2009 has been an unprecedented year in reading for me. I have been keeping track of my reading since 2001 and I have never, ever, even come close to reading so many books in one year. And so many GOOD books. Quality is, of course, the most important thing. I can only think of maybe two books I was really disappointed with. The rest… well… let’s just say it was really hard to pick a top ten list this year. Here’s the breakdown:
Books read: 125
Pages:
Fiction: 119
Nonfiction: 6 (I am ashamed. That is terrible.)
Young Adult: 47
Children’s: 16
Graphic Novels: 17
Audio books: 17
Challenges Attempted: 5, I think (Graphic Novel Challenge, Once Upon a Time, RIP IV, and Harry Potter)
Challenges Completed: 2? (Once Upon a Time and RIP IV, I think. I am one shy of the Graphic Novel Challenge – if I don’t fix that before the end of the year!)
As for my favorites, like I said, it was very hard to pick 10. So I narrowed it down by categories! These are in no particular order. I actually think I do know which is my favorite book of the year, well, the top two, but this felt easier. Forgive me for grouping series books together, but most of them I read practically back to back, which made them feel like one, great big, book to me.
Young Adult Favorites
- Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
- Liar by Justine Larbalestier
- Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart
- Uglies/Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
- The Knife of Never Letting Go/The Ask and the Answerby Patrick Ness
- Willow by Julia Hoban
- Impossible by Nancy Werlin
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner
- Hunger Games/Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
- Graceling/Fire by Kristin Cashore
- City of Bones/City of Ashes/City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
- The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
- Wicked Lovely/Ink Exchange/Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
- Mare’s War by Tanita S. Davis
Fiction favorites
- The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
- Goldengrove by Francine Prose
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
- Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
- Drood by Dan Simmons
- Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
Graphic Novel Favorites
- Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan
- The Arrival by Shaun Tan
- Plain Janes/Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci and James Rigg
Audiobook Favorites
- Hunger Games/Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, read by Carolyn McCormick
- Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Heartsick/Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain, read by Carolyn McCormick
- The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (Storm Front, Fool Moon, and Grave Peril) read by James Marsters (Spike!)
- The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, read by Bianca Amato and Jill Tanner
It is easier for me to pick my two favorite books than to pick a top ten. If I sit still and really think about it (which is actually hard for me, as I can’t be still) the first two books that always come to mind are The Swan Thieves and Tales from Outer Suburbia. It hasn’t been that long since I finished The Swan Thieves and I won’t know for a few months if it will continue to stick with me like it has, but I’m pretty confident it will. I already want to reread it, maybe in audio. I haven’t reviewed it yet, simply because I don’t quite know how. It was such an amazing book for me and I don’t quite know how to put all my feelings for it into words. I already loved Kostova – I think I’m pushing more into adoration now. The Historian is one of my favorite books ever and now, so is The Swan Thieves. As for Tales of Outer Suburbia? I can’t remember ever reading a book that married words with art in such an unusual, powerful, and simply haunting way. These two books will be rereads for years to come; I will get something new from each every time I read it and I will never get tired of them.
What were some of your favorite reads in 2009? Tell me!
I love your post and many of your choices are on my TBR list. Uglies is on the night table waiting for Jan 1st, we have a date tomorrow.
Here is mine
http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2009/12/countdow…
.-= Marce´s last blog ..Countdown of My Favourites =-.
I'm counting the days until The Swan Thieves is released!
Happy New Year!
.-= softdrink´s last blog ..2009 Year End Meme =-.
You've convinced me even more that I must read The Swan Thieves!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Library Loot =-.
You have so many good books on here, and that makes me excited for the books that are on here I have yet to read!
Happy New Year!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..2009 (and December) in Review =-.
Wow, I'm embarrassed that a lot of your YA faves I haven't even read! Oops.
I just posted my top 10 YA list today. I've got Graceling & Catching Fire, just like you.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Top 10 YA Hotties of 2009 =-.
My top five for the year were a piece of cake; I keep a running list on the sidebar and change them as I read. But to narrow down the next five. Couldn't do it–I had to go with 12. You do a better job of reading a variety of genres than I do; it's something I need to work on.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Wishing You All A Happy New Year! =-.
Okay, we have so many favorites in common that I'm just going to add the rest to my to-read list!
.-= Carrie K.´s last blog ..2009 Reading Wrap-Up =-.
I'm so excited that you loved The Swan Thieves so much since I plan to read it soon! Happy New Year!
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..2009 Challenge Wrap-Up =-.
I loves Tales of Outer Suburbia but it didn't make my list this year.
.-= Vasilly´s last blog ..Favorite Books of 2009 and Wrap-up Post =-.
Wonderful selections! I think a few of your YA choices will show up on my top of list as well. I am, of course, a total Suzanne Collins fangirl so I'm sure you wont be surprised to see Hunger Games/Catching Fire on my list. You also already know that Beautiful Creatures is up there too. I think I'll have a few others to add but don't know that I'll do a top ten this year.
I'm just about to pick up Liar to read today
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..An Abundance of Gratitude =-.
It os very hard to pick, but I love a lot of your choices. I have had Impossible for awhile but have put f reading it. I was a little disappointed with Black Mirror by the same author.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Blogger Unplugged! December 23, 2009 – Jan 2, 2010 =-.
Looks like you had a fantastic reading year! I can't just do 10 books either and break up my favorites by categories too
I'm taking note of some of your favorite graphic novels as I'm in the mood for one and want to get started on the challenge too.
.-= iliana´s last blog ..A Year In Review =-.
Although 2009 was decidedly a challenging year for me, I did read an 93 books, which is a personal record. I hope to make 100 in 2010! While you read only 6 NF, I read the majority NF, and I am going to try to read more fiction this year.
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..New Year Read-a-thon Commencement =-.
You read a lot of great books! Happy reading in 2010!
.-= Kailana´s last blog ..Madeleine L'Engle Read-Along =-.
Great list! I'm a little behind on my blog surfing, so I'm just seeing your picks, but they're all books I'm interested in reading if I haven't already. Good times!
.-= Andi´s last blog ..Nook Watch 2010 =-.
Great selections!
.-= KyleeJ´s last blog ..Three day Bloggiesta =-.