Your favourite read from 2008? - Page 3

[fremontmama]

Originally Posted by Imogen

Now I know that this might be difficult, because there's usually a few to choose from. But which book has been your absolute favourite read from 2008?

Mine was John Connolly's The Book of Lost Things

Ooooh! I LOVED that book! Definitely in my top 3.

Also for me, Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris and Three Cups of Tea and Taking Back Childhood.

Lordie, this list is making my list of want to read huge!

[katmann]

#1 would be The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery.

#2 would be The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz.

[snozzberry]

My two favorites of the year also make it to my all-time favorites list, so I would highly recommend them to anyone and everyone:

* Nonfiction: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life
* Fiction: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

And there are a few more I'd recommend to specific folks...

For the Kids (or Kids at Heart)

* Feathers
* Flush
* Olive's Ocean
* The Penderwicks on Gardam Street (start with The Penderwicks)
* The Tales of Beedle the Bard
* Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos
* The Underneath

For the Teens

* The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
* Rebel Angels and The Sweet Far Thing (start with A Great and Terrible Beauty)

And go ahead and read the Twilight series. It's not the best stuff in the world, but it's fun as hell.

For the Aspiring Writers

* How to Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead: Your Words in Print and Your Name in Lights
* No Plot? No Problem! A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days
* Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids

For the Expecting or New Parents
Yes, I know you're tired and/or have a lot to do. But these are all worth it, I promise.

* Baby Minds: Brain-Building Games Your Baby Will Love
* Baby Signs: How to Talk with Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk
* The Diaper-Free Baby: The Natural Toilet Training Alternative
* Good Nights: The Happy Parents' Guide to the Family Bed (and a Peaceful Night's Sleep!)
* The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer
* Nursing Mother, Working Mother
* The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child

For the Other Parents

* Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason
* Waiting for Birdy: A Year of Frantic Tedium, Neurotic Angst, and the Wild Magic of Growing a Family

[beanma]

Originally Posted by Imogen

I read the review on Amazon for that, and although it seems like a really interesting read, I'm put off reading it by the references to animal cruelty and neglect that are contained within.

Peace

Imogen, I know this is an old thread, but in case you come back to it, don't be put off by animal cruelty. There is some, but it's the bad guy doing it and the protagonist is wrestling with trying to stop him. It's an excellent book. I was actually just doing a search on it to try and find book recommendations from other folks who also liked it in hopes I could find something else I would like as much. It's not too heavy or depressing, but not too light either. Really excellent.

[Tra1978]

I'm picking the Twilight series and The Birth House by Ami MacKay. Those are the only ones that are sticking out for 2008 right now.

[kangamitroo]

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer (2005)

and from the younger readers dept
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

[bandyr]

My lasting favorite would have to be Lucky Jim by K. Amis. And I was fortunate to discover books by Randall Jarrell, especially The Bat Poet and The Animal Family. Not books written anytime within the last 50 years even. But good reads!!!

[Freedom~Mama]

The Twlight Series
The Host
Eat Pray Love
Conversations with God
The Fountainhead
Atlas Shrugged
The Know It All