The Best Book You Read In 2009

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 11:16am

A big fat tie between HIS DARK MATERIALS and Antony Sher's autobiography, BESIDE MYSELF.

[Pippin]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 11:35am

A Prayer For Owen Meany.


oh, and I LOVE the His Dark Materials Trilogy. I need to give it a good re-read sometime.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 11:41am

The one that really stands out is Cormac McCarthy's BLOOD MERIDIAN. I was really knocked out by it, and am reading it again only a few weeks after my first read. Todd Field is apparently working on a film adaptation, I can't imagine it.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 11:44am

I read His Dark Materials this year, too, and I'd put that near the top of the list. I was so sad when it was over.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 11:51am

I really enjoyed the His Dark Materials trilogy, but had only read the first when I saw the film and I was hoping they would film the other two. After reading The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass, I realized what a monumental task the editing and adaptation would be to attempt to continue to market them as family-friendly and understand why they will probably never reach the big screen unless the trilogy is totally re-imagined.

My favorite book this year is probably The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Predictable choice, I know, but I was so pleasantly surprised by it. The Girl Who Played With Fire was a little disappointing, though.

[danmag]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 12:28pm

Olive Kitteredge by Elizabeth Strout.

[AC126748]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 12:32pm

Olive Kitteridge and Winesburg, Ohio.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 12:37pm

I'm in the minority on HIS DARK MATERIALS. I liked the first in the series very much indeed, but the following books didn't measure up at all. And that vile film, what a mess. Ian McKellen shouldn't have gone near that role.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 1:01pm

Did you read them all at once, or did you have a lag in between? I read them one right after the other, which I think may have contributed to my enjoyment, because it was this long sprawling tale.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 1:04pm

South of Broad by Pat Conroy.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 1:07pm

The Bible by the Lord

THE ONLY BOOK YOU NEED

[StockardFan]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 1:08pm

Annas is that you?

[madbrian]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 1:15pm

Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin

[Roscoe]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:04pm

Nope, I read all three DARK MATERIALS books back to back, and found myself less and less interested as the pages turned.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:06pm

His Dark Materials will be filmed in its entirity one day, it's too good of a story to pass up. It took thirty years before the Lord of the Rings movies were made.

I've read too much this year to come up with one off the top of my head; I'll have to think about it.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:08pm

Gotcha, Roscoe. Well, I forgive you, anyway.

[Calvin]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:15pm

I'll get back to you as soon as I can decide which Twilight novel to pick.

[clever name]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:17pm

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle


..and Duma Key. I really enjoyed that book.

[Weez]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 2:22pm

The Enemy by Charlie Higson. My favourite YA author, writing about zombies, referencing the Iliad? HELL YEAH!

I also decided to buckle down to the works of Henning Mankell. I'm halfway through and loving Return of the Dancing Master, but I also adored Faceless Killers, The White Lioness, and Before the Frost. I loved the entire Wallander series a whole bunch actually, but Firewall broke my heart a little bit. I can't wait for The Troubled Man to get an English translation.

I also reread Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines quartet. I love the works of Pullman, but Reeve will always be my favourite author named Philip. He makes me cry SO SO MUCH. D:

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 3:29pm

I only read a few books a year and really should read more. I read about 4 this year. The book I enjoyed the most this year was "The Silver Shoes" and can't wait for the second book. "Wishful Drinking" came in a very close second.

[xxnewgirlxx]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 3:32pm

Danmag, I just started reading Olive Kitteridge. I decided to join a book club and that's the first selection we'll be discussing in January.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 3:43pm

I need to read Olive Kitteridge.

[Calvin]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 3:50pm

In seriousness, though, I finally got around to reading Isaac's Storm -- not everyone's cup of tea, I know, but I actually liked it better than The Devil in the White City (probably because I grew up so close to the source material).

[Roscoe]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 3:59pm

I also enjoyed Pynchon's INHERENT VICE a good deal. Very fast and very funny, his most accessible book since THE CRYING OF LOT 49.

I'm glad that I read Philip K. Dick's FLOW MY TEARS THE POLICEMAN SAID and VALIS. I don't think I loved them as much as the brilliant A SCANNER DARKLY, though.

Updated On: 12/11/09 at 03:59 PM

[Weez]

Posted: 12/11/09 at 4:34pm

Of course, Duma Key and Cell! Loved 'em both. :3 Dreams From My Father as well. I've read a LOT this year.