2008 In Retrospect
What a year 2008 has turned out to be. I won't go into details here on everything that has happened in 2008; suffice it to say that this year has been difficult. But that's life, and we go on.
You can imagine my surprise, then, to discover that my reading did not suffer too greatly. In fact, I read one more book this year than last year! Unfortunately, I did not reach my goal of 100 books. That's OK, though - I can always try again.
Here are a few statistics:
- Total number of books read - 78
- fiction - 68
- non-fiction - 8
- poetry - 2
- Number of female authors - 34
- Number of male authors - 32
- Books in translation - 8
- Books on CD - 4
- Most read author - Georgette Heyer (4)
If you are interested in what books I read during 2008, please visit the page located in the right side-bar. I have listed all the books and given them ratings.
Top Five Books of 2008
I have made my selection of my five favorite books that I read this year. It was really difficult, as there were so many excellent ones. But I have whittled them down to these (in no particular order):
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje
- The Drinking Den by Emile Zola
- The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
- The Sea by John Banville
Each of these books was phenomenal, and combined excellent writing with a serious message. They have remained with me long after I finished them.
I am very much looking forward to an excellent reading year in 2009. Happy new year, everyone!
Happy New Year to you too!
Of your picks, I've only read The Book Thief, and it has certainly stayed with me since. I only hope Marcus Zusak's next novel is as good (Bridge of Clay, due out in Nov 09).
I'm glad to hear The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and The Sea are good as they're in my TBR pile. I'd recommend Banville's Benjamin Black crime novels if you haven't already read them.
I enjoyed In the skin of a lion and The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje, so might read his latest in '09. I've also got a few Zola books gathering dust.
Posted by: Sarah | January 01, 2009 at 04:23 AM
Those are some great picks! I haven't read Divisadero or The Drinking Den so may have to check those out. I also like that you keep track of male / female authors. I've discovered that I need the feminine voice in my reading so I'm now thinking I'll specifically track that this year.
Happy 2009!
Posted by: Laura | January 01, 2009 at 06:07 AM
Sarah: Happy new year! I'm glad to hear that Zusak is coming out with a new book this year. I will definitely keep it in mind. And yes, I've read Banville's first Benjamin Black book and loved it.
Laura: Happy new year to you, too!
Posted by: Ex Libris | January 01, 2009 at 07:07 AM
That's too bad that 2008 was not a great year! I hope that 2009 is much better! Happy New Year!
Posted by: Kailana | January 01, 2009 at 08:46 AM
Thanks, Kailana - I hope so, too! Happy new year to you!
Posted by: Ex Libris | January 01, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Hope 2009 is a much better year for you. You did some great reading in 2008. I absolutely loved The Book Thief, and The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is probably in my all-time top 10. I also read The Sea this year and enjoyed it, as well. I haven't read this particular book by Zola, but I did read Therese Raquin and really liked it. I will definitely try to read some more Zola in 2009. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Lisa | January 01, 2009 at 12:07 PM
I agree re The Book Thief, but I wasn't that enamoured by The Sea! Happy New Year!
Posted by: Marg | January 01, 2009 at 09:01 PM
Divisadero has been in my tbr pile for a very long time. I like your other picks so much that I feel more inclined to pick it up now. Many thanks! Happy New Year!
Posted by: Frances Evangelista | January 01, 2009 at 09:18 PM
The Sea was one of my favorites of 2008, too. The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter is in my tbr pile, but it's also been highly recommended as an audiobook.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: JoAnn | January 02, 2009 at 08:45 AM
Hope 2009 is a great year for you - reading and otherwise.
Posted by: ted | January 02, 2009 at 09:59 AM
The Book Thief was one of my favorites this year, as well.
Posted by: Tara | January 02, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Happy New Year! I've read three of your five and agree they were all wonderful reads. I would love to read Zola and the Ondaatje, too! Happy reading in 2009.
Posted by: Danielle | January 02, 2009 at 06:04 PM
The Book Thief left me poleaxed. A wonderful book. Happy New Year Sharon and I hope that 2009 is better for you
Posted by: Elaine Simpson-Long | January 02, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Lucky you - you must have (or make) a lot of time to read. I'm inspired to do that stats from my 2008, but I doubt it will be as high. My fave book of the year: The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.
Posted by: Special K | January 03, 2009 at 11:13 PM