Books Read in 2008
1. I am Legend
*Excellent sci-fi/thriller about a vampyric virus.
2. Never be Lied to Again
*Above average resource for learning how to "read" if people are lying to you. However, it does have a section of manipulative techniques for getting the truth out of people which may be off-putting. Just the psychological wisdom in this book makes it a must read for people interested in how to "read" others, especially in relation to lying.
3. The Truth in the Light: An Investigation of over 300 Near-death Experiences
*A no-nonsense, scientific analysis of the phenomenon of Near Death Experiences. Written from a skeptical point of view, leaving the reader to make their own conclusions on if this phenomenon is a glimpse into the afterlife or something that science can explain. Scientific explanations are given for accounts of NDE, yet there is still, admitted by the skeptical author, aspects of NDE that not even science can explain.
4. Top 100 Baby Purees
*Great resource for cooking your own baby food from common grocery items. This book is perfect for moms who want to cook for their babies. However, use caution with introducing cow's milk early. The book permits it, while most pediatricians say that it's best to wait as there are a lot of complex proteins in cows milk that a baby can be allergic to.
5.Saving Francesca
*Judy Blume meets The Bell Jar. It's a fun, quick read, but more suitable for preteens and young adults: a coming of age book about a 17 year old girl.
6. Dalores Claiborne
*I hadn't read a Stephen King novel in years and this one didn't disappoint.
7. The Alchemist
*This book I would recommend to anyone. A true gem.
8. Seductive Poison
* A wonderful memoir written by a Jonestown survivor. This book will really help answer the question of "how could this happen?" as far as how an individual can get lured into a cult, the brainwashing, etc... I do not have an objective view on if this is a good book as a stand alone because I read this after watching the documentary Jonestown: The Life and Death of the People's Temple. I wanted to learn more about Jonestown and this book didn't disappoint.
9. Dear People: Remembering Jonestown
* A collection of documents and news articles which attempts to summarize the Jonestown rise and fall. This book is predominantly void of emotion, but does cover a lot of historical accounts of the event. I'd say only to read it if you're seriously interested in Jonestown. Otherwise, just go with #8 as it was a much better read.
10. The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu
* Like all religious texts, this book resonates at some points and doesn't at others. I think it is full of a lot of wisdom, but I personally prefer the Christian path rather than the path of Tao.
11. Fahrenheit 451
* Decided to revisit this classic since reading it for the first time in junior high.
12 The Friday Night Knit Club
* What can I say? I had never tried "chick lit" before, and my step mom got me this based on the rave reviews. I would assume that for "chick lit", it's right on the mark. Many women love this book. While this is a best seller and very popular reading right now, I can say that I personally didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
13. The Mist
*Another Stephen King novel to satisfy my curiosity after watching the movie; I wanted to know how the book measured up to the movie. Many people loved the movie and I did not. I enjoyed the book more, but only by a little. It had a completely different ending.
14. The Professor and the Madman
*The telling of the unlikely circumstances that lead to the writing of the first Complete English Dictionary. well researched and accessible. Highly suggested reading for anyone interested in the history of the English language and trivia about it and also highly suggested for anyone interested in a very captivating and haunting case study of the mentally ill patient who gave so much of himself to create the OED.
15. Native Son
* A compelling glimpse into race relations in the early 1900s. Written by a black writer, published in 1945, this fiction is considered a classic and I'm glad I revisited it a decade after I read it the first time.
16. Snow Falling on Cedars
*Compelling and hard to summarize, this book struck me most for its amazing organization and its beautiful prose. Set on a fictitious Island, this book examines post WWII predjudice against Japanese Americans, covers a murder trial, and examines love and passion.
17. The Phantom Tollbooth
*Never read it before. Was cute, and full of puns and anecdotes. I look forward to sharing it with Anya when she gets older.
18. Nineteen Minutes
*A remarkable story that is able to depict a wide array of characters and leaves the reader haunted by the outcome at the end. I recommend it.
19. Atonement
*Absolutely hated this book. I didn't read it all the way through, but I figure 260 pages of literary torture should equate to one slot on my read 50 books list. Many people disagree with my position on this book, but I found it inaccessible and boring.
20. The Bad Seed
*Potentially disturbing subject matter, but a decent read.
21. Twilight
*Urban fantasy, a potential rivalry to the Harry Potter series, engrossing, but not for everyone (steer clear if you're not interested in teen romance). Definitely my taste, though. 5/5
22. New Moon
*Second book in the Twilight series.
23. Eclipse
*Third book in the Twilight series.
24. The Plague
*A book that fans of Camus and philosophy/humanities/social sciences should enjoy.
25. Water for Elephants
*A man in a retirement home relives his younger years as a vet for a Circus. Written with a strong, vivid voice and well researched I found this more interesting than I thought I would.
