End of the Year Summary

[Stacey]

Wow, that was long! Sorry! ;)~

[Carol]

I enjoyed your post Stacey,especially about the boys.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

I thought it was great. We all write long posts on here, so it fits right in. They say that the best way to make sure that your kids like reading is to let them see you read. It sounds like you are well on your way.

[[deleted user]]

Great side-effect Stacey! It's never too early for a book! I think 31 books is a great accomplishment with two young boys at home. I finally started reading again just a few years ago, and I have just the one (he's 12 now).

[Liz]

Stacey, I don't think your post is too long. Though I have to say at first I misread and thought you said your goal was 1000 books and my head started spinning.

[Stacey]

Thanks. Liz-Your "1000" made me laugh right before bedtime. That would've made me dizzy too. Always good to go to sleep with a smile on my face! Thank you!

[Carol]

I haven't even read 1000 books in my lifetime, Liz's post made me chuckle.

[Liz]

Glad I amused you guys, I'm going to blame a lack of sleep.

[Jayme]

These posts are so much fun to read! I love how I keep seeing a new author that someone loved and then in the next post a person who someone hated that same author so much.

Awesome questions Fiona!

[Kandice]

I loosely set a goal of 100 books this year. I've surpassed that, but not exactly the way I meant to. Originally I wanted them all to be "new" books I had never read before. Before joining GRs, I tended to read old favorites over and over. I don't have any "real life" friends that are big readers, so had to rely on my own thoughts and impressions of book covers for new reads. When I couldn't quickly find a new book, I'd just fall back on an old favorite. I did manage to read a LOT of new books, but just had to slip a few comfort reads in as well.


This year I read Neil Gaiman for the first time. So far I've read five of his books, giving 4 or 5 stars to each, with the exception of Neverwhere, which received 3 stars. I love his style and despite loving graphic novels, probably never would have found him on my own without recommendations from other GRs readers.

My favorite new book I read this year is one that I have been meaning to read for a very, very long time. From Hell by Alan Moore. There is no limit to the number of stars I would have given this book, but since five is the max...I can't recommend it easily, as the subject is pretty gory, and being a graphic novel you aren't left to your own imaginary devices. Having said that, anyone who feels they can handle it-READ IT!!!

As I've mentioned, my reading habits have changed drastically since joining GRs a little over a year ago. I've read books that I never would have considered. I've discovered the joy of reading a book alongside others and discussing it. I've realized that there are many, many readers out there, NOT just my children and I. I am NOT ALONE! Even when I've read a book recommended by another GR member, or friend, that I haven't particularly liked, it never feels like wasted effort. It's great to expand my horizons.

[Jayme]

Kandice wrote: "I loosely set a goal of 100 books this year. I've surpassed that, but not exactly the way I meant to. Originally I wanted them all to be "new" books I had never read before. Before joining GRs, I ..."

That's good to hear about From Hell. It's one of only a couple Alan Moore things I haven't read. The only reason I haven't yet is because it isn't in the library and it's soooo expensive at the book store. Maybe it's worth buying after reading your very enthusiastic recommendation!

[Kandice]

Jayme, That's exactly why I hadn't read it! They FINALLY had it at the library. I am actually asking for my own copy for Christmas. I LOVE Alan Moore.

[Jeane]

I have been a member of Goodreads (and almost as long of TNBBC I think)since the 2nd part of 2008.

I always read more and I am not reading much more now just different sometimes. I used to read mainly detectives, crime/mystery books and some historical fictions.

The first year I was on TNBBV I read very different kind of books than I was used to, I also participated in the challenge there was on here so that dictated what I read. Now I am going back to what I used to read mainly before but am still putting steps out of those now and then.

Favourite books for this year:

Girl with a Pearl Earring
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Scarpetta
Io uccido
The House of the Spirits
The Fire
I Capture the Castle

The ones shinning from between these are Io uccido, Scarpetta and The fire. I am used to read Scarpetta stories so that wasn't a surprise. The big surprises were my first Faletti book Io uccido and even more The fire, that was a wow book for me.

Books I had even almsot forgotten I read them or thought it was last year and which I really didn't like:

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The SeaThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
A Long Way Down (hated the langiage ad story was boring)

Moby-Dick or, The Whale (I thought this was last year, it took me many eyars to finally start it to finish i and even then it took me months)
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective(beginning was good but then it kept repeating and making one sentence drag on in five pages.)

This year I discovered the books by Maryan Keyes of who I read several now. Another thing that I discovered are books about Ireland or by Irish writers and that due to having moved to Ireland at the end of last year. AND Fina finally managed (by sending me her copy) to have me read I capture the castle.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

We have The Fire but I haven't read it yet. Have you read its predecessor, The Eight?

[Cindy]

Jeane wrote: "I have been a member of Goodreads (and almost as long of TNBBC I think)since the 2nd part of 2008."

