20 Best Books 2012 New York Times (2023 Update)

This is a journey into the past of a young man seen from his future. Couldn't put this one down! Well written with a twist at the end. ENJOY!Edna

I like this book because it reminds me of some things in my younger years; soda counters, root beer floats, etc. Things of the 50s $ 60s. A good coming of age novel. I havent finished it yet-still enjoying every word. I hope it ends well.Dorothy

I was struck by the flawed physical attributes of many of the characters: stuttering brother, hare-lipped sister, blind family friend, and wondered if all of these (except for the brother) really contributed to the plot. Initially, I found the relentless descriptive similes actually corny and repetitive. Fortunately, these began to disappear as the story progressed. The author repeatedly interjects details which are supposed to reinforce the time period, but they seem not to ring true. (I'm sure I did not, in the '60s, serve Kool-Aid at almost every meal.) That being said, it was an interesting read and was generally quite well-written.artistcollectingstuff

Everything was good, except when I picked up the box set (which was wrapped) one of the books had slight damage to the bottom of it. There wasn't any damage to the box set, so I don't know how it happened.Carlene

I started playing the video game the end of October before learning that the games tell the story of what happens AFTER the books, which I believe there is five of them. I told my husband he should have led with that! I love male authors because they have a way of getting straight to the point without losing the substance of the story where female authors tend to be a little detail driven and drawn out. This book follows that straight to the point aspect so you're given a lot of information in the first few chapters. For anyone who is a fan of the game or loves a good fantasy action drama with rich and enduring characters and relationship [not all of them romantic] I highly recommend this book. It's only rated a 4 star because the translation from Polish to English does not always crossover well but the books have definitely solidified my fandom to this world!JOSEPH

This set is a great place to start to begin reading the Witcher stories, however another book was actually added by the author to technically be a prequel to these. Do your research first and start with that book. Although technically you don't have to but it helps. This set is very nice and was the best priced anywhere I could find at the time. BAM got it to me safe and sound and wrapped well but took forever to get it, well over a month. Stories are fantastic and since there are so many reviews on them I won't bother, this review is more to the collection being a good deal and a nice have.Tammy

This is my second copy as my first one was read through and fell apart. Love the moody, despondent and melancholic tone of this book!Lana

I had high hopes for this book and it honestly let me down. The entire thing was anticlimactic. The characters didn't have much of a personality and I felt that many IMPORTANT things were missed out on since the narrator often wasn't included in events, he was just told about them later. I gave the book two stars because I enjoyed the writing style, but the overall story didn't appeal to me.SAVVY

Although written a few years ago, Barbara Kingsolver's book still resonates today, and the way she tells it makes it a captivating tale.hh664

The story was a bit too slow for me. I loved her other book, Poisonwood Bible, but would not recommend this one. I read 140 pages and then gave us.arlettetom

Kingsolver is great writer who has genuine social conscience. Her books are unique because unlike so many others, she does not use formula. Her characters come truly alive and touch you.Anna

This book is a classic and one of my all-time favorite’s on the classic list. Of course my favorite character is the Count himself, what a story of patients and re-venge in its sweetest form and just when you think you know how it will end the twist will send you through a loop. I Absolutely love this book and I highly recommend if you’re going to read a classic and you love stories about love, treasure, heartbreak, revenge and victory then definitely you should start with this one.serena.m

This book should be on the 100 Books you want to read before you die list. Its a fantastic story and a great read. My only complaint is that its too heavy to hold onto very long. Perhaps thats why it was initially serialized??? But its truly worth the effort.hiltonfan

This is the second time I have bought this book; the first for myself because I love classic novels, the second time as a Christmas present for my Mom because it is one of her most favorite books and she didn't have a readable copy. It is an excelent story full of cunning, intrigue, jealousy and love. If you have watched the movie don't expect the exact same story, because as with most movies based on a book it has been holywoodised and many things were left out. Normally having an abridged version of a book isn't desired, but in this case it is a good thing. Dumas lived in a time when the author was paid by the word so there were a lot of extra thees and thous and long windedness. Don't worry tho the abridged version is still about 500 pages long, don't let that discourage you either, it is most definitely worth the read.racogliati

The cover illustration you show is not the cover of the book I received. I was expecting the book I received to have the same cover illustration but it was not.dr.samba

bought because i cause i wanted it and i felt that if you want something you should really try and get it ,without resorting to crime of cause as thats not very nice and ultumetley some poor thing will suffer and then how could one live with ones self if you follow my drift…patrickward1953

