Wow. Does it seem possible that 2007 is days away from ending?? This year certainly has flew by. In some ways, it was an awful year...and in other ways it was a great year. I started a new job that I like, and everyone is well. So, I really guess you can't beat that!!
As far as reading is concerned, it was a lousy year for me quantity-wise. There just weren't enough hours in the day. BUT quality-wise, I read some exceptional books!! (and for a person that admits to not liking non-fiction books, I was pleasantly surprised!) Here are my top 5 reads of 2007:
1. The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak - Narrated by Death, this is the story of Leisel Meminger, a little girl in Nazi Germany. She is being raised by a foster family, and she steals books. This book left such a mark on me!! I cried for at least the last 50 pages! It was truly the best book I've read in a very long time!
2. American Gods by Neil Gaiman - This story is about the clash between Old World Gods and the new Gods of the Technical Age. Shadow is one of my very favorite literary characters. This book blew me away and cemented Neil Gaiman as one of my favorite authors!
3. The Tender Bar by JR Moehringer - Memoir written by a man about the Bar that changed his life forever. A wonderful story of a boy and his mother, and how they made their dreams come true.
4. Marley & Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan - Another memoir!! John Grogan tells the story of his dog, Marley. Untrainable, hyperactive and a true pain-in-the-butt, Marley is also loyal, lovable and a wonderful part of the family. If you ever had a pet, this book is for you!
5. I am the Messenger by Markus Zuzak - Yep. This guy can WRITE! A story of an average, unmotivated young man and the great things he accomplished. Another book that left me with tears in my eyes!!
These are the best books I've read this year. A few that I would consider runner-ups: Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason, The House of Night Novels by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast, and Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors.
Like I said. Some great quality books in 2007. What were some of your best books??
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Best of 2007 (as well as a Booking Through Thursday)
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21 comments:
Love this post, Stephanie! I got your #1 and #5 picks for Christmas, and can't wait to read them! (In fact, I added I Am the Messenger to my wish list thanks to your review!) And I'm reading American Gods right now...it's definitely going to make my favorites list as well.
Debi - The Book Thief absolutely blew me away. It is such a great book!! As did I am the Messenger!! I'm glad you got them for Christmas. I can't wait to see what you think about them!!
Of course, I can gush on and on about Neil Gaiman!!
Marley and Me was a great book. I'm going to borrow the children's book Bad Dog Marley soon from the library.
I still haven't gotten around to reading The Book Thief but there's always next year!
Lady Tink - Marley and Me was just so good!! As a dog-lover and owner it really hit home!!
You MUST read The Book Thief!!
I saw your comment about not liking The Poisonwood Bible and I just had to stop by to tell you...you are not alone.
And American Gods is one of my all time favorite books.
Softdrink - Thank God! I thought I was the only one. I REALLY hated that book!! You can be my "soul sister!" Yeah for American Gods!
The Book Thief is high on my list for next year. I've read so much about Neil Gaiman that it's time to give him a try!
I enjoyed reading your list, Stephanie. What a great list! I hope to read The Book Thief this next year (fingers crossed!). I liked American Gods quite a bit. My first Gaiman novel. :-)
I HAVE to read some Zusak this year. I've been dying to read The Book Thief and now it's really a must after making your number 1. I got an awesome CD for Christmas called "Where's Neil When you Need Him?" and it's all songs written about Neil Gaiman characters and books and there's an amazing song about Shadow on there. I've been listening to it over and over again. You'd love it! A bunch of goth artists on that album :p And I saw The Tender Bar at B&N the other day on the bargain shelf! I'll have to go back and pick it up. I thought about you when I saw it too...don't know why I didn't get it.
Nice list! The only one I've read is The Book Thief. Oh and Rises the Night. I'd like to get to I am the Messenger next year, we'll see.
I've not read any of those, but the Book Thief is on my wishlist
I can't wait to read The Book Thief! And I Am The Messanger at some point after that.
I'm still not quite sure what my favourites of the year are yet. I'm going to have to give it some thought and post the list sometime soon.
I loved The Book Thief, and I bought I am the Messenger the other day! And I really must read Rises the Night!
I have The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak, American Gods by Neil Gaiman and I am the Messenger by Markus Zuzak to read next year. PLus the PC + Kristin Cast books and Colleen Gleason. Looking forward to them even more!
As you know, I loved Colleen Gleason's books too. I want to read Zusak's books too. Hope I can get to them soon.
I have to read the Zusak books! I've got Marley & Me on my TBR pile, thanks to Christmas, and can't wait to read it.
The Book Thief is one that I just have to read next year, or I think my wife will have a coronary. She just LOVED this book. I bought her I am the Messenger for Christmas (not knowing that she had already read it), but that just means that I can read it as well!
I am envious of you and Debi experiencing American Gods for the first time this year. It is so amazing. If you ever decide to read it again, I highly recommend checking your local library for the unabridged copy of the the book on CD. It is amazingly read and is quite an experience to hear.
That Night Novels book sounds intriguing just from the title!
i'm definitely going to read The Book Thief in 2008 - maybe I Am the Messenger too! and i keep meaning to get to Marley & Me; one of these days, i guess. i have never read any of Gaiman, but i keep hearing such good things ...
I haven't read any Gaiman yet either.
A lot of people are saying good things about Book Thief. I'm going to have to read it.
Happy New Year and Bloggiversary! :)
I just love reading everyone's best of lists. The Book Thief also made it on mine. It had me sobbing by the end.
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