Best Books Read in 2009
Jan. 6th, 2010 11:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
talkstowolvesOriginally, I was going to try and come up with a "Top 10 Books of 2009" list, but then I realized I've only read some twenty-odd books published in that twelvemonth. So, instead, I've taken a page from jennifer_brozek and broken my reading list down into genres. You'll find those genres below, with the best book I read in each listed alongside. These books were absolutely not all published in 2009, only read by me during 2009. In some cases, there's a tie.
Also, you'll notice that the genres aren't always... typical.
You'll find the chronological list of books read at the bottom of the post. All of my reviews published this year are linked to their titles in that list. So, without further ado!
Gothic Literature: The Sprite of the Nunnery: A Tale, from the Spanish by Rev. Joseph Trapp
It was by no means the best written Gothic novel that I read this year, but it was surely the most insane, subversive, trope-laden rollercoaster of them all. As I wrote in the description on GoodReads: "The Sprite of the Nunnery by Rev. Joseph Trapp is an incredibly complex Gothic adventure featuring multiple counts of female cross-dressing, duels and bravos, intrigue within intrigue, frustrated love, and questionable parentage."
Victorian Literature: Complete Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde by Oscar Wilde and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
These are actually the only two counts of Victorian literature I read this year, not counting poetry. You can read my thoughts on Oscar Wilde's fairy tales by following the link above to my review published in Cabinet de Fées. And, of course, Jane Eyre was just... fantastic.
Picture Books: The Arrival by Shaun Tan
As graphic novels are categorized separately here, this is the only picture book I've read this year. I list it because it is beautiful and there is no way I could neglect to do so. Many thanks towestlinwind, once more, who gifted this to me.
Graphic Novel: Fables, Vol. 12: The Dark Ages
Warren Eliss' Freakangels is incredibly absorbing, Jack of Fables was outrageous, but Bill Willingham really impressed me with The Dark Ages. He took the aftermath of a rather strong opening story arc and managed to perpetuate the tension, up the ante, and tug at our hearts. Bravo!
Discworld: A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett
I only read Discworld novels starring either Tiffany Aching or the City Watch this past year; although I love the Watch, Tiffany Aching is very close to my heart. Many of her lessons seem like they should be mine as well. I'm still feeling for my hat, though.
Urban Fantasy: Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire and Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey
I've already discussed elsewhere why I found each of these books to be excellent; you can read my thoughts by checking out the reviews linked above.
Paranormal Romance: From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
Last February, I disliked Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris so much that I only made it to page 20 before I exchanged it at the bookstore forjimhines' The Stepsister Scheme. Then I got hooked on HBO's True Blood and became invested in the characters; withdrawal from the show saw me gorging on all eight Southern Vampire Mystery installments currently in paperback. They're not well-written, but they're fun; I felt From Dead to Worse (#8) was the best because it demonstrated a real shift in tone and development of Sookie's character.
Science Fiction: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
While this book has some severe problems, it is a classic and quite intriguing for both its writing and its ideas. Besides, the only other sci-fi novel I read this year was The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, and I hated it.
Poetry: Modern Love by George Meredith and She Had Some Horses by Joy Harjo
The imagery and rhythm of George Meredith's epic collection of sonnets concerning the dissolution of his marriage was captivating and occasionally visceral. Joy Harjo's poetry, while a re-read, was as incredible and affecting as ever.
Fantasy: The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany
I read some good fantasy novels in 2009, but none of them really stood head and shoulders above the rest. I eventually decided on Lord Dunsany's The King of Elfland's Daughter: besides being lovely and evocative, it is one of the formative bits of fantastic fiction. Click the link above to read my review at Cabinet de Fées.
Young Adult: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
This crowdfunded novel, available for free online and also forthcoming as a print publication, was simply a gorgeous adventure in Fairyland lushly told. If you've any interest at all in fantasy fiction, you should go read it.
