Red's 2007 Book Awards
So, this is not books that came out this year, but ones I've read this year. Last year I just journalled this for myself, but making up categories to award books I want to talk about is really fun. Tell me about yours, too!
Total *recorded* units of reading: 128
Picture books: 5--Comics: 13--Short Story Collections:7--New Books: 98 including 10 nonfiction.
The Most Belated First Reading Award goes to: The NeverEnding Story by Michael Ende (in translation).
This was one of the few movies my family owned in my childhood. I don't think we watched it much, but in company with Peter Pan (the play-based one), and The Princess Bride...it made quite an impression.
I think there's a reason I tell stories with off-world too naturally.
The Only Classic I got to this year Despite Good Intentions Award: The Count of Monte Cristo
Sure it's big. But I did read 126 other books this year. Really now...
I reread lots of Austen, bits of Middlemarch (or maybe the whole thing?), and {the shame} the Scarlet Pimpernel. I'll admit I'm not as much of a high-lit fan as I'd like to be, or like to pretend to be.
This year was a good year for middle-grade/lower YA quirky fantasy, but I'll have to say the:
Kids' Author I most want to crank out a new book NOW is: Fly By Night's Frances Hardinge
Honorable Mentions: Flora Segunda (Isabea Wilce), The Wall and the Wing (Laura Ruby)
I discovered quite a few authors this year who do artfully wondrous YA, more high and definitely older-target.
Most I-Wish-I-Wrote-This Wonderful YA Author, though has to be Justine Larbalestier with Magic or Madness
Sciffy Retelling Of Ancient Myth Award is all for: WebMage (Kelly McCullough) and it's titled silly for how neat it is.
Honorable Mention (and current provider for the emcee's Writerly Despair): Avatars--So This Is How It Ends (Tui T. Sutherland) and an extra bonus point just for having the sequel out already.
Now I could go on awarding silly titles upon my favorite books of the year, but these are the two that really matter.
Mind-Shattering Fantasy of the Year:
(awarded for artistry, thematic depth, world-immersion craft and general Awesomeness)
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
by the peerless Susanna Clarke, who nevertheless deserves to be made a Peer
runner-up: Daughter of the Forest (Juliett Marillier)
World-Class NonFiction of Interest All-Round to Writers:
(awarded for breadth of survey in specific focus, good writing, and fascinating subject)
The Basque History of the World
by Mark Kurlansky, whose interest in personal politics, underground movements, and native recipes is not to be underestimated
runner-up worth looking into: Mystics, Mavericks, Merrymakers about Hasidic young women and the surprisingly full lives they lead by Stephanie Levine
Last years: Autumn Lightning: The Education of an American Samurai by Dave Lowry, a story of martial art transposed, the Japanese people who keep it alive, and the personalities who helped create it in a feudal time even not so long ago.
Total *recorded* units of reading: 128
Picture books: 5--Comics: 13--Short Story Collections:7--New Books: 98 including 10 nonfiction.
The Most Belated First Reading Award goes to: The NeverEnding Story by Michael Ende (in translation).
This was one of the few movies my family owned in my childhood. I don't think we watched it much, but in company with Peter Pan (the play-based one), and The Princess Bride...it made quite an impression.
I think there's a reason I tell stories with off-world too naturally.
The Only Classic I got to this year Despite Good Intentions Award: The Count of Monte Cristo
Sure it's big. But I did read 126 other books this year. Really now...
I reread lots of Austen, bits of Middlemarch (or maybe the whole thing?), and {the shame} the Scarlet Pimpernel. I'll admit I'm not as much of a high-lit fan as I'd like to be, or like to pretend to be.
This year was a good year for middle-grade/lower YA quirky fantasy, but I'll have to say the:
Kids' Author I most want to crank out a new book NOW is: Fly By Night's Frances Hardinge
Honorable Mentions: Flora Segunda (Isabea Wilce), The Wall and the Wing (Laura Ruby)
I discovered quite a few authors this year who do artfully wondrous YA, more high and definitely older-target.
Most I-Wish-I-Wrote-This Wonderful YA Author, though has to be Justine Larbalestier with Magic or Madness
Sciffy Retelling Of Ancient Myth Award is all for: WebMage (Kelly McCullough) and it's titled silly for how neat it is.
Honorable Mention (and current provider for the emcee's Writerly Despair): Avatars--So This Is How It Ends (Tui T. Sutherland) and an extra bonus point just for having the sequel out already.
Now I could go on awarding silly titles upon my favorite books of the year, but these are the two that really matter.
Mind-Shattering Fantasy of the Year:
(awarded for artistry, thematic depth, world-immersion craft and general Awesomeness)
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
by the peerless Susanna Clarke, who nevertheless deserves to be made a Peer
runner-up: Daughter of the Forest (Juliett Marillier)
World-Class NonFiction of Interest All-Round to Writers:
(awarded for breadth of survey in specific focus, good writing, and fascinating subject)
The Basque History of the World
by Mark Kurlansky, whose interest in personal politics, underground movements, and native recipes is not to be underestimated
runner-up worth looking into: Mystics, Mavericks, Merrymakers about Hasidic young women and the surprisingly full lives they lead by Stephanie Levine
Last years: Autumn Lightning: The Education of an American Samurai by Dave Lowry, a story of martial art transposed, the Japanese people who keep it alive, and the personalities who helped create it in a feudal time even not so long ago.