I have decided to start a log on here of the books I've read because I think it will be fun to have a record of them. Several friends have done this on their blogs, and I have frequently "shopped" their lists for suggestions before heading to the library.
On a go-forward basis, I'll try to note whether I liked it or not, give it a thumbs up or down etc. But for this post, I'm just going to compile a list of all the books I've read during 2008 that I can recall. Even though each of these titles is linked to Amazon.com, I borrowed almost all of them from friends or my local library. I own #33 (my kids and I read from it every day), and #1 which I purchased after reading it, because I ♥ Jeanette Walls and just wanted to own a copy of it. She changed my life by sharing hers.
If I compiled a list of the books I read last year, it would look vastly different than this one. Last year I was into non-fiction big-time, and a few classics such as Ayn Rand. But I was inducted into a really cool book group this year, and they only read fiction, sci-fi & fantasy. So I have a ton of that on here so far. Another benefit of keeping track will be that I can round out my literary diet a little better...and make sure my brain isn't just shriveling up on a smorgasbord of fluff. Fluff is fun, but it doesn't really change me. It's like cotton candy...tastes great, but is quickly consumed and forgotten.
So without further ado, may I present Blue's 2008 Reading List. Brought to you by the letter B and the number 4!
- The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls
- The Host: A Novel by Stephenie Meyer
- A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
- Honeymoon with My Brother: A Memoir by Franz Wisner
- The Hindi-Bindi Club by Monica Pradhan
- Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
- Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly by Gail Carson Levine
- Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
- The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
- Enna Burning by Shannon Hale
- River Secrets by Shannon Hale
- Austenland: A Novel by Shannon Hale
- Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
- Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
- Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) by Stephenie Meyer
- New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) by Stephenie Meyer
- Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3) by Stephenie Meyer
- A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland Indiana by Haven Kimmel
- Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
- Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
- Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George
- My Not-So-Fairy-Tale Life by Julie Wright
- I Am a Mother by Jane Clayson Johnson
- The Bone Doll's Twin (Tamir Trilogy, Book 1) by Lynn Flewelling
- Hidden Warrior (Tamir Trilogy, Book 2) by Lynn Flewelling
- The Oracle's Queen (Tamir Trilogy, Book 3) by Lynn Flewelling
- I Want It Now: Navigating Childhood in a Materialistic World by Donna Bee-Gates
- The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict by Arbinger Institute
- Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella
- His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire, Book 1) by Naomi Novik
- Temeraire: The Throne of Jade (Temeraire series book 2) by Naomi Novik
- Black Powder War (Temeraire, Book 3) by Naomi Novik
- The Book of Mormon Made Easier by David Ridges
- You Can Write a Memoir by Susan Carol Hauser
- You'll Never Nanny in This Town Again: The True Adventures of a Hollywood Nanny by Suzanne Hansen
- Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back by Claire Fontaine and Mia Fontaine
- Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
- Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull
- Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell
- Golf: Lesson I Learned While Looking for My Ball by John Bytheway
- Larklight by Philip Reeve
- The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield
- Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
- Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
6 comments:
#s 2, 9 & 18 are on my to read list for the year, too. :o)
Awesome list, Blue. I will likely borrow some from your list for my reading enjoyment.
goodness, girl! if you had to choose a favorite, which would it be?
That's quite the list! "The Goose Girl" is a good read, and I have fond memories of sneaking away from my thesis to spend five hours in the library reading, "Princess Academy." "Shopaholic," is my guilty pleasure because reading that fluffy cannot be any better than watching tv ;)
There are several books on your list I detest (I shan't ruin those for you), several I want to read, and several I've never heard of (and think I might want to read). I hope you'll keep us updated on your reading progress!
I have invited you to Goodreads...you have got join it so you can see what your friends are reading.
Jenny,
In terms of long-lasting impression and impact, coupled with enjoyment at the time I read it, I'd give The Glass Castle a big 5 Gold Stars. I enjoy most of what I read, but like I mentioned, that book really had a huge impact on me. It kind of gave me a map, or showed me how, to start coming to terms with my childhood. Not like I needed permission, but it almost told me "it's okay to make peace with it and let it just be". So on this list, I'd choose that as a big one. Also, #33 (and the other two books that go with it) were the thing that finally helped me gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I can't recommend David Ridges books enough. They should be part of everyone's personal library. ♥
Blue,
Great list! I have read many of the titles that you have. Right now I am in the midst of the Twilight series and I am really enjoying it. I could definitely give you a few recommendations based on your list, if you are interested.
Be well!
Debbie
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