Last week, we revealed your top 20 books of 2012 (so far!). This week, we’re giving away four of the books you’ve enjoyed most this year.
#3 – The Night Swimmer by Matt Bondurant.
A Hitchcockesque tale set in blustery Ireland.
#6 – By the Iowa Sea by Joe Blair
His debut memoir of the 2008 Iowa flood.
#15 – Carry the One by Carol Anshaw
A tragic and beautiful novel of three siblings bound by death.
#19 – A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson
A Southern story starring three fiercely brave Mississippi women.
TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the name of your favorite book from 2012 (so far).
CONTEST DETAILS: One winner will be chosen by random.org from among entries received by 5 pm CST on Friday, April 13. The winner will receive copies of The Night Swimmer, By the Iowa Sea, Carry the One and A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty. Prize must be shipped to a North American address. Good luck!
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ETA: Congratulations to our winner, Sam, who couldn’t choose between The Fault in Our Stars and The Snow Child. They’re both so good!
Thank you to all who entered! Contest is now closed.
American Gridlock (I really have not read any 2012 books unfortunately)
I am really enjoying the Flame Alphabet by Ben Marcus.
It’s a very thought-provoking novel that looks at the relationship between parent and child.
The Girl Child, by Tupelo Hassman
Surprisingly, my favorite book so far has been The Sisters Brothers, by Patrick Dewitt. Not really my genre but such a good story.
Happy Easter!
Katie
My favorite 2012 book so far is the Expats by Chris Pavone.
My favorite 2012 book is Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear.
I really enjoyed A Good American by Alex George.
One of my favorites so far this year is THREE WEEKS IN DECEMBER by Audrey Schulman. Just loved it. An excellent read.
I’m just now reading The Flight of Gemma Hardy. Loving it so far.
Many, many great books to read this spring. Can’t wait to read The Night Swimmer.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. FanTAStic YA book that adults love too!
Loved Fern Michaels’ “Mr. and Ms. Anonymous”
“The Snow Child”. So far! Recently finished ” The Iowa Sea”, and just last night, ” Open City”. Excellent.
Haven’t read a book published in 2012 but am reading “Rebecca’s Key” . Really enjoying it as WW Two and it’s events are very interesting to me.
The Fault in Our Stars – John Green.
Yes. John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars is easily the best book I’ve read so far in 2012–compelling and important.
The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters
by Kelly McGonigal — very eye-opening book
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult
Alice Hoffman’s latest!!!!!!!!!!!!And Steve Jobs by Isaacson!!!!!!!!!!
The Fear Index
I am still catching up with books from other years but I’m reading three right now. SHANTARAM (amazing amazing book). GETTING PAST NO about negotiating to a win/win and MADE TO STICK about what makes certain ideas “sticky.” As you can see I need more fun books to read
Flame Alphabet
So far for 2012, my favorite book has been Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas. I can’t wait for the next in this series!
I haven’t read anything from 2012 yet this year, but I started “The Art of Fielding” this weekend and am loving it!
Lone Wolf
I really enjoyed All I Did Was Shoot My Man by Walter Mosely
Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Arcadia – stepping back to the 70s with an edge.
Favorite book I have read this year is
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus
I’ve just finished reading The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. One of the best books I’ve read this year.
although it’s not a 2012-er, one of my favorite reads was the sisters brothers by patrick dewitt. i LOVED it!
i’m currently reading the time in-between by maria duenas and enjoying it. it’s a historical piece, 1930s, spain, morocco. it’s sweeping me away…
I’m currently reading The Dressmaker: A Novel by Kate Alcott.
Gypsy Boy Mikey Walsh
I enjoyed The Best Advise I ever Got”
Loved “Heft” by Liz Moore; very touching story. Have already read and greatly enjoyed “A Grown Up Kind of Pretty” but would love to give someone a gift of this!
Reading The Lone Wolf right now and LOVE IT!
My favorite book that I read recently was The Help. So glad I read it before going to the movie.
Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear
My favorite book is The Sleepy Hollow Family Almanac by Kris D’Agostin.
I enjoyed “Restless in the Grave” by Dana Stabenow
I really enjoyed The Rook – Daniel O’Malley.
have actually not had a 2012 fav yet, not been thrilled with the books I have read…next up though is the Expats..
I’m currently reading Defending Jacob by Willian Landay and really enjoying it. I also really enjoyed Dead End in Norvelt and The Hunger Games trilogy.
Arcadia by Lauren Groff
I love everything Carol Anshaw has written. Hers is my favorite of the year so far. (But I don’t have my own copy yet!)
“Kitty Cornered: How Frannie and Five Other Incorrigible Cats Seized Control of Our House and Made It Their Home” by Bob Tarte
RUNNING THE RIFT by Naomi Benaron
Since Diana Gabaldon has not published a new book in her Outlander series this year, I have devoured her daily posts that include snippets of what she’s writing. She promises the next novel will be out in 2013. Can’t wait!
My favorite book so far this year is The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan. It was a great read to help bring in the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.: survivor politics! Pretty scary.
