My top 20 books from 2009, part one
Posted By CarrieK on December 21, 2009
2009 isn’t quite over yet, but I thought it was a good time to look back over the list of books I’ve read this year and choose my favorites. This was originally going to be a top 10 post, but as I looked over my list, I couldn’t narrow it down to less than 20 unless I left out books that I truly loved – and that would make me sad. 
(These are my favorite books I read in 2009, not necessarily published in 2009.)
The Laws of Harmony
From my review: “In The Laws of Harmony, Judith Hendricks writes deftly about dealing with the past. What should we hold on to? What should we let go? What happens if we don’t let go of past pain? I especially liked the realistic way in which the relationship between Sunny and her mother, Gwen, was handled. A relationship that has endured pain and betrayal does not heal quickly. It takes work and each person moving closer, one step at a time. Hendricks writes realistically of betrayal, disappointment, and pain, but also of healing, hope, and community.”
84, Charing Cross Road
From my review: “I was amazed at how emotionally involved I could get simply from reading these people’s letters. I found myself laughing, smiling, and at times tearing up over the letters. Not only are the letters witty and engaging, but they are full of sentiments that Ms. Hanff’s fellow book-lovers will find familiar.”
The Cellist of Sarajevo
From my review: “Galloway’s writing is perfectly suited to this kind of story – stark, yet descriptive. His characters are individually formed and the thought processes they experience as they go through the motions of living demonstrate both their individuality and their unity with the rest of humankind. This book left me with bittersweet tears for the horrors that people inflict on each other, but also for the light that exists in each of us, should we choose to embrace it.”
The Hunger Games
From my review: “Collins has a talent for writing characters – even the minor ones – in such a way that you care for them. I couldn’t believe how hard I cried over the death of one of the relatively minor characters – both because of the character and because of Katniss’s reaction. I cared so much about the characters that I couldn’t stop turning the pages this afternoon, letting laundry and housework and blogging all go by the wayside until I had finished.”
Graceling
From my review: “In her debut novel, Ms. Cashore has created a fully formed world with authentic characters that breathe on the page. I loved Katsa, Po, Raffin, Helda, Bitterblue – these characters became real to me as I read, and I cared deeply about what happened to them. Once I reached the last quarter of the book, I was annoyed by anything that interrupted my reading. I turned the last page with a sad heart, knowing that my time in this world was over.”
Everyone is Beautiful
From my review: “There is so much to this book – it is hilariously funny, but not fluffy. It has wonderful female characters that are experiencing loss and grief and changes, and yet are facing them with strength and dignity. I loved Amanda and Nora and Lanie, and I was rooting for each one of them. And it also has an underlying theme of beauty. What is beauty? Is beauty the same as perfection? Can we still be beautiful, strong, vibrant women even after we’ve had one, two, three, four, or more children, changed thousands of diapers, gained weight, lost youth, watched body parts give in to gravity?”
The Widow’s Season
From my review: “The character of Sarah is so well-written that I found myself responding as if she was someone I knew, being glad that she had Margaret in her life to help her through this season – wishing she would confide more and ask for advice. I cheered some of the choices Sarah made, disliked others – but all of them felt inevitable in the face of what she was experiencing. When I finished the book, reading the last few pages and the story’s starting conclusion, I found myself wishing that there would be a postscript, telling me where Sarah is now, what her life is like – like you find at the end of movies based on the lives of real people.”
Water for Elephants
From my review: “Sara Gruen has written a gorgeous novel full of delicious imagery and descriptions of what life on a circus was like. The book is full of the most unique characters, from the chillingly evil August to the feisty dwarf Walter and his beloved dog, Queenie. Gruen’s love of animals also comes through, especially in the elephant, Rosie. I’m not much of an animal person, but I came to love Rosie and her quirks. I loved this book, from it’s beginning to it’s ending, which had me wiping tears away. Highly recommended.”
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
From the review: “The fact that my three boys all said, “I love these books!” when we finished – books that are about a family of sisters – show Ms. Birdsall’s talent in writing an enthralling story with delightful characters and wonderful dialogue. It took me a few attempts to get through the last few pages, wiping tears from my eyes. I noticed Natalie had a few tears of her own. Noah said, “I hope there’s a number three!” and we were all ecstatic to learn that Ms. Birdsall plans three more books in the series.”
The Lace Reader
From my review: “In The Lace Reader, Ms. Barry explores the idea of childhood memories and how our experiences growing up shape us. How much of who we become is nature; how much is nurture? To what lengths will a child go to protect themselves and their mind from the memories of abuse and neglect? How does a person grow past a dysfunctional childhood and become an emotionally functioning adult? All of these questions are explored – and so much more.”
My top 20 books from 2009, part two
I had the same problem. I did come up with my top 10, with much grief and guilt. But then I had to do my honorable mentions, just because they were also five star books that I couldn’t ignore. I loved Hunger Games and Everyone is Beautiful. Oh, and we just finished Catching Fire!
Sandy´s last blog ..Monday Movie Meme – Holiday Faves
Sandy – wasn’t Catching Fire excellent?! I absolutely cannot wait for book 3.
Great list! I loved The Hunger Games and Water for Elephants. I look forward to seeing what makes the rest of your list.
