Favorite Books I’ve Read in 2012

Here’s a list of my favorite books I read and reviewed in 2012. Not all of these books were published this year, but I did read them this year. I separated them into novels and non-fiction. To read my review, click on the book link.

Novels:

10. Sarai by Jill Eileen Smith

9. Where Wildflowers Bloom by Ann Shorey

8. The Calling of Mike Malone by M.L. Archer

7. Placebo by Steven James

6. If We Survive by Andrew Klaven

5. The Rook by Steven James

4. A Love Surrendered by Julie Lessman

3. A Light in the Window by Julie Lessman

2. The Pawn by Steven James

1. A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

Non-Fiction:

2. Flirting With the Forbidden by Steven James

1. The Resignation of Eve by Jim Henderson

Children’s Books:

The First Christmas by Janice D. Green

Top 10 Classic Christmas Stories

10. The Little Match Stick Girl by Hans Christian Anderson: A sad tear-jerker about a poor little girl who gets to have the Christmas of her dreams. Don’t read it unless you have tissues handy.

9. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg: This newer classic tells a story about a boy learning the importance of belief.

8. Christmas Day In the Morning by Pearl S. Buck: A classic tale about showing love at Christmas.

7. The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke: The wise man who didn’t make it to birth of Christ in time finds out why Jesus really came to Earth.

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss: “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” Who could ever forget this line from this classic story?

5. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry: The best Christmas romance ever written. It shows how we sacrifice for the ones we love.

4. T’was the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore: The original story about Santa Claus

3. The Three Trees by Author Unknown: This story tells about three trees who served a great purpose.

2. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: This story of repentance set at Christmas is the best Christmas story other than the real story in the Bible.

1. The Nativity Story (Luke 2:1-20): This is the story of Christmas. Without Christ being born in Bethlehem, this would be a very dark world.

2012 Christy Award Nominees

The 2012 Christy Award nominees are:

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren (Tyndale House Publishers)

Larkspur Cove by Lisa Wingate (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig (Barbour Publishing)

CONTEMPORARY SERIES, SEQUELS, AND NOVELLAS

The Amish Midwife by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould (Harvest House Publishers)

Dancing on Glass by Pamela Binnings Ewen (B&H Publishing Group)

The Touch by Randall Wallace (Tyndale House Publishers)

CONTEMPORARY STANDALONE

Dry as Rain by Gina Holmes (Tyndale House Publishers)

Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Words by Ginny Yttrup (B&H Publishing Group)

FIRST NOVEL

An Eye for Glory by Karl Bacon (Zondervan)

Southern Fried Sushi by Jennifer Rogers Spinola (Barbour Publishing)

Words by Ginny Yttrup (B&H Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL

Forsaking All Others by Allison Pittman (Tyndale House Publishers)

Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

To Die For by Sandra Byrd (Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster)

SUSPENSE

Over the Edge by Brandilyn Collins (B&H Publishing Group)

Pattern of Wounds by Mark Bertrand (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

The Queen by Steven James (Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

VISIONARY

The Chair by Jim Rubart (B&H Publishing Group)

Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee (Center Street, a division of Hachette Book Group USA)

Veiled Rose by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

YOUNG ADULT

How Huge the Night by Heather Munn and Lydia Munn (Kregel Publications)

Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson (Zondervan)

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren (David C Cook)

My Favorites: Classic Sci-fi Novels

Here’s a list of my favorite classic science fiction novels in order.

1. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (My favorite sci-fi book and my favorite sci-fi writer.)

2. War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

3. 1984 by George Orwell (I can see some of this in our society today.)

4. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (Same with this novel.)

5. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury (Brillant)

6. Farinheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (Chilling story.)

7. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (I love how Jules Verne is ahead of his time with the inventions in his stories.)

8. The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne

9. The Island of Dr. Moreau by Jules Verne

10. The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov (Great Series)

11. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne (If you’ve seen the movies inspired by this story, you need to read the novel. None of the movies do it justice.)

12. Dune by Frank Herbert (A must read for sci-fi fans)

13. A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (Everyone I know either loves it or hates it. I love this comedy sci-fi novel.)

14. Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (Interesting story about how far the government has a right to go to prevent crime.)

15. Logan’s Run by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson (This novel was written in the sixties and show a future world where youth are in control and people are killed by their 21st birthday.)

So do you agree or disagree with my choices? Would you add any? Please comment.

Favorite Books I’ve Read In 2011

Here’s a list of my favorite books I read and reviewed in 2011. Not all of these books were published this year, but I did read them this year. I separated them into novels and non-fiction. To read my review, click on the book link.

