I love books. I love reading. While waiting for the kids and their activities I would have a book or a magazine nearby. However just about 2~3 years ago I started having trouble and found that I was needing to re-read chapters over and then paragraphs. I was doing okay with bible studies AS they were short focused. However to read a book and then come back to it hours or a day later there I had little or no retention. I came to realize that unfortunately this isn't uncommon with people who suffer with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I fought this and refused to accept this reality. Books have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Weekly trips to the library with my Dad were a constant. I worked summers at the library and volunteered at the library at college as well as every elementary school my kids attended. Well I can declare that I have won the battle. I am now hooked on audio books. I have favorite authors and even favorite readers. And let me tell as far as I am concerned you the wrong reader can completely destroy a book. So I am going to share with you the books I am reading in 2012.DECEMBER 2012 update: I'm creating a new page for 2013. I have taken the time to organize the books under each author by publishing date (oldest being first) cause let's face it while most books stand alone just fine reading a series from beginning to end rocks. You can also keep track of all I've read by joining me on Good Reads: my books-read-on-cd shelf:
David Baldacci: Great Suspense. He has 4 different series so you can follow characters, which I happen to enjoy.I've divided the list below into series, the bottom 4 titles stand alone. Now if I knew that I would have started at the beginning ~ but with his books it doesn't matter. Unless noted Ron McLarty is the narrator and I jut love listening to him.
Simple Genuis (King and Maxwell) March 2012
First Family (King and Maxwell) * March 2012
The Camel Club Series
The Camel Club * Jonathan Davis January 2012
The Collectors (The Camel Club) *Aimee Jolson, Richard Mover, L. Ganser ~ very distracting
Divine Justice (The Camel Club) February2012
A. Shaw Series
The Whole Truth (A.Shaw) January 2012
John Puller Series
Zero Day (John Puller Series) *Ron McLaraty Orlagh Cassidy September 2012
Other Novels
The Christmas Train *Tim Matthews May 2012 Excellent
The Innocent Hoping to see more of Will Robie*Ron McLarty, Orlagh Cassidy May 2012
Suzanne Collins I started reading the Hunger Games series after not only my kids but friends said how good it was. I have to say I strongly recommend reading the books. In my opinion these have a social commentary feel to them. Similar to Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale or the TV series Jericho.
Catching Fire *Carolyn McCormack Sept 2012
Mocking Jay *Carolyn McCormack Sept 2012
While I had to wait months for the 2nd and 3rd book it took me only 5 days to finish them
Jeffery Deaver Crime/Mystery He has 4 different series. His first book in the Lincoln Rhyme series, The Bone Collector, was made into a movie with Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie
Lincoln Rhyme Novels:
The Coffin Dancer *Joe Mantegna March 2012
The Vanished Man *Adam Gruper (perfect voice for Lincoln) Feb 2012
The Twelfeth Card *Dennis Boutskaris Feb 2012
Cold Moon
The Broken Window
The Burning Wire
XO (small appearance)
Kathryn Dance Novels:
Cold Moon (first appearance)
The Sleeping Doll
Roadside Crosses *Michele Pawk March 2012 ~~Really enjoyed this one
The Burning Wire (small appearance)
XO *Michele Pawk November 2012 (Just released, I never get to read them brand new)
Other Novels
The Bodies Left Behind *Holter Graham ~ So many twists and female protagonist is incredible
Speaking In Tongues
Tess Gerritsen, The hit series on TNT Rizzoli and Isles are based on her books. If you like the show you are gonna love these books... though the characters are a bit different, I think stronger and with more of an edge. My only disappointment is that she uses different readers on most of the books.
Rizzoli and Isles Novels
The Surgeon ~ Meet Detective Jane Rizzoli August 2012
The Apprentice August 2012
The Sinner August 2012
The Body Double Read by Anne Heche (not a favorite reader of mine) August 2012
Vanish Anne Heche ~ October 2012 ~~Really had me hooked from beginning to end~
The Mephisto Club August 2012
Ice Cold ~ Tanya Eby October 2012
Other Novels
The Bone Garden ~ has a historical twist to it. August 2012
Philippa Gregory Absolutely one of my favorite authors. I have read/heard just about all of her books.
The Kingmaker's Daughter October 2012
J A Jance Ms Jance is the author of three different mystery series. I've enjoyed how strong her characters are and that there's more than one plot line occuring at a time
Joanna Brady Series
Dead Rights
Rattlesnake Crossing
Exit Wounds
Dead Wrong
Damage Control
Fire and Ice
Sherrilynn Kenyon:She writes paranormal romance book, I grabbed it thinking it was historical fiction. These books are really well written and Holter Graham who reads all of her books, has a voice you truly enjoy listening to.These are NOT YOUNG ADULT books. Think Harlequin Romance meets Lord of the Rings. UPDATE: The Chronicles of Nick series was written for young adults. She wrote them for her sons.
Dark Hunter Series
Dark Side of the Moon October 2012 (#10) Not read by Holter Graham :(
Devil May Cry April 2012 (#11)
Acheron Feb 2012(#12)
Bad Moon Rising June 2012 (#14)
Retribution Jan 2012 (#16)
Time Untime September 2012 (#17)
Chronicles of Nick Series
Infinity August 2012 (#1)
Christopher Reich Very rarely do I grab a book by mistake and wind up being hooked. Such was the way that I discovered Mr. Reich. Thinking I was grabbing another Kathy Reichs book and not paying much attention I stumbled onto an incredible author. I can't wait to read more of his suspense/espionage novels.
Rules of Deception October 2012
Kathy Reichs Her novels are what the TV Series Bones are based on. However don't expect to find the same Temperance Brennan here . This version is not socially shy and splits her time between the Carolinas and Canada.
Flash and Bones April 2012 Linda Emond Temperace Brennan and NASCAR!!
Brad Thor I discovered Brad Thor by accident.What an incredible political thriller author!! Scot Harvath is a character you either embrace or hate depending upon your political opinions ~ my thought is it is just a story so take it as it is.
The Lions of Lucerne *Armand Schultz June 2012
Path of the Assassin*Armand Schultz November 2012
State of the Union *Armand Schultz November 2012
Blow Back *Armand Schultz December 2012
Takedown *Armand Schultz December 2012
The First Commandment *Armand Schultz November 2012
The Last Patriot *Armand Schultz June 2012
Foreign Influence *Armand Schultz December 2012
The Apostle *Armand Schultz November 2012
The Athena Project *Elizabeth Marvel June 2012 (Not a Scot Harvath novel)
Full Black * Armand Schultz May 2012
Black List *Armand Schultz October 2012
NON-Fiction reads
I have to admit I have a difficult time listening to many non-fiction books and when I do I tend to enjoy biographical stories best.Jeff Dunham All By My Selves While dining at Cracker Barrel I needed to find a book for our trip to Mobile that all could listen to. We are fans of Jeff Dunham and truly enjoyed his story of how he created the character we all love as well as hearing about the trials and tribulations. WARNING not for small ears (neither are his specials either)
