booklist 2009
So I've decided to catch up on the pleasure reading that I've failed to do in the past several years. My pre-New Year resolution will be to read a certain number of books before the end of 2010. Hopefully, I'll figure out that number by the end of this year, but until then, behold the results of my warm-up for the BIG!read of 2010:
1. Catherine Coulter, Eleventh Hour ♥♥
The first half was set up to make a really good story. In the second half, the plot went pear-shaped and was all kinds of disappointing.
2. Carlos Ruiz Zafon, The Shadow of the Wind ♥♥♥♥
Great characters but with an incredibly convoluted plot.
3. Libba Bray, *A Great and Terrible Beauty ♥♥♥♥
This book is underrated and is what teenaged girls should be reading. Case in point [quote]:
She walks out toward them, an apparition in white and blue velvet, her head held high as they stare in awe at her, the goddess. I don't know yet what power feels like. But this is surely what it looks like, and I think I'm beginning to understand why those ancient women had to hide in caves. Why our parents and teachers and suitors want us to behave properly and predictably. It's not that they want to protect us; it's that they fear us.
Can you deal with that, Stephanie Meyer? No? Didn't think so.
4. Audrey Niffenegger, *The Time Traveler's Wife ♥♥♥♥
It could've been 5 , but I couldn't really distinguish or get a feel for each individual character. However, Henry and Clare's crazy love Mobius strip concept will always make my inner romantic squee with delight.
5. Libba Bray, Rebel Angels ♥♥♥1/2
6. Jennifer Crusie, Welcome to Temptation ♥♥♥♥
7. Jane Rogers, Island ♥♥♥♥♥
8. Charlotte Bronte, *Jane Eyre ♥♥♥♥♥
I ADORE this book in every possible way. Mr. Rochester is also my literary crush, so, you know.
9. Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights ♥
LET ME TELL YOU WHY!!!
10. Jean Rhys, Wide Sargasso Sea ♥♥♥1/2 or ♥♥♥♥, I'M TORN, OK!! (may change upon reread)
11. Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake ♥♥♥
For the uber curious, see my reasoning here.
12. Roald Dahl, The Witches ♥♥♥♥
I can't believe it took me 22 years to read a Roald Dahl book and now I feel like my childhood has been deprived of literary awesome.
13. Michael Chabon, The Amazing Adventures of Kevalier and Clay ♥♥♥♥1/2
14. Elizabeth Knox, The Vintner's Luck ♥♥♥♥♥
15. Christopher Moore, Fluke: Or I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings ♥♥♥♥
*While I've already read these, it's been years since I've read the the complete text and really appreciated it. Also, I had forgotten more or less what happened in the books so they're practically new to me anyway.
Of course, recommendations are always welcome! Happy reading!
1. Catherine Coulter, Eleventh Hour ♥♥
The first half was set up to make a really good story. In the second half, the plot went pear-shaped and was all kinds of disappointing.
2. Carlos Ruiz Zafon, The Shadow of the Wind ♥♥♥♥
Great characters but with an incredibly convoluted plot.
3. Libba Bray, *A Great and Terrible Beauty ♥♥♥♥
This book is underrated and is what teenaged girls should be reading. Case in point [quote]:
She walks out toward them, an apparition in white and blue velvet, her head held high as they stare in awe at her, the goddess. I don't know yet what power feels like. But this is surely what it looks like, and I think I'm beginning to understand why those ancient women had to hide in caves. Why our parents and teachers and suitors want us to behave properly and predictably. It's not that they want to protect us; it's that they fear us.
Can you deal with that, Stephanie Meyer? No? Didn't think so.
4. Audrey Niffenegger, *The Time Traveler's Wife ♥♥♥♥
It could've been 5 , but I couldn't really distinguish or get a feel for each individual character. However, Henry and Clare's crazy love Mobius strip concept will always make my inner romantic squee with delight.
5. Libba Bray, Rebel Angels ♥♥♥1/2
6. Jennifer Crusie, Welcome to Temptation ♥♥♥♥
7. Jane Rogers, Island ♥♥♥♥♥
8. Charlotte Bronte, *Jane Eyre ♥♥♥♥♥
I ADORE this book in every possible way. Mr. Rochester is also my literary crush, so, you know.
9. Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights ♥
LET ME TELL YOU WHY!!!
10. Jean Rhys, Wide Sargasso Sea ♥♥♥1/2 or ♥♥♥♥, I'M TORN, OK!! (may change upon reread)
11. Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake ♥♥♥
For the uber curious, see my reasoning here.
12. Roald Dahl, The Witches ♥♥♥♥
I can't believe it took me 22 years to read a Roald Dahl book and now I feel like my childhood has been deprived of literary awesome.
13. Michael Chabon, The Amazing Adventures of Kevalier and Clay ♥♥♥♥1/2
14. Elizabeth Knox, The Vintner's Luck ♥♥♥♥♥
15. Christopher Moore, Fluke: Or I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings ♥♥♥♥
*While I've already read these, it's been years since I've read the the complete text and really appreciated it. Also, I had forgotten more or less what happened in the books so they're practically new to me anyway.
Of course, recommendations are always welcome! Happy reading!