26. I, Robot
*Sci-fi with a psychological and at times Christian leaning. It was entertaining, even though I haven't tampered much with science fiction, I found it accessible and an easy read.
27. Relic
*The first of the "Pendergast" series. I couldn't put it down! Action, adventure, and science fiction surrounding genetics.
28. Economics in One Lesson
*Essential reading for anyone who doesn't want to embarrass himself while holding a political debate about economics. Also, I found this very accessible as I read it coming from a place with zero knowledge on the subject.
29. The Wait
*Because this is my favorite author, I'm too biased to give an objective review. I'd recommend strongly The Pains of April or The God Files before getting into his other books, though this one was good.
30. The Yellow Wallpaper (and other stories)
*Many people agree this is a chilling examination of mental illness with a feminist slant. I found it a series of straight-up medical fiction, with barely detectable feminist ideas and I wasn't as "chilled" by it than others report.
31. Elsewhere
*Recommended for grades 7-10, this book chronicles the experiences a 15 year old girl has when she finds herself in a place called "elsewhere", living in an afterlife where she ages backwards until she becomes a baby and is born again on earth. Great premise, but the story was lacking for this adult reader. Would recommend for younger readers or as a quick, entertaining read for adults.
32. Sand and Foam
*By Kahlil Gibran (The Prophet), this book is really a series of parables and proverbs with a Christian leaning. Short read, but a lot of wisdom.
33. Breaking Dawn
*Fourth book in the Twilight series.
34. The Princess Bride
*Enjoyed it a lot the first time I read it. This was a re-read. I would recommend it to anyone who likes the movie and would like to read the same story with more colorful and poetic language or for anyone who would like a nice, quick read that's a wholesome story along with a lot of witty asides.
35. Of Mice and Men
*Read this in Jr High and re-read this year it as an adult. I appreciated it more this time around and found it a quick easy yet thought-provoking read, though I'm not one for books that misspell words to get across certain accents or dialects.
36. The Kite Runner
*Book totally wowed me. Can be triggering for sensitive types, but if you want to take on some heavy subjects, I'd recommend it.
37. What Dreams May Come
*Well researched (though fiction), and thought provoking. Takes several newage + scientific discoveries on the afterlife and weaves all theories together to paint a picture of what the afterlife could be for one person as he adjusts to what has become of his spirit after death and what is to become of his beloved wife in light of his passing. For lovers of this movie, this book should not disappoint.
38. In Cold Blood
*The classic True Crime book written by the famed Truman Capote.
39. The Law
*French writer Bastiat writes about the fundamentals of law: life, liberty, and property. His ideas should appeal to libertarians.
40. Rebecca
*British novel with flowery prose, an introspective main character, and a haunting tale. Fans of British writing style should love this story which has definitely earned its place among the classics.
41. The Futurological Congress - Picked this up to read "alternative" science-fiction and was disappointed until the end, when I finally figured out the message. For me, it was a great message, but just not the right kind of means. Some people do like the means, though, so if you like psychedelic/strong sexual themes/sketchy characters, then you may like this book.
42. At First Sight
*Wanted to see what Nicholas Sparks was about so I read this book. This particular book was an easy read. It didn't turn me off to the author; I'm thinking about checking out his more popular books in 2009.
43. Nights in Rodanthe
*Quick, easy read, accessible to both men and women with a beautiful core-message driven come clearly, poetically, and effectively.
44. The False Prophet: Conspiracy, Extortion and Murder in the Name of God (Berkley True Crime)
*True Crime story about a small cult leader and the horrible crimes he committed. Recommended only for those with a strong stomach for violence or those who are interested in the psychological aspects of brainwashing and cult mentality.
45. The Road
*Post-apocalyptic Pulitzer prize winning book. Some will see in this a work of art while others will see in it a poorly done abstract painting. Check out both good and bad reviews before buying.
46. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Excellent science fiction for people who don't like science fiction or for people who do. It it a very satiating read and a brilliant story.
47. The Bridges of Madison County - I'm actually embarrassed that this is on my list for 2008. Yeah, it was that bad.
48. The Old Man and The Sea - Not as bad as I thought it would be judging from Hemmingway's short stories which I dislike. Mostly flat and repetitive, but a short quick read with some wisdom.
49. A Stir of Echoes - A quick read that I didn't want to put down, Richard Matheson is becoming one of my favorite writers.
50. Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days (Left Behind No. 1) - I don't care if you think I'm nuts but I enjoyed this book completely. my only complaint is that the beginning started out a bit shaky. A speculative fiction about how the authors envision the "end times" as told in the Bible with excellent knowledge, believable characters, and eloquently told. I completely enjoyed this book and intend to read the entire series.
