Goodreads Choice Awards 2014 - Winners

So, the Goodreads Choice Awards have come to an end for another year and the winners have been announced. Time to take stock, look back and plan ahead. First, though, let's look at the winners.

Fiction

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

I haven't read this one, but it is on my TBR list for next year. I chose The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell, which I reviewed here.

Mystery and Thriller

Mr Mercedes by Stephen King

This was one of my top books of the year, a 5 star read, but not my choice for the win. That went to I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes, which is likely to be in my top three for the year. My review is here.

Historical Fiction

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Again, one I have read and could have chosen. My vote, though, went to The Invention of Wings, which appears to have come in second in the voting. I read The Invention of Wings towards the beginning of the year and loved it - a touching portrayal of two amazing women and the terrible price paid in the face of racism and sexism in turn of the century America. 

Fantasy

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

I haven't read any of this trilogy, but if memory serves it has won one or another of the fantasy categories over the past three years. I'm definitely adding all three books to my TBR list for next year. I personally chose Robin Hobb's return to the world of the Fitz and the Fool, Fool's Assassin, which came surprisingly low in the voting this year. Come on people! {grin} My review got lost in the shuffle but will be up on the blog in the next couple of days. 

Romance

Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon

Another series I have not read, but which I will be delving into in the new year. I didn't vote at all in this category as I hadn't read any of the books. 

Science Fiction

The Martian by Andy Weir

Yes! For the first time in this year's awards, one of my choices won! I loved The Martian, a fantastic, gripping, edge-of-your-seat sci-fi thriller. I never posted a review, but it is definitely high in my best of the year list. 

Horror

Prince Lestat by Anne Rice

Quite a let down as far as I'm concerned considering some of the books nominated in this category. My personal vote went to The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon, a chilling zombie novel that transcended the simple horror name as far as I'm concerned. You can find my review here. 

Humour

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

Another of my personal choices, which wins this category!  A good memoir, very funny, which has made me want to seek out her work on Parks and Recreation. 

Nonfiction

The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan

Haven't read this one and it didn't particularly appeal when I read the blurb after the nominees came in. My personal vote went for No Place to Hide by Glenn Greenwald, a terrifying look at the NSA scandal started by Edward Snowden. This is probably one of the categories where I have added the most nominees to my TBR list for next year! 

Memoir & Autobiography

This Star Won't Go Out by Esther Earl

Another winner I haven't read and don't have any intention to do so. My personal choice - Life, Animated by Ron Suskin - came in almost last, which I find hard to believe considering both how heartbreaking and heartwarming this tale of a family learning to communicate with an autistic son through the magic of animated movies was.

History & Biography

The Romanov Sisters by Helen Rappaport

I haven't read this, but it will be going on my TBR list for next year. My vote went to The Good Spy by Kai Bird, which I reviewed here.

Business Books

#Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso

I tried to read this as part of my Goodreads read in preparation for the nominations, but could not get into it. I voted for a book I read back in the first part of the year, Flash Boys by Michael Lewis, which I recommend if you want to be absolutely terrified by the total craziness of the current financial system! 

Food & Cookbooks

Make It Ahead by Ina Garten

In this category, I concentrated more on the memoir-type books, so I didn't read the winner. I chose Sous-Chef, which is a high octane look at working in a professional kitchen, told cleverly in the second person. 

Graphic Novels & Comics

Serenity: Leaves on the Wind by Zack Whedon

Although I'm all for continuations of TV shows in graphic novel form, I haven't read Serenity: Leaves on the Wind for the simple reason that I have yet to actually finish Firefly or watch the movie this is a continuation of. I had voted for the runner-up in this category, Saga Volume 4. 

Poetry

Lullabies by Lang Leav

I may pick this up, though poetry isn't really my thing. Probably why I should give this a go. Haven't read any of these, so did not vote in this category. 

Debut Goodreads Author

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Although I loved Red Rising, I voted for it in Young Adult Fantasy and Sci-Fi. For Debut Goodreads Author I voted for The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh, which I reviewed here. 

Young Adult Fiction

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Yay, another of my choices wins the category! We Were Liars is a taut thriller, employing an excellent example of the unreliable narrator.

Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Although I could have chosen this one, my vote ended up going to Red Rising, which I'm happy won for Best Debut. City of Heavenly Fire was nevertheless a fine conclusion to the Mortal Instruments series and I can't wait to see where Clare next takes this world. 

Middle Grade & Children's

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

I have only read the first of Riordan's initial series, so I am way behind in reading his books. I had read a couple of the books in this category during my catch-up, though, and I voted for The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. In my mini-review, I called it an exciting, well-thought out Middle Grade fantasy that went beyond its obvious Harry Potter origins. 

Picture Books

The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems

I didn't read any of these, though I may try and pick up this one for my son. 

So there we are. The official Goodreads Choice Awards 2014 Winners! Another great month, with many books read and enjoyed. I look forward to reading the other nominees that I have added to my TBR list next year, so you can expect to see quite a few of the books that were nominated at one point or another cropping up here on the blog in the new year. Roll on 2015! :)

What did you vote for? Let us know in the comments! 

Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy by Karen Abbott

Karen Abbott, the New York Times bestselling author of Sin in the Second City and “pioneer of sizzle history” (USA Today), tells the spellbinding true story of four women who risked everything to become spies during the Civil War.

Karen Abbott illuminates one of the most fascinating yet little known aspects of the Civil War: the stories of four courageous women—a socialite, a farmgirl, an abolitionist, and a widow—who were spies.

After shooting a Union soldier in her front hall with a pocket pistol, Belle Boyd became a courier and spy for the Confederate army, using her charms to seduce men on both sides. Emma Edmonds cut off her hair and assumed the identity of a man to enlist as a Union private, witnessing the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. The beautiful widow, Rose O’Neale Greenhow, engaged in affairs with powerful Northern politicians to gather intelligence for the Confederacy, and used her young daughter to send information to Southern generals. Elizabeth Van Lew, a wealthy Richmond abolitionist, hid behind her proper Southern manners as she orchestrated a far-reaching espionage ring, right under the noses of suspicious rebel detectives.

Using a wealth of primary source material and interviews with the spies’ descendants, Abbott seamlessly weaves the adventures of these four heroines throughout the tumultuous years of the war. With a cast of real-life characters including Walt Whitman, Nathaniel Hawthorne, General Stonewall Jackson, detective Allan Pinkerton, Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, and Emperor Napoleon III, Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy draws you into the war as these daring women lived it.

I love reading about American history, as shown by my current project to read a biography of each American President. While I am interested in the Civil War era, I have very little interest in military history that describes in detail battles and the movement of armies, so it is difficult to find a book set in that era that catches my attention. When I saw this book, promising an original look at the era, through the eyes of four uncommon women, I jumped on it immediately. 

Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy works well, interweaving four different storylines in an exciting and attention grabbing way, keeping the story moving through the years of the war. Of the four women, two support the Union and two support the Confederacy, allowing Abbott to carefully explore the effects of the war on both sides. Providing a feminine perspective and showing how vital they were to the war effort is a fine way of giving a new spin to this well known period of history, one that Abbott pulls off with aplomb. Although at times the writing became a little dry, especially when Abbott deals with the dreaded battles, overall the book keeps the attention all the way through to the - sometimes tragic - end. Definitely recommended to anyone interested in this era and looking for an original spin on it.

I gave Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy 4 stars.

Goodreads Choice Awards 2014 - Reviews Part Two

Following on from two nights ago, here is the second part of my Choice Awards reviews. The results will be posted on 2nd December and I'll post a run-down of the winners (along with my own personal choices) the day after.

Nightmares by Jason Segel & Kirsten Miller (Middle Grade Nominee)

A clever fantasy novel set in the world of - what else - nightmares, Segel's first novel ( he is more well known as Marshall in How I Met Your Mother) is an accomplished one, striking just the right balance of fear and humour. 4 stars. 

The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert (Non Fiction Nominee)

A sweeping study of extinction in the past and present, The Sixth Extinction was let down by a dry writing style that failed to catch my attention. While a lot of the information was interesting, it was definitely not hard to put down. 3 stars. 

