Top 7 Reads of 2012

Woot! The final edits for Oracle have been submitted! We've also finalised the cover, and possibly the back cover blurb! Everything is coming together beautifully, and I can't wait for the official book cover reveal in a couple weeks' time! I've got something special planned, so watch this space!

ORACLE will soon have a cover!

Because I've been so busy on all things Oracle, I've not been doing much in terms of working on other writing projects. Plus I'm treating myself to a well-deserved few hours of gameplay. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood was my birthday present for 2010, and I've only just started playing it! And of course, now that I'm well into the game, I don't want to stop until I've completed it!

Does that make me a bad writer?

Since I haven't had the chance to do much reading around the World Wide Web, I decided to start my Weekly Writer's Round-Up only next week. This week, I thought I'd share with you all my most anticipated reads in 2012, in no particular order:

The Blasphemer by John Ling

John is a fellow Malaysian-born writer living in New Zealand. I came across his website, read the first seven chapters of the book (which can be found here), and was hooked! That was months ago, and I've been eagerly awaiting the release of his book since. Well, The Blasphemer is now available, and John has kindly sent me a copy! I'm honoured and thrilled, and can't wait to dive into this explosive, tight-paced, and controversial thriller!

***Oh, and did I mention John will be giving away some free copies of his book, here, on my blog? Come back here later in the week for his Writer Wednesday feature for your chance to win! ***

The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel 

Since reading the very first book, The Clan of the Cave Bear, I have been mesmerised by the Paleolithic world of Ice Age Europe, where the predecessors of modern man co-existed (and possibly interbred) with the Neanderthals. The Earth's Children series enthralled me all the way, and Auel's latest (and final) installment has been something I've been waiting on for years. Despite the battery of negative reviews, I'm still looking forward to reading this!

Wildefire by Karsten Knight

I was actually a couple of chapters into this book before edits and other reading commitments drew me (ever so reluctantly) away. I do not exaggerate when I say that the opening chapter was the most explosive and gripping I have ever read! The unique plot, the distinctive voice, the tension, the fascinating characters, the tight prose, and–gasp!–the shocking turn of events … I am dying to go back to read it!

Also, isn't the cover just to die for?

Sleepyhead by Mark Billingham

I have heard of this book, a must-read for crime buffs everywhere; I have watched the drama series Thorne based on Billingham's Tom Thorne novels; I have even read (and enjoyed) the complete synopsis of the book itself … but I have_never_read it!

Why, you ask? Your guess is as good as mine. Despite it being on my TBR list for yonks, I never got around to purchasing a copy–until now.

Now, nothing is going to stop me from reading what is possibly one of the best crime series of all time, with the most twisted criminals and evil-doings anybody can dream of! Hopefully, this first in the series will result in my finding a new favourite author and new favourite series.

Apartment 16 by Adam L.G. Nevill

It looks like a typical haunted apartment horror story. The blurb sounds like a typical haunted apartment horror story. But I've read some really good reviews about this book, and add to it the fact that the story is set in London, on my doorstep, I just had to find out just how creepy it is!

Forest of Shadows by Hunter Shea

I interviewed Hunter for my Writer Wednesday feature a couple of months back. I'd won a copy of his book from the Guide to Literary Agents blog, but had already purchased my own copy! So we decided to include a giveaway in the interview to pass my prize copy on. Hunter's story about a ghosthunter, a remote Alaskan village, a haunted cabin in some creepy woods, sounds like a great spine-chilling read!

Forest of Shadows has recently been released in print! Congratulations, Hunter!

True Colors and Other Short Stories by Michelle Davidson Argyle

Michelle is a fellow writer and blogger who I really respect: I've followed her since she self-published her fairy tale novella, Cinders; I reviewed the ARC for her debut thriller, Monarch; I hope to help out in spreading the word about her upcoming novel, The Breakaway; I even collaborated with her when we co-edited the Stories for Sendai charity anthology, where her experiences in layouts and formatting were a godsend.

A talented writer, Michelle peppers her works with the written gems of a writer of the literary fiction genre. I enjoyed these gems in Cinders and Monarch, and I enjoyed her contribution to the Sendai anthology, Threads. If this collection of short stories is more of the same, then I am looking forward to reading it. I enjoy short stories that explore the deepest recesses of the human psyche, and I have a feeling True Colors will be one of them.

—

Right, so these are my top reads for 2012! Have you read any of these? What do you think? Which should I read first? Do you have any recommendations to add to the list?

I foresee a happy reading year for me!