The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes (2013)

Jojo Moyes has written some books that I very much enjoyed.  Windfallen, an unfortunately titled novel with a terrible cover, but nonetheless a lovely novel about a stately home and the family it belongs to, and Me Before You, about a girl who works for a young man who has been paralyzed.

This is a different feel from those, as it is set during WWI in France (at least in the beginning) and focuses on Sophie Lefevre, the wife of an artist (currently off fighting) and her struggles with the Germans who have occupied her town and one General's obsession with a portrait of her. The second half of the novel is about Liv Halston, who owns the painting now and is facing a challenge to return the painting to its "rightful" owner. A wonderfully unfolding story, with vivid characters and a truly suspenseful plot. Very enjoyable.

I do have to quibble with the cover art, though. It looks exactly like the art for Me Before You, which was a great success for Moyes, but this novel is so very different from that one, it seems like it should have a different cover.

White Girl Problems by Babe Walker (2012)

 Recommended by a co-worker, this looked fun.  And it was! I love when an author creates a character who is so self-unaware that you can't help but like them even though they're incredibly irritating.

Babe Walker ended up in rehab after spending $246,893.50 at Barney's, and is writing her memoir to explain how she got there. With chapters like "I hate my horse", "Sorry for texting you ninety-three times last night" and "I miss you, unless you miss me, in which case I'm over you and into me being me", this novel is incredibly hilarious and over-the-top and somehow even a little endearing.

Followed by the equally hilarious Psychos: A White Girl Problems Book.

Accidents Happen by Louise Millar (2013)

Once again, this is an absolute treasure hidden away in a seemingly innocuous, almost generic-looking trade paperback original. Like this book by Louise Millar, who also wrote The Playdate, which I also enjoyed.

Kate has had a lot of tragedy in her life: Her parents died tragically in a car accident, her husband was killed in a break-in, and she is obsessed with statistics and safety, and making her ten-year-old son very anxious as well, to the point that her in-laws are threatening to take him away. But we quickly and very creepily discover early on that her paranoia is not as unwarranted as it appears. 

Incredibly suspenseful, creepy and delightful, this page-turnerkeeps the suspense going all the way to the last page. Marvelous for fans of Gillian Flynn.  Fabulous.

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Dicks (2012)

There are few things that I love more than having a fabulous book just fall in my lap.  I was checking in returns at work, and this one caught my eye, despite the rather common looking cover.  (Not to say it's not a nice cover, it's just that there are a lot of covers that look just like this one.)

This is a terrifically fun and touching novel narrated by Budo, imaginary friend to eight-year-old Max Delaney. Max is in school and is on the spectrum, and Budo is about his only friend.  When Max gets in trouble, it's up to Budo to figure out how to rescue him--with the help of a few other imaginary friends. 

Although it sounds a bit on the twee side, it's really not. It's charming, but poignant, and also incredibly suspenseful. The world of imaginary friends that Dicks has created is beautifully imagined and incredibly vivid--a lovely insight into the strange minds of kids. For example, Budo doesn't sleep, because Max never imagined him sleeping.  And when Budo gets lonely, he goes to the children's hospital, because he can always find imaginary friends there.  The descriptions of the other imaginary friends are so endearing, like one that is made of the paper on which kids draw outlines of themselves, and one that is little more than a spoon.  A lovely book.

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King (2013)

Sometimes you're just grateful to be back in the capable hands of a writer you really like. Even the little traits that can sometimes annoy you (like parenthetical comments in italics randomly interspersed in the text) don't bother you.

This sequel to The Shining was a fabulous sequel. I loved how beautifully it built on the original story, and fleshed out the shining in particular so well. I loved seeing Dick Halloran again, and Dan Torrance's struggles with alcoholism and work with AA was really well depicted. 

I love how Stephen King always has unexpectedly good people who are willing to help and fight the forces of evil, like Casey and Doctor John and Billy Freeman. I loved the character of Abra, and the realism of all the relationships. I absolutely the depiction of Dan's work as Doctor Sleep, when he comforted people who were close to death and helped them on their journey. Such a lovely way to use his gift. I just loved this book.