Read a digital galley of Anshaw’s Carry the One and loved it. I think I had the most fun, though, with The Rook by Daniel O’Malley.
I read (listened to) Shannon by Frank Delaney. An older book, but thought provoking…
“The Healing” by Jonathan Odell –I can’t recommend it enough, and I can’t wait to read his first book, “The View From Delphi”.
Harlan Coben – Stay Close
Truly enjoyed the Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson and David McCullough’s The Greater Jouney but they are both 2011 books. I haven’t started on the 2012 books yet, but I would be glad to if I win the four books.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Hands down!
The snow child is a great book, I want to read gypsy boy next.
I just finished In The Memory of Skin by Russell Banks and thought it was an excellent book. I also read Jodi Picoult’s Lone Wolf which was also very good.
My favorite book I’ve read so far in 2012 has been Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult.
I forgot about The Snow Child. LOVED that book.
Bloodroot by Amy Greene
So many good ones to choose from so far. “The Voice of the River” by Melanie Rae Thon, for one. “Men in the Making” by Bruce Machart, for another.
Thanks for this great giveaway!
So far my favorite is No One is Here Except All of Us by Ramona Aususbel but looking forward to reading several of the others. Thanks for the Givwaway.
My two favorite 2012 books so far are Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson and I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella.
I have a 10 month old baby. As a single parent it makes it hard to treat myself… most free time is spent cleaning bottles and doing laundry. The last book I read was Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. A really delightful tale! I spent a couple of really late nights finishing it. Missed the extra sleep, but it was worth it. A book like this transports you to a different world.
I, too, love “Miss Peregrines’s Home for Peculiar Children”.
This book was published a few years ago outside of the US, but first made its appearance in the US in February 2012. It is called “The Art of Hearing Heartbeats” by Jan-Philipp Sendker. It is one of those books that just “stick with you” after you have finished it. Incredible book and highly recommended!
The Retribution by Val McDermid
“Catch Me” by Lisa Gardner
I’m still working on my inventory from 2011, but looking forward to the new books for 2012! Just finished Stephen Hawking’s “The Grand Design” – still digesting…..
Defending Jacob was a rough work of art
For the best of 2012 I’m tied between Defending Jacob, which just left me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen, like constantly getting ready to walk around a blind curve. And The One and Only Ivan, which is a children’s book but just so good and somehow pure. I’d recomend it to anyone of any age.
I’ve learned to trust Joshlyn Jackson to take me on rewarding trips through her stories of real hearts in real characters in familiar places. In A GROWN-UP KIND OF PRETTY she showed me tough characters with tender hearts & mean streaks. I like ‘em.
Carry the One by Carol Anshaw
I am loving Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore
I loved Margot Livesey’s “The Flight of Gemma Hardy.” My husband wants me to read “The Last Nude” by Ellis Avery next; he loved it and thinks it will be a favorite of mine.
My favorite book is “The Hidden Summit” by Robyn Carr.
My favorite book for 2012 is The Winds of Khalakovo.
The Expats
I haven’t read that many books published in 2012, so I guess I’ll go with Two Truths and a Lie by Sara Shepard. She sure is addicting!
I received an advance copy of “A Land More Kind Than Home,” which I found to be haunting and beautiful. My favorite of 2012 so far!
I loved “Lone Wolf”. Jodi Picoult’s books are always wonderful.
My favorite is Grown Up kind of Pretty
A Grown Up Kind of Pretty. I like these kind of books set in the South.
a toss up between The Fault In Our Stars and Snow Child – loved them both
I liked The Millennium People, Fear Index, and Hide Me Among the Graves; currently enjoying Angelmaker, and City of Bohane.
The good Father Noah Hawley
“The Beginner’s Goodbye” by Ann Tyler
Flight of Gemma Hardy!!! Love it!
I really enjoyed The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen- excellent story!
The Expats by Chris Pavone
Haven’t read it yet, but I am waiting for a copy of The Expats from the library!
Me, too! Can’t wait to read this one!
I thoroughly enjoyed “House of Stone: A Memoir of Home, Family, and a Lost Middle East” by Anthony Shadid. His story of renovating his great-grandparents home in Lebanon and their history was fascinating, beautiful writing. Sadly, this Pulitzer Prize winning journalist died shortly before publication of this book.
My favorite book this year is The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult was my favorite so far
My favorites so far this year are ‘The Expats’ by Chris Pavone and ‘Caring is Creepy’ by David Zimmerman. Both are amazing reads!
Night Road by Kriten Hannah
Friends like us by Lauren Fox
Defending Jacob by William Landay
John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars was pretty awesome. I also read another YA this year that was great, Gary D. Schmidt’s Okay for Now. It was published last year, though, but I adored it.
So far, I like Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking
I love Jodi Picoult’s books and her latest, Lone Wolf doesn’t disappoint.
My favorite book so far is The Kitchen House” by Kathleen Grisson.
Wonderful story and so hard to put down. I would have liked another ending, but maybe there is room for another story.
