The books of 2009
I completed 55 MG/YA novels this year, and as usual, I select my top 10, with much anguish, because I read so many good ones.
In the order I read them:
1. STARCLIMBER by Kenneth Oppel. I loved all of these books! Skybreaker was still my favorite, but this was a most worthy end.
2. TEN CENTS A DANCE by Christine Fletcher. A masterwork of tension, I thought! And fascinating historical setting I hadn't seen before...the world of the taxi dancer, ooh.
3. SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater. I could have put Lament on this list, too...but it's not fair to have Maggie dominate everything, is it?
4. FAERY REBELS by R. J. Anderson. Wonderful world-building, possibly my favorite romance of the year...this deserves more attention in America!
5. SUITE SCARLETT by Maureen Johnson. My first Maureen Johnson book, it didn't disappoint. Loved the characters, the tone--light and funny but not fluffy--and Spencer. =)
6. MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD by Francisco X. Stork. I thought this book might be like, too smart and deep for me. It started out feeling that way...but then it got very compelling. I tore through it.
7. FIRE by Kristin Cashore. What an odd read, in some ways...it felt slow...and I wondered if it would be as good as Graceling...but somehow, the emotions built, the payoff was so satisfying, I CRIED, and it was confirmed that KC is a genius.
8. DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS by C. J. Omololu. A gripping, moving novel about a girl whose mother was a hoarder. It comes out in Feb 2010, so watch for it.
9. FLASH BURNOUT by L. K. Madigan. Humor, emotion, serious matters, great characters--all perfectly balanced.
10. THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER by Ellen Emerson White. Started a little slow to me, but then I got very invested in the very real characters and emotional situations.
Another post later, covering the best of the REST of what I read in '09!
In the order I read them:
1. STARCLIMBER by Kenneth Oppel. I loved all of these books! Skybreaker was still my favorite, but this was a most worthy end.
2. TEN CENTS A DANCE by Christine Fletcher. A masterwork of tension, I thought! And fascinating historical setting I hadn't seen before...the world of the taxi dancer, ooh.
3. SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater. I could have put Lament on this list, too...but it's not fair to have Maggie dominate everything, is it?
4. FAERY REBELS by R. J. Anderson. Wonderful world-building, possibly my favorite romance of the year...this deserves more attention in America!
5. SUITE SCARLETT by Maureen Johnson. My first Maureen Johnson book, it didn't disappoint. Loved the characters, the tone--light and funny but not fluffy--and Spencer. =)
6. MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD by Francisco X. Stork. I thought this book might be like, too smart and deep for me. It started out feeling that way...but then it got very compelling. I tore through it.
7. FIRE by Kristin Cashore. What an odd read, in some ways...it felt slow...and I wondered if it would be as good as Graceling...but somehow, the emotions built, the payoff was so satisfying, I CRIED, and it was confirmed that KC is a genius.
8. DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS by C. J. Omololu. A gripping, moving novel about a girl whose mother was a hoarder. It comes out in Feb 2010, so watch for it.
9. FLASH BURNOUT by L. K. Madigan. Humor, emotion, serious matters, great characters--all perfectly balanced.
10. THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER by Ellen Emerson White. Started a little slow to me, but then I got very invested in the very real characters and emotional situations.
Another post later, covering the best of the REST of what I read in '09!