So what was the best thing you Read in 2009? - Page 7

ShadowAuthor · 01-01-2010, 01:11 AM

Hrm, I've read quite a few good books this year. I can't narrow it down to one or two books, but I'll try and keep it concise:

(in no particular order)

He, She and It - Marge Piercy
Salvation on Sand Mountain - Dennis Covington
A Gun for Sale - Graham Greene
Woman on the Edge of Time - Marge Piercy
One! Hundred! Demons! - Lynda Barry
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut (never got around to it until now)
You're Not You - Michelle Wildgen

Fledchen · 01-01-2010, 05:17 AM

Now that 2009 is officially over, I can answer this.

My favorite fiction book of 2009 was The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. My favorite non-fiction book was The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright.

kennyc · 01-01-2010, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fledchen

Now that 2009 is officially over, I can answer this.

My favorite fiction book of 2009 was The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. My favorite non-fiction book was The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright.

And Happy 2010 to you!

lilac_jive · 01-01-2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fledchen

Now that 2009 is officially over, I can answer this.

My favorite fiction book of 2009 was The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. My favorite non-fiction book was The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright.

I think I remember you mentioning The Graveyard Book, or at least someone else. I'm putting that on my list to check out at the library today if they have it.

ould · 01-01-2010, 09:06 AM

Previously mentioned in this thread but for me it was The Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson.

Vector · 01-01-2010, 09:20 AM

Second runner up: Franny and Zooey, J.D. Salinger. Salinger's worldview is not entirely to my taste but I have to admire the craftsmanship that went into this book. Aesthetically, it's a gem.

First runner up: Native Son, Richard Wright. This naturalist classic is a great read. Like Dreiser, only better-written.

The winner: The Iliad. This work has to be reread. When you know the story, and are freed to savor the details and nuances, it turns out to be amazingly powerful.

Sparrow · 01-01-2010, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vector

The winner: The Iliad. This work has to be reread. When you know the story, and are freed to savor the details and nuances, it turns out to be amazingly powerful.

Which edition did you read Vector?

Vector · 01-01-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Which edition [of the Iliad] did you read Vector?

Lang. I wanted a free public domain version for my reader. Most of the public domain English translations of Homer, including Pope and Butler, substitute the Roman names for the Greek gods, which I find irritating. Lang is the only one I found that doesn't do this.

Enraptured · 01-01-2010, 01:55 PM

The Children's War by J.N. Stroyar. Wonderful alternate history - most alternate history novels I've seen are military-focused, which holds no interest for me, but this one isn't like that at all - it's focused on a few characters' struggles to survive in a really grim world. It's long, and it's dark, and I thought it was great, however horrifying it was at times.

kennyc · 01-01-2010, 01:57 PM

Maybe The Children's War and then The Old Mans War back-to-back. ?

SHOECHICK · 01-01-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vector

Lang. I wanted a free public domain version for my reader. Most of the public domain English translations of Homer, including Pope and Butler, substitute the Roman names for the Greek gods, which I find irritating. Lang is the only one I found that doesn't do this.

I'm currently reading the butler version...it's a slog...I really don't care anymore who your father is/was.

mikemck · 01-07-2010, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

Quite. A very disturbing and beautiful book. I read it some years ago.

It's fantastic, arguably one of my top ten favorite books.

PSS was available for free on one of the Stanza book catalogs but I think it has been taken down.

goshin · 01-09-2010, 08:34 AM

Assegai by Wilbur Smith. I started it and couldn't put it down for about 60 pages!
I real breathtaker this one!
Moby Dick by Melville is also fascinating but a slow read. I read a few pages now and then and find it a great historical document. The English is complicated so I read a few pages now and then and become tired of concentrating on the language. I am determined to read it to the end though!

mtravellerh · 01-10-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goshin

Assegai by Wilbur Smith. I started it and couldn't put it down for about 60 pages!
I real breathtaker this one!
Moby Dick by Melville is also fascinating but a slow read. I read a few pages now and then and find it a great historical document. The English is complicated so I read a few pages now and then and become tired of concentrating on the language. I am determined to read it to the end though!

Wilbur Smith is one of my favorite authors anyway! He has written some great novels indeed!

AdrianC · 01-11-2010, 05:00 PM

I read some really interesting books in 2009.

The best of what I read were
RealmShift
MageSign both by Alan Baxter

I know Alan is a member here so a huge thankyou for these books.

Some other books I enjoyed in 2009 were
Flank Hawk - Terry W. Ervin II
Imajica - Clive Barker

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01-01-2010, 01:11 AM	#91
ShadowAuthor Enthusiast Posts: 27 Karma: 384 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Upstate NY Device: Kindle 2 & iPhone	Hrm, I've read quite a few good books this year. I can't narrow it down to one or two books, but I'll try and keep it concise: (in no particular order) He, She and It - Marge Piercy Salvation on Sand Mountain - Dennis Covington A Gun for Sale - Graham Greene Woman on the Edge of Time - Marge Piercy One! Hundred! Demons! - Lynda Barry The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut (never got around to it until now) You're Not You - Michelle Wildgen

01-01-2010, 05:17 AM	#92
Fledchen Guru Posts: 663 Karma: 84658 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Minnesota, USA Device: PB360+, Sony950, VR Stream, iPod Touch, iPad	Now that 2009 is officially over, I can answer this. My favorite fiction book of 2009 was The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. My favorite non-fiction book was The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright.

01-01-2010, 09:06 AM	#95
ould Zealot Posts: 100 Karma: 1000399 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Device: Sony PRS-500	Previously mentioned in this thread but for me it was The Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson.

01-01-2010, 09:20 AM	#96
Vector Senile Delinquent Posts: 96 Karma: 510 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Sweden Device: several	Second runner up: Franny and Zooey, J.D. Salinger. Salinger's worldview is not entirely to my taste but I have to admire the craftsmanship that went into this book. Aesthetically, it's a gem. First runner up: Native Son, Richard Wright. This naturalist classic is a great read. Like Dreiser, only better-written. The winner: The Iliad. This work has to be reread. When you know the story, and are freed to savor the details and nuances, it turns out to be amazingly powerful.

01-01-2010, 01:55 PM	#99
Enraptured Connoisseur Posts: 55 Karma: 262 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Nook Touch	The Children's War by J.N. Stroyar. Wonderful alternate history - most alternate history novels I've seen are military-focused, which holds no interest for me, but this one isn't like that at all - it's focused on a few characters' struggles to survive in a really grim world. It's long, and it's dark, and I thought it was great, however horrifying it was at times.

01-01-2010, 01:57 PM	#100
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,903 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Maybe The Children's War and then The Old Mans War back-to-back. ?

01-09-2010, 08:34 AM	#103
goshin Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 44 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Amsterdam Device: Kindle 2	Assegai by Wilbur Smith. I started it and couldn't put it down for about 60 pages! I real breathtaker this one! Moby Dick by Melville is also fascinating but a slow read. I read a few pages now and then and find it a great historical document. The English is complicated so I read a few pages now and then and become tired of concentrating on the language. I am determined to read it to the end though!

01-11-2010, 05:00 PM	#105
AdrianC Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Cybook	I read some really interesting books in 2009. The best of what I read were RealmShift MageSign both by Alan Baxter I know Alan is a member here so a huge thankyou for these books. Some other books I enjoyed in 2009 were Flank Hawk - Terry W. Ervin II Imajica - Clive Barker