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Tuesday 4 December 2012

Book of the Year

I know the year's not over yet, but I feel like this is the time I look back and think about everything I've read this year and narrow in on one particular book that really shone for me. And it's hard this year. There are a lot of great possibilities, like Maggie Stiefvater's The Scorpio Races (actually, I may have read that late last year, but I can't quite remember... either way it's fantastic) and This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers; there were a lot of exciting second or third installments in series I love; quite frankly, I read a ton of good books this year.

But I've managed, somehow, to pick one. And here it is, my book of the year.

by Carol Rifka Brunt


1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.

At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.

An emotionally charged coming-of-age novel, Tell the Wolves I’m Home is a tender story of love lost and found, an unforgettable portrait of the way compassion can make us whole again.
(Summary from Goodreads)

If you haven't read this, please do. I don't think I've ever loved and hated a protagonist in such equal measure. I bawled my eyes out. Just sayin'. 

Did you read anything this year that really sparkled for you?

12 comments:

  1. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check it out. My favorite book that I read this year was probably The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obrecht.

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    1. I've been meaning to read that for ages, Kirsten! Must add it to the enormous reading pile...

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  2. Not sure of my favorite book this year. Still have a few more weeks to read. Leaning towards The Mistaken by Nancy Thompson.

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  3. Code Name Verity has been one of my favorites this year. I cried for hours after I finished it.

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    1. I LOVED Code Name Verity! Ahhh it's been really popular this year and for good reason. What a book.

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  4. Okay, how have I not heard of this book? I must check it out! Thanks, Sangu.

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    1. You must! You must! I found it completely by accident on Amazon, but it was also a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards for Fiction so it's bigger than I thought it was - and deservedly so.

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  5. Alright, checking this one out ASAP. I hadn't heard of it before! Thanks so much for the recommendation!

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    1. YAY! Thanks, Meredith. It makes me so happy to know more people might read and love this book :-)

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  6. I love the cover, it draws me in and the precise of the plot sounds very interesting. I'll have to check this out. Thanks.

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  7. Hear ye! O Hear ye!! I personally want YOU to be at my BIG-ol, kick-ass, party-hardy in Heaven, celebrating our resurrection for eons and eons, fulla passionate mystery, re-writing history for the length and breadth of eternity!!! You’re more than welcome, girly; you’re more than invited. GREETINGS, EARTHLING!! Gottawanna run back to the Elysian Fields soon, but take anything and everything you wanna from our wonderfull, plethora-of-thot to write the next, great masterpeace -if- I can but kiss your gorgeous, adorable feets and/or cohesively cuddle withe greatest, ex-mortal-girly-ever to arrive in Seventh Heaven. Think about it. Do it! Get back with me Upstairs, k? God bless you, doll: pleasure-beyond-measure is waiting in the Great Beyond for you and eye. Love you. PS: the musical term MORENDO means ‘dying-away in tone-and-time’. How very apropos for U.S. …thewarningsecondcoming.com

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