2009: the year in books

[decemberthirty]

It's time once again for my summary of what I've read in the past year. As usual, grad school makes precise record-keeping difficult--I read many books at once, I skim some books and read only pieces of others. So I will simply do the best I can

Comments

[lavendarbloom]

Wow! Wonderful to read your 2009 reading list! Hapy new year and happy reading in 2010! :)

[decemberthirty]

Funny--I actually strongly disliked Empire Falls. It struck me as repetitive, flat, and borderline misogynistic. Which was a bummer, because the storyline is the sort of thing that would usually really interest me. (My full review is here, if you're interested.) Do you remember what you liked so much about it?

[decemberthirty]

You'll have to post about it when you re-read it--I'd be interested to know how it holds up for you. :)

[zenithblue]

Nice trophy list! How was Home? I've been curious but I'm not sure I liked Gilead enough to follow up...

[decemberthirty]

I liked Home quite a bit. It covers the same story as Gilead, though from the perspective of the Boughton family rather than that of John Ames. In some ways it's a more "conventional" (though I hesitate to use that word) narrative than Gilead: it has a larger cast of characters, more actual scenes, and more plot, rather than just roving through one man's thoughts and memories. It's good, and a compelling story, but it just didn't sing on the page the way Gilead did for me.

There you have it: a long answer to a short question! Have you read her other novel, Housekeeping? I developed a new appreciation for it after re-reading it this year. Very dark!

[antarcticlust]

Your list is fantastic. Mine was much fluffier.

I've tried to read Richard Russo and there's something about his writing style that I find really smug and a bit too macho.

Housekeeping is sitting on my shelf - I think this will be the year to read it!

[iamzulma]

what an awesome reading year you've had! i won't ask about the list because i've my own to contend with! ;)

but, have you read "never let me go" by ishiguro? how about "a letter to a child never born" by oriana fallaci?

[decemberthirty]

I have read Never Let Me Go, and I liked it, but not as well as I liked Remains of the Day--it will be tough for Ishiguro to top that one in my opinion! I haven't read A Letter to a Child Never Born. In fact, I've never even heard of Oriana Fallaci. Do you like her?

[iamzulma]

"never let me go" is my first ishiguro book so i have to get to "remains of the day" -- eventually! ;)

i had never heard of oriana fallaci myself, until i randomly picked up "letter to a child never born" in a used bookshop. the book is fairly dark in its honesty, showing what motherhood might be like for her. i enjoyed her writing tremendously so i do recommend it. the book is out of print so i can send you my copy if you'd like! PM me your snail mail addy if you're interested. i have yet to find anyone who has read this book. :) btw, fallaci was an internationally known journalist so i really want to read her other works.

[decemberthirty]

Oh, that's too generous of you! When you send it you'll have to include your return address so I can send something back to you. Not sure what it'll be yet, but I'll send something! :)