Year of Our Lord 1893, a World's Fair in Chicago, a city almost fully recovered from the devastating fire of 1871. A dazzling spectacle in Jackson Park, the first Ferris Wheel, buildings and peoples of the world, tourists from everywhere…and an unspeakably evil Herman Webster Mudgett, AKA Dr. H.H Holmes, who meets young women, invites them to visit his home near the Fair, and murders them. I grew up in Chicago and I'd heard a few things about this man and his "murder castle" on 63rd Street west of Jackson Park, but this book fills in any and all details I never knew. Holmes was evil, a cold blooded serial killer, America's first, and his story is fascinating in the same way as looking a fatal car accident: I was revulsed by what he'd done, but it was horribly fascinating and I could not look away until I'd finished the book. This horror is not fictional, it's real and that's the most disturbing thing.diogenes9561

I enjoyed this book so much that I hand out copies to people I think might like it. This book was truly an enjoyable read that I had to keep reminding myself was nonfiction. Four reasons why I enjoyed the book are, one, Larson's research connects many people from the past to well known names of today. Historically it's chock-full of interesting facts. Second, it gives great insight to the history of Chicago including the slaughter houses or the general living conditions during that time. Third, the story of the murderer is fascinating. I looked the killer up on the internet to get more information. And last, it was amazing to read how the expo came together with all its glitches. This book is a wonderful read that I would recommend to anyone.myh2olou

This book caught my attention because it was about the Chicago's Worlds Fair of 1893. I have always wondered what it would be like to attend one of those fairs so thought this was a good way to learn more about it. Then I saw it was also about America's first recorded serial killer H.H. Holmes and I thought this may interesting as well. Even though this was a non-fiction book I thought parts of it read just like a novel. I guess I mean to say that it was not just all restated facts or dry reading like a report would be. While I enjoyed the book there were a few parts that were a little slow to me. Some of the descriptions of the politics behind the World's Fair were a little long for me, but it was not fault of the author. I just was not as interested in those parts. I did like all how the author told us of a number of things that we still have to day that were debuted at the fair: shredded wheat cereal, the Ferris wheel, juicy fruit gum as well as the famous people that were a part of creating the fair: Frank Lloyd Wright, Walt's Disney's father, and the man who built the Biltmore estate. It was also interesting to read about all the statistics from the fair, from the people that attended to the money earned. All the information about H.H. Holmes was very interesting to me. For example how he swindled so many people out of money, how he pulled off a number of scams as well as the horrible killings he did. The descriptions of these was not gruesome, just facts. I also liked how the author would go back and forth between the two stories he was writing about. The ending of the book was very fitting as the author tied up all the loose ends. I have other books by this author and am looking forward to reading them.Bookaunt

The information is aimed at "normal" kitchen cooks and was very useful. The recipes are amazing. I have tagged so many recipes that I cant wait to make. So far have cooked a couple of the recipes and they were as easy and as tasty as promised. Buy a copy for yourself and one to gift someone you love.HB

I have most of Ottolenghi’s cookbooks and have eaten at one of their restaurants in London, so I was pleasantly surprised to see a book that will make his recipes simpler. Sometimes I would look at the recipes from other books and felt some could be a bit cumbersome; with Ottolenghi Simple that is not the case. I have had the book for a week and already made 2 recipes; it tasted restaurant quality. My husband said “for the money I would have paid to eat them in a restaurant, the book paid itself”. If you are new to middle eastern flavors this is a great starting point, buy your ingredients in smaller portions at the bulk section of the supermarket, and if you like it move on to other Ottolenghi books. If you already own other books, these recipes will feel like a breeze, and you will be so happy to get the same complex flavors with minimum effort. great as a gift too.carmen

The number of 5-star reviews for this book speak for itself. It's been a well used family cook book since it arrived with a number of recipes sure to become homely staples.Helava

I've started reading this book, and I have to say it's utterly gripping. The prologue sets the scene of a bloody climax of an historic event, that weaves its way seamlessly into the protagonists lifetime. Its engaging and rich in description and world building but without being too 'heavy' going. Making this an exciting rich and masterfully written fantasy epic. I would thoroughly reccomend it to anyone seeking to be transported a legendary place and time, filled with magic, adventure and combat.merchantofvenice-3519

