My 2015 ❤ Best Reads

This year I surprised myself by reading around 100 books. I never though it would be possible.
Last year I read around 50 and thought it was a lot. This year the goal was that. But as soon I got in the 50 goal I set it up, more 10 books, more 5 books, more and more until I reached the 100 mark.

I've read 29 Graphic Novels/Comics, heard 15 audiobooks, read 26 physical books and 59 digital ones. 11 books were in the Fantasy genre, 5 were romances, 19 were either Thrillers or Crime novels and 30 were related with art, illustration or design.

The most surprising one in the graphic novels genre was Locke & Key by Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodríguez (Artist)
At first I wasn't convinced with  the artwork and wasn't sure about the story. But then I got hooked!
I'm only missing one issue to finish the series. But my favourite is the Guide to the Known Keys.

Anya's Ghost, This one Summer and Through the Woods were my favourites in terms of illustration. Each one with it's own style. This one Summer artwork become one of my favourites artwork of all time!

In a more gory, brutal and violent style (which I also like) were The Strain; Southern Bastards and Outcast. These are ongoing series that I haven't continued yet. The Strain I've changed to the book trilogy. I will finish the comics after the books.

In the fantasy genre the bests were - The Strain, Coraline (I already knew the movie version, which make it hard to visualize something else while I was reading, but enjoy it a lot, and the illustrations by Dave McKean in this version are spot on). You might already know that I'm big fan of The Lord of Rings trilogy, more I read it more I like it. This time I've listened to the audiobook version of the Fellowship of the Ring and Two Towers and loved it! (I'm almost finished with The Return of the King, but I'm adding it already because I'm only a couple chapters away of finishing it).

I finally read three classical thrillers - Red Dragon and The silence of the lambs by Thomas Harris about the infamous Hannibal Lecter, and The Shining by Stephen King. I enjoy them all!

In the Crime genre these four books were a pleasant surprise - The Cove, 4th of July, The Redbreast and The Ice Princess.

and at last but not the least - four inspiring books that art/illustration related:
- Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon
- The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook by Alan Lee
- The Art of DreamWorks Animation
- I Love Paper: Paper-Cutting Techniques and Templates for Amazing Toys, Sculptures, Props, and Costumes by Fideli Sundqvist

What about you? Which books were you're favourites of 2015?

2015 - The year of the books

illustration by a outra mafalda | nuts for paper

This year was a year full of readings and new books.
These are some of the books that I've added to my shelves during this year.

From the Drenai Saga by David Gemmell
- Legend
- The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend
- The Swords of Night and Day

From Sherrilyn Kenyon Dark-Hunter series
- Dance with the Devil
- The Dream-Hunter
- Acheron
- Styxx

The Strain trilogy by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
- The Strain
- The Fall
- The Night Eternal

From Avalon series by Marion Zimmer Bradley
- Lady of Avalon
- Ancestors of Avalon
- Priestess of Avalon

The Killing trilogy by David Hewson

Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson
- 1st to Die
- 2nd Chance
- 3rd Degree
- 4th of July
- The 5th Horseman
- The 6th Target
- 7th Heaven
- The 8th Confession
- The 9th Judgment
- 1oth Anniversary
- 11th Hour
- 12th of Never
- Unlucky 13

I binged in Stephen King books
- Cujo
- It
- Bag of Bones
- Salem's Lot
- Nightmares and Dreamscapes
- Pet Sematary
- The Dark Half
- Night Shift
- The Shining
- Different Seasons
- The Tommyknockers
- Full Dark, No Stars
- On Writing
- Under the Dome
- Duma Key
- Just After Sunset
- Insomnia
- The Mist
- The Green Mile
- Boleia Arriscada

I also give in to Anne Rice books (specially in The Vampire Chronicles and also the Lives of the Mayfair Witches)
- Blood Canticle: The Vampire Chronicles
- Merrick
- Blackwood Farm:
- Lasher
- The Witching Hour
- Taltos
- The Queen of the Damned
- Interview with the Vampire
- The Vampire Lestat
- Blood and Gold: The Vampire Marius
- The Vampire Armand
- Pandora and Vittorio the Vampire
- Memnoch The Devil
- The Tale of the Body Thief

I also got in my hands all the books about Hannibal Lecter written by Thomas Harris
- The Silence of the Lambs
- Red Dragon
- Hannibal
- Hannibal Rising

From Jo Nesbo I started to collect the Harry Hole series.

- The Devil's Star
- The Redbreast
- The Redeemer
- Nemesis
- The Snowman

From Fjällbacka series or Patrik Hedström series by Camilla Läckberg

- The Stonecutter
- The Gallows Bird
- The Hidden Child
- The Ice Princess
- The Preacher

From Tess Gerritsen I went with the Rizzoli & Isles series

- The Surgeon
- The Apprentice
- The Sinner
- Body Double
- Vanish
- Mephisto Club

I collected some classics too:

- Dracula by Bran Stocker
- The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Other Tales of Terror by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Frankenstein: Or, the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley
- A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
- North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
- Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
- Moby-Dick: or, The Whale by Herman Melville
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

The goal for 2016 is to read them!

