2009 was a busy year for me. I started the year obsessed with the Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton, which I still feel is one of the best series I have read (at least the first dozen books.) From there I discovered Nalini Singh and Colleen Gleason, two more favorites of mine. And then on March 23, 2009 I sat down at my computer and went to blogger.com. I stared at my screen and thought, oh, I like the name smexy! And Smexy Books was started. You can pretty much follow my reading from there.
I read about 165 books this year. I only started using Goodreads halfway through the year, but thank goodness I now have it to sort all of my books and get great recommendations from other people.
I should also mention that 2009 was also the year my addiction to Twitter started but I will have more of a recap on Twitter and my blog in general coming this March. I have many thanks to give to people and have had so much fun – I will get mushy on my one year blogaversary.
Here are my favorite books I read in 2009 (published in 2009). I am listing them in order of release date. I was going to try to limit myself to twenty, but I couldn’t force myself to cut any of them – so it is a top twenty-five of sorts. I did put in bold those that if I were forced to, would make up my top ten.
Bone Crossed – Patricia Briggs
Angels’ Blood – Nalini Singh
As Shadows Fade – Colleen Gleason
Revealed – Kate Noble
Magic Strikes – Ilona Andrews
Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs – Molly Harper
Blue Diablo – Ann Aguirre
Some Girls Bite – Chloe Neill
Lover Avenged – J.R. Ward
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie – Jennifer Ashley
What Happens In London – Julia Quinn
Branded by Fire – Nalini Singh
Destined for an Early Grave – Jeaniene Frost
Goddess of the Hunt – Tessa Dare
Dreamfever – Karen Marie Moning
The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker – Leanna Renee Hieber
Hunting Ground – Patricia Briggs
On The Edge – Ilona Andrews
Doubleblind – Ann Aguirre
Soulless – Gail Carriger
Friday Night Bites – Chloe Neill
Skin Game – Ava Gray
Three Days to Dead – Kelly Meding
The Dark Tide – Josh Lanyon (review coming next week)
As you can see, I like my Paranormals, UF’s, and historicals, with a sprinkling of m/m 
I have recently just started reading contemporaries more and I have a feeling they will be making my list next year.
I would love to hear what you put on your favorite read list!
And because this is SMEXY Books, come back next week for my top ten favorite sex scenes of 2009. I am also posting reviews of two books that come out January 1st that I am in total LOVE with! I am going to have a “Start the New Year In Smexy Style” contest – or something of the sort next Friday
On that note, I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season! For those that were extra naughty, I hope Smexy Claus makes a special stop at your house
December 24, 2009 at 9:21 am
A diverse and delicious booklist Mandi. I have Singh and Moning on my list as well with 2009 discovery of Joey W Hill, Chris Owen and Lauren Dane. And this is just from memory, I have to check the folders of reviews to compile my full list.
December 24, 2009 at 10:12 am
Good list, Mandi. My new year's resolution for 2010 is to finally read Nalini Singh. I have heard so many good things about this author.
Hope your family has a Merry Christmas!
December 24, 2009 at 10:14 am
Yes you both must read Singh!
And I will read Joey Hill…promise!
December 24, 2009 at 10:58 am
Loved your list. It gives me a lot of options to read in 2010. I did not read nearly as much in 2009 as in years past. I have to pick up the pace and I plan to in 2010. So much to catch up on…..Stacy
December 24, 2009 at 11:06 am
Stacy – For those who love to read, I don't think anyone ever feels like they have caught up…there are just too many good books out there
December 24, 2009 at 11:54 am
I love your blog, Mandi. Great list. Yay for BONE CROSSED and MAGIC STRIKES! Both are in my top ten as well.
December 24, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I haven't read a couple of those. Thanks for the reccs.
December 24, 2009 at 12:17 pm
wow mandi i thought you had been blogging for much much longer! great list and i love that you've done so many reviews, im very impressed but its great to be able to click on those ones that interest me and see all your thoughts, so thanks!
any bookish gift cards i get for xmas are earmarked for tessa dare's books. my fingers have been itching for them but i haven't taken the leap yet.
otherwise i also discovered nalini singh this year LOVE HER and she also helped me get over some of my fears about paranormal/fantasy books which im SO HAPPY about. i used to read 90% historical and am so happy i branched out this year!