The Eye of the World novel, by Robert Jordan, creates a rich and colourfully imagined universe. Readers will be quickly charmed by and emersed in the well written local cultures and lore. Also, it is effortless to relate with the characters who are realistic and engaging. Jordan's plot focuses on three unlikely heroes: Rand, a simple sheepherder, Perrin, a thoughtful blacksmith and Mat, a likeable rogue. All three have their lives turned upside down when their sleepy home town of the Two Rivers is suprised by a horde of bloodthirsty Trollics (evil man-beasts). The three boys are told by a mysterious traveller Moirane that they are 'taver'en' (those who are able to manipulate unwittingly the fabric that governs the universe). These three must leave their home as they are sought by The Dark One (the novel's protagonist) and travel to the Eye of the World, which is a source of immense magical power. Their task is to stop The Dark One who is threating to use it to remake the world in his own image. Will the three small town farmboys be able to take on the immense power of The Dark One? What will they discover about their destiny in the process? The fantasy elements of the novel are top notch, with the main magical system being 'The One Power'. The One Power exists in a select few individuals who are able to tap into this personal source and manipulate the five elements(earth, fire, wind, water and spirit), to do everything from light a fire to heal a person who is mortally wounded. The twist to this inner power is that only women can touch it safely (Saidar) and men who touch the source (Saidin) will eventually go mad and die, killing those they love. This Ying Yang tension is key to the themes of the novel. This approach to magic is refreshing and leads to many moral conflicts within the novel itself. The cultures and lands in the Wheel of Time series are not only rich and imaginative, but have had all aspects considered, even down to marriage rights and political intrigue! Though this is a fantasy novel at heart, all of the races are original. You won't see your predictable Orcs and Elves in this text! This makes the world of this fantasy novel very realistic, yet also inventive. The main characters are not perfect and have real flaws that readers can relate to (for example, Mat having a penchant for gambling and girls!!!) The storyline is satisfying, which at its heart is a traditional Greek plot of good versus evil. Overall, Jordan's orignal style of prose, delightful descriptions and indepth, realistic cultures add a depth to the story which makes this novel refreshing and will keep you turning pages to the conclusion. Cassie FosterDavid

I absolutely loved this book. While it's hard to come up with a truly original story anymore, Robert Jordan has created an incredible world that feels both familiar and strange at the same time. His characters truly breathe and the classic good vs. evil plot line is comforting with enough new spins to keep it fresh. I love the strong female characters; it's rare in high fantasy to exalt the woman's power and I applaud the author for doing so. Rich and inviting, I can't wait to explore the next installments of this series.SARAH

What do you get when you mix twin sisters, wedding chaos, a clash between the Bride & Grooms siblings, food poisoning and a 10-day trip to Maui? You get the fun and romantic story of Olive and Ethan in The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren. For Olive, things never seem to go her way. Her twin sister is her opposite even getting her dream wedding completely financed through winning all kinds of contests. A wedding nightmare ensues and in a twist of both fortune and misfortune, Olive is getting a free trip to Maui. Only catch, Ethan who she hates, will be going with her. They spend the next 10-days pretending to be the happy newlywed couple. In doing so they realize things about one another and spending lots of time together which seems to be turning this nightmare into a not so horrible experience. This book is a fun way to explore the love/hate, will they/won't they relationship. Christina Lauren help invoke humor, genuine emotion and true relatability in the story and characters. Seeing the main characters grow individually throughout adds to the charm of this story. Another great addition to anyone's reading list, especially to take on a trip to the beachThirstyReadingQueen

This was such a fun, relaxing read. I loved Ethan and Olive and all their crazy. Olive has the worse luck ever. Her sister does not. But when the tables turn and Olive’s sister and brand new brother-in-law are laid low from food poisoning, it’s possible her luck has changed. With a new job lined up and her relationship with Ethan moving from enemies to something more, things are looking up. Now if they can hold it together once the honeymoon is over. I absolutely adored this heroine, which is rare for me as I’m all about the hero. Olive had such a great, quirky outlook at life, even if it did seem a bit Eeyore-ish at times, a condition she eventually realizes and corrects. She’s the type of person I’d totally hang out with and love every minute of it. Her inner thoughts had me grinning and laughing as well as shaking my head at some of her antics. I would reread this book all over again because of her. We don’t get a look into Ethan’s thoughts until the epilogue and I really missed having it. It wasn’t easy to tell what he was thinking and his actions didn’t always speak louder than words. As the story unfolds and we are given information from him I grew to love him. He’s not an alpha hero, but something, dare I say…better? He’s the type of man you’d want in your life always. He’s just a regular guy with regular reactions and some insecurities as well as being fallible. In the end, with that epilogue, I was sold completely. This is such an entertaining read, a little lengthy but never boggy and with some drama that didn’t consume the whole story. The chemistry between these two was felt but not sizzling and I’d consider this a bit lite on the smexy times. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful book and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a light hearted, low angst, enemies-to-lovers romance.carvanz

