50 book challenge 2009
okay, i'm going to try that "read 50 books a year" thing because i like to read. and i want to emulate kymellin .
*rubs hands together*
allrighty! here we go. let's see how abysmal i do as the year drags on.
january
1. infected by scott sigler. creepy science fiction. recommended. (also gross)
2. one good turn by kate atkinsin. book on cd. part of a mystery series. BRILLIANT. highly recommended
3. death collectors by jack kerley. book on tape. part of a mystery series. interesting subject matter. recommended.
4. finishing school by max allan collins. 3rd criminal minds tie-in novel. held my interest, but not enough reid. ;-P recommended for cm fans.
february
5. child 44 by tom rob smith. book on cd. one of the best books i've ever read. horrific view of stalinist russia with a murder mystery thrown in. i was on the edge of the edge of my seat. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
6. on writing by stephen king. book on tape. i thought king's blather on the actual practice of writing wasn't the best ever, but the book was worth it just to learn about his early life and his 1999 accident. and finding out where he got the idea for carrie.
7. the name of this book is secret by pseudonymous bosch. first book in a new children's series. reminds me a little of the lemony snicket books. enjoyable.
march
8. the girl with the dragon tattoo by stieg larsson. book on cd. two mysteries for the price of one. excellent, vivid characters, gripping. lisbeth salander is a brilliant character. first book in a trilogy. highly recommend, especially to listen to.
9. contagious by scott sigler. sequel to infected. science fiction, recommended.
10. gothic art now by jasmine becket-griffith. absolutely gorgeous/creepy study of modern gothic art. highly recommended.
11. nathan's run by john gilstrap. book on tape. exciting thriller, the author actually wrote the 12 year old main character believably.
12. sharp objects by gillian flynn. creepy mystery thriller, really sneaks up on you. great main character. highly recommended.
april
13. 20th century ghosts by joe hill. book on cd. a collection of creepy, subtle, and even sweet sometimes-scary stories. highly recommended. i'd listen to this again.
14. duma key by stephen king. not the best plot ever, but i found the main character interesting and enjoyed the art aspect. also, i haven't loved supporting characters this much since 'the stand." i tip my hat to you, wireman. and you too, ilsa.
may
15. water for elephants by sara gruen. book on cd. a wonderously beautiful book. highly recommended.
16. wintergirls by laurie halse anderson. i have no words to describe how amazing and horrifying this book is. i loved it even better than speak. this book will stay with me for a very long time.
2009 graphic novels
1. hellboy vol. 6: the conqueror worm by mike mignola
2. the walking dead vol. 9: here we remain by robert kirkman. this series continues to blow me away.
3. watchmen by alan moore. highly recommended. i'm a little ashamed it took me this long to read.
4. auschwitz by pascal croci. haunting and sad.
5. neil gaiman's neverwhere by mike carey and glenn fabry. i read the book several years ago and ADORED IT. it's one of my fav books ever. this is a graphic novel version that does a really nice job staying true to the story. nice artwork.
6. house of mystery vol. 1 by by matthew sturges and bill willingham. interesting new series. nice creep factor.
7. the curious case of benjamin button by f. scott fitzgerald and nunzio defillippis. different from the movie, but enjoyable. funny and melancholy.