Now I'm even more anxious of picking up a copy. I'm looking forward reading it. Thanks again! :)

Antonello, I concur with Brooke. It is a great read. Just stay away from spoilers. :)