Monday, 29 December 2008

The Best Books I Read in 2008

2008 was a bumper year for reading. I read so much great stuff! None of my top three could overtake each other to reach the number one slot, as I love them all equally but for entirely different reasons. Therefore, we shall proceed alphabetically by author. I won’t say too much about each title; these books speak for themselves!


Little Brother by Cory Doctorow


Exciting, inspiring, and entirely of its time. Though still highly relevant, I am glad I read this in late summer, before the economy usurped terrorism as the fear that dominates the news.


The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs by Jack Gantos


Refreshingly odd, somewhat disturbing, thought provoking (perhaps every family has some sort of curse), not too long or too short. Fabulous!


The Book Thief by Markus Zusak


This book made a huge impression on me, and I wrote about it here. Such beauty!


I must also mention The Best First Draft I Read in 2008: Natalie L. Sin's NaNoWriMo novel, a horror thriller titled Bucky’s Luck. Great premise, crisp writing, sharp dialogue, gruesome murders, strong characters, humour. If only my first drafts were as good as this! :)

10 comments:

yusufyusuf said...

Nice blog...

Happy New Year..:)

Hold My Hand ! ©

laughingwolf said...

season's blessings to you and yours, mary...

i'll add these to my wish list for '09

Caryn Caldwell said...

I have the first one on order and have been really looking forward to reading it. Haven't heard of the second, so I'm going to check it out. As for The Book Thief, I read it a few years ago, and I did enjoy the writing. The characters and much of the story are still haunting me to this day.

Catherine J Gardner said...

WOW! Congrats to Natalie, she's amongst stellar company.

I loved Love Curse and I hope to get around to The Book Thief soon (it's on my shelf).

Barrie said...

What a great way to end the year, thinking over your best books read. Thanks!

Natalie L. Sin said...

Note to self: I need to read more.

Stuart Neville said...

Happy New Year, Mary!

Mary said...

Yusuf - thanks for dropping by! Your photography is outstanding. Happy New Year!

Laughingwolf - thank you. Happy reading, and all other things, in 2009!

Caryn - Little Brother is fantastic! And I feel much the same as you do about The Book Thief. I will never forget Liesel...

Cate - Love Curse is one my all time favourites. I hope you enjoy The Book Thief. :)

Barrie - it was such a good book year. Looking forward to 2009! ;)

Natalie - I need to write more. That’s my primary resolution.

Stuart - thank you. Happy New Year to you!

laughingwolf said...

happy new year to you and yours, mary :D

Mary said...

Happy New Year, Laughingwolf!

And Happy New Year to everyone!

2009 feels good. :)

 
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