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Reading successes and failures in 2012, our favorite books of 2012, and two books we wish we had read.

Successes and Failures

My 12 in ’12 Reading Challenge was a great success for many people, just not me. Of the 36 books I hoped to read, I read 15. Ann’s goal of learning to appreciate William Faulkner was a resounding success. And, last year we picked three books we wished we had read in 2011 – Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (me), Ready Player One (Ann), and The Family Fang (both of us). Ann read The Family Fang, but neither of us got to the other books on our lists.

Our Favorite Books of 2012 (7:20)

Despite Ann and I each ending up with 11 books we loved this year, we managed to cut our lists to 5 each. (Ann still manages to mention most of her 11 anyway!)

Ann’s Top Five Six

The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Michael’s Top Five

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Girlchild by Tupelo Hassman
Defending Jacob by William Landay
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

plus, we each mentioned other books that made our long list, including Dear Life by Alice Munro and Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan.

Two Books We Wish We Had Read in 2012 (25:20)

And finally, we end the year with our biggest literary regrets, each choosing the “book that got away,” for now. Ann chose The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman, a novel of a childless couple in a lighthouse in Australia whose wish for a child is mysteriously granted. And I chose The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe, a title that needs no introduction, and one that I will read soon!

Thanks for a wonderful year everyone, and especially to Rob Webb, who created our Book Index, and to Linda Johnson, who keeps it updated. We have the best listeners in the world!