- Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke - Clarke is an excellent modern writer of fantasy that is fun and creative. Her originality and storytelling ability put her at the top of the class.
- The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas - It was difficult decision between this humorous classic and my number one choice. It could just as easily be number one. The chivalrous D'Artganan, his cohorts and their insane adventures, what else needs to be said?
- East of Eden by John Steinbeck - I love this book, I love this book, I love this book....
- Moby Dick by Herman Melville - This book reads like part non-fiction about the turn-of-the-century whaling industry and classic fiction about Captain Ahab and his obsession with the white whale.
- A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry - The story of an independent-minded widow, the two tailors and student to which she rents. This book sheds light on the class problems of the times.
- Fanny Stevenson by Alexandra Lapierre - A biography of Robert Louis Stevenson's wife. An interesting means of learning more about the famous writer, but Fanny was an unique individual in her own right and could certainly hold her own where living an entertaining life goes.
- Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner - A beautifully written tale of early California, Colorado and a little Mexico thrown in. Great characters and settings.
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - One of the most unique narrators...death. A story set in WWII.
- Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese - Twins. Ethiopia. Medicine. A good book for reading around the world.
- Wild Swans by Jung Chang - This memoir of three generations of women gets the blame for my reading-about-China obsession.
Honorable mention: The Fatal Shore, Tree of Man, Slaves in the Family, The Forgotten Garden, Thornbirds and A Suitable Boy.
Adios, everyone and Happy Reading in 2014. Don't forget to throw in a couple of those chunksters sitting on your shelf! Stop by and talk me on Goodreads.
