I've been keeping track of how many books I read each year since 1997. 2005 marks a new low in number of books read - only 39. Methinks I spend too much time on the interthingie. Here are the notables from my 2005 reading, in the order I read them:
- Perfect Circle - Sean Stewart: Lovely writing and a beautifully developed main character that ya just feel for, so much.
- Burger Wuss - MT Anderson: This man remembers what it's like to be a teenager. And the social commentary is hilarious.
- Alphabet of Thorn - Patricia McKillip: The world is so lush and beautiful and magical and you never doubt the magic can work.
- Whales on Stilts! - MT Anderson: Makes me giggle just thinking about it.
- Olympos - Dan Simmons: I did not like this one as much as its predecessor Ilium, but the daring and scope and joy of the writing makes this one a winner.
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling: Alright, I don't agree with everything she did, but it's a measure of how much I enjoy these books and characters that I can form such opinions. Snape...ah, Snape.
- The Complete Calvin and Hobbes - Bill Watterson: Pure brilliance. The part of me that is glad Watterson retired while still in his prime wars with the other part of me that weeps for more C&H.
- Peeps - Scott Westerfeld: I didn't find the ending to be very satisfying, but I loved the scientific explanation of vampirism. That construct alone makes the book worth reading.
Happy Reading in 2006, everyone!
5 comments:
That's a great book list. I loved the Sean Stewart book, too, and the Whales on Stilts was a big hit with the kid, but I haven't gotten to it yet.
You beat me! I only read 33 books this year. Alphabet of Thorn was a wonderful book!
Sarah, Whales on Stilts! is a bizarre romp. I think you'll enjoy it.
Carl, you slacker! :) I still think Ombria in Shadow is my favorite McKillip book, but Alphabet of Thorn is right on its heels.
I can't always handle McKillip. Sometimes, for me, the numinosity gets too, too precious and pretty and makes me climb the walls.
I liked The Tower at Stony Wood best, though I couldn't tell you what it was actually about.
I always find it difficult to get into McKillip's books - the first several pages of the fairytale prose can be rough on my straightforward thought processes. I've almost always enjoyed myself once I get past that stage.
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