Thursday, 11 December 2008
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Best Books of 2008 - Part 1: Fiction
by Mama Fox I thought I would type up my list of best books of 2008. I've read quite a few books this year, some better than others. (Some of these books weren't published in 2008; I just happened to read them this year.) Here are the ones that I think everyone should read.
The Next Thing On My List by Jill Smolinski - This is seriously a life changing book and my #1 pick of the year. After a Weight Watchers meeting, a woman offers another a ride. That rider, Marrissa, dies that night when the car crashes. The driver, June, then finds a list in Marrissa's wallet: 20 Things to Do before 25. In her guilt, June decides to take on the mission as her own. It is both heart-breaking and heart-warming following June's doubts, successes and life altering decisions as she races to finish the list before her deadline. As soon as I put the book down I wrote up my own list. 
Rockabye: From Wild to Child by Rebecca Woolf - A memoir actually. Wild child Rebecca finds herself pregnant at 23, just when she though life was getting to the best part. She decides to get married and do the family thing, only in her own way. She writes very candidly, challenging the motherhood stereotype with witty humor and brash language. 
The Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer - Now what 2008 list would be complete without this bunch of books? Not mine. I actually stumbled upon Twilight on accident early in the year, before it was blown too far into stardom. I liked the cover art. 
I'll admit that was the pretty much the only reason I brought the book. The next day, I loaded the kids up to buy the other two. Waiting for the 4th to be released was awful but so worth it.
A run down through all the books: A ordinary teenage girl falls head over heels with a vampire. He falls head over cold hard heels too. He's not an ordinary vampire; he and his family, the Cullens, feed on animals instead of humans. The books delve deep into the vampire world, including the vampire law enforcement and their secret ambitions to either recruit the Cullen family or destroy them. Add in some Native American werewolves and you have one deliciously wonderful saga. The 4th book "dawns" just days before Bella and Edward's wedding, ending with surprising twist and a gloriously happy ending.
The Host also by Stephanie Meyer - Meyer had a great year. In May The Host was released and I picked it up within days. This one is geared towards adults. Aliens have invaded and done some body snatching. One well traveled "Soul", Wanderer, has a bit of a challenge. Her body's occupant, Melanie, isn't giving up without a fight. After a time they become allies, setting out together, two minds in one body, to find Melanie's brother and boyfriend. They kick up quiet a bit of trouble on both sides of the line but in the end, everyone in their group gets a happy ending and there is still hope for human kind.Have you read any good fiction books lately?
Next post- Part 2: Favorite children's books of 2008
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Comments (10)
I enjoyed The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney. I picked it up in an airport because I liked the cover art (aren't we sad, judging books by their covers?!), and ended up completely engrossed in the story. It's a mystery that also weaves in the story of a mother's love for her son and her frustrations in her marriage. Good stuff.
I feel so behind the times for not having read the Twilight series, but then again, I'm perpetually that way because I just got into Harry Potter about a year ago! Hey, at least this way, there's no waiting for sequels!!
The first two sound good but i really must adamantly disagree with twilight being a good read. I read all four of them and wasn't impressed at all with the story or characters much less the writing.
I read a fantastic book this summer, The Post-Birthday World, by Lionel Shriver. A woman comes to a turning point him her life and the novel traces the outcomes of the two decisions she could make. Its gripping and very intriguing and delves into the question "what if?". I'd definitely recommend it.
I also read the Ender series by Orson Scott Card. They're all fantastic novels, but my favorite is Xenocide, the third in the series. Its scifi, Ender is a child that is trained as a commander but told its a game. The later books follow his adult life as he tries to escape, well more reconcile himself with his past as a soldier.
Thanks for the list! I've been looking for some good books to read (I've already read the Twilight saga, of course). :D
"Adam" and "Sinner" by Ted Dekker (suspense).
That's all the fiction I've read from this year.
The first two sound good, but I absolutely disdain Twilight with a passion.
Rockabye isn't fiction. But I caught that too late.
The Twilight books are really those take it or leave it books. People either love it or hate it. It's strange that I have yet to see an in between response to them.
i have not read any of those, but twilight and the host are now on my list of things to read.
I thought Twilight was a great big OK - not great, not terrible. Personally I thought Edward Cullen was more like a creepy stalker and Bella was a moody, wussy teenager that reminds me of my moody, wussy teenager neice (who, by the way, absolutely loves Twilight and hopes to find a vampire boyfriend of her own). I haven't seen the movie yet, I'll probably wait for the rental.
Other than various parenting books, I haven't read much in the past 4 months.
Some(okay most) of these aren't books of 08 but I think they are some of the best books I have ever read this year.
Burned by Ellen Hopkins ( as a matter of fact all her novels were amazing and had me crying) This book had me crying so much that I couldn't continue reading until I stopped.
Breath Eyes Memory by Edwidge Danticat. This book is very empowering and self spiritual book. It will make you think about your roots. This book remains to be my all time favorite book. I love ED, she is an amazing writer. If you like this book, you'd love crik crak too.
The Hunger Games- Suzzane Collins(sp). This book is just amazing.
Love in the time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. This book is so sweet and great. I recommend it to all my friends. I know it was written a long time ago but the movie came out last year so yeah this book is great. I have read it twice this year.
The Killing Jar by Nicola Monaghan. This book has been one of the most powerful books I have read this year. It is a bit difficult to read in the beginning since it uses a lot of British slang but you get the use of it.
I agree with the Twilight saga and The Host. I love them both. The host was definitely on my fav list this year. In fact I asked a friend to buy me it for x-mas
Enjoy
I'm thinking I might have to read the second one about the pregnant 23 year old.