A quick flip through my bookcase this morning reminded me which books I got the most out of in 2008.
In Defence of Food by Michael Pollan - After reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver in 2007 and then seeing Michael Pollan at the Sydney Writers Festival in early 2008 I started getting interested in real food books. This was the first I picked up in 2008. I challenge you to pick up another Yoghurt Gogurt tube from the supermarket after reading this book.
The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan - again, a real food book. Looking at food from the plant's point of view. I don't think I could eat a mass-produced Idaho Potato ever again.
The 100-mile diet by Alisa Smith and J B MacKinnon - yes, more food books. Drawing on the theme that we are best to eat things that come from close to where we live. Also debunks some of the rubbish being touted about the exactness of the 100 mile/160km radius requirement. This was an experiment, not a mantra.
The Secret River by Kate Grenville - didn't like the last book I read by Kate (The Idea of Perfection), all too small town for me. However, this book, set in early NSW was fabulous. The story of fictional convict William Thornhill and his family making a life for themselves on the Hawkesbury River.
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks - I find Geraldine a dependable read. Story of a book conservator that reveals the history of a book while repairing it. That this is in my top 9 books (or series) for 2008 is more a reflection on the quality of the books I read this year rather than the quality of this book in particular. Do like the story premise 'though.
A Sense of the World by Jason Roberts - the story of the Blind Traveller, James Holman, a naval lieutenant who went blind at 25 but continued to travel the world 'seeing' it with his feet, his ears, his nose and his sense of taste. Amazing story.
Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke - a truly fabulous book that at 1000 pages should probably be attempted while on holiday. I am a sucker for the sort of fantasy which creates alternative realities within the very real world we live in. This book goes further than that by creating a fantasy world within 19th century England (and Europe).
The His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullmann - as I said above I am a sucker for Fantasy novels involving alternate realities. As much as I loved this trilogy, the first book was the best and got a little weird towards the end. I'm not keen on being told what to think in a book (hence my detestation of Blindness by Jose Saramago) and I think Mr Pullmann gets a little preachy towards the end.
The Twilight series by Stephenie Myer - simply the best series for teenage girls I have read. This book is engaging enough for adults (female only I suspect) because it reminds us what it is like to be a teenager as well as creating an alternate reality (which I'm a sucker for). This is Harry Potter for teenage girls. I seem to be one of the few who believe it is a shame to read this book too early. I'm sure the average 10-11 year old will get something from the series but I can't see that they will feel the emotional pull as a 12-18 year old would and that is the magic and the fantasy of the book. I have told my 10yo that I don't mind if she reads the series (it is certainly very moral and chaste - to a point (lots of sexual tension) - until the fourth book) but I have said that if she waits until she is 12 she will get so.much.more from it.
How about you? What have you read in 2008 that is worth sharing?
19 comments:
Don't know if I read anything remotley worthwhile in 08. Does Reader's Digest count? (toilet reading. :_) )
I tend to read novels but will try and read something a little more educational in 2009.
Happy New Year to the Easternmax Family.
I read the Twilight series. I loved the first three books. (I am on team Edward, not Jacob) I was disappointed with the last one. Everything worked out just so perfectly, there was no real angst or difficult decisions. There were lots of pages that I skimmed - especially around the preparing to battle with the whole cast of new vampires. I felt no connection to the new vampires. The name Renesme makes me want to vomit and I found imprinting on the baby of your obsession a little creepy.
I am reading People of the Book right now - and really enjoying it. I find some of her writing a little clunky but I still think Geraldine Brooks is a lovely storyteller.
I succumbed and have read the first three in the Twilight series, just waiting to exchange a book I got for Christmas so I can buy the final one although I can tell already that I am going to be annoyed by the outcome. I too read The Secret River and loved it. This is a good post so I will have to have a think about anything else I read and loved as I am a prolific reader, 2-3 books a week. I will be keeping a spreadsheet this year!
I have just been going through my bookcase compiling my list to do one of these posts.