Jeane I also read A Long Way Down this year, and I totally agree: it wasn't my favorite at all. It was trying to be so damn clever, but it just fell annoyingly flat off a building - if only the characters had succeeded from the get-go!

[Jeane]

Susanna wrote: "We have The Fire but I haven't read it yet. Have you read its predecessor, The Eight?"

no, but I received it for my birthday form my friend from who i read the fre.I didn't know first there was a book before but you also didn't feel it. it was one of my best books this year!!!! I am looking forward to read The ight. You read it?

[Jeane]

Fiona wrote: "Jeane wrote: "I have been a member of Goodreads (and almost as long of TNBBC I think)since the 2nd part of 2008.

I always read more and I am not reading much more now just different sometimes. I u..."

:-)

[Jeane]

Cindy wrote: "Jeane wrote: "I have been a member of Goodreads (and almost as long of TNBBC I think)since the 2nd part of 2008."

Jeane I also read A Long Way Down this year, and I totally agree: it wasn't my fav..."

It really was like that. The way of talking got on my nerves and sounded so stupid. After having lived in lOndon where it was situated i luckily didn't come much in touch with people talking like that, but since some years you really have a part of people in those areas talking and living there.

The story was also very boring for me. Youa re going to jump, others too..then you get angry at those who wanted to do the same as you because now you don't manage anymore. then you are trying to cheer up each other but you actually can't stand them, get in fights, make up again because thanks to the others you didn't jump but actually that makes you angry because you want to jump. Then you start to ,meet each other home, go on holiday..but keep messing up each others live and so on and on. Waste of paper...

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I've read The Eight, and enjoyed it.

[Cindy]

Jeane wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Jeane wrote: "I have been a member of Goodreads (and almost as long of TNBBC I think)since the 2nd part of 2008."

Jeane I also read A Long Way Down this year, and I totally agree: ..."

Har! If you haven't written a review of it yet, you should use that last paragraph! Funny :)

Nick Hornby can be funny & clever, but lately it feels like he's just trying too damn hard. It's a shame.

[LemonLinda]

I have enjoyed reading this year as well. I have been a member of Goodreads for almost a year now, but only got involved in the book clubs in early October. The main difference is that others have influenced me to read books that I did not think would appeal to me but that I have very much enjoyed - such as Water for Elephants and Woman in White.

My favorite reads of the year:
Tara Road
Circle of Friends
Emma
Q & A
Woman in White
Water for Elephants
Sarah's Key

The only one that I really did not enjoy was Julie and Julia.

Definitely my TBR list has grown and continues to grow. Currently I am reading my 40th book for 2009, but I have set a goal to read 50 books next year and I am participating in two challenges. I have already made an outline of planned reads for much of next year (with some flexibility figured in). I had never done that before - always reading whatever I decided to read next with no thought as to when to finish so I could move onto the next one. But I do like the encouragement and the comraderie as well as the opportunity to discuss good books. I am in a local club which meets every other month so that did not really increase my reading level.

[LemonLinda]

Oh and my surprise author was Vikas Swarup (Q & A). That was the book that the movie - Slumdog Millionaire - was based on. It was so different from the movie which I thought was excellent, but the book was just as good in its own right. I think it has been overshadowed by the movie which is unfortunate because it is definitely worthy of attention.

[Marti]

Has the year been filled with many good books?
Yes. I counted 19 books with a five star rating and lots of four star ratings!

Are you going to achieve your goal if you set one and what kind of books have you read over the year? Is there a trend, do you think?
I did not set a goal, but I figured I read at least a hundred books a year. At this point I have read over 137 books. However this year, I made a concerted effort to read books beyond my usual suspects and found that the new books caused me to read slower and consider more. I do prefer the category of historical fiction and historical romance and it is borne out by the numbers of books that fit those categories.

What new authors have you discovered? What books have you loved and any real stinkers? I have discovered new authors that I enjoyed Margaret Maron, Stephanie Meyers, Carol Goodman, Kristin Hannah, Kyra Davis, and Zoe Ferraris. Some of the favorites books were the Twilight Series, Shelter Me, Sarah’s Key, Drawing in the Dust, Year of the Flood, and lots of others. The real stinkers are few and far between and I did not finish them.

How has it been different from the year before? This year has been different as I have had to spend more time traveling back and forth to my mom’s place and taking care of her needs. Another difference was the lack of time I was able to spend on the beach sunning by a lake. Both of these items as well as the interesting clients this year have cut into my reading. Every year has its ups and downs.

I have been a member of Great Reads for less than a year and a member of TNBBC for less than that. I have also joined Book Browse on line and read much of the information shared there. I have also been a member of a new book group since the late winter 2009 at the local bookstore. I also am still participating (two or three years) in a book group that meets in Borders. Every time I talk about books with people or read a new book, thoughts shift and move and make new connections and help us grow and change and evolve. What a gift GoodReads has been for me!

OH and it hasn’t hurt that I have won a number of free books this year from GoodReads and BookBrowse! THANK YOU!