It is with great sadness that I report the death of a wish. Yes, it has withered up and DIED from lack of fulfillment, lo these many years. One might even go so far as to say that it has been murdered, and rather perversely the perpetrator of this great crime is my very own beloved, Neil. Those who know him or know of him may be shocked to hear this. He’s generally reputed to be a genial, loveable sort of guy. Even so, my friends, even so…
Once again, for what I believe is now the fifth year in a row, my Christmas stocking was book-less. A travesty for this to even happen once, and yet year after year I have had the horrible sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. The sudden realization that my yearly tradition of reading a new book on Boxing Day has once again been thwarted. No accidental death, this death of my wish. Murder, pure and simple.
And after five years the foul villain has finally admitted his guilt. Just yesterday he said to me, having the grace to look SLIGHTLY abashed as he casually said, “Huh…guess I forgot to get you a book again, didn’t I?” He even admitted to the frequency of his grievous offense! Well, I’m not going to stand for it any longer. I’m going to breathe life back into my wish (via my Amazon.ca shopping cart) and punish the murderous despot (with the bill) and I need your help.
What on earth should I read next?
Knowing that tastes vary, here’s some insight into mine. The books I most enjoyed in 2009…
The Sweetest: Santa Maybe, by Aubrey Mace. I’m such a jerk. I meant to tell you all before Christmas that this book should be in EVERY woman’s stocking. Such a delight!
The Lightest: Previously Engaged, by Elodia Strain. Funny and entertaining in the very best way.
The Funniest: Good Omens, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I read this at least once a year. Funny, diverting, and yet it has real depth to it as well. All the best qualities of both the authors.
The Most Thought-Provoking: The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. Like many I could write paragraphs about this one. Wow. Just…wow.
The Most Mysterious: Lemon Tart, by Josi Kilpack. I am a fabulous guesser. Truly. I’m right about 95% of the time. But the end of this book shocked me and I loved being shocked!
The Most Disturbing: I Am Not a Serial Killer, by Dan Wells. Love love loved. Never have and never will read anything quite like it. Chilling but brilliant.
The Most Horrific: The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet, by Colleen McCullough. The one negative review I’m posting here. No no no no no! So, so WRONG!
The Most Tear Provoking: Bright Blue Miracle, Becca Wilhite. The sort of main character you want to throttle half the time and hug the other half. A book that makes you FEEL.
The Weirdest (in a good way): Flora Segunda, Ysabeau Wilce. Deliciously unique.
The Most Spirtual: At the Journey’s End, by Annette Lyon. Faith affirming and inspiring.
The Most Appealing to my Inner Teenager: The Hourglass Door, by Lisa Mangum. Who needs Twilight? With greater depth, genuine characters and powerfully compelling writing, this tops the cult favourite with ease.
The Most Awe Inspiring: The Mistborn Series, by Brandon Sanderson. The series that taught me I am not a world builder and that’s okay. Genius. Pure genius.
Now then, seriously, what should I read next? I’ve figured out how to cuddle Claira in one arm and a good book in the other…
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25 Comments
I solved that travesty this year. I bought my own book and put it in my stocking, on the sure knowledge that my husband (in a half joking/half serious sort-of way) doesn’t want to feed my addiction.
I shall actually make a “Read in 2010″ list this year.
Is it frightening that I’m already about. . .10 or so books in?
Have you read The Graveyard Book yet? By Neil Gaiman. If you haven’t it’s great.
I wish I read as much as you!
Catching Fire of course should be on your list if it’s not already! Though you may want to hold off on that one until about June or so . . . unlike the rest of us who now have until August/September to wait for the trilogy to be completed.
The Book Theif by Markus Zusak (sp?) is a MUST READ. That I think was the best book (besides the Scriptures, obvi!) that I read in 2009.
I just finished one of my favorite books, “The Chosen” by Chaim Potok. But you’ve probably already read it!
I love your book list. I’m going to add them to my Amazon wish list, except, of course, the Mary Bennett one…
ok . . . just looked it up on GoodReads . . . the spelling of Zusak was correct . . . but apparently I need to remember my “i before e” rule a bit better . . . Thief, not Theif . . . oi! :lol:
1. Yes. Buy your own. Husband and I have come to much mutual satisfaction through carefully dropping our own gifts into the “hidden” piles in the closet.
2. Yes. You have to read The Book Thief if you haven’t already. I’ve read it several times, as have my 2 oldest girls. Remarkable voice, and a healthy difference from other Holocaust books. I cry, even out of context, when I read the last 2 chapters. Every time.
3. I just picked up Lemon Tart for my trip – and looked for the Previously Engaged that you’d suggested (couldn’t find it, so it will have to wait for my return to the frozen mountaintops), so thanks for the recc’s.
4. There is a very sweet OLD book called Shepherd of the Hills, with the most predictable plot, but its sweetness overcomes that for me. Written by Harold Bell Wright in 1907 and still available on Amazon.
5. Have you read Bird by Bird? It’s one of the best writing books around. Rated PG-13 for language.
6. Need more? Holler.
7. And mostly, thanks for putting me on the list. You are a kind and true friend.
XO
English Triffle, Josi Kilpack
At the Waters Edge, Annette Lyon
The Dark Divine, Bree Despain
Percy Jackson Series, Rick Riordan (Just so fun!)
