Best of 2015 – My Reading List

Since New Year’s weekend, when I finally had time to relax and do almost nothing, I have been in a slow mode. Cannot put my finger on it, since all the chores are done, dinners are cooked and I seem to have more free time than I did in a long time. I am not complaining! I like it a lot actually.

I have bought an extra bookshelf to house the books that have been piling up against a bedroom wall and in the process of shelving them, I got to revisit some of the good stories I have read last year.

I have always been an avid reader, reading on average one book per week, with my book tastes all over the place. In the last few years I have been reading mostly mysteries, suspense, historical fiction and some chic lit thrown in for a good measure.  There is a bunch of novels that makes it and of course non-fiction books on health etc.

Most of the books I read are from the library (let me tell you, Toronto has the best libraries ever!), are passed on from the fellow readers or I buy them. Often I get asked how I choose the books, and the answer is a) I reach for the authors I know and like and b) I happen upon them.

That means that half the books I get, are a waste of time because are not to my liking. I still read them though.

End of 2015 was the best in terms of the quality of reading material. One book after another was great and worth recommending.

Here is the list of 12 books that I have really enjoyed:

1. January’s hit “As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust“ by Alan Bradley. Cannot wait for the next installment of Flavia de Luce’s antics.

Yours truly with Mr. A.Bradley

2. Blunt Giles “Crime Machine” this Canadian writer brings us closer to fur trading industry in cold northern Ontario.

3. Blake Sarah “The Postmistress” set in England during The Blitz, with US connection.

4. Dedman Bill “Empty Mansions” about elusive heiress to one of the great fortunes of XIX century

5. Archer Jeffrey “Only Time Will Tell” part 1 of 5 of a family saga.

6. Nesbo Jo “The Son” dark and grim but engaging. I would trim it a bit and if you want to be picky some of the characters are not believable. It is fiction after all.

7. Hall A.D “The Coroner” first in the series, female coroner taking over the position in a small town. Trying to close down old cases.

8. Stachniak Eva “Empress of the Night” about Catherine the Great. It is a sequel to “Winter Palace”.

Eva Stachniak talking about creative process.

Yours truly behind camera only, due to a bad hair day.

9. Hawke Ethan “Rules for a Knight” The last letter that a father writes to his children. It is a very small volume that we all should read. Rules for the knight that apply now as much as 500 years ago! Beautiful story.

10. Gowda Shilpi Somaya “Secret Daughter” Story of love, life, motherhood and family relations. The only downside is that I do not want to visit India anymore.

11. Franklin Tom “Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter” solving decades old mystery in Mississippi.

12. Weir Andy “The Martian” I have not seen the movie and I do not think I will. Movies are usually loosely based on the books and I liked this one too much to have the vision ruined. Perhaps I am wrong. Will revisit the issue in a few months when book not so fresh in my mind.

Bonus: I reread “Bridget Jones Diary” after watching both movies at Christmas.

What was you favorite book?