Thursday 31 December 2009

Best of 2009



I have had a successful reading year in quantity but most importantly in quality. Some of the titles that I have read this year have become all-time favourites. I have also read a lot of new fiction and some of those were extraordinary and I couldn't choose between them all. I have included all of my favourites of 2009 (not in order, excluding the first book in the first mosaic) but have divided them into general best books, best fiction of 2009 and best young adult books read as some of those required special mention.




The mosaic maker crops the images but I thought it may be quite fun if you guessed my favourites from their covers; all of these images have appeared on my blog this year excluding two titles that have yet to be reviewed and were late -but deserved- additions to the list. Please feel free to ask in comments if you are unclear which book I'm referring to as some are more obvious than others.




16 comments:

verity said...

What a lovely idea :) I recognise a fair few of those covers.

Kals said...

I recognize a couple of these covers! Persuasion and The Group are your favourite, I remember :) Not sure how much you liked The Lost Art Of Keeping Secrets, but I found it okay.

Anonymous said...

The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets is one I will be reading in the beginnings of 2010 I think. Am thrilled to see Brooklyn there which for me was just amazing. I love the mosaic idea.

Unknown said...

You've got some great books in there, I'm just finishing up What I Was, this afternoon!

Darlene said...

Wasn't Little Boy Lost fantastic! Wish I could read that one again for the first time...alas, I can not.

Astrid (Mrs.B) said...

What beautiful covers. Interesting list! I have Little Boy Lost on the way and am so looking forward to it. I notice a few books I don't know so I'll have to check them out!

Annabel Gaskell said...

Quality reading indeed. The ones that stand out in the mozaics for me are 'The Island at the End of the World' and 'If I stay' both brilliant. Must get round to reading 'The Group' soon.
Happy New Year!

Molly said...

I love the cropped images - and recognize quite a few of the titles.

I am waiting patiently to The Group --- I think I am still number 15 in line at the local library.

I wish you a very joyous and prosperous New Year!

Jackie (Farm Lane Books) said...

I am surprised that our lists don't match more. There are a few in your list that just missed out on my top 10 (Island at the End of the World was the closest to getting in)

Our 2009 lists are quite similar though - we agree on which Bookers were the best!

Have a great New Year!

It looks as though I need to get hold of A Still Small Voice though.

Paperback Reader said...

Verity, I thought it was a colourful way to do it. Quite a few of the covers will be well-known across the blogosphere and there are two Persephones, two VMCs and one new Virago ;).

Kals, some of them are rather familiar! I really loved The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets; I found it enchanting :). I think I read it at a good time though and may not have been so impressed later on in the year after reading so many other great books but I have a soft spot for it still.

Simon, I hope you enjoy it when you do read it and The Group! Brooklyn is one that I loved at the time of reading it, allowed it to be overshadowed for a while by other Bookers and now back to greatly appreciating it. I'm a big fan of the mosaics :).

Darren, I hope you enjoyed it! I think you're like me and enjoy finishing a book before the new yera begins.

Darlene, my sentiments exactly! Definitely the most visceral reaction that I have had to an ending ever.

Mrs. B. I do like attractive covers! These make lovely mosaics. I hope you love Little Boy Lost as much as I.

Annabel, both the ones you mention are memorable books in their uniqueness- such great books! Happy New Year!

Molly, I'm glad that you liked the mosaics and fragmented covers. Enjoy both the new year and The Group when it comes!

Jackie, our Bookers were the best! Our "old" books of 2009 were for the most part different but The Hunger Games features for both of us.

You must obtain a copy of A Still Small Voice although I'm curious if it will be too gentle for you... I'll be reviewing it next week once I'm back in London.

Have a great New Year and I shall see you next week!

Alison said...

Some great ideas for future reading here - thanks for posting! The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets seems to have mixed reception and I have heard a lot of good things about Brooklyn. Happy New Year!

Karen said...

I think we share a lot of the same favourites for this year. I'm so glad you loved Persuasion - definitely my favourite Austen.

Danielle said...

I loved Brooklyn and The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets, too. And I've just started The Glass Room! I love those mosaics by the way. Have a Very Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

I love the post, and recognise about a dozen of the covers.

Loved The Wilderness, The Glass Room and How To Paint A Dead Man.

Will read Hunger Games and Nation this year, and can't wait! :)

claire said...

Great list, Claire! Either they're books I have also loved and enjoyed or ones that I so want to read. How to Paint a Dead Man is eagerly awaiting on the shelf.. Happy new year!!

Paperback Reader said...

Alison, I hope you enjoy them if you do read any! Brooklyn was a lovely, gentle yet sophisticated read.

Karen, it's been a great year for books. Persuasion was a definite highlight (one of the few Classics that I read) although still hold a special place in my heart for P&P.

anothecookie, I'm very pleased that you enjoyed my post. The Hunger Games and Nation are fabulous books and I hope that you enjoy them!

Claire, happy new year! I hope you enjoy those you have yet to read; I think you'll love How to Paint a Dead Man with your passion for art.