Other Books I Read In 2012–And The One I Didn’t

At the beginning of 2012, I set a goal of reading 12 books in 2012, and I am pleased to report that I exceeded that goal. Writing a book review post at the end of each month helped keep me on track but so did discovering Good Reads and reading other book suggestions on blogs and Facebook.

The last book I read in 2012 was The Dog Stars, by Peter Heller.

From the Amazon synopsis:

A riveting, powerful novel about a pilot living in a world filled with loss—and what he is willing to risk to rediscover, against all odds, connection, love, and grace.

My synopsis:

Finding friendship–and love?–after the end of the world without losing your sense of humor.

I think the optimism of the main character outweighs the bleak setting, and keeps the tone of the story generally positive, although sometimes the only humor in a situation is of the might-as-well-laugh-or-else-I’ll-cry variety.

Earlier this year I read two books that I did not review yet, both of which happen to relate to Mormonism.

The one you’ve probably heard of is The Book Of Mormon Girl, by Joanna Brooks.

From the Amazon synopsis:

From her days of feeling like “a root beer among the Cokes”—Coca-Cola being a forbidden fruit for Mormon girls like her—Joanna Brooks always understood that being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints set her apart from others. But, in her eyes, that made her special; the devout LDS home she grew up in was filled with love, spirituality, and an emphasis on service. …  But as she grew older, Joanna began to wrestle with some tenets of her religion, including the Church’s stance on women’s rights and homosexuality. ….

This book got mixed reviews, and my review is mixed as well. Some parts of the book tell  an engaging story, while others veer off into a text book tone. Maybe I fell asleep in the middle of the book, but I  don’t understand how she came to be such a feminist after her devout upbringing.  The narrative seemed to jump from obedient school child to rebellious college student without much explanation for the transition. Did her family support her liberal views, or was she rebelling against them as well? Despite these gripes, I think it was an enjoyable book overall.

The other one I borrowed from a friend: The 19th Wife: A Novel, by David Ebershoff.

From the Amazon synopsis:

It is 1875, and Ann Eliza Young has recently separated from her powerful husband, Brigham Young, prophet and leader of the Mormon Church. Expelled and an outcast, Ann Eliza embarks on a crusade to end polygamy in the United States. … Yet soon after Ann Eliza’s story begins, a second exquisite narrative unfolds–a tale of murder involving a polygamist family in present-day Utah. …

Basically, the book alternates between a fictionalized history of the early Mormon Church and a modern-day story. I always have a hard time switching gears between alternating story lines, but these were different enough to keep straight and related enough to benefit from their intertwined format. If you like historical fiction or are interested in the history of the Mormon Church, you probably would enjoy this book.

Given those last two reviews, it may come as no surprise which popular books of 2012 I did not read!

After hearing Lynn Neary’s piece on Friday’s All Things Considered, at least I know I’m not alone. Since I unabashedly adored The Hunger Games, I think I would have to answer here “prude” or “snob” question on the side of prudery.

What was your favorite book of 2012? 

Did you read 50 Shades of Gray?