Best of 2009: Books

I know that this entry is supposed to focus on the one book I read that blew my mind (and was supposed to appear on the 4th), but frankly, my memory is about a minute and a half long, so it’s hard for me to remember all the gut reactions and epiphanies I may have had while reading during the year.  So rather than try to write a heartfelt treatise on something I hardly remember, I’ve decided to publish the list of books I’ve read this year.  I’ve been keeping a book diary since 1998, faithfully jotting down everything after I finish it and here’s my 2009 list [[Yes, I know it's embarrassingly short.]].

I promise no spoilers.  If you want to know more review-y type stuff, click the Amazon links.

1. Inkdeath – Cornelia Funke:  The last book in the Inkheart triology, the first two of which I got for Christmas a few years ago.  I read parts one and two ravenously, only to find out that a precious character dies suddenly at the end of the second book.  I was pissed!  Then I had to wait three years for closure!  But it was totally worth it.  The storyline isn’t terribly complicated, but all the aspects of high fantasy are there, presented in a completely unpretentious way.  Funke’s simple, flowing writing style binds you fast to the characters, endearing them to you instantly, and whisks you away.  It’s a young adult novel, so expect to get all emotional more than once (I cried at least three times).
2. The His Dark Materials Trilogy (comprising The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass):  I picked up the first book totally from lack of other reading material.  The movie had just come out and I was sick up to here with the goddamn hype, so I wasn’t terribly excited about it.  Oh, how wrong I was – I read all three in a week.  Where Funke’s books are simple and slow, Pullman hammers you from the outset with symbolism, metaphor, allusion, characterization, and, most importantly, allegory.  I’d already been told about the “Satanist” leanings of the message, so I was constantly pausing in my reading to think about how it all fit together.  And yet, you could wander right through the story and enjoy it as a straight fantasy novel.  Perfect.  As a unit, these books are probably the #2 best books I read this year, simply because of how many layers they have.
3. The Adventures of Blue Avenger – Norma Howe:  Sometimes you need to read something fun.  This book definitely fills that slot.  The story is simple, the characters are simple, the theme is simple.  But when you center your story around a kid who feels like he’s too special to have a “normal” name and a pie recipe, you’ve got my vote.  This was the first in a long string of young adult (YA) books this year, but I do love the genre.
4. Planet Janet – Dylan Sheldon:  It’s like “Bridget Jones’ Diary” made an angsty teenage girl baby with “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, aged 13 1/4″.  Again, it’s a YA book, so there’s nothing much complicated going on – a troubled home life, a dorky brother, obsessive boy-watching, best mate who is awesome.  But I learned how to use “v.” for “very” and the conclusion is actually not the sappy wrapup you might expect.
5. Mirror, Mirror – Reflections on the Sacred Self – Patricia Telesco:  I like reading body-image books (see #8), and this one takes a spiritual stance on the topic, so I thought I’d give it a shot.  The writing’s a bit stilted, but the basic ideas are there.  I haven’t done the exercises, although several of them seem worthwhile.  Overall, though, I was a bit unimpressed with this one.
6. Wasteland – Francesca Lia Block:  I love this woman.  I’d have her babies if I could.  Her books are always emotionally raw, deep, and leave a mark on me; this one’s no exception.  It deals with a (fictional) reaccounting of wrestling with incestuous feelings, death, and guilt.  Short page-wise, it felt like an age reading it – not because it’s boring, but because it’s so heart-wrenching.  Block’s mastery of language cuts right through you.  “Trigger warning” and all, I highly recommend it.
7. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency – Alexander McCall Smith:  I won’t lie – this is another one I resisted for a long time (no idea why).  But I picked it up during a wait in the airport and was pleasantly surprised.  The descriptions of Botswana, the love of country and people, permeates every page.  You can practially feel the warmth of the sun.  And the characterization of Mma. Ramtoswe mirrors the depiction of the nation – simple, proud, radiant.  The mystery aspect of the story almost takes a backseat to the stories of the characters themselves, without the reader realizing it.  I’d like to get hold of the rest of the series just to see how Mma. Ramtoswe gets on.
8. The Body Sacred – Dianne Sylvan:  I’ve read this every year since it was published in 2005 and can’t recommend it enough.  This is the book that’s done the most good for my personal journey to self-acceptance, self-confidence, and self-understanding.  Sylvan opens up vulnerable parts of her own life to help her reader see that they’re not alone and that they don’t have to accept the pressures of others.  She takes us through nine aspects of the Goddess, each with her own lessons on the self, encouraging us to use what fits, ignore what doesn’t, and most of all move forward.  It’s hard for me to write about this book in this format because it’s been such a powerful force in my life; I’ve considered writing a full post for it many times.
9. Alt Ed – Catherine Atkins:  Yes, more YA (don’t judge me!).  This is a fairly typical example, too: an overweight, shy teenage girl, troubled home life, social problems.  You know the drill.  But even though it’s standard stuff, the writing is solid, making it a decent brain-candy choice.
10. The Circle Within – Dianne Sylvan:  This is Sylvan’s first book and it focuses on breaking away from the strict structure of more traditional Wicca to find your own path.  By her own admission, the writing is very anti-establishment and slightly angry, but I think that adds to the message rather than detracting from it.  Like the “angry young man” bands who changed the music world in the 70s, this kind of non-system spirituality incites change.  I read this a while back, but wanted to re-read in an effort to re-connect with my personal beliefs and largely-abandoned practice.
11. Big, Bold and Beautiful: Living Large on a Small Planet – Jackqueline Hope:  I’ve actually written a full review of this book already (yay!).  Check it out here.
12. Cycler – Lauren McLaughlin:  At first, I thought this was a true story (mostly due to the fact that I have an advance copy with three sentences on the back), but it turns out to be fiction, which is actually more comforting.  The story is strange and the narrative switches off between Jack and Jill as they tell their half of the story during their “time”.  The characters have very distinctive voices, which I thought would be more difficult given that it’s a boy and a girl sharing a body.  The resolution leaves you hanging, and I liked it well enough that I’ve added “Recycler” to my wishlist.
13. Garbagehead – Christopher Willard:  I picked this up totally on a whim at a library book sale (which is where I buy most of my reading material nowadays) and I’m so glad I did.  Trouble is, it’s a little hard to explain.  The story’s written in one- or two-sentence paragraphs designed to imitate chat conversations, which underscores the overall message that we’re too plugged in and connected these days for our own good.  Think Vonnegut writes YA.
14. The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear – Walter Moers:  Every year, my dad buys me a book or two at Christmas that I have no interest in reading.  But then, without fail, a year or two later I read them and love it.  I don’t know what my problems is; you’d think I’d learn.  This is a sprawling fantasy-adventure story translated from German, making the prose’s pace and wording something to get used to, but it’s totally worth it.  Fantastic creatures and an incredible journey, a magic encyclopedia and a gargantuan phantom boat, and a blue bear finding his purpose.  The world Moers creates is almost achingly detailed, contrasting the simplicity of the protagonist.

That actually turned out to be more of a thing than I expected!  I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read any of these books, and if you’ve got any reading suggestions for the new year, let me know.  Happy reading!

Edited: December 9th, 2009