Novels:

10. His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parsons

9. An Ocean Away by Lisa Harris

8. The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

7. The Final Hour by Andrew Klavan

6. The Dawn of a Dream by Ann Shorey

5. The Queen by Steven James

4. A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman

3. Bathsheeba by Jill Eileen Smith

2. Life Expectancy  by Dean Koontz

1. Heading Home by John Robinson

Non-Fiction:

The Fight of Our Lives by William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn

Healing Your Marriage When Trust Is Broken by Cindy Beall

Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success by KM Weiland

Unleashed by Erwin McManus

Children’s Books:

The Creation Book by Janice D. Green

2011 Christy Award Winners

The 2011 Christy Award Winners have been announced. The Christy Award is about honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction.

Contemporary/Romance – Sworn to Protect by DiAnn Mills (Tyndale House)

Contemporary Series – The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy Rue (David C. Cook)

Contemporary Stand-alone – Almost Heaven by Chris Fabery (Tyndale House)

First Novel – Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Bethany House)

Historical – While We’re Far Apart by Lynn Austin (Bethany House)

Historical Romance – The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen (Bethany House)

Suspence – The Bishop by Steven James (Revell Books)

Visionary – To Darkness Fled by Jill Williamson (Marcher Lord Press)

Young Adult – Motorcycles, Sushi, and One Strange Book by Nancy Rue (Zondervan)

So did your favorites win. Leave a comment.

2011 Favorite Books

Here’s a list of my favorite books I read and reviewed in 2011. Not all of these books were published this year, but I did read them this year. I separated them into novels and non-fiction. To read my review, click on the book link.

Novels:

1. Heading Home by John Robinson (The review for this novel is coming in a few days, but I included it because I read it in 2011.)

2. The Good Guy by Dean Koontz

3. A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

4. Passion Series by Julie Lessman including A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied

5. Abigail by Jill Eileen Smith

6. A Promise Of Morning by Ann Shorey

7. Your Heart Belongs To Me by Dean Koontz

8. The Bishop by Steven James

9. The Last Operative by Jerry Jenkins

10. The Truth Of The Matter by Andrew Klavan

11. The Long Way Home by Andrew Klavan

12. The Family Way by Michelle Levigne

Non-fiction:

The Butterfly Effect – How Your Life Matters by Andy Andrews

Momology by Shelly Radie

Children’s Books:

The Boy Who Changed The World by Andy Andrews

Favorite Classic Romance Novels and Love Stories

Since it’s almost Valentine’s Day, I thought I would list my favorite classic romance novels.

1. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

3. Jane Erye by Charlotte Bronte

4. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

5. Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

6. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

7. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

8. A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway

9. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (All right. Technically it’s a play. But it’s still one of the greatest love stories of all times.)

10. Persuasion by Jane Austin

These are my choices. Which ones would you add? Please comment.

Books A Writer Must Have To Be Published

There are many great books out there on writing and getting published. Here are three that are essential when it comes time to submit your manuscript.

Jeff Herman’s Guide To Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents 2010

Who They Are, What They Want, and How To Win Them Over

This resource book lists almost every publisher and agent in the United States, what they represent, and how to contact them.

Christian Writer’s Market Guide 2010

by Sally Stuart

This resource book lists just about every publisher and agent who represents Christian Fiction

2010 Guide To Literary Agents

by Chuck Sambuchino

Resource Guide to Literary Agents

2010 Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market Guide

By Alice Pope

Resource Guide for Children’s Books

2009 Top 10 Fiction Books and Top 2 Non-Fictions

I admit I haven’t read all the books that have come out in 2009, but I have read a lot of books, some released this year and some not. Here’s my list a my favorite fiction books that I’ve reviewed or featured on my blogs this year with links. I also added a couple of non-fiction books I loved. Not all of these books were released in 2009, but I featured them in 2009. This was a hard choice. There were some great novels that didn’t make the list.

Fiction:

10. Before The Season Ends  Linore Rose Burkart

9. Until The Last Dog Dies  John Robinson

8. The Edge Of Light by Ann Shorey 

7. The Outsiders  by SE Hinton

6. The Husband  by Dean Koontz (fiction) 

5. To Skin A Cat  by John Robinson (fiction)

4. Michal by Jill Eileen Smith (fiction)

3. Exposure  by Brandilyn Collins

2. Riven  by Jerry B. Jenkins (fiction)

1. The Missionary  by William Carmicheal and David Lambert

Non-fiction:

A Million Miles In A Thousand Years  by Donald Miller

Fearless  by Max Lucado