December 24, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Yay! So many great books to add to my reading list. Thanks for the recommendations and great list!
December 24, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I heart you just by you posting you top 10 sex scenes of 09.
December 24, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Oh Brandon sing to me!!!!
Funny I almost posted my 2009 Favs then I got that letter from Santa O_o
KC Favs:
Dreamfever (obviously)
All of Jeanine Frosts Books thanks to you *blows kisses*
Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker
Laid Bare by Lauren Ane {got to throw in an erotica}
Favorite Erotic Romance Ebook:
Victoria Dahl's Wicked West
Grimspace by Ann Aguirre {thanks to you}
YA Fav was Shiver cause it reminded me of the Time Traveler's Wife, well, sorta kinda with the writing style, not the wolf part.
December 24, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I read so many great books this year. I must thank you Smexi for recommending some of them. So here is my list (in no particular order):
The Dreamfever Series (Barrons *drooling)
Gena Showalter books (I read so many can't list them all)
J.R. Ward BDB books (I read the new one and re-read the older ones)
Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes (Thanks Mandi for introducing me to my new book boyfriend Curran!)
Demonica Series
Angels' Blood
Burning Alive Shannon Butcher
At Grave's End
There were more but didn't want to take up more space. Merry Christmas!
December 24, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Im reading Soulless! And I loooved Lover Avenged!!!
I will be doing this post later on. I don't want to do it just yet
December 24, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Just to remind you…
Chapter 32!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 24, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Angie – Those two series are so amazing…the next two books are on the top of my most anticipated!
Monica –
Lusty – I didn't realize you don't read a lot of pnr. I remember you squeeing over Nalini Singh. You definitely should try Jeaniene Frost!
December 24, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Caitlin – I had a good year!
KB – I learned everything I know from you ;p
KC – Ok – I def need to read Shiver..for real!! And now that I heart Dahl, I will read her wicked west book. I'm already feeling excited.
Bells – I heart all of them – except I haven't read the Showalter's or the Butcher.
I'm so glad you fell in love with Curran…nom nom!!
Taschima – I hope you are enjoying Soulless.
CHAPTER 32!!!!!
December 24, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Great choices! It's funny, I started out this year reading Anita Blake too – my husband drove us home from Houston while I read Anita on my laptop until the battery died, LOL!
You were my first book blogger friend – thanks so much and Merry Christmas!!!
December 24, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Patti – It has been fun talking books with you all year!!
And I still heart my Qhuay button
December 24, 2009 at 6:19 pm
I love seeing people's Top 10 (or 25
lists!
I haven't been reading many historicals lately, but really want to try Kate Noble, and also the Jennifer Ashley book as the reviews intrigue me.
December 24, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Fab list! I'm so itching to read Revealed and What Happens in London. I can't believe I haven't read them yet, but I'm saving them up for after the new year when I can lay on the couch with a good book and be lazy for days on end. LOL.
Two of my favorite reads this year include Boys of Summer by Cooper Davis and Simply Wicked by Kate Pearce.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
December 24, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Love your blog and this post! I can't believe that you weren't around bloggerland for forever…
I'll have to think about my favorite top something of this year, might do a post about it! Looking forward to your top ten favorite sex scenes – sounds delicious!!
December 24, 2009 at 8:07 pm
ooh a few that I can add to my list to read. I am not sure I could narrow it down….. so many books I absolutely loved! Instead of books, I am going to list my fave authors of the year:
Kelley Armstrong
Jeaniene Frost
Patricia Briggs
Ilona Andrews
Vicki Pettersson
Richelle Mead
Jim Butcher
sheesh even then I have a hard time stopping!
December 24, 2009 at 8:18 pm
165 books? *very impressed*
Great list Mandi! And you've only been blogging since March? WOW! *even more impressed*
I feel lover two new-to-me authors this year – Sarah Monette and Juliet Marillier. Both blew me away!
And I look forward to the top 10 favourite sex scenes list…and the two reviews
December 24, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Great list.. I also agree with you I read a few contemporaries this year and liked them so much, I know I will be reading more..
