Books We Loved from 2009
posted 12/30/2009
As I'm a sucker for most all things traditional, I simply can't resist the urge to look back on 2009 and fondly remember some of my favorite books. If you're like me you have probably already come across at least of couple of these lists. I always like to glance through them to see if I have read any of the picks or if the editors got it all wrong. Sometimes I even end up adding a few new books to my reading list.
So here we go with a few 2009 picks from library staff. All I asked was that they loved it, and it was published in 2009:
-
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall
You don't have to be a runner to like this book. Really. Carrie here at the library read it and loved it too. A great story that will also inspire you.
- The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
The second in a trilogy by Swedish author. This is a serious page turner, but you definitely want to read the first book first to meet Lisbeth Salander. Book three coming in 2010.
- Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
By the author of The Time Travelers' Wife, this ghost story brings together a cast of quirky, interesting characters to explore self, sibling rivalry, and love.
- The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession by Allison Hoover Bartlett
Surprised to find this book on a list compiled by librarians? Maybe not, but that doesn't mean it's not a great book! Delve into a world of rare books and crime.
- Something Missing by Matthew Dicks
Meet expert thief, Martin Railsback Jr. A thief with OCD tendencies who only takes things that will go unnoticed by whom he calls his “clients.” However, his life begins to change when he drops a “client's” toothbrush in the toilet and feels compelled to replace it. A thief with a heart. Debut novel by a new author.
- Little People in the City: The Street Art of Slinkachu
Photographs of tiny hand painted figures placed on street corners and park benches throughout London. Seriously intriguing.
- A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenberg
This book develops Seattle local, Molly Wizenberg's blog Orangette [http://orangette.blogspot.com/]. Throughout this memoir expect to find great recipes and family memories.
- The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee
A tale of two romances set in Hong Kong during the war. That sentence unfortunately says nothing about this book. Pick it up and see for yourself why it's on this list.
- The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker
Truly, gargantuan from birth due to a pituary gland problem, and her sister Serena Jane grow up in rural New York just as opposite as can be. Sure it may sound like it could become cliché pretty quick, but expect much more than a book on beauty being more than skin deep.
- The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Juvenile book by author of The Tale of Despereaux telling the tale of Peter Augustus Duchene whose fate is tied to an elephant that falls from the sky when a magician's trick goes wrong.
Scat by Carl Hiaasen
Juvenile eco-thriller by adult author that starts with the mysterious and sudden disappearance of an unpopular biology teacher.
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
The latest in this wildly popular "novel in cartoons" series for kids. Come see what all the excitement is about!
To see if others picked up on your favorite book of 2009, check out these lists:
- Library Journal has a list with a few unexpected titles with a nice narrative of how a book made their cut: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6707422.html
Publishers Weekly was critiqued for their top 10 list of all-male authors.
- New York Times top 10 list with 5-fiction and 5-nonfiction picks.
- NPR offers some great lists including best book club picks, mysteries, cookbooks, gardening books, and more.
- Amazon with editor and customer lists.
Here's to a new year filled with lots of great new books to read! Happy New Year!
Laura Tretter
Director
San Juan Island Library
360.378.2798
ltretter@sjlib.org
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