Recommended 2007
As you may or may not know, I am recording and rating every book I read this year. I have read 137 so far. Although the year won't end for another month, I thought that I'd put up some of the best books here. The following books I rated between 4.5 or 5 out of 5 stars and were, in one way or another, absolutely incredible. No spoilers, just opinions. but all these are very highly recommended.
Card, Orson Scott
Ender's Game
Five stars. Quite the incredible book. I have read it several times and have been extremely impressed. I overheard a couple of people mocking this book once, but didn't go to its defense, because it doesn't need it. If you understand this book, read it and understand it, that's enough.
Lost Boys
Five stars. Also by Orson Scott Card, but more deeply frightening than Ender's Game. I was sobbing at the end and could do nothing but shove it at my sister and say Read! Not so much my kind of book, usually, but startlingly powerful.
Connolly, John
The Book of Lost Things
Four-and-a-half stars. Well worth a read. A lot of fairytales rewritten and darkened into a story with haunting prose. What is it Terry Pratchett said? Something about how all stories, in the end, are about blood. . . .
Clarke, Susanna
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
Five stars. At least. If I could give out a book-of-the-year award, this would get it. Over 1000 pages in its paperback form, this book isn't exactly a fast or simple read, but well worth diving into. Clarke does an amazing job of weaving layer after layer after layer of story. Fantastically researched and written. And it's her first novel. Unbelievable.
Jones, Diana Wynne
Charmed Life
Five stars. Ah, Diana Wynne Jones. My favorite author, and this, the first book of my favorite of her series', the Chronicles of Chrestomanci. Need more be said? A lighthearted story, available to most age groups. I enjoyed it when I was twelve and I enjoy it now.
The Lives of Christopher Chant
Five stars. See review for Charmed Life
Conrad’s Fate
Four-and-a-half stars. Nearly a five. Love the characters and situation. Just read it.
Dark Lord of Derkholm
Four-and-a-half stars. Lighthearted fun, but not without extra meaning. Very enjoyable.
Gaiman, Neil
Coraline
Five stars. How creepy can a children's story be, you ask? Well, here's the answer. Wow.
Lewis, C.S.
The Screwtape Letters
Five stars. Now, me, I'm a fantasy person. I like fantasy, adventure, what have you, and the Screwtape Letters, while fiction, is also theology. But it's clever, funny, and -- most importantly -- gets you to think and helps you be a better person than you are now. Food for thought, one might say.