This book was so engaging and easy to follow! I read it in a day, and I wish there was more because of how good it is. I love the setting and adore the characters. I recommend to anyone looking for a feel good romantic comedy to read during the warm weather. This was a vacation read, which was perfect.tnace13

so the grandma is so anti "politically correct" she smokes in a hospital and seems to feel the security guards are cramping her " individual " personality when they make her stop smoking. I'm a security guard in a hospital and the no smoking rule isn't about inhibiting the free spirited people it's about protecting people. There is concentrated oxygen in hospitals that when exposed to flame can cause explosions and fire. Innocent people can be killed or harmed. So, right off, i don't like grandma! And i can't imagine why anyone would want to read about this woman.Zipper

I absolutely LOVED this book. It made me wish I'd had it to read aloud to my older kids at the dinner table. The characters are so real that I was sad to end the book but also SO thankful that Backman had written another book continuing with the character of Britt-Marie. Fabulous book. I already got another friend to buy it and she finished it in quick order declaring it also one of her favorite books ever!Lori

Like every other Fredrik Backman book (I've read them al) this one does not disappoint. I absolutely loved this story. It's original and heart warming. I originally listened to the audio version and loved it so much that I bought this hard copy to reread.makeup0_0

This is a wonderful read. A must have for any Stephen King reader. Is one of the best he wrote. You will love this thrilling story of great detail, pleasure, and horror. Great price. Add it to your reads today and you will love it so much you won't want to put it dy. Great gift. Highly recommended.tammy.b

A riveting and unforgettable story of kids confronting evil. Stephen King writes an unforgettable book about true evil, where adults have no problem torturing and performing medical tests on children for the "greater good." In this most sinister of institutions, the director, Mrs. Sigsby, and her staff are ruthlessly dedicated to extracting from these children the force of their extranormal gifts. There are no scruples here. If you go along, you get tokens for the vending machines. If you don't, punishment is brutal The Institute is Stephen King's gut-wrenchingly dramatic story of good vs. evil in a world where the good guys don't always win.Susan

Written by an excellent author, but the style was difficult to follow. Bill goes between one fugitive and another for no apparent reason in short chapters. The book is very factual and I'd recommend it 3.5 out of 5.dockman2

This era of history has always intrigued me. Germans are a smart, even brilliant, culture, and it is beyond me how they could follow a psychopath like Hitler. This book demonstrates through the deep-dive on each of the war criminals their clear devotion to Hitler, their lust for power, and their blatant disregard for human life. I shook my head at the specific atrocities each of these SS officers and guards personally inflicted. It also is appalling to me that many of these Nazis were protected by other governments, including the US. Allen Dulles was notorious for "being in bed" with the Nazis before, during, and after the war–and the end does not justify the means. How could we have turned our heads? This book is well written, informational, and ensures the reader understands each criminal's story from beginning to end. Killing the SS is definitely worth reading, and we should never forget. As a non-Jew (Irish American Christian), I still believe in humane treatment and addressing differences in a diplomatic way. Extermination/genocide is never the answer. And, it should never ever be tolerated.Dee

It's horrifying to read about the treatment of people, especially women & girls, within the last 30/40 years. An interesting eye opener. Very engaging.frosty-kaz

I read this book in my high school AP Lit class and absolutely LOVED it! We also read The Kite Runner, but I much preferred this book. It's heartbreaking and heavy but an absolutely amazing read from a wonderful author. I reread it recently and still loved it the same way. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a good thought-provoking readE. Gawlas

It was a sad book, but so wonderfully written. A book that makes you think. You can smell the spring blossoms and feel the cold snowflakes. There is a big fight scene and you literally feel like your ribs are being broken too. Well worth a readnadvans-0

