OneZenMom

Happy New Year!

The end of the year means my annual "What I read this year" post.

As always, this is more of a record for myself. But I love recommending books I enjoy to others, too. So if someone peruses this list and sees something they might not otherwise have read, that's awesome, too. Let me know! :)

Happy Endings
(or: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.")

It seems 2014 marked the end of several favorite series for me:

The Witch With No Name (The Hollows #13) by Kim Harrison

Thirteen books. Do even need to tell you how much I love this series, if I've eagerly pounced on all 13 books? Rachel Morgan is my favorite itchy witch and I will miss her and her found-family in the Cincinnati Hollows more than is probably mentally healthy.

Shaman Rises (Walker Papers #9) by C.E. Murphy

This Urban Shaman series has a great protagonist, a fantastic supporting cast and an interesting take on Native American and Celtic shamanism. Joanne Walker feels very "real" throughout her massive story arc from book one to book nine. And I'm half in love with her septuagenarian sidekick and totally in love with her purple muscle car.

Agave Kiss (Corine Solomon #5) by Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre writes great women and great worlds. Corine Solomon, she of small magics and big destiny, is no exception. This book is probably tied with book 2 in the series as my favorite.

Wild Justice (Nadia Stafford #3)

by Kelley Armstrong
I actually re-read the first two books in this trilogy that centers on a hitwoman and her mentor before starting this final book. I was glad I refreshed my memories on the first two, because the character development arc of the heroine's journey probably would have lost of some momentum by the long break in between if I hadn't. As it was, this was a satisfying conclusion to the story.

Wild Card (Raine Benares 0.5) by Lisa Shearin

Okay, this one is cheating the theme just a tiny bit, because it's technically a prequel to the Raine Benares series. But I don't even care. I loved it. I loved re-visiting this fantastic heroine and her world. For the record, you can totally read this without reading any other books in the series. So it's fine to start the series with this one and them move on to the main books. Which you should. Because, they are great fun stories with a kick-ass heroine. My (obviously?) favorite kind of book.

I have mixed feelings about most of these books, not because they were unsatisfying: They were all good reads, every one! But because ...

... yeah, it's like that.

I'm going to really miss some of those worlds and characters.

Maybe my mourning for those imaginary friends had something to do with the other interesting trend I noticed for 2014 ...

Zombies!

I don't think I'd read any "zombie" books before 2014. But apparently I must enjoy this previously unexplored genre, because, unplanned, I ended up reading more than a few books - whole series even! - on the subject:

Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines

This was my favorite zombie series of the year. It was a really interesting premise to me: Superheroes in post-zompocalypse L.A.? Sure, why the hell not? I expected a fun, light read. And this was that, kinda. But it was a little more, too. It had some storytelling weaknesses, but I really liked the characters and the world; I ended up quickly devouring all four books in this series and I look forward to the fifth.

My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland

This was the start of a funny and interesting series. I ended up reading all of them that are out so far and will definitely pick up the next. It's a very different take on the typical zombie mythos, addressed in a very irreverent fashion, and yet it made for a really compelling story and I ended up quite interesting in Angel and her Zombie white trash zombie blues.

Out of Darkness by Jason D. Morrow

To be honest, I was kinda "meh" about this first book in this trilogy by about halfway through it. But I'm glad I stuck with it and read the next two, because I was definitely emotionally invested in the characters and their world by book three. Overall: Not brilliant or amazing, but still a good story.

But wait, there's more!

There were, obviously, many other books I read in 2014 that didn't fit these categories. A few other favorites:

The Silent Grove by David Gaider

A graphic novel trilogy sequel to my most favoritest video game ever? YES, PLEASE.

Perdition by Ann Aguirre

It can't be easy to build characters the reader can relate to when you set your series in a prison full of hard-core lifers. But, as usual, Ann Aguirre has created a really interesting world and characters in her latest series. You really want to root for Dred and her crew, even if they are killers and cons. The second book, Havoc, was great, too. Can't wait for Breakout. I'll miss these characters when they're gone. (Note: This is set in the same universe as Aguirre's Grimspace series, which I would also recommend, But you don't need to have read those to completely enjoy these.)

Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich

Nope, I don't think I'm ever going to get tired of the hilariously ridiculous adventures of Stephanie Plum, Bounty Hunter, and her certifiably insane family and friends.

Heist Society by Ally Carter

This YA series was not exactly what I expected when I picked up the first book. But I liked it a lot. I love outrageous "heist stories" so I thought all of the books in this series were a blast. I ended up reading her "Spy Girls" YA series, too. Somewhat silly, but also fun.

Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews

I love everything I've ever read by Ilona Andrews and she's on this year's book list several times. In addition to this most recent book in the Kate Daniels series, I re-read the whole series this year. For the third time. I don't re-read books a lot, because, well, so many books, so little time, right? But Kate and her world are just too awesome and I love re-visiting them. Can't wait for the next book in 2015.

Traveling with Your Octopus by Brian Kesinger

Since I have his art tattooed on my body, I might be biased. But I love all of Brian Kesinger's publications. (I even have his coloring book!) Santa brought me this latest Otto and Victoria adventure this year and it's absolutely gorgeous.

The Whole Shebang
12 months, 78 books, 19,364 pages

My bookshelf: 2014

Made to Be Broken

by Kelley Armstrong

Mountain Echoes

by C.E. Murphy

Takedown Twenty

by Janet Evanovich

Agave Kiss

by Ann Aguirre

Priceless

by Shannon Mayer

Clean Sweep

by Ilona Andrews

Of Swine and Roses

by Ilona Andrews

Seeing Trouble

by Ann Charles

The Grendel Affair

by Lisa Shearin

The Undead Pool

by Kim Harrison

The Pretenders

by Charlaine Harris

The Silent Grove

by David Gaider

Fury of the Demon

by Diana Rowland

Immune (A Rylee Adamson Novel) #2

by Shannon Mayer

Heist Society

by Ally Carter

Uncommon Criminals

by Ally Carter

Magic Bites

by Ilona Andrews

Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story

by Ally Carter

Magic Burns

by Ilona Andrews

Magic Strikes

by Ilona Andrews

A Questionable Client

by Ilona Andrews

Magic Bleeds

by Ilona Andrews

Magic Slays

by Ilona Andrews

Magic Rises

by Ilona Andrews

Perfect Scoundrels

by Ally Carter

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

by Ally Carter

Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover

by Ally Carter

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy

by Ally Carter

Only the Good Spy Young

by Ally Carter

Out of Sight, Out of Time

by Ally Carter

Ex-Heroes

by Peter Clines

United We Spy

by Ally Carter

Ex-Patriots

by Peter Clines

Exit Strategy

by Kelley Armstrong

Ex-Purgatory

by Peter Clines

My Life as a White Trash Zombie

by Diana Rowland

Made to Be Broken

by Kelley Armstrong

Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues

by Diana Rowland

White Trash Zombie Apocalypse

by Diana Rowland

Unbound

by Kim Harrison

The Curious Case of the Werewolf That Wasn't, the Mummy That Was, and the Cat in the Jar

by Gail Carriger

Magic Breaks

by Ilona Andrews

How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back

by Diana Rowland

A Survival Guide for Landlocked Mermaids

by Margot Datz

Perdition

by Ann Aguirre

The World According to Humphrey

by Betty G. Birney

The Tale of The Wicked

by John Scalzi

Captured

by S.J. Harper

Cursed

by S.J. Harper

Havoc

by Ann Aguirre

Witch Hunt

by S.M. Reine

Wild Justice

by Kelley Armstrong

Mortal Danger

by Ann Aguirre

No Dominion

by C.E. Murphy

Shaman Rises

by C.E. Murphy

Friendship According to Humphrey

by Betty G. Birney

Busty Girl Comics: The first 100 comics from BustyGirlComics.com

by Paige "Rampaige" Halsey Warren

The Witch With No Name

by Kim Harrison

Sudden Backtrack

by Kim Harrison

Justice Calling

by Annie Bellet

Burn for Me

by Ilona Andrews

Emma the Online Comic

by Kienan Lafferty

If it Kills Me

by Jason D. Morrow

Even in Death

by Jason D. Morrow

Out of Darkness

by Jason D. Morrow

Odd Thomas: You Are Destined To Be Together Forever

by Dean Koontz

The Regular

by John Teubner

Solos

by Andrew Peters

My Morning View: An iPhone Photography Project about Gratitude, Grief & Good Coffee