The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare & Holly Black (Middle Grade Nominee)

Whille clearly influenced by Harry Potter, right down to the surprising link between the hero and villain, The Iron Trial moves beyond its source thanks to the excellent writing of its two authors. Clare and Black work well together and they have pulled together an exciting, well-thought out Middle Grade fantasy here. 4 stars.

Stone Mattress by Margaret Atwood (Fiction Nominee)

A fantastic collection of short stories here from Atwood, ranging from a murder mystery to the exploration of the effect three people had on one another's lives. I thoroughly enjoyed the first three, connected stories, but all of them had something to bring to the table. 4 stars. 

All Joy and No Fun by Jennifer Senior (Non Fiction Nominee)

An interesting and well-written exploration of the effect children have on their parents (as opposed to the usual what effect do parents have on children), All Joy and No Fun illuminates the way that we look at parenting and how that has changed over the years. Full of real-world experiences, humour and genuine warmth, the book really opened my eyes as to the pressures we as parents put on ourselves and how we can learn to draw both more joy and more fun from the experience. 4 stars.

The Young Elites by Marie Lu (Young Adult Science Fiction & Fantasy Nominee)

A thrilling mixture of Mistborn and the X-Men, The Young Elites is an excellent fantasy opening, exploring a world where the survivors of a blood fever have gained magical powers, powers which lead to them being persecuted. The characters shine here, especially Adelina who by the end is shaping up to be a Magneto-type antihero. I really enjoyed this and will be looking out for the sequel sometime next year. 4 stars. 

How Google Works by Eric Schmidt (Business Nominee)

While interesting, How Google Works was the least accessible of the Business category books I read this year - clearly aimed at a very specific audience (entrepreneurs), there was very little of the behind-the-scenes info I had been hoping for. Still, some of the anecdotes were interesting enough and Schmidt's voice is warm and at times funny. 3 stars. 

Show Your Work by Austin Kleon (Business Nominee)

A very short work dealing with the importance of generosity in any artistic endeavour - sharing your work in progress, showing the rough drafts that lead up to a finished oeuvre and embracing the community that can grow up around any creative work. Kleon deals with these various points in short, simple chapters, which could have done with some more real life examples to emphasise the points. 4 stars.

People I Want To Punch in the Throat by Jen Mann (Humour Nominee)

Based on a well-known blog, People I Want to Punch in the Throat is a very humorous exploration of suburbia, told through the trenchant, sarcastic voice of Jen Mann. While probably not the easiest person to live with based on this (then again who is?), Mann does a great job of exploring the insanity and foibles of the people around her, from the cut-throat politics of PTOs to the dangers of garage sales. 4 stars.

Finding Me by Michelle Knight (Memoir and Autobiography Nominee)

Probably the most difficult book to read in this whole Goodreads nomination process, Finding Me is the story of Michelle Knight and the two other women who were kidnapped and held by Ariel Castro for more than a decade. Hard-hitting, heart-breaking and uncomfortable to read, Finding Me reveals a woman for whom suffering was the norm even before her abduction and yet who has managed to emerge from the experience with a strength I doubt many people would be able to emulate. Not for the weak-hearted, with its depictions of child abuse, rape and torture, Finding Me is nevertheless a powerful book. 4 stars. 

The voting for the Awards is now over. 

See you all on December 2 for the announcement of the Winners!

Goodreads Choice Awards 2014 - Reviews Part One

Been AWOL for a few weeks: between the launch of a new computer system at work that kept me busy, plus some medical visits for my son, haven't had much time to get on and write reviews. Since I have been reading mainly books that were nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards, I thought I would do a single post with small reviews of what I have read.

Considering the number of books read, I've decided to split it into two posts.

The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss (Fantasy Nominee)

An interesting but uneven fantasy novella, centred on a single character in Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicles series, The Slow Regard of Silent Things is not for everyone (a fact that Rothfuss himself recognises in the foreword). As a character study, it is engrossing and fascinating. As a story, not so much. 3 stars.

How To Fight Presidents by Daniel O'Brien (Humour Nominee)

Ambitious in its attempts to provide an overview of every U.S president from Washington to Ronald Reagan (as well as how to defeat them in a punch-up), How To Fight Presidents is let down by its execution. The humour is nowhere near as funny as it would like to think, but it does provide some interesting factoids about the various Presidents that some people might not know. 3 stars.

