I cannot believe how fast time has flown! It feels like only yesterday I was sitting in my hotelroom balcony in Portoroz, Slovenia, reading Cranford by Elizabet Gaskell, enjoying the sun and every now and then lifting my eyes from the book and admiring the view towards the Mediterranean, and that was in July! Today, quite a few books (though not as many as I would have liked) later, I'm sitting at home, every now and then shifting my eges from the computer screen towards the window to see if it's still snowing as it has been most of the day. (It is, but it's already so dark outside that I had to walk to the window to take a closer look.)
Here is my top 10 reads for 2009:
10. Oscar Wilde: Lady Windermere's Fan. I love Oscar. :) I'm not really into plays, neither in book form nor in the theatre, but I love his witty writing.
9. Gaile Parkin: Baking Cakes in Kigali. I had earlier read Gil Courtemanche's novel about the Rwandan genoside, and let me tell you, it was not a fun read. Parkin's book gave a completely different and much more optimistic view of Rwanda and Kigali, even though it touched on several serious subjects.
8. Sylvia Brownrigg: Pages for You. This is a beautifully written, bittersweet story of a young woman's first love with another woman. I'd highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to read some good GLBT fiction.
7. Tracy Chevalier: Remarkable Creatures. I loved this novel, it was fascinating to learn about the fossile hunters in early 19th century Britain, and it feels almost cruel to rate it only seventh in my top 10 list, but it cannot be helped.
6. Elizabeth Gaskell: Cranford. My first ever Gaskell, but surely not the last (I'm actually one story down, three to go with a collection of four of her short stories that I'm reading for the Women Unbound Challenge).
5. Geraldine Brooks: People of the Book. Loved this one, too. I usually like historical novels of this type. Hello, it was about a book!!:) And the modern day setting of Sarajevo after the 1990s war, made me want to read more novels about the Balkans (This book is not only about the Balkans, though.).
4. Sarah Waters: The Little Stranger. It's written by Sarah Waters, of course I liked it! She is one of my favorite authors and I have read all her novels. This is not my favorite, though. Tipping the Velvet is still my no. 1. Waters novel, but The Little Stranger competes for the second position with The Nightwatch.
3. Markus Zusak: The Book Thief. What can I say? I cried twice while reading this book. It is such a touching story.
2. Courtney Angela Brkic: Stillness. Amazing short story collection with stories set in the Balkans in the 1990s and telling stories from all sides of the conflict.1. Steven Galloway: The Cellist of Sarajevo. This book, in my opinion, is simply amazing. Not only my best read this year, but it went straight into my favorite books ever -list!
Oh, and I did reread both Orlando and The Time Traveller's Wife this year, but I will not include rereads into my top 10 list.
Happy, Happy New Year everyone!
10 comments:
Interesting. A lot of these are on my to-read list, but what I find really fascinating is The Cellist of Sarajevo. I read that one last fall and at the time loved it, but within weeks it sort of faded from my mind until I can no longer really remember it at all. If I'm reminded of parts, I can still discuss it, and I don't dislike it, but for some reason it just didn't stick with me.
I really need to read something by Waters and Gaskell.
I'm glad to see you really liked The Book Thief. That's one of my all-time faves.
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Oh snow! I'd prefer looking out over the Mediterranean, too. I think we are due for a long and snowy winter! The Little Stranger was on my list, too, though I love anything by Sarah Waters. Tipping the Velvet is the last one of hers I have to read and it's already on my pile for 2010. I also liked People of the Book and have Tracy Chevalier's ready to read as well! Happy reading in 2010!!
Cool list! People of the Book is that good, eh? I'd always heard mixed reviews. I need to pick that one up!
Here's a link to my own "Best of" post. My Top 5 is near the bottom.
http://thenewdorkreviewofbooks.blogspot.com/2009/12/good-dose-of-listomania.html
Cool blog, too - I just found you and am following now. Looking forward to what you have to say!
Cheers!
I love Cranford, it was in my favourite books list back in 2004. I've not read much else Gaskell since, but Wives & Daughters is also very good.
Amanda, yes, do read some Waters & Gaskell! It would be interesting to read what you thought about them.
As for The Cellist of Sarajevo, it just somehow clicked with me! It's hard to explain, I simply totally loved the book. :)
Danielle, yes, snow is the word at the moment! But I prefer snow to darkness. Days seem lighter with snow on the ground. I'm looking forward to see what you'll think of Tipping the Velvet. There is also an excellent BBC miniseries made of the book available on dvd. Hmm, maybe I should rewatch it...
Greg, thank you & thanks for becoming a follower! I'll go and take a look at your list after this. And, yes, I really liked People of the Book. :) I tend to like that type of historical novels, the subject matter was interesting, and the structure of the book worked very well for me.
StuckInABook, I'm definitely going to read more Gaskell in the future. Have you seen the BBC miniseries based on Cranford (& some of her other books)? I have it on dvd & liked it a lot.
Greetings,
Tiina
I love Lady Winderemere's Fan too; I read all of Wilde's plays in high school. And Cranford is my fave Gaskell so far; I've read three now. I can't wait to read more Waters-next up for me in Fingersmith! ANd The Book Thief is definitely awesome. :D
I was hoping to get a little rain today, but no such luck. The sky is clearing up now that it is getting dark.
Your list includes several books I am anxious to read. Parkin's book is one that caught my eye the first time I heard about it. I am hoping to read Sarah Waters for the first time this year. Now to decide which of her books to start with . . .
I just ordered a short story collection by Elizabeth Gaskell. I can't remember how she came to my attention, but I am glad to see her on your list of favorites.
The Cellist of Sarajevo was one of my favorites the year I read it. And The Book Thief--such an awesome book.
I hope you have a wonderful New year, Tiina! Happy reading!
Eva, somehow I had not read any of Wilde's plays or novels before Lady W, only some children's stories. Now I'm a huge fan!
And after you have read Fingersmith do watch the miniseries, too!(I must admit it is my least favorite of all Waters filmatizations, but it's still good, trusty BBC quality. :)
Literary Feline, thanks! And yes, Baking Cakes in Kigali is a very nice read!
Maybe you should just read Sarah Waters's books in the order they were published? Tipping the Velvet was the first one.
Greetings,
Tiina
You're right about snow--at night you can see it reflected back into the windows through the blinds. It's sort of weird, but also nice that it isn't quite so dark!
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