My Best Read of 2012
The end of 2012 was hectic for me. The rush and bustle of changes at work crashed into Christmas and all that entails, while I was also trying to wrap up the first book in my new series. All of that meant I had no time for anything else. That included my exceedingly infrequent blogging.
And all the while I longingly eyed off Lae Ossard, a wall flower, all alone across the dance floor, while her sisters Fall and Hope danced with readers.
Well, things are mostly on track, but still hectic. Thankfully I’ve now signed off on the first book in the new series. You can expect to see The United States of Vinland: The Landing on Kindle in a matter of weeks and in paper not long after. If you want to have a gander follow this link to my beta website: http://ansilsae.wix.com/usv-colin-taber
But that brings me back to the point of this blog post; reading, and more specifically the best book I found to read during 2012.
I’ve already announced on Facebook and Twitter what it was, but am more than happy (as was my intention) to blog about it so that my “Read of the Year” can be sought out by anyone interested in discovering what I’m enjoying in one place.
Firstly, in 2011 it was Katie Stewart’s Treespeaker (I believe a sequel is on its way) and also Moses Siregar III’s The Black God’s War. Both fantasy, but different to each other, both also well crafted and enjoyable.
But for 2012 it’s only one tome, and a tome it is: WOOL.
The omnibus of WOOL, which is actually a collection of several short stories, novellas and a novel, is a well told tale that crosses barriers to appeal widely. Billed as dystopian sci fi, I think it’s fair to say that it’s much more than that. This is a story about humanity and people jammed into difficult situations.
Hugh Howey has managed great characterisations, a well wrought setting and a pace that isn’t too fast and never too slow. The story has twists and layers of deceit that keeps you wondering. I recommend it.
All up I can’t say enough good things about WOOL. I’ve read plenty of good stories, some fantastic page turners, but this is one of those books that leaves you not just wanting more, but thinking on and lost to the setting. WOOL also left me worried for the characters. I mean afterwards. Yeah, I know, I realise that they’re fictional.
Hugh Howey published WOOL himself and word of mouth pretty much did the rest. The natural ease with which he uses social media has helped him in building a loyal and enthusiastic fan base. Being prolific is also a strong factor in his success.
WOOL is a great book, a title that has since won for Hugh a full time writing career that’s seen him be branded as more than a rising star. Publishing rights have been bought and sold to various formats and many markets, while the movie rights have been grabbed by Ridley Scott.
Hugh is currently travelling the world doing the promotional work his new deals demand. That’s putting him under the pump, but the benefit for his readers, particularly in Australia, is that you’ll get a chance to see him at signings and events. He’s a guest author at Supanova Melbourne (April 13 and 14) and Gold Coast (April 20 and 21) alongside myself. If you’re in either city when the expo is on, please come in and say hi or drop in on our panels.
Now, to continue on my search for the read of 2013…
And all the while I longingly eyed off Lae Ossard, a wall flower, all alone across the dance floor, while her sisters Fall and Hope danced with readers.
Well, things are mostly on track, but still hectic. Thankfully I’ve now signed off on the first book in the new series. You can expect to see The United States of Vinland: The Landing on Kindle in a matter of weeks and in paper not long after. If you want to have a gander follow this link to my beta website: http://ansilsae.wix.com/usv-colin-taber
But that brings me back to the point of this blog post; reading, and more specifically the best book I found to read during 2012.
I’ve already announced on Facebook and Twitter what it was, but am more than happy (as was my intention) to blog about it so that my “Read of the Year” can be sought out by anyone interested in discovering what I’m enjoying in one place.
Firstly, in 2011 it was Katie Stewart’s Treespeaker (I believe a sequel is on its way) and also Moses Siregar III’s The Black God’s War. Both fantasy, but different to each other, both also well crafted and enjoyable.
But for 2012 it’s only one tome, and a tome it is: WOOL.
The omnibus of WOOL, which is actually a collection of several short stories, novellas and a novel, is a well told tale that crosses barriers to appeal widely. Billed as dystopian sci fi, I think it’s fair to say that it’s much more than that. This is a story about humanity and people jammed into difficult situations.
Hugh Howey has managed great characterisations, a well wrought setting and a pace that isn’t too fast and never too slow. The story has twists and layers of deceit that keeps you wondering. I recommend it.
All up I can’t say enough good things about WOOL. I’ve read plenty of good stories, some fantastic page turners, but this is one of those books that leaves you not just wanting more, but thinking on and lost to the setting. WOOL also left me worried for the characters. I mean afterwards. Yeah, I know, I realise that they’re fictional.
Hugh Howey published WOOL himself and word of mouth pretty much did the rest. The natural ease with which he uses social media has helped him in building a loyal and enthusiastic fan base. Being prolific is also a strong factor in his success.
WOOL is a great book, a title that has since won for Hugh a full time writing career that’s seen him be branded as more than a rising star. Publishing rights have been bought and sold to various formats and many markets, while the movie rights have been grabbed by Ridley Scott.
Hugh is currently travelling the world doing the promotional work his new deals demand. That’s putting him under the pump, but the benefit for his readers, particularly in Australia, is that you’ll get a chance to see him at signings and events. He’s a guest author at Supanova Melbourne (April 13 and 14) and Gold Coast (April 20 and 21) alongside myself. If you’re in either city when the expo is on, please come in and say hi or drop in on our panels.
Now, to continue on my search for the read of 2013…
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