Books, hockey, and a bucketful of snark

It was difficult for me to pick a top five favourite books of the year, and knowing me, I'd only change my mind two minutes after posting my list. So instead here are five that really stood out for me for a variety of reasons.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith

Oh, but I loved this. It actually made me cry a couple of times. Francie is such a believable person, and I felt as if I was with her all the way through the book. 

http://bruinsgal.booklikes.com/post/1101780/finished-it

World Gone By, Dennis Lehane

No list of mine would be complete without something by Dennis Lehane, and World Gone By was a fantastic conclusion to his trilogy about Boston mobster Joe Coughlin. And Live By Night, the second in the series is currently being filmed for the big screen by Ben Affleck, who did a marvelous job with Lehane's Gone Baby Gone. 

http://bruinsgal.booklikes.com/post/1130649/finished-it

Magic Bites (Kate Daniels - 1), Ilona Andrews

I can't believe I waited so long to read the adventures of kick-ass heroine Kate Daniels. I read the first seven books pretty much one after the other and I'm currently second in line at the library for number eight. So. Much. Fun! 

http://bruinsgal.booklikes.com/post/1139334/finished-it

People of the Book, Geraldine Brooks

I adore Brooks' writing, but for some reason had missed this book. I picked it up second-hand at my local independent bookstore and was immediately engrossed. 

http://bruinsgal.booklikes.com/post/1182884/finished-it

Brush Back, Sara Paretskey

And again, any list of mine will usually have a V I Warshawski lurking in there somewhere. This is number 17 in the series and is as gritty and action-packed as the others. And to put the cherry on the top, there is also hockey.

http://bruinsgal.booklikes.com/post/1225948/finished-it

So there you have it. A few highlights from 2015. Here's hoping for many more in 2016.

Happy New Year!