Nonfiction/Academic: The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde by Jarlath Killeen
A very clearly written exploration of the sociopolitical issues informing Oscar Wilde's fairy tales. I desperately want to own a copy of this book for my private collection, but it's nearly $100.
Anthologies: Ravens in the Library ed. by SatyrPhil Brucato & Sandra Buskirk
While hastily assembled (and for a good cause - proceeds benefited musician S.J. Tucker in the face of near-insurmountable medical bills), this anthology printed some absolutely excellent short fiction, such as "Lost" byseananmcguire, "The Substance of Things Hoped For" by copperwise, and "Of Mouse, and Music" by Kris Millering; not to mention the fantastic art by coppervale, Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, Julia Jeffrey, and others. You can read all about it in my massive review.
Steampunk: Boneshaker by Cherie Priest and Soulless by Gail Carriger
Bonus! Both of these novels were actually published in 2009: Boneshaker was an incredibly atmospheric and compelling romp through a steampunk zombie-infested Seattle (and, I'm thinking, should win BEST COVER ART 2009). Soulless was a clever, sexy, and ultimately candy-floss ride through a steampunk London. With werewolves, vampires, and parasols.
Plays: Hamlet by William Shakespeare
So much brilliance, so much to discuss, so much to probe.
And now, the complete list of 83 titles I read in 2009:
The Dictionary of Accepted Ideas by Gustave Flaubert
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett
Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente
Men At Arms by Terry Pratchett
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
In Memoriam by Alfred Lord Tennyson (LFP)
Complete Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde by Oscar Wilde
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
Beginning With O by Olga Broumas
The Stepsister Scheme by Jim Hines
Revolution and Romance: Shelley and the Politics of a Genre by David Duff
Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner
The History of Mary Prince by Mary Prince
Baptism of Desire by Louise Erdrich
Freakangels: Volume 2 by Warren Ellis (read in installments online)
Modern Love by George Meredith (LFP)
She Had Some Horses by Joy Harjo
Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs
The Secret History of Giants by Ari Berk
The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde by Jarlath Killeen
Hieroglyphic Tales by Horace Walpole
Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey
Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley
Blood Price by Tanya Huff
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Ravens in the Library ed. by SatyrPhil Brucato & Sandra Buskirk
Thomas the Rhymer by Ellen Kushner
Homeless Moon by Homeless Moon
Mythic Delirium #20, edited by Mike Allen
Mainspring by Jay Lake
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
Fairy Tale Review: The White Issue, ed. by Kate Bernheimer
Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett
Godmother by Carolyn Turgeon
Jack of Fables, Volume 1: The (Nearly) Great Escape by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell
Jack of Fables, Volume 2: Jack of Hearts by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Jack of Fables, Volume 3: The Bad Prince by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Little, Big by John Crowley
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany
Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs and David Lawrence
Roots of a Region by John A. Burrison
Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
Hamlet in Purgatory by Stephen Grenblatt
As You Like It by William Shakespeare
War for the Oaks by Emma Bull
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
The Tragedy of King Richard III by William Shakespeare
Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
Freakangels: Volume 3 by Warren Ellis (read in installments online)
I Henry IV by William Shakespeare
Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris
The Italian by Ann Radcliffe
The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare
The Changeling Sea by Patricia McKillip
The Monk by Matthew Lewis
The Mermaid's Madness by Jim Hines
The Private Memoirs and Confession so of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
Soulless by Gail Carriger
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard
Eden Vale by Catherine Parry
Dancers in the Dark by Charlaine Harris
Ela; or, The Delusions of the Heart by Mrs. Burke
The Sprite of the Nunnery: A Tale, from the Spanish by Rev. Joseph Trapp
Agreeable Ugliness: or, The Triumph of the Graces by Sarah Scott
From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
Fables, Vol. 12: The Dark Ages
Books what I probably can't admit to reading: 1
Total books read thus far in 2009: 83
I'm currently reading Here There Be Dragons by James A. Owen. You can keep up with my other 2010 reads at this post.