Becca Wilhite’s NEW book, My ridiciulous romantic obsessions
Well, there’s a bunch! Glad you’re getting your revenge. Gwa ha ha…
Have you read any of the “Wheel of Time” series? Definitely worth it. And now that Brandon Sanderson is finishing the series with Robert Jordan’s notes, it’s even better.
Then there is the start of a 3-book series that I really, really enjoyed. Talon of the Silver Hawk by Raymond E. Feist. It came to us on recommendation from a similar geeky sort as my husband and I who works in the library. Very well done. It’s about a single remaining member of a clan who decides to do what it takes to get revenge on those who wiped out his family. Adventure, and a particular brand of fantasy. Highly enjoyable, clean, and well-written.
One series in the YA section that is a fantasy/adventure/different world that was interesting and HIGHLY creative is The Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell.
And I would add that all the books I recommended are clean. There’s enough violence in the Edge Chronicles that I wouldn’t recommend them to children under 13-15 or so.
Have you read any Scott Westerfield? I read Uglies and it was very good. Thought-provoking. I read Specials too, but couldn’t get any more from my library.
Thanks for the Santa Maybe mention– you’re a sweetie. :)
If you haven’t read The Angel’s Game yet, you should definitely put it on your list– one of those books that I kept forcing myself to put aside because I didn’t want it to be over with too quickly. Also just finished The Maze Runner and it was excellent. If you like Hunger Games, you’ll love that one!
I’d never let Brad buy me any books. He’d probably buy me something I’d never read in a million years. I recommend “These Is My Words” and sequels by Nancy E. Turner. It’s almost like “Gone With the Wind,” but with a likeable heroine, a more sensible outcome, and set in Arizona. Also “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Housseini.
THANK-YOU for this post! I love seeing what other people have read and enjoyed. Even though we’re Goodreads friends and I am constantly skimming the list you had in your sidebar of books you’ve read, this little recap was totally interesting to me. I added a couple to my to-read list. :-)
I’m excited to see my friend Elodia’s book on your favorites list (wasn’t it seriously the funnest??). That one is actually a sequel, and I liked the first one, The Icing on the Cake, as well (I can’t really tell which I liked best; I read them a year or more apart!).
I read Hourglass Door on your recommendation. Who needs Twilight, indeed! That was a good read. Couldn’t put it down.
I recently read Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman, and was kind of reminded of you — it’s set in the boonies of Canada. :-) It’s got some great messages. Reminded me a little of These Is My Words (which I see was recommended already — loved that one, but couldn’t get into the sequel).
I’m currently enjoying The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas (another historical fiction pick; sorry, I know that’s not your genre of preference. But it’s mine, haha).
Or how ’bout Peace Like a River by Leif Enger (beautifully lyrical); The Prize-Winner of Defiance, Ohio (I think you’d enjoy the wordplay in this one); or (speaking of wordplay), Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn?
I hate recommending books. I think I may be ridiculously selfish and just wait for you to tell me what you got. ;o)
Who knew I’d be thrilled to be mentioned in a post titled “A Travesty”? (And in a comment as well–booyah!)
You listed some great books there–”I Am Not a Serial Killer” is still creeping me out weeks after reading it . . .
You’ll get a great list of new books to read in about a month when the Whitney finalists are announced!
This year I’m promising myself to read books of the authors blogs I visit. Annette is on that list, as is Heather Moore, and Becca Wilhite. Then on to other books that have been sitting in my “to read” pile for way too long. Some of them writerly books like Walking on water by Madeleine L’Engle and Take Joy: A Writer’s Guide to Loving the Craft, by Yolen.
Here’s to a 2010 full of plenty of reading and books!
Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia.
I will admit I haven’t read it yet, but it was written by a childhood friend and I hear it is good. (I do have it on hold at the library, but it hasn’t come in yet.)
And for a nonfiction book, I have been reading The End of Overeating by David Kessler. Some fascinating things in here, seriously.
I wouldn’t even know how to recommend a book to you since you are so voracious with your reading. But how about Angle of Repose, by Wallace Stegner. Self-discovery through writing a grandmother’s history.
Instead of reading Brandon Sanderson, read the new wheel of time book, The Gathering Storm… Which HE co-wrote
Sadly, I haven’t read a book in ages. I was listening to several books on CD as I drove to and from work but even that has gone by the wayside. I truly do love to read and am bookmarking this post to have a good list to start with when I get back on the reading wagon.
Hi, I’m Melanie and I’m a bookaholic. I better not even start or I won’t stop. I did just read a hilarious essay collection called Notes from the Underwire by Quinn Cummings. And I just started the Bayern sequels from Shannon Hale. And I have The Mazerunner on tap. Have you read “My Not So Fairy Tale Life” by Julie Wright. That’s good, too. Peace Like a River was kind of amazing and I loved Wings by Aprilynne Pike. Ok, really. I’m stopping.
Don’t get me started on book recommendations, or I’ll never stop.
I loved the way you did your list! Excellent.
Sorry, I am back :) !! I just had a few other titles floating around in my head. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale is most excellent. I also readily adored Eyes Like Mine by Julie Wright and Before the Dawn by Dean Hughes. These last two were not only good and easy reads that are written well with great plot and character development, but they also cause you to reflect inward to discover what type of person you truly are. Loved them all!
I’m not sure, but I now have a few new books to add to my list of want to reads. I’m in the middle of re-reading Twilight.