Eating Wildly by Ava Chin (Food Nominee)

Part introduction to urban foraging, part memoir, Eating Wildly is an interesting look at a life choice I had no idea about. Ava Chin provides a glimpse into the world of foragers, where parks and backyards provide edible plants for delicious meals. While the foraging part was interesting, the memoir didn't catch my attention. 3 stars.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty (Memoir and Autobiography Nominee)

A memoir set in the world of crematoriums, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes works well thanks to Doughty's voice, a keen mixture of philosphical musings and dark humour, necessary for the sort of work she does. A coming-of-age story, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes deals with some rather dark themes in an accessible and humorous way. 4 stars.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (Young Adult Nominee)

A Young Adult novel touted as the new Gone Girl for its twist ending, We Were Liars actually lived up to a lot of the hype, working as a taut thriller and employing an excellent example of the unreliable narrator. 5 stars.

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton (Young Adult Nominee)

A touching, haunting and heart-breaking historical fantasy, The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender is part family history, part coming-of-age tale, part historical thriller. Dealing with faith, family and death, and told with the beauty and complexity of a fairy tale, Walton's novel is deserving of lots of praise. 5 stars.

Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham (Humour Nominee)

Definitely not for everyone - and a book that I can't quite make my mind up whether I enjoyed - Not That Kind of Girl is as polarising as the woman who wrote it. If you like Dunham and her work in Girls, you will probably like this book. If you don't, your mileage may vary. Whatever you think of her, though, it is difficult to deny that Dunham speaks for a whole generation in a voice that is self deprecating, funny and totally unique. 3 stars.

Yes Please by Amy Poehler (Humour Nominee)

Another memoir from a female comedian, Yes Please is much less likely to be polarising than Dunham's. Although I know little of Poehler from her work on TV, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and went straight away to watch the first episode of Parks and Recreation! 4 stars.

Sous Chef by Michael Gibney (Food Nominee)

A truly unique cooking memoir, Sous Chef is told in second person, a treacherous undertaking but one that pays off in spades here. Providing a look into the high pressure life of a gourmet kitchen, Sous Chef puts the reader on the front lines. Told with energy, intelligence and intent, the book will either have you reaching for knives or running away in fear. 4 stars.

As You Wish by Cary Elwes (Memoir and Autobiography Nominee)

"Mawiage. That bwessed union..." "You killed my father. Prepare to die." "Have fun storming the castle." A movie of a thousand quotable lines, The Princess Bride was the go-to-movie for me as a kid when I was ill. Cary Elwes' memoir of this time working on the film, from casting through to the resurgence in interest years later, is a joy to read, full of anecdotes, surprises and interjections from other members of the crew. 4 stars.

The end of voting for the Choice Awards is tonight! So if you haven't already,

get voting!

Goodreads Choice Awards 2014 - Round One

Ah November! Autumn is here, the leaves are turning, the weather is perfect for staying at home and curling up with a good book or three. 

And the Goodreads Choice Awards are here! 

Announced on Monday, the Awards are one of the main reader-based book awards on the net. I won't go into the rules etc here, but I always enjoy participating, whether that be by voting or binge-reading as many of the nominated books as possible before the final round at the end of the month. 

Last year I encountered some great reads thanks to the Awards: The Lowland by Lahiri Jhumpa, One Summer: America 1927 by Bill Bryson and Night Film by Marisha Pessl to name a few.

Here are my current nominations in the various categories where I have read enough to be able to cast a vote: 

Fiction

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

Mystery & Thriller

I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

Historical Fiction

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

Fantasy

The Goblin Emperor by Katherin Addison

Science Fiction

The Martian by Andy Weir

Horror

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

Non-Fiction

No Place to Hide by Glenn Greenwald

Memoir & Autobiography

Life, Animated by Ron Suskind

History & Biography

The Good Spy by Kai Bird

Business Books

Flash Boys by Michael Lewis

Food

Delancey by Molly Wizenberg

Debut

The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh

Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Looking forward to Monday when the top 5 write-in votes are added to the whole! I'll update then to see whether my nominations change. 

What about everyone else? Are you participating / reading / voting in this year's Awards? Share your nominations below!