*Excellent sci-fi/thriller about a vampyric virus.
2. Never be Lied to Again
*Above average resource for learning how to "read" if people are lying to you. However, it does have a section of manipulative techniques for getting the truth out of people which may be off-putting. Just the psychological wisdom in this book makes it a must read for people interested in how to "read" others, especially in relation to lying.
3. The Truth in the Light: An Investigation of over 300 Near-death Experiences
*A no-nonsense, scientific analysis of the phenomenon of Near Death Experiences. Written from a skeptical point of view, leaving the reader to make their own conclusions on if this phenomenon is a glimpse into the afterlife or something that science can explain. Scientific explanations are given for accounts of NDE, yet there is still, admitted by the skeptical author, aspects of NDE that not even science can explain.
4. Top 100 Baby Purees
*Great resource for cooking your own baby food from common grocery items. This book is perfect for moms who want to cook for their babies. However, use caution with introducing cow's milk early. The book permits it, while most pediatricians say that it's best to wait as there are a lot of complex proteins in cows milk that a baby can be allergic to.
5.Saving Francesca
*Judy Blume meets The Bell Jar. It's a fun, quick read, but more suitable for preteens and young adults: a coming of age book about a 17 year old girl.
6. Dalores Claiborne
*I hadn't read a Stephen King novel in years and this one didn't disappoint.
7. The Alchemist
*This book I would recommend to anyone. A true gem.
8. Seductive Poison
* A wonderful memoir written by a Jonestown survivor. This book will really help answer the question of "how could this happen?" as far as how an individual can get lured into a cult, the brainwashing, etc... I do not have an objective view on if this is a good book as a stand alone because I read this after watching the documentary Jonestown: The Life and Death of the People's Temple. I wanted to learn more about Jonestown and this book didn't disappoint.
9. Dear People: Remembering Jonestown
* A collection of documents and news articles which attempts to summarize the Jonestown rise and fall. This book is predominantly void of emotion, but does cover a lot of historical accounts of the event. I'd say only to read it if you're seriously interested in Jonestown. Otherwise, just go with #8 as it was a much better read.
10. The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu
* Like all religious texts, this book resonates at some points and doesn't at others. I think it is full of a lot of wisdom, but I personally prefer the Christian path rather than the path of Tao.
11. Fahrenheit 451
* Decided to revisit this classic since reading it for the first time in junior high.
12 The Friday Night Knit Club
* What can I say? I had never tried "chick lit" before, and my step mom got me this based on the rave reviews. I would assume that for "chick lit", it's right on the mark. Many women love this book. While this is a best seller and very popular reading right now, I can say that I personally didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
13. The Mist
*Another Stephen King novel to satisfy my curiosity after watching the movie; I wanted to know how the book measured up to the movie. Many people loved the movie and I did not. I enjoyed the book more, but only by a little. It had a completely different ending.
14. The Professor and the Madman
*The telling of the unlikely circumstances that lead to the writing of the first Complete English Dictionary. well researched and accessible. Highly suggested reading for anyone interested in the history of the English language and trivia about it and also highly suggested for anyone interested in a very captivating and haunting case study of the mentally ill patient who gave so much of himself to create the OED.
15. Native Son
* A compelling glimpse into race relations in the early 1900s. Written by a black writer, published in 1945, this fiction is considered a classic and I'm glad I revisited it a decade after I read it the first time.
16. Snow Falling on Cedars
*Compelling and hard to summarize, this book struck me most for its amazing organization and its beautiful prose. Set on a fictitious Island, this book examines post WWII predjudice against Japanese Americans, covers a murder trial, and examines love and passion.
17. The Phantom Tollbooth
*Never read it before. Was cute, and full of puns and anecdotes. I look forward to sharing it with Anya when she gets older.
18. Nineteen Minutes
*A remarkable story that is able to depict a wide array of characters and leaves the reader haunted by the outcome at the end. I recommend it.
19. Atonement
*Absolutely hated this book. I didn't read it all the way through, but I figure 260 pages of literary torture should equate to one slot on my read 50 books list. Many people disagree with my position on this book, but I found it inaccessible and boring.
20. The Bad Seed
*Potentially disturbing subject matter, but a decent read.
21. Twilight
*Urban fantasy, a potential rivalry to the Harry Potter series, engrossing, but not for everyone (steer clear if you're not interested in teen romance). Definitely my taste, though. 5/5
22. New Moon
*Second book in the Twilight series.
23. Eclipse
*Third book in the Twilight series.
24. The Plague
*A book that fans of Camus and philosophy/humanities/social sciences should enjoy.
25. Water for Elephants
*A man in a retirement home relives his younger years as a vet for a Circus. Written with a strong, vivid voice and well researched I found this more interesting than I thought I would.