It was delightful to re-visit the world of Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron at the Coopers Chase retirement community, characters readers grew to know and love from Richard Osman's 2020 smash hit The Thursday Murder Club. In this outing, the team of sept- and octogenarian crime fighters become embroiled with British Security Service MI5 after Elizabeth's former husband, who's still with the secret service, makes contact with her. A cache of valuable diamonds have gone missing from the nearby home of a shady middleman. Ibrahim is mugged while on a visit to town, the culprit escaping the scene. The team's friendly police contacts, DCI Chris Hudson and PC Donna De Freitas, are meanwhile on obbo, attempting to catch a nefarious female crime boss in the act. After three violent deaths, the three separate storylines gradually converge as the Thursday Murder Club use their combined skills, charm and wide range of contacts to shed light on who are the good guys, who are the bad, and who are a bit of both… Building upon the solid foundation of The Thursday Murder Club, the characterisations of the central quartet are quirky and sympathetic. The supporting cast, both returning characters and new, are also well-developed and intriguing. The plot of The Man Who Died Twice is more complex and beguiling than that of its predecessor, and Richard Osman strikes a perfect balance between pathos, humour and intrigue. While I believe reading The Man Who Died Twice as a standalone would prove an entertaining and rewarding experience, I would strongly recommend reading in series order, for the sake of character development in particular. I'd highly recommend The Man Who Died Twice to any reader who enjoys character-driven mysteries with a nice dollop of humour. It's a delightful and engrossing read. My thanks to the author, Richard Osman, publisher Penguin UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this much-anticipated title.Duchess of New Town

If you enjoyed the first book in this series, this second instalment is everything you could hope for (and if it isn't, the third book is out soon!) If you haven't read the first book, I'd certainly recommend you do, before you jump into this one. Richard Osman once again delivers a cleverly crafted, cosy mystery that would delight any modern reader at home or on holidays. A book you'll want to read more than once. Look out for the weather analogy, which really demonstrates Osman's keen understanding of the human psyche. And might even give you insight into your own relationships, as it did for me. Absolutely wonderful. Thoroughly looking forward to reading book 3Ginny

Book 2 was even better than Book 1, and I look forward to Book 3, which is due out in September. It's a delight to read interesting and intelligent stories of older people, including their relationships with the local police. And the humor that flashes through is sometimes laugh out loud funny.SHAIY

Wow, what a stunning non-fiction novel. The storytelling hooks you instantly through the portrayal of tension and courage during a conflicting time.MJ

This gripping account of the extraction of a Russian double-agent spying for the UK at the height of the Cold War was a real page-turner, and all the better for being a true story. The background research and information were excellent and reading this book gives you not only a very valuable understanding of past history between Russia and the West, but helps makes sense of current events especially around Ukraine.Spacebabe18

Haven’t finished reading this yet but it’s amazing – a real page turner. A fascinating insight into the intelligence world & a true story too. Would certainly recommend. WOB are excellent – prompt delivery & second hand books in good condition for excellent prices too.Consumer

My mother is 1/3 of the way through the book and has already found 3 places where the print is goofed up. Multiple lines are printed on top of each other which makes it difficult/impossible to read them. I purchase Large Print Books for her because of her poor vision and did not expect her to find so many misprints. She's enjoying the book but I don't like the poor quality print.Sandy from Sammamish

This well written fictional book portrays the code breakers in a fair light now that it can be openly discussed. There were many code breaker groups and most seemed to experience similar settings to what is portrayed in this book.iris1230_8

Intressant läsning om paret Rosenberg ur sonen Daniels perspektiv. Minnen blandas med nutida händelser i Daniels liv. Det är också en intressant skildring av det politiska klimatet i USA under denna tidsepok. Stark 3:aMats S

Intressant läsning om paret Rosenberg ur sonen Daniels perspektiv. Minnen blandas med nutida händelser i Daniels liv. Det är också en intressant skildring av det politiska klimatet i USA under denna tidsepok. Stark 3:aMats S

my fiance never picked up a book until I went to BAM to get some for myself. He had watched the show but likes the books so much better because they don't follow the show. He said if the book did go with it then no one would watch. The show had the same characters but playing different roles then what they do in the bookSARA

I lover the short story set-up, and how it comes together as one cohesive tale. It definitely sets up an enjoyable way to get to know characters without a bunch of "intermission" during the main series which I appreciate. Keeps it fluid. I was genuinely surprised at how well the stories translate into the English language. You can't even tell that they were once Polish. Overall these books are re-readable and very enjoyable to anyone who is looking for a high fantasy with a mature themes and tone.Sean

Having read The Last Wish I was hooked on the series. I find both it and The Sword of Destiny to be really good stories in fact almost as good as Katharine Kerr. and that's saying a lot . Both of these books are short stories to introduce The Witcher and they do. as the build up towards the end of S.O D. leads one right into The Blood of Elves. I have only read 111 pages of The Blood of Elves so far Both books contain all the usual good guys and bad guys and of course the monsters, even a Golden Dragon and the humour is really good sometimes subtle sometimes right at you. In fact I have just ordered the next three titles.That's how much I think of them.The Guitar Man