Here is a few for my list the year
Mouth to Mouth by Erin McCarthy
Taking Chase by Lauren Dane
Possess Me at Midnight by Shayla Black
Wages of Sin by Jenna MaClaine
When Darkness Comes by Alexandra Ivy
Gone with the Witch by Annette Blair
Big Bad Wolf by Christine Warren
Shout to Thrill By Nina Bruhns
Seduced by the Storm by Sydney Croft
I'm gald to see Skin Game is one your list I will be reading that the first of next year.
Goodreads is fantstic..
Hope you have a good reading year in 2010..
December 24, 2009 at 10:25 pm
That is an awesome list Mandy I have many of Laurell K.'s books waiting for me in my TBR pile. I can't wait to give them a try I have heard such wonderful things about them and after reading your post makes me want to get to them even faster. OOOOO I would really have to think on making my list up of greatest reads this year I actually had quite a few I enjoyed a LOT.
Wishing you and yours a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!! HUGS
December 24, 2009 at 11:22 pm
That's a good list; some I've read and the ones I haven't I will check out.
December 25, 2009 at 12:58 am
Merry Christmas to you and your family
December 25, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Merry Christmas
Have a lovely holiday
Great list! I still so want to try What happens in London, I really should go and order it
December 25, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Merry Christmas, Miss Smexy!
I haven't even tried to compile a list of faves this year. My reading was at an almost standstill throughout a majority of the year, so why bother? 2010 will be different though!
December 25, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I agree with every book on that list (well, the ones that I have actually read, lol)
I think Briggs' 'Bonecrossed' and Gail Carriger's 'Soulless' were my favorites for 2009.
And for 2010 I am most looking forward to 'Silver Borne' and 'Lover Mine' ('Lover Mine' is written by JR Ward and is the 8th book in her series…. you may have heard of the 'Blackdagger Brotherhood'. I'm not sure if you have, because you hardly ever mention anything about the Warden or a certain character whose initials are 'J' and 'M' – HA!).
December 25, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Merry Christmas, Mandi! I haven't been very naughty this year, but there's always room for improvement.
December 25, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Excellent list! And I can't wait to see next week's list! Happy holidays!
December 25, 2009 at 11:52 pm
More books to put on my TBR list! I've been wanting to get Soulless, but so far, it's remaining elusive. LOL Maybe on my next trip to the bookstore. Happy holidays!
December 26, 2009 at 9:20 am
Li – I heart Kate Noble and Lord Ian is the first in the series (with the second one out this summer).
Ava – Yay, recs from you. Heading to find those two now!!
ERR – LOL, we will see how the post turns out
KV – I am definitely reading Jim Butcher in 2010! And I just started with Richelle Mead and she is great!
December 26, 2009 at 9:23 am
Orannia – I have never heard of those authors..off to check them out!!
Laurie – I haven't read any of those. I just bought my first Lauren Dane and I definitely want to check out Erin McCarthy and Shayla Black! Thank you so much for the recs
Jenn – The first ten or so from Anita – OMG. So freaking good.
Andrea – Happy New Year!
ann marie – same to you!
December 26, 2009 at 9:35 am
Amy – sounds good! 2010 is a new beginning
Danielle – who is this JR Ward person and JM? He sounds mighty smexy…mighty smexy indeed
Heidekind – I don't believe for a second you haven't been naughty….
Alexia561 – lol, we'll see how the list goes…
Silver – Yes, Soulless!
December 26, 2009 at 11:30 am
Mandi,I forgot to mention after seening you liked Larissa Ione. I wanted to add the Storm series by Sidney Croft is written by her and Stephaine Tyler. They have some M/M in them..
December 26, 2009 at 11:36 am
oooh..Thanks Laurie!! I haven't tried her as Sydney Croft yet! Yay
December 26, 2009 at 6:48 pm
That's a good list; some I've read and the ones I haven't I will check out.
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December 27, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Mandi, I have to tell you I love your blog so much! You've done wonderful things with it in such a short time. Smexy is a GREAT asset to the Romland community.
December 27, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Nicola – thank you so much!! Your blog was the first I ever discovered (when I was searching for JR Ward info) and is still a favorite of mine.
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