Happy 2012 everybody

1 January 2012


And, as is traditional at this time of the year let’s review!

Bookwise I read 67 books. At least, 67 that I remembered to detail on Goodreads, but I think I’ve been pretty good about keeping that up to date this year. The majority of those are books that I would shelve under sff, no real surprise there. Now, the best of is where it usually gets interesting.

In 2011 I gave ten stars to The adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle : The thing beneath the bed by Patrick Rothfuss, A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, < cite>Delusions of gender by Cordelia Fine, & Kraken by China Mieville.

My 9 star books, which means that I really loved them too were The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Ragnarok : the end of the gods by A. S. Byatt, Genesis by Bernard Beckett, Miss Peregrine’s home for peculiar children by Ransom Riggs, God’s War by Kameron Hurley, Heartless by Gail Carriger, The chimps of Fauna Sanctuary by Andrew Westoll, Feed by Mira Grant, The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss, Black Dogs by Ursula Vernon, The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett, and The cat who walked a thousand miles by Kij Johnson.

Any of those would make for some great reading.

Now, films. This year, on account of me leaving the metropolis of Dublin two years ago, I have been to the cinema a lot less frequently than in other years. Still, I did manage to see a few. Although none rated 10 stars.

Rated 9 out of 10: The King’s Speech directed by Tom Hooper, Rise of the planet of the apes directed by Rupert Wyatt, Warrior directed by Gavin O’Connor.

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14 Responses

  1. Nymeth says:

    We have many favourites in common :D Happy New Year, and happy reading in 2012!

    PS: I love your current header! What a great picture.

  2. Vasilly says:

    It seems like there's some books I need to add to my reading list after reading this post. I've read great things about The Name of the Wind and The Wee Free Men. Happy New Year!

  3. Caroline says:

    Happy New Year.

    I'll be reading a few of your favourites this year.

  4. Kelly says:

    Happy New Year, Fence! Right now in my sweaty little hands–well, not right NOW, as I'm typing–I have A Monster Calls and The Night Circus. I started the latter last night before bed and I think it's going to be a good one. Also, I loved LOVED The King's Speech and really liked Rise of the Planet of the Apes, because who doesn't love Colin Firth and also I'm currently on a James Franco kick, ever since 127 Hours, which was amaaazing. Last night I watched Pineapple Express again and found it even funnier the second time. (The movie Your Highness is hilarious, and those are my plugs for James Franco/juvenile humor at its best. :)

    Enjoy your days off! :)

    • Fence says:

      I haven't seen 127 hours but have to say that Franco is brilliant. I mean, I know I wasn't too fond of him back in his Tristan days :) But he has done some really interesting films since then.

      The Night Circus is, I think, one of those books that you'll either love or you'll hate. So if you like it so far then hopefully you'll enjoy all of it

  5. redhead says:

    Wasn't Rothfuss's Princess and Mr Whiffle the cutest, err, umm, creepiest thing ever? He's one of those guys that I just love everything he does.

    Kraken is one of the few Mieville's I haven't read, better put it on my list!

  6. Carl V. says:

    Happy New Year to you!!!

    It does make it harder to see a lot of films after the move, eh? I'm sorry to hear that, you had a sweet set up there.

    Over the past couple of years I've seen books I've rated 7's and 8's end up on my favorites of the year list and when I look back it is because I really felt like I was giving them an honest rating, wouldn't change that rating, but the books have stuck with me and they are books I want to re-read.

    Princess and Mr. Whiffle was great. Very shocking and surprising and great because of that.

    My reading was far less varied this year as 37 out of my 50 were SFF, but as those are my favorite genres I am not complaining. It was actually nice to stay on track with my SFF reading this year.

    I look forward to another good year and wish you the same!

    • Fence says:

      Yeah, that's true. Just because something doesn't rate a 9 or 10 doesn't mean it isn't memorable. But it is a shortcut to an end of year round up :) If any others stick out in my mind then I'd usually mention it. I was tempted to mention The Lantern, for example, but I think that that one has stuck in my mind more because of the group discussion rather than the book itself :)

  7. anne says:

    Happy New Year, my dear!

    I'll selfishly hope to be more active, read-wise, and wish you many good books and lots of happiness.