I’m usually way behind on my books so I’ve been reading mostly things that came out in 2011, but I just finished “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking” and it was fantastic!
I loved “The House at Tyneford” by Natasha Solomons. It was even better than her first novel.
Tempest by Julie Cross
Favorite book read in 2012 (so far): The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak.
I just finished The Darlings, and I really enjoyed it! Definitely a page turner.
“The Land of Decoration” by Grace McCleen, it was wrenching. I have to say though BookPage…there are so many this year that you have recommended that have blown me away. Loved “The Snow Child”, “A Grown Up Kind of Pretty”, “Defending Jacob” and am currently reading “The Book of Madness and Cures”, your reviews are spot on!!! Keep up the good work! Looking forward to “The ExPats” and “The Fault in Our Stars”.
I am new to your website and really enjoy it. I am a retired bookseller who sold books for 20 years and I have a real soft spot for debut novels. My favorite book so far in 2012 is “The Snow Child”. “The Unwanted” is also an exceptionally good read. Thanks!
I’ve read ” A Grownup Kind of Pretty” and “Defending Jacob” this year. Both were good but am hoping the year brings better!
Loved The Invisible Bridge and cannot wait to begin Lone Wolf this week. Excellent suggestions by everyone that I’m making notes to purchase!
The Home Front by Kristin Hannnah.
“While My Sister Sleeps” by Barbara Delinsky
The Strangers on Montagu Street by Karen White
Ms. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
My favorite book so far this year is Madame Tussaud!
Lone Wolf so far… also enjoying” Shadow of the Titanic”
Wow! So many good books – not enough time. I’m reading right now Raymond Khoury’s THE DEVIL’S ELIXIR. And, I’m looking over my shoulder plus watching vehicles behind me. This is a very good story. Just keep those light on!
Defending Jacob!
My favorite book this year is Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich.
The Hunger Games
I would love to win this contest! I really enjoyed The Invisible Thread.
I loved An Unmarked Grave and A Bitter Truth by Charles Todd. They’re the most recent books in his Bess Crawford series. I’d highly recommend them.
THE REBEL WIFE by Taylor Polites
I really enjoyed The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott.
I loved Divergent by Veronica Roth. Can’t wait for Insurgent to come out.
I’ve read many this year and loved The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest… The whole series was great… But also Kitchen House was well done. Crooked Letter crooked letter was good as well…. So can’t pick just one I loved!!
The Hunger Games
Quiet by Susan Cain was an epiphany for me. I found myself in her descriptions on every page.
“The World We Found” will be among my favorite books ever — not just this year.
Still working off my 2011 list and just finished and really enjoyed, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.
The Dressmaker is my favorite so far. Very good- even the salesclerk at the bookstore commented on how wonderful it is!
I am currently reading Lone Wolf. It is so good it has me wondering if I would like to try what “luke” did and become part of a pack. It is awesome
American Dervish!
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult
The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, new to the US in 2012, is one of the best books I’ve read in some time. A heartfelt love story set in Burma and the US so sensitive I have trouble believing a man wrote it. I started rereading parts as soon as I finished it!
Its a tie between Defending Jacob by William Landay and The Healing by Jonathan Odell. Loved both of them
I am currently reading STAY CLOSE by Harlan Coben.
My favorite book this year is The Bakers Daughter by Sarah McCoy. It was wonderful.
The Help. Love the film too, I was cryin’.
Really enjoyed Adriana Trigiani’s The Shoemaker’s Wife.
Some Assembly Required by Anne Lamott
So far, “Gods of Gotham” by Lyndsay Faye is a standout, though I have to say 2012 has been a great year so far and it’s hard to pick just one.
A Good American by Alex George! Wonderful read!
The Reeducation of Cherry Truong
The snow child by Eowyn Ivey
2012 favorites so far are: The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar,
Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James, Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo, The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott and Defending Jacob by William Landay.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
I read so many books that choosing one is tough. I would say “Lover Reborn” by J.R. Ward is my favorite so far.
I watched the movie, The Help and then I decided I had to read the book. The book was so good that I couldn’t put it down and then I didn’t want it to end!
I really enjoyed Lone Wolf,by Jodi Picoult.Looks like a great year for reading.
The one,so far that’s my favorite is Snow Child(E. Ivey)
Won “A Good American” by Alex George. I’m half way through and love it.
The Flight of Gemma Hardy
I have not read any 2012 books yet this year, but I really enjoyed The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman and am looking forward to reading The Dovekeepers soon.
I loved Arcadia by Lauren Groff.
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. Heart wrenching and at the same time totally life affirming.
Forgotten Country by Catherine Chung
Family values intertwined with culture, mixed with historical background. I always admire this kind of work.
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey has been my favorite book of 2012 so far…
A Good American by Alex George
My favorite book of 2012 ( so far) is The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey.
Although I have read a few books in 2012, none of the titles are on this list. I am extremely interested in reading The Night Swimmer, by Matt Bondurant. I am currently reading Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. It is pretty wild! Thank you!!
My favorite read so far in 2012 is Defending Jacob by William Landay.