2014 Books in Review

What I read in 2014 includes a random variety of series fiction, mystery and historical interspersed with romance and fantasy.

So, here goes...

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
First in the Slains series, I came across this as a read-alike for Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. This is a wonderful story, also set in Jacobean era Scotland, with some great characters to keep you interested. Great new series to find and I want to read more by her!

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
So this goes against my general rule of reading the book before seeing the movie, but I saw the movie when it came out years ago and I wanted to read the book--mostly after hearing an interview with Fannie Flagg about her latest novel, The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion. I was not disappointed! It also reminded me what great casting was done for the movie: Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker, and Kathy Bates. Now I'm ready to read the Last Reunion!

Secrets by Kristen Heitzmann
To be "in touch" with current inspirational fiction, I found this book and it sounded interesting enough.  But, I really did enjoy it!  Jake's Italian heritage was a big plus and I'm looking forward to reading the second one in the series.

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley
It didn't take long before I got to read the second in the Slains series and I enjoyed it almost more than The Winter Sea. Part of the setting is the Russian court of Princess Anastasia, a historical mystery that has always intrigued me.  It's official, Susanna Kearsley is a new favorite author!

Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
This is a re-reading as I wait in great anticipation for the movie to be released.  Even though I had read it before, I was still surprised by some of the plot turns (so gullible).  It also reminded me how much I enjoy the "world" of Big Stone Gap, Virginia that Adriana Trigiani has created. The only question now is, when will the movie be released in theaters???

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley
Another lovely novel by Kearsley, set in Cornwall (a place I've wanted to visit), and with a historical time-slip plot that I always enjoy.

Unforgotten by Kristen Heitzmann
The follow-up to Secrets was not a disappointment at all!  I just wish there were more in the series beyond these two stories.  The chemistry between Lance and Rese is wonderful.

Susannah's Garden by Debbie Macomber
Just like how much you enjoy that well-loved blanket, returning to this series was very comforting and familiar.  It also allows me to get some closure for this group of characters brought together by the Blossom Street knitting shop. I'm a sucker for easy-to-read series'!  It fills the Mitford gap for me, almost...

The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani
Speaking of closure, this book is a nice finale for the Valentine trilogy!  Trigiani is able to present her characters with believable faults and redeeming warmth.  A wonderful book for those who come from Italian heritage!

Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
Book 4 in the Blossom Street series provides a nice escape from daily life, as all of her novels tend to do.  She presents family conflicts really well and the relationships that she builds between characters are heart-warming.

His Majesty's Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal
A return back to the Maggie Hope mystery series was a wonderful return!  This time Maggie is recruited to serve as a tutor/bodyguard for young Princess Elizabeth (now queen).  Great adventure and fun to see a glimpse into the realities of royal life, albeit fictionalized!

The Prime Minister's Secret Agent by Susan Elia MacNeal
Maggie goes back to her roots and is again employed by Winston Churchill.  MacNeal also satisifies my need for closure by returning to the open-ended plot line of John, Maggie's love, who was lost in an airplane crash.  I won't spoil it for those of you who want to read it.  Fun, fun reading!

Completing Blossom Street:
For the next several months I get on a roll and complete the remaining titles in the Blossom Street series (Twenty Wishes, Summer on Blossom Street, Hannah's List, A Turn in the Road, Starting Now, and finally Blossom Street Brides).  Through this you meet new characters and witness their personal struggles, all the while staying informed about the lives of the characters who bring you back to Blossom Street over and over.  Very nice series that I could recommend to anyone.

The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society by Darien Gee
This brings you back to the characters of Friendship Bread, which I read a year or so ago.  This was a delightful return and also provided some closure for the personal struggles of some of the main characters.  Enjoyable read!!

A Pedigree to Die For by Laurien Berenson
This is an example of a book that I wouldn't necessarily choose to read, but I ended up enjoying. This was one of the featured titles for OverDrive's Big Library Read program, where all the OverDrive users are encouraged to read the same book at the same time.  I wanted to read this since the cozy mystery genre is really popular in my community--as are dogs and most other pets.

The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber
So, I couldn't resist another Debbie Macomber tale.  This, the first in the trilogy, was also a nice escape from the ordinary routine.  I especially like the Washington State setting and the strong femal characters.

William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope by Ian Doescher
I couldn't resist!  As a life-long Star Wars fan (saw it in the theater at age 5) and a recovering English Minor who took an exhaustive Shakespeare course, I really wanted to try this out.  And I kept being amazed at how well the drama, pace, and story of Star Wars fit so nicely into the language of Shakespeare.  Doescher did a masterful job!!!  Such fun!!!  Anyone want to do a reading of this?  T'would be fun!

Background...

Being a librarian I spend a lot of time reading.  So I thought, what better way to collect my thoughts about what I've read than in a blog.

My concept is...my year in books...very loosely based on Julie Powell's blog portrayed in Julie and Julia.

I'll write a short post about each book I read...my impressions about it, what led me to it, and my recommendations, if any.

I thought I'd begin this year with a look back to last year, letting my Goodreads entries from  2014 guide my way...If you haven't tried Goodreads, you should.  It ranks right up there with NoveList and Fantastic Fiction as my favorite reading resources!