26. I, Robot
*Sci-fi with a psychological and at times Christian leaning. It was entertaining, even though I haven't tampered much with science fiction, I found it accessible and an easy read.
27. Relic
*The first of the "Pendergast" series. I couldn't put it down! Action, adventure, and science fiction surrounding genetics.
28. Economics in One Lesson
*Essential reading for anyone who doesn't want to embarrass himself while holding a political debate about economics. Also, I found this very accessible as I read it coming from a place with zero knowledge on the subject.
29. The Wait
*Because this is my favorite author, I'm too biased to give an objective review. I'd recommend strongly The Pains of April or The God Files before getting into his other books, though this one was good.
30. The Yellow Wallpaper (and other stories)
*Many people agree this is a chilling examination of mental illness with a feminist slant. I found it a series of straight-up medical fiction, with barely detectable feminist ideas and I wasn't as "chilled" by it than others report.
31. Elsewhere
*Recommended for grades 7-10, this book chronicles the experiences a 15 year old girl has when she finds herself in a place called "elsewhere", living in an afterlife where she ages backwards until she becomes a baby and is born again on earth. Great premise, but the story was lacking for this adult reader. Would recommend for younger readers or as a quick, entertaining read for adults.
32. Sand and Foam
*By Kahlil Gibran (The Prophet), this book is really a series of parables and proverbs with a Christian leaning. Short read, but a lot of wisdom.
33. Breaking Dawn
*Fourth book in the Twilight series.
34. The Princess Bride
*Enjoyed it a lot the first time I read it. This was a re-read. I would recommend it to anyone who likes the movie and would like to read the same story with more colorful and poetic language or for anyone who would like a nice, quick read that's a wholesome story along with a lot of witty asides.
35. Of Mice and Men
*Read this in Jr High and re-read this year it as an adult. I appreciated it more this time around and found it a quick easy yet thought-provoking read, though I'm not one for books that misspell words to get across certain accents or dialects.
36. The Kite Runner
*Book totally wowed me. Can be triggering for sensitive types, but if you want to take on some heavy subjects, I'd recommend it.
37. What Dreams May Come
*Well researched (though fiction), and thought provoking. Takes several newage + scientific discoveries on the afterlife and weaves all theories together to paint a picture of what the afterlife could be for one person as he adjusts to what has become of his spirit after death and what is to become of his beloved wife in light of his passing. For lovers of this movie, this book should not disappoint.
38. In Cold Blood
*The classic True Crime book written by the famed Truman Capote.
39. The Law
*French writer Bastiat writes about the fundamentals of law: life, liberty, and property. His ideas should appeal to libertarians.
40. Rebecca
*British novel with flowery prose, an introspective main character, and a haunting tale. Fans of British writing style should love this story which has definitely earned its place among the classics.
41. The Futurological Congress - Picked this up to read "alternative" science-fiction and was disappointed until the end, when I finally figured out the message. For me, it was a great message, but just not the right kind of means. Some people do like the means, though, so if you like psychedelic/strong sexual themes/sketchy characters, then you may like this book.
42. At First Sight
*Wanted to see what Nicholas Sparks was about so I read this book. This particular book was an easy read. It didn't turn me off to the author; I'm thinking about checking out his more popular books in 2009.
43. Nights in Rodanthe
*Quick, easy read, accessible to both men and women with a beautiful core-message driven come clearly, poetically, and effectively.
44. The False Prophet: Conspiracy, Extortion and Murder in the Name of God (Berkley True Crime)
*True Crime story about a small cult leader and the horrible crimes he committed. Recommended only for those with a strong stomach for violence or those who are interested in the psychological aspects of brainwashing and cult mentality.
45. The Road
*Post-apocalyptic Pulitzer prize winning book. Some will see in this a work of art while others will see in it a poorly done abstract painting. Check out both good and bad reviews before buying.
46. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Excellent science fiction for people who don't like science fiction or for people who do. It it a very satiating read and a brilliant story.
47. The Bridges of Madison County - I'm actually embarrassed that this is on my list for 2008. Yeah, it was that bad.
48. The Old Man and The Sea - Not as bad as I thought it would be judging from Hemmingway's short stories which I dislike. Mostly flat and repetitive, but a short quick read with some wisdom.
49. A Stir of Echoes - A quick read that I didn't want to put down, Richard Matheson is becoming one of my favorite writers.
50. Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days (Left Behind No. 1) - I don't care if you think I'm nuts but I enjoyed this book completely. my only complaint is that the beginning started out a bit shaky. A speculative fiction about how the authors envision the "end times" as told in the Bible with excellent knowledge, believable characters, and eloquently told. I completely enjoyed this book and intend to read the entire series.