Literary Exploration discussion

We did a Best of 2011 last year for a theme and I thought it might be interesting to start early and see what people thing have been great books (that have been released in 2012)

2012 List (only 2012 releases)

The Fault in Our Stars
Angelmaker
Bring Up the Bodies
The Healing: A Novel
Insurgent
En dan nog iets
Empire State
Gone Girl

The Fault in Our Stars would be the stand out of the year so far (for me anyway)

I've not read any books released this year so far.

It is always hard to pick one, so I am going to pick two.... Nightwoods by Charles Frazier and Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt. I can't wait for more books from them!Nightwoods The Sisters Brothers

Eileen wrote: "It is always hard to pick one, so I am going to pick two.... Nightwoods by Charles Frazier and Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt. I can't wait for more books from them!Nightwoods ..."

Both books are released in 2011 not 2012. You don't have to limit yourself to one book I was just interested to see what people liked that were released in 2012

For those interested in Steampunk or just a Bond style adventure I would recommend Angelmaker

I picked it up and will read it sometime soon.

It's too early for me...but I want to see what everyone's thoughts are. Did you hear there is no Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2012, that's too bad, I would rather a tie or something. I've never read Steampunk, maybe it's time.

Bit of a disappointment

I just read The Healing by Jonathan Odell and loved it.

The Healing: A Novel:)

Thanks Brenda. Now I see the add book/author thingy :)

You're welcome Debbie:)

I have read some quite good books this year, but if I have to choose one, it will be Fahrenheit 451. Fluently written (with some bloomers, though, but that might be the translators' fault) and compelling. Took me two days, which isn't bad either.

Iselin wrote: "I have read some quite good books this year, but if I have to choose one, it will be Fahrenheit 451. Fluently written (with some bloomers, though, but that might be the translators' fault) and comp..."

Great book and I think everyone should read it but it wasn't released this year

I agree, Fahrenheit 451 is a great read :)

The only book published this year I read was Hunger Games :)
I really enjoyed the 3 of them, eventhough it's kind of a teenager book.

But wasn't the third volume published last year?

Has anyone read Bring Up the Bodies? I am still trying to get through Wolf Hallwhich I began last summer.

Marlene wrote: "But wasn't the third volume published last year?"

Yes, none wre published in 2012.

I'm reading Bring Up the Bodies right now and like it a lot more than I did Wolf Hall.

Bring Up the Bodies was published this year.

I really want to read Bring Up the Bodies but better read Wolf Hall first

I left Wolf Hall several months ago. In the middle I got rather bogged down, probably because it gave me a feeling of darkness.I think I shall go back to it in the next few months and give it another try.

I haven't read that many 2012 books, but here are some of my favourites so far:

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
En dan nog iets (although this probably isn't much use to anyone, since it's written in Dutch)
Insurgent

It's helpful to the people that can read dutch

I really liked Wolf Hall. I read it for a Book Group I was in, then had to read it again more slowly.I have Bring up the Bodies on order and can't wait to get hold of it. Hilary Mantel's descriptions of life at the time really put you in the middle of the action.

For me, the best of 2012 will be "Stasiland" by Anna Funder.

I didn't realise Anna Funder had a new one with Stasiland; I'm still reading All That I Am

I've just read two amazing 2012 releases; Empire State & Gone Girl

The only book I've read this year that's been published in 2012 is Insurgent but I would not say it was particularly noteworthy. I guess, by lack of competition, it would technically be the best - being that it's the only one I've read ;)

Would you like it added to the list for best novels of 2012 theme for February's 2013 group read?

How nice that there's at least a way to check this on Goodreads. I think I'll have to second The Fault in Our Stars; I really enjoyed that one. The other new books I've read from this year didn't quite cut it. I wouldn't add Insurgent, personally.

Both of those sound good, I'll have to pick them up.

Tiffani wrote: "The only book I've read this year that's been published in 2012 is Insurgent

I have read that too, and agree that it is not very noteworthy.

I will second a previous reader's comment about Angelmakers.

Additionally, I would highly recommend Tom Bisell's, Magic Hours, an excellent collection of essays published by McSweeney's.

Also, if anyone enjoys sci-fi, Kim Stanley's Robinson's 2312 covers a range of topics, including ecology and philosophy. Robinson is apparently referred to as "literary science fiction," and although I think this denigrates the genre as a whole, I tend to agree with it.

So far my favourite book that was published this year is On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves. I wasn't sure if I'd like it as it's not my usual genre, and after reading the blurb the age difference of the characters did make me baulk for a moment. However once I started reading I couldn't stop and read it through the night, then read the whole book again the following day. Loved it, it's now on the list of books I'll re-read every year or two.

I think Defending Jacob was pretty good. Its well written, a good thriller and it also questions into family dynamics.

My favorite book published this year that I've read is undoubtedly The Fault in Our Stars. I loved it so much that I've read two other John Green books and am ordering more.

Thank you so much to Michael- if you hadn't listed it as your favorite of 2012 so far, I would never have known about it!

Glad you liked it. His other books are great too.

I really enjoyed Will Grayson, Will Grayson and Looking for Alaska. I've ordered An Abundance of Katherines to try next.

You should read Paper Towns as well

I second Michael, I really enjoyed Paper Town also. :)

Thanks! I'll order that one too! I just can't get enough!

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry gets my vote for best of 2012, so far.

I recently finished The Mirrored World and really enjoyed it, although many don't share my enthusiasm based on reviews.

Awesome, some great books for our Best of 2012 poll. I think we will do a best of 2012 group read in Feb or march

Yesterday I read Tell the Wolves I'm Home, and loved it. It is deserving of a spot on the Best of 2012 list.

As of the 1st of December, all 2012 books mentioned here are in the running for February's Best of 2012 poll.

Any new books mentioned will not be in the running but we would like to keep the Best of 2012 discussion going