We’re almost a quarter of the way through 2009 already. It seems like it was just last week that I decided not to make any New Years resolutions.
So yesterday I was looking at my pathetically short list of March reads (only eight so far). Then I looked back to what I’ve read so far and I have to say, I’ve read some damn good books this year. Which made me think…what’s the best book I’ve read so far?
Imagine my surprise when I realized that of the two books that could both be the best of 2009 as of today, they’re both paranormal. Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh and Blood Magic by Jennifer Lyon [side note: Look for my review next week]. I really thought I was over paranormal for the most part, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
I adore Nalini’s Psy/Changeling series, but I really didn’t expect to love Angels’ Blood. I knew it would be good b/c Nalini is a spectacular writer, but I did know if Angels and vampires together would really do it for me. I’m not surprised that it was good, but I was surprised at how much I absolutely effing loved it.
I picked up Blood Magic by Jennifer Lyon during some tipsy book shopping. Sometimes it seems like that’s when I find some of the best books. “Ooooh, this is a pretty cover, I need to get it”. Or something lame like that. I started Blood Magic right before I got sick, so it took me over a week to read it. Still, it was fantastic. We’ve discussed how hard it is to find new paranormal content. I mean, there are only so many vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, etc. that you can take. Blood Magic is about witches and witch hunters…a very interesting premise.
If I have to choose one or the other, I’d probably have to go with Angels’ Blood. But Blood Magic was right up there.
What’s your best read so far this year? Is it a new-to-you author? What was so great about it?
Mine was most definitely Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James. Many of the reviews I’m seeing claim Practice Makes Perfect was the better of the two, but I disagree. Something about JTSMA really worked for me, and I still go back and re-read my favorite parts.
Next would be the two Lynsay Sands historicals I read. Both were cute reads and exactly what I was in the mood for.
Like you I’ve read many good books so far this year, but those stand out the most.
Surprisingly I’m getting back into paranormals myself. After taking almost 2 years off, it’s nice getting back into them.
I have read so many good books, but I guess the best so far was TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE by Kristan Higgins. It was warm, funny, and very real. I loved it so much that as soon as I finished the last page, I turned back to the first and started again!
For me it’s Larissa Ione’s Demonica series. Found Pleasure Unbound (was published last year) and then scarfed down Desire Unchained and Passion Unleashed is due out tomorrow.
Blood Magic – I stumbled across this and I absolutely love it.
I have read 44 books to date. My favorite reads so far is also Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh. She’s a new-to-me author. Having not read any books by her before this book, Angels’ Blood really took me by surprise in a wonderful way. I love this book; her writing in this novel amaze me so much that I went out and bought out her backlist of the Psy/Changeling series. When I glom an author’s backlist I usually buy the books at used because the cost adds up but with N.S. I just couldn’t wait and bought them new. Lol…I can’t wait for the next book in this new series.
OK, I now must get Angels’ Blood and Blood Magic! I too have read 44 books in 2009 (how crazy Tabitha). 23 were published in 2009. I personally loved Dark of Night by Brockmann, though I know many had issues with it. I also loved Temptation Ridge by Robyn Carr. But my fav read this year was published long ago – Whispers of Heaven by Candice Proctor was an amazing historical romance set in Australia.
I am at 38 books so far this year..
I also loved Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh. I am a big fan of her Psy series, and the start of her new series did not disappoint! I can’t wait for more Raphael.
Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs and Scandal be Carolyn Jewel are my other ’09 favorites.
Older books that I just found in 2009 that I love include Josh Lanyon’s Adrien English series, Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran and the Gardella Vampire Chronicles, Colleen Gleason.
Holly, I can’t believe that you’re starting to read paranormals again. I never thought the day would come.
Cheri, that book does look cute. Unfortunately it’s in 1st person, which I have a hard time reading.
Willa, I can’t wait to read Wraith’s book!
Marnie, wasn’t Blood Magic amazing? I just loved it.
Tabitha, wasn’t Raphael hawt? Terrifying and sexy all at the same time.
KarLynP, if you like paranormals, definitely pick them both up!
I think I read Whispers of Heaven years ago. I remember really liking it.
Mandi, Scandal was soooo good. I think I gave it a 4.5/5.