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)´s last blog ..The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Steig Larsson
Jackie – I had planned to do them all in one big long post, but I got too sleepy last night.
YAY for The Hunger Games, it will assuredly show up on my list this year as well
I keep hearing so many good things about Cashore’s books as well. I need to get to those.
Michelle´s last blog ..Pam Bachorz – Candor
Michelle – I’m sure Hunger Games and/or Catching Fire will show up on many, many lists.
And yes, you really should read Graceling and Fire!
carrie…looks like you read some great books. I enjoyed water for Elephants, Cellist of Sarajavo and the Lace Reader.
diane´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday
Diane – yes, I was very fortunate in my reading choices this year – lots of good books and very few duds.
I have read both The Hunger Games and Water for Elephants and I agree that they are both exceptional.
Stephanie´s last blog ..Sunday Salon
Stephanie – they were wonderful.
I still haven’t read some of the books you’ve selected, but I did enjoy Widow’s Season, Lace Reader, Hunger Games, and the Cellist of Sarajevo is on my tbr list!
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)´s last blog ..Ivy + Bean: Doomed to Dance by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall (Illus.)
Serena – The Cellist of Sarajevo is really a powerful book.
Wow, you and I share a lot of the same books we like (no wonder I have you in my Google Reader!!). There are a few on your list I haven’t heard of (making notes of them now), but I also loved Hendricks’, Galloway’s and Center’s novels. There are so many great books out there!
Wendy´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – December 20, 2009
Wendy – I know – everyone’s end-of-the-year lists have me adding to my must-read list!
I haven’t compiled my list yet, but you have two books I agree with, several I want to read and haven’t yet, and one book that was only meh for me.
Beth F´s last blog ..Review: Sweeping up Glass by Carolyn Wall
Beth – okay, now I’m curious – which one was just meh for you?
Oh my gosh, I haven’t read a single one of those books, but I own 7 of them. I must get to work on my TBR pile!
Kathy´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday
Kathy – yes, you must!
I’m enjoying this list. The Hunger Games is a great book and I read it this year but I didn’t think to add it to my list. That’s so strange. War for Elephants is a great read. It’s fast-pacing with strong characters. I have The Lace Reader on my bookshelf but haven’t read it yet. Now I need to put it near the top of my pile. Can’t wait to see your next ten reads.
Vasilly´s last blog ..Two Christmas Books for Children
Vasilly – I’m hoping to find time to write it today or this evening and then post it tomorrow. as you can see – I gave in to doing pictures.
I did really like all of the books you listed that I have read, although I think only Hunger Games would make it onto my ‘best of’ list.
Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..Saffron Dreams – Mini Book Review
Jen – I hope you do a best of list – I’d love to read your picks!
Great post!
84, Charing Cross Road was on my to-read list for a good part of the year, and the only thing that has stopped me from reading it is that I haven’t been able to find a copy of it! I’m going to up my efforts next year, because this sounds like a must-read book.
I also teared up at the same part of The Hunger Games, something I wasn’t expecting to do at all in that book. I’m looking forward to reading Catching Fire next year!
Alita´s last blog ..Soundtrack Saturday – A Christmas Carol
Alita – you really should find 84, Charing Cross road – it’s a true book-lover’s book.
I’ve got The Widow’s Season and The Lace Maker waiting for me here at home
stacybuckeye´s last blog ..Last Lines Quiz
Stacy -good books ahead for you, then!
[...] Beside a Burning Sea by John Shors ~ Book Review: No Time to Wave Goodbye by Jacquelyn Mitchard ~ My top 20 books from 2009, part one ~ Book Review: Darkness Be My Friend by John Marsden ~ Book Review: The Dead and the Gone by Susan [...]
The only one of these I’ve read is Water for Elephants–it was really good, though.
heidenkind´s last blog ..TSS–The Vlog Edition
Tasha – yes it was – writing this post reminded me that I wanted to look up more of her work.
I loved “Everyone Is Beautiful” and “The Widow’s Season,” too. Great list!
Anna- thanks!
It’s good to know that I’ve either read these or have them on my TBR list!
S. Krishna´s last blog ..The Girl Next Door – Elizabeth Noble
Swapna – I know – I always love finding a great review or recommendation of a book I have waiting on my shelves.
Hooray!! So excited to see Everyone is Beautiful on your Top 20 list!!! You’ve made my day! Thanks!!
Warmly,
Katherine Center
Katherine – you’re very welcome – thanks for stopping by!
I’ll probably start panicking on Saturday that I haven’t even begun my favorites’ list yet.
I’ve only read one of your favorites on this list, I’m afraid. But not for lack of wanting to for many of the others. I really liked The Cellist of Sarajevo too.
Literary Feline´s last blog ..Review: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Wendy – I’m looking forward to reading your favorites of the year!
I love both of your lists and so nice to see some of my favorites on them (The Laws of Harmony; 84, Charing Cross Road; The Hunger Games). If you haven’t seen the movie version of 84, Charing Cross Road, I highly recommend it! Anthony Hopkins and Ann Bancroft are fantastic. Such a gem of a memoir!
Happy New Year!
Les in NE´s last blog ..Torch
Les – I’ve had the film version of 84, Charing Cross on my Netflix queue forever – I really need to watch it!