It's the time of the year when gift-giving is being considered. Book suggestions please!
Over past few years, I’ve read a lot of books. Each December, we make these lists of our favorite reads. This year I wanted to try something a little different. I’d like to make a list of books that, for one reason or another, surprised me. In some cases, these were authors who were new to me. Even if I’d met them at a conference or a book presentation, I hadn’t actually read their work. These are not the only books I’ve enjoyed recently, but they’re the ones that truly surprised me.
In no particular order.
THE LAST HOPE, Susan Elia MacNeal — A stellar series of historicals featuring one of my favorites heroines, the indomitable Maggie Hope. The series finale, THE LAST HOPE (#12), came out last May. What surprised me: How MacNeal maintains such a high level of story-telling quality through so many books.
STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND, Liz Nugent — What can I say? I’d read Liz Nugent before and loved her books, but this one blew my doors off. What surprised me: Sally Diamond is the most memorable character I’ve read in ages. Fabulous.
CLARK AND DIVISION, Naomi Hirahara — a moving, enlightening story of a shameful chapter in our history, the incarceration of Japanese Americans in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Eye-opening, heart-wrenching, transporting. What surprised me: The grace and determination of a brave young woman in circumstances I cannot imagine having to face.
THE RIDE-ALONG, Frank Zafiro and Colin Conway — From the great Charlie-316 police series set in Spokane. Always gripping and authentic, written by two ex-cops. What surprised me: the measured, un-emotional treatment of both sides in a police-shooting story.
ANYWHERE YOU RUN, Wanda M. Morris — Wow! I loved this book. A powerful, emotional, heartbreaking tale of love and survival and redemption. What surprised me: Much more than an entertaining thriller, this is an essential read that chronicles the injustices suffered every day by Blacks in the Jim Crow South—and the supposedly progressive North—of 1964.
THE LINDBERGH NANNY, Mariah Fredericks — exquisitely personal and detailed. This book hooked me and kept me thinking about it long after I’d finished it. What surprised me: The way Fredericks managed to turn this true crime of the century into a top-notch, page-turning novel. Superb!
What surprised me: I don’t even read comics but I LOVED this book!
PESTICIDE, Kim Hays — A fresh police procedural series set in Bern, Switzerland. Detectives Giuliana Linder and Renzo Donatelli make for one of the sharpest, most compelling police duos you’ll ever read. Their conflicted attraction bristles with true emotional depth and authenticity. What surprised me: That a book with this title could be so good! Great writing.
THE OUT-OF-TOWN LAWYER, Robert Rotstein — If Jack Reacher practiced law, he might look a lot like Elvis Henderson. This is a timely story of two preventable deaths and their aftermath. What surprised me: The evenhanded, non-judgmental storytelling of a controversial topic. Provocative. A stirring clash of science, faith, and the law.
DROWNED UNDER, Wendall Thomas — The passenger list in Wendall Thomas’s Drowned Under is a cavalcade of randy former nuns, gigolos, stowaways, near-extinct marsupials...and one brilliantly sexy disaster of a globetrotting travel agent named Cyd Redondo. Don’t miss the Cyd Redondo series, now up to four volumes of hilarity. What surprised me: Laughing out loud as I read! Again and again.
THE SECRET LIFE OF ANNA BLANC, Jennifer Kincheloe — Another hilarious serious with an adorable heroine. A madcap frolic through 1907 Los Angeles with the delightful Anna Blanc. What surprised me: Anna Blanc herself. One of the most ridiculously likable heroines you'll meet all year.
If you’ve read any of these and enjoyed them, let me know in the comments below. And if you haven’t read them, correct that immediately.
Happy holidays to all.
5 comments:
Jim! How incredibly kind of you to include Cyd in this list! Right back at you.
The only one I've read so far is Naomi's and it is such a beauty of a book, so well told. But, rats, Jim, you've added a raft of nooks to my TBR list!
I have read the books you listed by Liz, Naomi, Alex, Wanda, Wendall and Kim. All stellar reads with memorable characters. Like you, Alex's book surprised me the most. I don't read comics but loved reading about Carmen's journey.
Thank you so much James!! This is incredibly stellar company I’m in!!
Oops!! That anonymous comment of gratitude was from Wanda Morris! Duh :)
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