So what have you been reading?
Because I’m kind of geeky, I started an Excel spreadsheet in 1997 listing the books that I read, keeping track of date read, who recommended it and a 1-10 rating. At the end of the year, I enjoyed sorting through what I had read and doing a top 10 list. When I started my blog in 2006, it became an annual staple. 12 years later, I have a spreadsheet listing over 800 books that I have read…so rest assured that if you need a book recommendation, I’m a good one to ask!
This year it seemed like writing and building a house and actually working (albeit temporarily) kept me from reading at my usual frenetic pace, but I still read enough to have some good books for my list. So, here are my top 5 fiction books and top 6 non-fiction books (sorry, I just couldn’t narrow it down!) that I read in 2008. I hope you find something that will inspire you to pick up a book you might not otherwise have read. (The links provided are to my reviews of the books.)
TOP 5 FICTION
PLEASE LINK THE URLS TO THE BOOK TITLES…THANKS!
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (thanks to my sister Linda for the recommendation)
Fieldwork by Mischa Berlinski (thanks to Stephen King for the recommendation)
In the Woods by Tana French (thanks to FSB Associates for sending me a free copy to review)
What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman (thanks to my BF Amy for recommending)
Forgive Me by Amanda Eyre Ward
TOP 6 NON-FICTION
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher (thanks to Andrea who tried to recommend it, but I never called her back and eventually found it myself being the Carrie Fisher-stalking loving person I am )
Comfort by Ann Hood (not sure, but if I had to guess I'd say Amy)
Comeback by Claire & Mia Fontaine (Andrea again! Andrea, if you are reading this, please leave a comment with your last 5 book recommendations....Andrea was off her feet for 6 weeks after surgery and probably read a ton! I'm sure with your 2008 track record, my readers want to know.)
In an Instant by Bob & Lee Woodruff (thanks to FSB Associates again. Book bloggers, if you are getting books from publishers, my opinion is that FSB Associates has the best record of sending books that you actually might like.)
Escape by Carolyn Jessop (Vicky...who recommended this ages ago, I bought it well over a year before I read it...and I loved it)
Strong at the Broken Places by Richard Cohen (I didn't mark down who recommended this, but Richard Cohen is Meredith Vieira's husband who has suffered with MS and colon cancer.)
I would LOVE to see your comments about what great books YOU read in 2008. It might give me books to add to my 2009 list! So far, the two books I've read in 2009 have scored an 8 and a 10...and the one I'm reading looks promising!
Di
Here is my list I posted with Joann on Favorite Fiction. I read 40 books last year. Did you see CBS Sun. Morning spot on "Bibliomaniacs"? In France they have zillions of small bookstores,kisks with books and book shows!
1. The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society- Annie Barrows and Maryann Shaffer
The above is such a darling,sad in parts but wonderful little book that I would like to buy each one of you a copy to read!!!!!!!!!!!
2. American Wife - Curtis Sittenfield
yea its a loosely based on George and Laura but it is an excellent work of fiction. A tour de fource on the subject of guilt IMHO!!!!
3. The Shell Seekers - Rosamunde Pilcher
second time around was just as lovely
4. Those Who Save Us - Jenna Blum
excellent WW II story...on paperback best seller list for months
5. Skeletons At The Feast- Chris Bohijian
very well researched story of the horrific last few months of the European war in 1945
6. The Art Of Racing In the Rain - Garth Stein
Race car driving is the not that in the way background for a story told by a dog who hopes to come back as a man. Not at all corny...very warm and endearing.
7. Lottery - Patricia Wood
Wonderful,upliftiing story about a better than Forrest Gump type character
8. Dreamers Of The Day - Mary Doria Russell
Fictionalized account of how Churchill,Lawrence of Arabia and other reallife characters influenced the way the middle east got carved up after WW I
9. The Welsh Girl - Peter Ho Davies
people in a tiny Welsh town react to English,Canadian& allied troops stationed there and then German prisoners held in their midst.
10. Loving Frank - Nancy Horan
A little known chapter in the life of Frank Lloyd Wright's love life.....the ending blew me away
Posted by: Miz Honey | February 09, 2009 at 11:39 AM
regarding pillars of the earth...check out the video on my blog. our town is going crazy
Posted by: Chris | February 10, 2009 at 02:16 PM
I love that I got a shout out!!! 6 weeks did you say 6 weeks???? double that then add 2... my ass has spread but you bet I've read a shit load of books... some of my favs: The Double Bind, The History of Love (you'll probably hate it, Amy should love it!) loooovvvvved the Gargoyle, The Hunger Games (a teen book but fabulous!) & Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere
Posted by: Andrea | February 13, 2009 at 11:38 AM