Peyton's Favorite Reads of 2012

December 15, 2012

Aah, December. The time of year when you look back on all the books you read in the last twelve months and fondly remember some favorites. I read 101 books this year; some were lousy, some were so-so, some were really good, but only a handful were fantastic. Here are some of the books that I enjoyed in 2012.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Not to be confused with that other series, Between Shades of Gray tells a little-remembered chapter of World War II when the small nation of Lithuania disappeared from the map. Lina is fifteen in 1941, and her future looks bright until the night her family is herded into a cattle car and shipped to a work camp. Based on Sepetys’ own family history, this is a novel that will break your heart, and then help pick up the pieces. Sepetys' second novel (available soon!) promises to be just as moving.

The Beginner’s Goodbye by Anne Tyler
After reading this book, I apologized to my former Women’s Literature teacher for not previously liking Anne Tyler. The Beginner’s Goodbye is about Aaron, who leads a quiet life with his somewhat distant wife Dorothy. Their marriage is not unhappy, but a little worn-in. Aaron doesn’t realize how much he loves Dorothy until she is taken away in a freak accident, and he is suddenly faced with finding a way to say goodbye. Honest, believable, and ultimately sweet, The Beginner’s Goodbye is about second chances and hard farewells.

Signing Their Lives Away by Denise Kiernan and Joseph D’Agnese
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was the United States of America. Signing Their Lives Away details the lives of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. Scoundrels and heroes, merchants and lawyers, famous and infamous, all get their say thanks to Kiernan and D’Agnese. Light and fun, despite the serious subject, Signing Their Lives Away is an important reminder of men whose deeds were forgotten while their names live on one of our nation’s most important documents.

Batman: Hush by Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, and Scott A. Williams
The Batman graphic novel for the fans. A stranger has declared war on the Dark Knight, manipulating Batman's friends and foes as easily as chess pieces. This novel is memorable for two key things: its beautiful, explosive artwork and its parade of favorite characters from all corners of the Batman mythology. Everyone gets in on the action: favorite villains, trusted allies, long-lost companions, slinky love interests, and even other heroes such as… Superdog?

The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
Four goofy princes, a bumbling witch, an army of trolls, and a pint-sized bandit king match wits and clash swords in an enchanted forest. Sound intriguing? Well, here’s the icing: the four princes in question are the guys who saved Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Snow White, and they’re tired of their girlfriends getting all the attention! Into the woods they go to have an adventure, make some new friends, and maybe even accidentally save the kingdom.

What books did you enjoy this year? I’d love to know—I’m already looking to stock my reading list for 2013!

Peyton J.
Buckner Branch