Read in November 2015

1) The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo
Although this was the third book in this series about Harry Hole police detective/investigator of Norwegian Police, I started to read these series with this one. I enjoy it quite a lot, although I had to get use to the way the story was told.

2) 4th of July by James Patterson
Another book of the Women's Murder Club Series. I'm enjoying this series a lot, I just have to refrain myself of reading them all in (almost) in one sitting.

3) 20 ways to draw a tree by Eloise Renouf
Fun book with many ways to draw trees. It's good to remind myself that are many different ways to represent things.

4) Frank Miller: The Art of Sin City by Frank Miller
Perfect for fans of Graphic Novels and Sin City.

5) How to Make Book by Esther K.Smith
It's a pretty book, but some times is not that easy to follow the step to step guides.

6) The Art of Kung Fu Panda by Tracey Miller-Zarneke
7) The Art of DreamWorks Animation by Ramin Zahed
8) The Art of Megamind by Richard von Busack

Three books about the artwork and the work behind the scenes of animation films.

9) Pride and Prejudice by Nancy Butler (Graphic Novel - Marvel)
Beautiful covers, can stand the artwork inside.

10) I Love Paper: Paper-Cutting Tecnhiques and Templates for Amazing Toys, Sculptures, Props, and Costumes by Fideli Sundqvist
AWESOME book! Not just the design and photography of it, but the projects in it too. Great book for any paper lover.

11) The Walking Dead, Vol.01: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman
I've never been very fan of zombies. This was a re-read of this comic book. Although I like the artwork and the story in the volume, I was never curious enough to continue read it.

Still reading:
1)The Killing by David Hewson
I'm reading this one since February. Still haven't finished. It's a very long book, but I'm enjoying it.

2) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I decide it was time to read some classics. This one was the first one that I've picked up.

3) From Hell by Alan Moore, Eddie Campbell and Pete Mullins
I wanted to read a quick Graphic Novel, unfortunately the one that I've picked was not that little or quick read. From Hell is about the Jack the Ripper case. As most of Alan Moore Graphic Novels is full with long and amazing text, which doesn't make it the quickest of the reads. Besides that it has around 500 pages.

4) The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
Yes still reading this one.

5) The Ice Princess by Camilla Läckberg
I've started this one already in December and I'm almost finishing it. So far I'm really like it. More about in the end of December.

Read in October 2015

1) Red Dragon by Thomas Harris (Hannibal Lecter)
This is a Horror/Thriller fictional book that dabbles a lot in human behaviour and psychology. It's also the first book that appear's the character of Hannibal Lecter.  Hannibal Lecter film adaptions are some of my favourite films of all time, and the story in this book I got even better. The story line is pretty much the same, however you go in more deep in knowing the characters specially Francis Dolarhyde (aka THE Red Dragon). It's hard for me not give a in depth review without spoiling the book/film. I adore it! But it's not for everyone.

2) Misery by Stephen King
I shouldn't have read this book in portuguese. I think that the something was lost in the translation. I really enjoyed the story. From the books I've read from this author, the best ones are usually about writers. And this one wasn't an exception. Now I should re-watch the film!

3) Locke & Key, Vol. 2: Head Games by Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodríguez (Artist)
4) Locke & Key, Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows by Joe Hill
5) Locke & Key, Vol.4: Keys to the Kingdom by Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodríguez (Artist)
6) Locke & Key, Vol. 5: Clockworks by Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodríguez (Artist)
This is an amazing comics serious. Writing by the son of Stephen King, eerie and creepy, it's the perfect reading for Halloween season (or any other time of the year if you like the genre). At the beginning I wasn't a big fan of the art, but the story compel me to continue and I ended up to get use to the artwork. I really like the concept behind the keys and what they do. And also the fact that you only understand what's going on as long you go by.

7) 3rd Degree by James Patterson (Women's Murder Club)
3rd book of a (kind of) long series. I have mixed feelings about this one. I liked the plot, and how the murder/mysteries happen. These books have a very specific action development, but what set me off was the fact one of the woman from the Women's Murder Club being killed. Specially because it was such strong character, with more development to be made and it was wiped. It also annoyed me because in the first book the love interest of the main character dies in the end, and now in the third one of her best friends dies. What's up next? Who will die next? (I'll for sure will be reading the books to know... they are at least 15 so I have a lot to read in the next years ;) )

8) The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris (Hannibal Lecter)
Second book about Hannibal Lecter. In this one you actually have more contact with the character of Lecter. I didn't enjoy it has much as the previous one, but I think the problem with it was that I read it too fast. In this book we are introduced to Clarice Starling, a FBI agent in training, which is an amazing and intricate character. I really like to know more about Jack Crawford (FBI agent that is present in all Hannibal books).

9) Lord of the Rings - Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
Do I need to say more about Lord of the Rings? I love the books, I love the film adaptation. It's one of the stories that more I read more I love it.

