My 2012 Selections

[Mandy Muffin]

Here are 12 books I liked enough to recommend that I read in 2012:

Defending Jacob, Landay

The Devil in the White City, Larson

The Art of Fielding, Harback

The Paris Wife, McClain

Gone Girl, Flynn

Sarah's Key,  DeRosnay

11/22/63, King

V is for Vengeance, Grafton

Save Me, Scottoline

Winter of the World, Follett

The Weird Sisters, Brown

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Grahame -Smith

[Eaglewoman]

this was on of my favorites reads of 2012 I mortal cells of Henretta lackes, I probably wouldn't have read it if it hadn't been a book club selection.After we read it one of the colleges had her son and his wife come and give a Q&A about how the family was doing and allowed our book club to attend. Very intereting.

[Mandy Muffin]

I read the book in 2011 and was impressed enough to include it in my best books for that year.  It was revealing the atrocities we committed on poor, often black, citizens in the form of research.  I am glad she finally got her credit for being instrumental in helping to cure diseases.  How nice that you got to meet with her relations. 

[rapa]

I also enjoyed this book last year as could personally relate.  In the mid '50s I trained on one of the wards where Henrietta had been treated and worked with some of the doctors mentioned. I do not feel that any atrocities were committed.  Johns Hopkins treated the poor and often black citizens at no cost and they received the very best of care.  They depended on Hopkins to care for them and were grateful. Without research, medical care would still be in the dark ages.  Body parts have always gone to pathology.  I have always and will continue, while living, to donate any of myself that will help future generations.

[Mandy Muffin]

Perhaps the term "atrocity" is a bit harsh but I quote a review on Amazon, "THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS explains how the cells were obtained, replicated, distributed, and used without informed consent of the owner and family by John Hopkins and how they benefited mankind w/o compensation to the family. Author Skloot tells the story of a family victimized by socioeconomic conditions and racism that can't get fundamental things like health coverage while these cells make a lot of money for the health establishment. It is a disturbing read that will stay with the reader long after the book is finished.'" IMHO, many aspects of Southern life under the practices of segregation were considered acceptable at the time but are thought to be atrocious now. 

[Gerald Guy]

I have become a big  Nicholas Sparks fan. In fact, bought six of his older books for Christmas for my wife. We both will read them. Here is a short list of books I'd recommend: 

The Best of Me, Nicholas Sparks 

The Given Day, Dennis Lehane

Pump It Up, Tim Baker

Waiting for Willie, Dean Poling

[rapa]

THE GIVEN DAY is awaiting me at my branch library.  Will pick it up tomorrow.

[Gerald Guy]

I finished it this morning at 2:30. I couldn't put t down.

[Gerald Guy]

Here's one more I enjoyed by an author I discovered in October arter buying my Nook -- Beloved, by Antoinette Stockenberg