This one was tough – Angel’s Blood would be up there, but so would the Demonica series, much of the Immortals After Dark series (I can’t believe I hadn’t read that until this year), much of the Psy-Changeling series (again, why hadn’t I read that until this year?!), and Evil Ways (Quincy Morris, Book 2).
Hmm. It’s going to be hard for the rest of the year to measure up.
Scandal by Carolyn Jewel, Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James and Bound by Your Touch by Meredith Duran are my top 3 so far.
Wendy, did you review that at TGTBTU? That title sounds familiar and I remember wanting to check it out.
Chris, I can’t wait until Branded by Fire. It’s going to be sooo good.
KB, I have Bound by Your Touch. Is it a stand alone? I’ve already said it, but I loved Scandal.
Casee: Bound by Your Touch is a stand alone. 😀
Without question the best book I’ve read so far this year is The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie by Jennifer Ashley. I can hardly wait until it comes out so other readers can swoon along with me on this book.
My top read has been Taking Care of Business by Megan Hart and Lauren Dane. I’ve read alot of duds this year so far.
I’ve read 23 books so far this year and have only given out one A. Hell, I haven’t even given out a B+ yet. Depressing.
That “A” book? Kidnapped: His Innocent Mistress by Nicola Cornick, a March HH title. A wonderful throw-back kind of book despite the dopey Harlequin-ized title.
Casee: I did indeed review it for TGTBTU. The plot does get a little soap opera-y at times, but I loved the heroine and Cornick knocked herself out with the first person narration.
We’re a quarter of the way through the year already…. *GULP*
Favourite re-read would have to be Knave’s Wager by Loretta Chase. I absolutely love the hero! Favourite new read….Melusine by Sarah Monette! I was transfixed 🙂
Bone crossed by patricia Briggs, and my re read for Jan. which was Lucy Monroe’s Moon awakening.
Each and every Susan Elizabeth Phillips I have read this year has been fantastic, I can’t even pick a favourite.
I’m anxious for our review of Angel’s Blood at Breezing Through to go up. I had plenty to say about it, and I want to share those thoughts with other people. I know AB will be on a lot of top ten lists this year, but not mine.
Miss you all over here! Just working on getting better.
I need to journal down what books I read because I’m bad at remembering titles and authors off the top of my head. Even though its going on 4 months into the year, I wlll still do it. I read mostly past books this year not at all many new ones. I can only think of two new ones from 2009 releases:
Sharon Page – THE CLUB
Kathryn Caskie – TO SIN WITH A STRANGER (Book 1 of the 7 Deadly Sins books
Kristie, I love Jennifer Ashley books! I too am looking forward to that one!
I know many say that books all stand alone, but is the THE DUKE OF SHADOWS connected by like friends or family or anything from the first book related to the June book of BOUND BY YOUR TOUCH?
I still have Julie James books on my wishlist! Heard so many good things of hers! I believe she just had another out recently?
My favourite overall read out of 40 books read so far this year is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.
Favourite romances have been Secrets of Surrender by Madeline Hunter and His Wicked Kiss by Gaelen Foley. Oh, and a reread of Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas.
I’ve been keeping a list this year of my reading–last night’s was #46, Marta Acosta’s HAPPY HOUR AT CASA DRACULA. I really loved the voice and the way she did vampries. Other favorites from this year are MORTAL SINS by Eileen Wilks, which I think is her best so far, Victoria Dahl’s TALK ME DOWN, Anna Campbell’s TEMPT THE DEVIL, and Kate Pearce’s erotic historicals from Aphrodisia.
I can never pick just one. *sigh*
the best?? probably Tea Rose and Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly.
I have The Club. I plan to read it soon.
Hmm… do these have to be books that actually came out this year? I’m so behind in reading the books I already have that I’ve bought very few since January, and the only I remember enjoying was ANGEL’S BLOOD, but while it was good I don’t think it will do my best of list at the end of 2009.
Release date aside, the best books I’ve read so far this year would be ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE by Steve Kluger, MUCH ADO ABOUT YOU by Eloisa James, BAREBACK by Chris Owen, BITTER MOON by Amy Lane and the In Death series I finally started a week ago and on which I’m feasting like a starved kid in a candy store. 😀 All of these are books that bring a smile to my lips when I think of them.
So far it’s a tie between Bone Crossed and Men of the Otherworld.