Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens by Gail Damerow. This book was very instructional for me. Though I grew up with chickens, my grandpa always had them and my dad did, I really didn’t understand a lot about them. I have had to ask a lot of questions and reading this book gave me a good understanding of almost everything from the coop to egg production. I still think raising chickens is not as easy as it seems. We haven’t been able to have more than one chick hatch this year and our egg production is way down right now. I’ve got lots more to learn.

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty. This was a good summer read. Surprising twists and turns, a good mystery and fun characters.

Keeping a Nature Journal by Claire Walker Leslie. I loved this book so much I bought it. It was very inspiring for me as we continue to use our nature journals.

The Debutante by Kathleen Tessaro. I just finished this book. A fun, quick summer book.

Have you read any good books lately?

I got a tidy stack of books right before Christmas break and was really looking forward to some reading time while we were off of school. I got a lot more time than I planned on when I got sick. I got to spend chunks of days reading, when I wasn’t napping and I enjoyed every minute of it.

First up, Prized. This is the sequel to Birthmarked which I read probably a year ago so I was eager to get my hands on this one. However, I wasn’t as into this book as I was Birthmarked. It felt redundant in some ways because she escapes one messed up society and ends up in another one just as twisted. It didn’t even leave me with a desire to read the third in the series which is kind of a disappointment.

The Violets of March. I raced through this short, easy read during one of my feverish days. In the beginning I was interested in the story, but things quickly seemed sort of contrived. The main character, heartbroken after a break-up, takes refuge at an aunt/family friend’s house (I never figured out exactly how the realative fit in, but I did have fever in my defense). She discovers a conveniently placed diary and begins reading, meanwhile she’s dating two guys she meets at the beach. Like I said, things move quickly in this book. The mystery in the diary turns out, of course, to relate to her own family. And, well, it’s pretty easy to figure it all out.

But let’s get to the good stuff. The Language of Flowers was a delightful surprise. I went into the book with no expectations and I loved it. I already mentioned it as one of my top books of the year. Victoria is a plucky, yet stubborn character that you can’t help but root for, with complicated relationships, and plenty of baggage. The extra fun of the book with the meanings of flowers was icing on the cake I loved it all. You will too.

The Orchid House was one I kept getting mixed up a little with the Violets of March. So many flower books in one month is probably not a good idea. But, the Orchid House is the story of an old estate that has run out of heirs and is in the process of being sold. A mystery is uncovered and we go back in time to the original owners and their story. It was a good story. I enjoyed the time span and felt both stories were fleshed out well.

The Shoemaker’s Wife is another winner by Adrianna Trigiani. All of her books are fabulous and this was no exception. The story of two young people who meet briefly in Italy and then again years later in America. You get to go through their whole life together and you’ll love it.

Last in my stack was The House at Riverton by Kate Morton. I did not get to finish this one because someone put it on reserve so I couldn’t renew it. I turned it in half finished. Hopefully I’ll get to pick that one up again and give you a review in the future. But, it bears a close resemblance in many ways to Downton Abbey. In fact, I could hear some of the people from downstairs voices in many of the Riverton characters.

What have you been reading lately?

I read a lot of good books this year. Several that I read in December while sick in bed are worth mentioning, but for my best of 2012 I just chose four. I know not all of you read 4-5 books a month like I do and I don’t want to overwhelm you with suggestions. If I were going to suggest four books that you read in 2013, these are the ones I have narrowed it down to based on what I read in 2012.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. I finally picked this book up after years of hearing it listed as a favorite on other people’s book list. I thought it would be dark and depressing, and in some ways it is. But there is so much hope and encouragement in the dark places that it will lift you up and challenge you to look at life differently.

The Likeness by Tana French. I chose this one because it was different from other books I had read. A complex mystery with interesting characters. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. This is such an interesting book. Thought-provoking and delightful, it examines why people are successful. And I love a good nonfiction thinker book.

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. I have already recommended this book personally to three people who work with kids in foster care. The main character makes you frustrated and sad, but you root for her all the way and like her in spite of all she does to ruin her life. I loved the way this author introduced the meaning of flowers into this story. It’s something I knew very little about but am now very interested in and I thought it added so much to the story.

What were your favorite reads of 2012? What’s on your list this year? I rarely plan ahead what I’m going to read. Instead I scour the internet for bloggers who write reviews and find what interests me. Then I put piles of books on reserve at the library and read every day. I love to read. Do you?