Top 10 Reads of 2009

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There are a couple of things I feel I need to do, book-wise, before I can finally lay 2009 to rest. This is one of them. I gave a reckoning of my year already, and greeted everyone for the new year, but I've yet to post my best reads for 2009. Unfortunately, I'm not as imaginative as some of the other book bloggers who had fantastic categories for their "Best of" lists. Instead, I'm just going to go with the classic top 10, something which I also had to do for the 50-Book Challenge Shelfari group. By the way, don't go to the Top 10 Reads of 2009 thread in that group if you're already worried about your growing TBR; reading different people's lists will only worsen the TBR situation. You have been warned.;-P

Anyway, of the 100 books I read in 2009, these are my top 10 reads. I had to work hard to whittle it down to 10, but, for good or for ill, here they are, in the order in which I read them:
  1. Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
  2. Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson
  3. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
  4. The King's English: Adventures of an Independent Bookseller by Betsy Burton
  5. The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
  6. Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman
  7. Sandman vol. 4: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman
  8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  9. City of Glass (Mortal Instruments Trilogy, Book 3) by Cassandra Clare
  10. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

And, since I really can't help it, I thought I'd also list the other six books in my list of favorites this year:
  1. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
  2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
  3. The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
  4. No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
  5. Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
  6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
I usually base my favorites of the year not on the rating I gave them but on the memory of how I felt while I was reading them and how I feel about them now with the distance of time and emotion. Another criteria is whether I thought a lot about those books after I read them,which I did. For all of them.

The other thing I'll need to do to finally close 2009 is to catch up on last year's reviews. I've set a deadline this January, and I hope to keep it. Wish me luck!

Now, on to other wonderful books this 2010!

Comments

Astrid (Mrs.B) said…
Excellent list! I also have the Hunger Games on mine. Alias Grace I read years ago and it's one of my all-time faves. I've been wondering whether to pick up the Mortal Instruments trilogy....maybe I really should.
January 4, 2010 at 3:58 PM
Peter S. said…
Hi, Honey! We have one book in common from our top 10 lists -- The Knife of Never Letting Go! Such a wonderful and heartbreaking book.

Wow! 100 books last year! I only managed 48, although I did discover some great authors (Patrick Ness being one of them)! Actually, that was supposed to be only 40; I managed to read 8 books during the holidays!

Anyway, like you, I do hope to make a serious dent on my TBR. Heaven knows if we'll ever succeed. There's just so many good books out there that keep calling my name!
January 4, 2010 at 5:03 PM
fantaghiro23 said…
@Mrs. B - Hi! The Mortal Instruments trilogy is just a YA paranormal adventure/romance, but I really enjoyed it.

@Peter - Look like we both discovered good authors last year. And, in Patrick Ness' case, it's thanks to you.:) Will see how long I can hold out this year before I binge on books again.
January 4, 2010 at 9:52 PM
Anonymous said…
Out of all those top reads you've named, I've only read A Time Traveler's Wife and I do agree that it is a book that does stay with you for quite sometime.

I'm glad to know I have Child 44 and it's on your list. I'll also probably read Mortal Instruments since I haven't gone into any YA books last year.

So many good books and it's driving me crazy!
January 4, 2010 at 11:30 PM
fantaghiro23 said…
Hi, Jo! Yes, reading through people's "Best of 2009 reads" has made me add I don't know how many books to my wishlist already.:)

If you want to read good YA, I suggest you start with Hunger Games or Knife of Never Letting Go. However, if you don't mind teeny-boppy stuff, enjoy Mortal Instruments!
January 5, 2010 at 1:28 AM
Patrick said…
I would really have to read Hunger Games soon. Hopefully before the end of February. Oh, and I would have to disagree with Time Traveler's Wife. I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. Hehe. ^_^;
January 5, 2010 at 2:34 AM
Blodeuedd said…
Oh the Hunger Games, yes awesome! And part 2 was sire chilling.

I have heard good things about The Knife..and i really must keep an eye out for that one

Good year
January 5, 2010 at 4:58 AM
fantaghiro23 said…
@Patrick - Hi! That's all right. My best friend didn't like Time Traveler's Wife, either. But I found it poignant.:)

@Blodeuedd - I promise, you're going to love Knife of Never Letting Go.
January 5, 2010 at 9:21 PM
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