I think there will be some of your choices on my list too.
Nothing worthwhile here either but I like the picks in your list.Thanks for the inspiration.
I am a closet RD reader too - it is all I have time for usually well unless you count toddler & preschool books.
I've set out Michael Pollans the Omnivore's Dilemma, and Marion Nestle's What to Eat to make sure I read them this year.
I loved The Glass Castle, a memoir by Jeanette Walls. I think it was hands down my favorite in a long time.
I intend to read those Michael Pollan books this summer.
Let me think on 2008... I am a little brain dead during this holiday season..
I'm a little brain dead at the moment too when it comes to books - but I'm about to start Twilight.
In Defence of Food stands out as a 2008 highlight for me. Plus The Secret River - but I am a Grenville fan. Cormac McCarthy's The Road was not what I'd call an enjoyable read, but it is memorable.
It certainly was the year of Pollan for me too! Am already looking forward to this year's Sydney Writer's Festival - I wonder what new delights we have in store :-)
I have Jonathon Strange book - the length is rather intimidating!
Seems like Michael Pollan is going to continue his publishing success well into this new year!
Don't give up on the fourth Twilight book. I loved it. I felt it tied up all the necessary details in a way well suited to teen fiction. To quote our 16yo babysitter today "oh, I LOVED LOVED the fourth book! It's my favourite!" (cue dreamy look in her eye).
I enjoyed Twilight at the time but less so when I think back on it, mostly because the heroine is so annoying.
I'm interested to know whether your daughter is heeding your advice on the right age to start reading it.
I am recommending Deaf Sentence by David Lodge to anyone who'll listen, having just finished it and enjoyed it more than I have any book for a long time.
Stomper: I think I've scared Blossom off! I don't think she's up to reading the series now anyway, the size of the books alone is a bit daunting for her.
well read wee thing arn't you ... I so enjoying the blog world I have almost stopped with my fiction ... I am stuck in India still with eat pray love ... just tell me how it ends and put me out of my misery :) hugs le
I wouldn't DARE read anything about real food while I'm living in the US. I'd probably want to hurl after every meal.
A woman I met here recommended a recipe for 'a summery dip' for strawberries: equal parts strawberry cream cheese and marshmallow cream. Yep.
I couldn't even imagine either ingredient, let alone go so far as to taste and recommend them!
The second, it was explained to me, is 'like liquefied marshmallows'.
I can feel my arteries clogging at just the idea ...
Ooops - strayed away from the book theme. Sorry! I'm going to compile my list any day now. People of the Book won't be on it. No sir.
I have the Pollan books on my TBR (to be read) list. I can't think of a really, really good book I read this year.
The book I enjoyed the most in 2008 was The Gathering by Anne Enright. Very moving!
Well well! Several of my favourites are in this list as I too love fantasy novels involving alternate realities. Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrell is stupendous for a first book and as much as I've been a massive Harry Potter fan, it makes those books seem like Play School in comparison. Loved it.
I've read the Twilight series this year too and enjoyed it despite the interminably deferred bite (loved the film too - a great adaptation of the book).
Agree with your synopsis of Pullman's Dark Materials and loved the first book the best.
Finished reading Kate Grenville's The Secret River the morning of the federal government's apology to the first Australians, adding to the impact of both the novel and the apology.
M. read The Omnivore's Dilemma and raved about it. It's on my list for 2009.
Avoided reading People of the Book when my reading group did it and have just started it and find it quite engaging. Not sure why I didn't want to read it before.
Thanks for sharing your list - enjoyable to read your thoughts on some shared reading.
Too many to mention, i'm afraid, and if they're good, they're generally out on loan ( i'm a pusher ) and not here for me to see.
At the moment i'm engrossed in "The Slap" ( link in my sidebar ), but probably "The House of Sand and Fog", which still drifts in and out of my thoughts.... "The Book Thief" .. hmm..
I bought myself Twilight for Xmas, so it's next on my list.
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