Strippers, Showgirls, and Sharks: A Very Opinionated History of the Broadway Musicals That Did Not Win the Tony Award by Peter Filichia (2013)

Absolutely delicious and opinionated book about (as the subtitle reads) the musicals that did not win the Tony.

Filichia discusses why or why not various musicals didn't win the Tony in chapters devoted to various reasons, from it being the wrong year, the wrong time, or just not quite good enough. 

I love how he sprinkles little allusions and musical comedy lyrics in his text (like saying something "just isn't a hummamumamummable melody") and I love the context that he provides on how many performances certain shows ran, the theaters that they transferred to, the reviews that they received, and so on. 

Very dishy and fun. I loved his analysis of shows like Passing Strange and Sister Act, and they were right on as to why I never wanted to see them. Quite good reading for the musical theater fan!

How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran (2011)

So utterly utterly utterly loved this book.

I saw this collection of essays by Moran in bookstores all over London and wanted to buy it then but suitcase space didn't permit. When it FINALLY came in for me at the library and I started reading it, I loved it instantly. 

So funny, so charming, so realistic, and she is so awesome on women's issues. I love her diatribes about reclaiming the term "strident" (not to mention feminist) and stopping waxing. Love her!!! Caitlin Moran is smart and funny and my new heroine.

Followed by the equally wonderful Moranthology, which for me was the perfect book at the perfect time. Returning from an awesome trip to NYC, I was consoled by coming home and reading this tremendously fun, funny and endearing collection of Moran's essays. Lighter than How to Be a Woman, but still fabulous. Essays about Sherlock, Downton, the Royal Wedding, poverty and being a woman--all amazing. LOVE her.

Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (2010)

Wench is an utterly original and fascinating novel set before the Civil War at a resort in Ohio where white slaveholders brought their favored slave women on their vacations.  The women who spend their summers there struggle not only with their own lives, but with the prospect of freedom tantalizingly close at hand.

Perkins-Valdez provides an amazing look at a very specific part of the slave experience and provides insight into the bigger world of slavery. Unbelievably vivid and evocative of what life must have been like for these women--from losing their children to struggling with the decision of whether to try to escape. Memorable, touching characters and an amazing look at a very specific part of history.

666 Park Avenue by Gabrielle Pierce (2011)

I picked up this book at a charming used bookstore in Winona called Paperbacks and Pieces, and I picked it up purely for its fabulous design.  The cover is not only gorgeous, but has fabulous texture.  Even the edges of the pages and chapter design is really striking and original.

That said, I finally read it, and found it to be way more fun than it should be. Jane Boyle, architect living in Paris meets swoony and rich Malcolm Doran, has a whirlwind romance and goes to NYC to live with him and his rich and influential family on Park Avenue. Only problem is, she discovers that she's a witch, and they want her power. Pierce sets up her world and the mythology very well, and creates a very suspenseful story filled with very well-drawn supporting characters. 

Followed by two sequels: The Dark Glamour and The Lost Soul, both of which I enjoyed every bit as much as this one.  I finished The Dark Glamour and literally immediately picked up The Lost Soul, which is really saying something as I have a very short attention span for series.  Delightful.

Longbourn by Jo Baker (2013)

As I've mentioned before, I do love a good Jane Austen spinoff, take-off, adaptation or reference.  And occasionally, they are awfully good.

Quite a buzzy title this year, Longbourn follows the household staff of the families in Pride & Prejudice.  When I first heard about this, I thought it was going to be quite focused on another perspective on the Bennets and the Bingleys, but it turned out to be quite different.

Baker uses the setting as the springboard for a completely different story, one that really examines the inner lives and work of the household staff, and what having such a position in those times really meant.  As someone who loves a good supporting character, I loved the way the original story of Pride & Prejudice touches the servants only as it relates to their lives.

This is a beautifully researched novel, vividly realistic and a fresh take on a classic story.  Definitely one of the best of the Austen-inspired novels out there.