Do you celebrate tonight, or tomorrow? I (Martina) grew up celebrating Christmas Eve, and that remains the Christmas of my heart. My husband grew up celebrating Christmas Day, so we adopted both holidays, and we open some presents tonight and the rest in the morning. We always get to pick what we open, and one of my favorite personal traditions is to pick a book that I can start reading that night.
Do you have a holiday book tradition? If not, consider starting one. : ) And to help you pass on some books to family members who might not generally read YA, here are some of our recommendations for adult books we’ve read this year. This awesome event is originally hosted on Two Chicks on Books!
Shelly
Since we talk about YA books here, it’s great to mix it up by discussing my favourite adult novel this year! I’m going to go with WRITTEN IN RED by Anne Bishop. Although it came out in 2013, I only read it this year so I’m going to count it! I really love this book, and the series as a whole. As I pitch this book to all my friends: it’s basically all character and world-building. There is of course plot, but I love how well-written and well-rounded each character is, and the world around them.
Jocelyn
Thinking about the books I’ve read this year, it seems like the only adult novel was THE UNDEAD POOL by Kim Harrison, so it becomes my best by default. But I’m okay with that because it was a nice return to form for the series. It is the 12th book in the Hollows series, which I’ve enjoyed reading for years, but the last few have been very disappointing. So I was relieved and happy this one was more like the early books, since it was exciting, sexy, emotional, and had plenty of humor. An all-around fun read!
Martina
Like everyone else here, I have a hard time keeping up with the YA that’s published, much less the adult work. I’m sure I’ve missed a lot of memorable books this year–more than normal because the year has been busy. But I do have an adult novel I found to be enchanting and evocative and gorgeously written. THE CAT’S PAJAMAS by Marie-Helene Bertino all takes place December 24th with a cast of characters centered around a Philadelphia jazz club and a nine-year-old girl who wants to be a jazz singer. Can’t recommend this one highly enough. Other great choices include BELZHAR by Meg Wolitzer and STONE MATTRESS: NINE TALES by Margaret Atwood.