Originally posted at Livejournal. You can comment here or there.
jennifer_brozek and broken my reading list down into genres. You'll find those genres below, with the best book I read in each listed alongside. These books were absolutely not all published in 2009, only read by me during 2009. In some cases, there's a tie. Also, you'll notice that the genres aren't always... typical.
You'll find the chronological list of books read at the bottom of the post. All of my reviews published this year are linked to their titles in that list. So, without further ado!
Gothic Literature: The Sprite of the Nunnery: A Tale, from the Spanish by Rev. Joseph Trapp
It was by no means the best written Gothic novel that I read this year, but it was surely the most insane, subversive, trope-laden rollercoaster of them all. As I wrote in the description on GoodReads: "The Sprite of the Nunnery by Rev. Joseph Trapp is an incredibly complex Gothic adventure featuring multiple counts of female cross-dressing, duels and bravos, intrigue within intrigue, frustrated love, and questionable parentage."
Victorian Literature: Complete Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde by Oscar Wilde and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
These are actually the only two counts of Victorian literature I read this year, not counting poetry. You can read my thoughts on Oscar Wilde's fairy tales by following the link above to my review published in Cabinet de Fées. And, of course, Jane Eyre was just... fantastic.
Picture Books: The Arrival by Shaun Tan
As graphic novels are categorized separately here, this is the only picture book I've read this year. I list it because it is beautiful and there is no way I could neglect to do so. Many thanks to
westlinwind, once more, who gifted this to me.Graphic Novel: Fables, Vol. 12: The Dark Ages
Warren Eliss' Freakangels is incredibly absorbing, Jack of Fables was outrageous, but Bill Willingham really impressed me with The Dark Ages. He took the aftermath of a rather strong opening story arc and managed to perpetuate the tension, up the ante, and tug at our hearts. Bravo!
Discworld: A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett
I only read Discworld novels starring either Tiffany Aching or the City Watch this past year; although I love the Watch, Tiffany Aching is very close to my heart. Many of her lessons seem like they should be mine as well. I'm still feeling for my hat, though.
Urban Fantasy: Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire and Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey
I've already discussed elsewhere why I found each of these books to be excellent; you can read my thoughts by checking out the reviews linked above.
Paranormal Romance: From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
Last February, I disliked Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris so much that I only made it to page 20 before I exchanged it at the bookstore for
jimhines' The Stepsister Scheme. Then I got hooked on HBO's True Blood and became invested in the characters; withdrawal from the show saw me gorging on all eight Southern Vampire Mystery installments currently in paperback. They're not well-written, but they're fun; I felt From Dead to Worse (#8) was the best because it demonstrated a real shift in tone and development of Sookie's character. Science Fiction: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
While this book has some severe problems, it is a classic and quite intriguing for both its writing and its ideas. Besides, the only other sci-fi novel I read this year was The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, and I hated it.
Poetry: Modern Love by George Meredith and She Had Some Horses by Joy Harjo
The imagery and rhythm of George Meredith's epic collection of sonnets concerning the dissolution of his marriage was captivating and occasionally visceral. Joy Harjo's poetry, while a re-read, was as incredible and affecting as ever.
Fantasy: The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany
I read some good fantasy novels in 2009, but none of them really stood head and shoulders above the rest. I eventually decided on Lord Dunsany's The King of Elfland's Daughter: besides being lovely and evocative, it is one of the formative bits of fantastic fiction. Click the link above to read my review at Cabinet de Fées.
Young Adult: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
This crowdfunded novel, available for free online and also forthcoming as a print publication, was simply a gorgeous adventure in Fairyland lushly told. If you've any interest at all in fantasy fiction, you should go read it.
Nonfiction/Academic: The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde by Jarlath Killeen
A very clearly written exploration of the sociopolitical issues informing Oscar Wilde's fairy tales. I desperately want to own a copy of this book for my private collection, but it's nearly $100.