by Tammy Strobel

Until We Sleep

by David Gaider

Those Who Speak

by David Gaider

The Keepers

by Donna Augustine

Angels of Darkness

by Ilona Andrews

Wild Card

by Lisa Shearin

Whittier

by Michael W. Layne

Traveling with Your Octopus

by Brian Kesinger

Serenity: Leaves on the Wind

by Zack Whedon

Night Broken

by Patricia Briggs

I've just been made aware that "women's fiction" is a thing. Like, it's an actual, recognized literary genre? I'm ... confused.

Is "women's fiction" supposed to refer to the gender of the author? Of the protagonist(s)? Of the intended audience?

Oh no. It's the last one, isn't it? "Women's fiction" is a catch-all for "stuff (marketers think) The Womenfolks like to read", isn't it?

Oh, I should really not look up the definition of "women's fiction", should I? It'll just annoy me, won't it?

*resisting*

*resisting*

*resis ...* oh, fuck it. *Googling*

Gawd-dammit, I was right. I'm annoyed:

"Women’s fiction is just that: fiction about women’s issues for a female readership. However, it is not the same as chick lit or romance. While utilizing literary prose, women’s fiction is very commercial in its appeal. Its characters are often women attempting to overcome both personal and external adversity. Although women’s fiction often incorporates grave situations such as abuse, poverty, divorce, familial breakdown, and other social struggles, it can also explore positive aspects within women’s lives. Romantic love stories are also part of women’s fiction, and although love stories are found in chick lit and romance, the mature depth and tone of their development within women’s fiction set them apart from other genre classifications." (agentquery.com)

Why?! Why why why do we even have terms like "women's fiction" and "chick lit" - unnecessary, inaccurate, and condescending labels that downplay women as authors and readers.

As if I'm going to browse bookstore signage like, "Oh good, there's a 'women's fiction' shelf ... thank goodness they have a section for the penis-impaired! No need for me to wander into Man-Land where they keep the mysteries and scifi and thrillers and male protagonists. And certainly no reason for the penis-endowed to come anywhere near MY aisle."

Can you even imagine if there were corresponding genres of "men's fiction" and "dick lit"?

Ridiculous, right?

Why?

Why would it be ridiculous to corral specific books into a made-up, marginalizing genre of 'men's fiction', but NOT ridiculous to draw that line around what women should want to read - and, by extension, what men should NOT want to read?

There's just no good reason for this divisive label to even exist. Even the definition above makes it clear that the "genre" is a made-up mashup:

"... fiction about women's issues"?

Really?! REALLY?!?!

And what, pray tell, is a "women's issue"?

"Family, romance, and social struggles", say the marketers?

Oh yes, those are obviously the only subjects women want to read about - and, by extension, that only women want to read about - and so they should be clearly labeled as such.

"... for a female readership"?

Well, we wouldn't want anyone getting confused and accidentally reading a book intended for a different gender.

I love books. I love lists. I have soooo many book lists: Literally thousands of titles sorted just about every way you can imagine: By genre, by author, by subject, by series, by date, by cover type, by year read, by year re-read, by to-be-read, by recommendation, by rating, by personal review... Everything marked, everything 'membered.

But it would never have occurred to me to assign any of them a gender.

Nope. Not even that one.

So can we please just liberate the "women's fiction" and let them re-join their long-lost brothers and sisters in the genderless fiction aisles?

Then we can have a talk about those SFF covers.

Zen