10) Contos Góticos by Mary Shelley

11) The Amazing Book is Not on Fire by Dan and Phil
Such fun book! I've read it in one sitting. I've been a fan of these two for awhile now, and they are so awkward and hilarious at the same time. It was really fun to read some stories of their past what make them to be what they are today. (Dan and Phil are youtubers know as danisnotonfire and amazingphil)

Still reading
1) Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
2)The Killing by David Hewson
3) The Redbreast - Jo Nesbo
The bottom ones are both amysteries and about police investigations. One happens in Denmark and the other in Norway. One as 708 pages and the other 636. I'm more than half way with the longest one and half way of the other one.

In the mail ❤ loveteacupkisses

Mermaid | Marie Antoinette | Narwhal print and sticker - art by loveteacupkisses (Tatyana Vogt)

In the past couple of years I've been collecting art from some favourite illustrators.
I found Love Teacup Kisses or Tatyana Vogt through her Youtube channel and I fell in love.

In her shop I found some grab bags that had prints that just wasn't selling anymore, so I pick to mistery grab bags, and these were the awesome prints I got!

I love them all, but I have a soft spot for Frida, Marie Antoinette and the pin up girl.
What's your favourite art from Love Teacup Kisses?

You can find her: Youtube, Instagram, and Shop.

Sea creature - Octupus Girl (?) | Frida Kahlo | Ingrid from Game of Thrones (?) | Pin up girl - art by loveteacupkisses (Tatyana Vogt)

Read in September'15

I've been back to reading a little bit more. I particularly re-discovered the pleasure of working while listening to audiobooks, or make a quick break with a chapter or two of a book.

1) Through the Woods (Graphic Novel with 5 short stories) by Emily Carroll
This Graphic Novel is amazing! The short stories are creepy and grab the attention. The artwork is BEYOND amazing. One of the favourites reads of this month.

2) Wytches (on going comic, this is vol.1) by Scott Snyder ( Author) and Jock (Illustrator)

3) The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook by Alan Lee
This books is full of amazing (mostly) pencil sketches for a Lord of the Rings Illustrations. It gives a different graphic perspective from the film, which I appreciate a lot.

4) Murder at the Vicarage (Miss Marple) by Agatha Christie
I've always love mistery and detective stories. This month I decided to start reading a few classics in this area. I grabbed two books by Agatha Christie. I decided not to go for the Poirot, because it's the one I'm most familiar with (although not through the books, but from the TV series), instead grab some Miss Marple mysteries.

5) The Body in the Library (Miss Marple) by Agatha Christie

6) The Cove (Audiobook) by Catherine Coulter
Finally decided to start this series of books by Catherine Coulter all related with FBI thrillers.
So far I'm liking the style. Although I listened to this audiobook (for moments) I felt I was watching and Hitchcock movie.

7) Forever Odd (Odd Thomas) by Dean Koontz
This is a series that I've started last year. I really like the character and all the paranormal and ghosts activity. It's a bit different from what I usually read (although it reminds me a lot an absolutely favourite which is Harry Dresden, from The Dresden Files Series by Jim Butcher). My only issue with the two books of this series I've read is that until a certain point in the story the pace is really fast and fun, and then it slows down so much, that it becomes almost dreadful. Maybe it's a style of the author, I'll have to read more to figure that out and maybe get use to it.

8) Boleia Arriscada (Short Stories) | Everything's Eventual 14 Short Stories by Stephen King
My favourite short stories (in order of appearance) "Autopsy Room Four"; "The man in the Black suit"; "Everything's Eventual" and "Riding the Bullet".
I've decided to skip the "1408" short story because I've seen the movie adaptation quite recently, and I still remember it (but I will read it someday). I've also didn't read "The Little Sisters of Eluria" because it does part of The Dark Tower series, which I'm not (yet) familiar with. I will read the short story, but only when I read the series.

9) O Senhor dos Aneis - A Irmandade do Anel (Audiobook) | The Lord of the Rings - Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkein
Technically I didn't finish this one in September, but I'm counting in finishing in the following days. The narrators voice is very soothing and expressive. Sometimes I found myself discovering details that I never had notice before. I'm not sure if it's because it's the first time I'm contacting with the book in english, or it's because I read too fast - in portuguese and (most of the times) in english too (probably both).

In the mail ❤ Askar O General by Dileidy Florez

Banda Desenhada original da Dileidy Florez publicada pela Chili com Carne.
Original Comic by Dileidy Florez published by Chili com Carne.

Os desenhos da Dileidy nesta Banda Desenhada são extremamente detalhados e com inspirações Persas.
Dileidy drawings in this Comic are extremely detailed and with persian inspirations.

Adoro este mapa que está no verso da capa da Banda Desenhada.
I absolutely LOVE this map in verse of the cover.

Adoro os pins que ela criou a partir de desenhos que estão na BD. Encontrar-los é um desafio parecido com como encontrar o Wally!
These buttons we're also created with some drawings in the comic. Find them can be a challenge, but it's a little bit like Where's Waldo!

Podem encontrar os trabalhos da Dileidy na página de Facebook e no Portfolio dela.
You can find more artwork by Dileidy in her Facebook Page and also in her Portfolio.