Anthologies: Ravens in the Library ed. by SatyrPhil Brucato & Sandra Buskirk
While hastily assembled (and for a good cause - proceeds benefited musician S.J. Tucker in the face of near-insurmountable medical bills), this anthology printed some absolutely excellent short fiction, such as "Lost" by
seananmcguire, "The Substance of Things Hoped For" by copperwise, and "Of Mouse, and Music" by Kris Millering; not to mention the fantastic art by coppervale, Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, Julia Jeffrey, and others. You can read all about it in my massive review. Steampunk: Boneshaker by Cherie Priest and Soulless by Gail Carriger
Bonus! Both of these novels were actually published in 2009: Boneshaker was an incredibly atmospheric and compelling romp through a steampunk zombie-infested Seattle (and, I'm thinking, should win BEST COVER ART 2009). Soulless was a clever, sexy, and ultimately candy-floss ride through a steampunk London. With werewolves, vampires, and parasols.
Plays: Hamlet by William Shakespeare
So much brilliance, so much to discuss, so much to probe.
And now, the complete list of 83 titles I read in 2009:
The Dictionary of Accepted Ideas by Gustave Flaubert
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett
Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente
Men At Arms by Terry Pratchett
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
In Memoriam by Alfred Lord Tennyson (LFP)
Complete Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde by Oscar Wilde
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
Beginning With O by Olga Broumas
The Stepsister Scheme by Jim Hines
Revolution and Romance: Shelley and the Politics of a Genre by David Duff
Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner
The History of Mary Prince by Mary Prince
Baptism of Desire by Louise Erdrich
Freakangels: Volume 2 by Warren Ellis (read in installments online)
Modern Love by George Meredith (LFP)
She Had Some Horses by Joy Harjo
Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs
The Secret History of Giants by Ari Berk
The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde by Jarlath Killeen
Hieroglyphic Tales by Horace Walpole
Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey
Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley
Blood Price by Tanya Huff
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Ravens in the Library ed. by SatyrPhil Brucato & Sandra Buskirk
Thomas the Rhymer by Ellen Kushner
Homeless Moon by Homeless Moon
Mythic Delirium #20, edited by Mike Allen
Mainspring by Jay Lake
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
Fairy Tale Review: The White Issue, ed. by Kate Bernheimer
Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett
Godmother by Carolyn Turgeon
Jack of Fables, Volume 1: The (Nearly) Great Escape by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell
Jack of Fables, Volume 2: Jack of Hearts by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Jack of Fables, Volume 3: The Bad Prince by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Little, Big by John Crowley
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany
Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs and David Lawrence
Roots of a Region by John A. Burrison
Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
Hamlet in Purgatory by Stephen Grenblatt
As You Like It by William Shakespeare
War for the Oaks by Emma Bull
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
The Tragedy of King Richard III by William Shakespeare
Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
Freakangels: Volume 3 by Warren Ellis (read in installments online)
I Henry IV by William Shakespeare
Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris
The Italian by Ann Radcliffe
The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare
The Changeling Sea by Patricia McKillip
The Monk by Matthew Lewis
The Mermaid's Madness by Jim Hines
The Private Memoirs and Confession so of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
Soulless by Gail Carriger
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard
Eden Vale by Catherine Parry
Dancers in the Dark by Charlaine Harris
Ela; or, The Delusions of the Heart by Mrs. Burke
The Sprite of the Nunnery: A Tale, from the Spanish by Rev. Joseph Trapp
Agreeable Ugliness: or, The Triumph of the Graces by Sarah Scott
From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
Fables, Vol. 12: The Dark Ages
Books what I probably can't admit to reading: 1
Total books read thus far in 2009: 83
I'm currently reading Here There Be Dragons by James A. Owen. You can keep up with my other 2010 reads at this post.
Originally posted at Livejournal. You can comment here or there.