The Pale Blue Eye - Lois Bayard
I think this was probably my favorite read of 2008. Not being an avid reader of mystery, I can't say how well it compares to other mysteries or even to modern day "thriller" mysteries. But as a fan of Poe and of "darker" stories, this was a lot of fun. The mystery was well crafted and the writing was wonderful. I look forward to picking up more Bayard in the future.
My Review
The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
This is one of those classics I never knew much about. Somehow I missed reading it in Junior High or High School and was never really driven to read it elsewhere in my youth. Now that I've read it, I'm glad I did and I feel bad it took me so long to get to it. The story is real and fresh. It gives an interesting perspective on the life of a troubled teen. I really think this is something that should be read by most (all?) teens.
My Review
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
I'd heard a lot about this book before reading it. I'd actually purchased it when it first came out based on the word of mouth it was getting, but it still took me a year or more to finally read it. At first I thought the basic plot of the book would be trite or overdone and that the gimmicks used would seem lame after a while. I was pleasantly surprised as to just how rich and enticing this book was. The story had intriguing twists and depth I hadn't expected. I really enjoyed the characters and the actions of the novel. A great read.
My Review
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - Kate Dicamillo
I'd seen this book sitting on the store shelves again and again and was continuously tempted to pick it up. Reading the synopsis always turned me off and I put it back down, thinking it would be too cheesy or sentimental. Finally I gave in and grabbed the book and pushed through it in an hour or so. It was a little sentimental but it was sentimental in a good way. It was a very cute story with a great narrative to engage children and provide some good thinking time afterwards. This is one of those books that I came away from with a "feel-good-feeling" and felt better for having read it. It's simple and light, yet has a good message behind it. I plan to read it with my kids at bedtime reading this year.
My Review
And there you have a couple of my favorite books read in the past year. Stay tuned for more faves from '08.
