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We all have different tastes, likes and dislikes. It should come as no surprise then that we frequently find ourselves delving into different genres and writing styles. What one hates another loves. That is the beauty of the publishing industry. One can always find an audience.
My post here will be entirely biased, slanted and outrageously all about me and my preferences. I consulted no one and am writing based on personal preference alone. That's said so that you will know it is perfectly acceptable to disagree with me.
As some of you know, I don't really get into blogging awards, mostly because I don't understand them or how they come about. They exist and make people happy and I smile at them, confused. Perhaps if I understood them better I might get into it. I need my own award to give to books that I like and dislike. If I had to choose the best and worst of what 2008 had to offer, I would go with the following. (The links provided take you to my review of each book mentioned.)
CARRIE'S BEST BOOK DISCOVERY in 2008
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart and it's beloved (by me) sequel, released in 2008
You can review my reviews of The Mysterious Benedict Society. and The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by clicking on the links attached.
CARRIE'S WORST BOOK DISCOVERY in 2008
You can see my review of The Shack, by William Young, by clicking here.
CARRIE'S FAVORITE CLASSIC READ IN 2008
I enjoyed reading Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, with the 5 Minutes for Books Classics Book Club. My review of Jane Eyre was done as a Reader's Diary and was the second of such diaries.
CARRIE'S BIGGEST FAILURE TO COMPLETE IN 2008:
Bleak House, by Charles Dickens. I don't want to talk about it anymore.
MOST INTERESTING NON-CHRISTIAN BOOK ON RELIGION:
The Year of Living Biblically, by A. J. Jacobs.
MOST INTERESTING NON-FICTION CHRISTIAN WORK:
The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment, by Tim Challies.
BEST CHRISTIAN AUTHOR (Discovered by Carrie in 2008):
Nancy Moser
BEST CHRISTIAN PUBLISHER (Discovered by Carrie in 2008):
Crossway Books
BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR (Discovered by Carrie in 2008):
John Butler
FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK PUBLISHER (Carrie discovered in 2008):
It's a toss up between Barefoot Books and Peachtree Publishers. (And Roger Priddy books.)
TOP FIVE FAVORITE READS IN 2008
The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey, by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment, by Tim Challies
Discovering Your Child's Gifts, by Don and Katie Fortune
The Grand Weaver, by Ravi Zacharias
TOP FIVE BOOKS I WISH I HAD NEVER LAID EYES ON in 2008:
The Shack, by William Young
A Long, Fatal Love Chase, by Louisa May Alcott
(Well, top 2 anyway.)
READING BLOG I AM MOST GRATEFUL FOR:
5 Minutes for Books
READING BLOGS I THINK ARE TOP-NOTCH
Semicolon
Library Hospital
Calon Lan
Veronika, Book Central
So those are A Few of My Favorite Things from 2008 in the world of books for what it's worth. Feel free to enthusiastically agree or disagree! What are some things (relating to books, of course)that you loved about this year? Anything you are looking forward to next year? Do share!
9 comments:
I always appreciate your book recommendations, Carrie (both for and against), and I've found that we have similar tastes. Thanks, in large part, to you, we've greatly enjoyed the Benedict Society books this year. And I've had Tim Challies' book on my wish list for a while now. I know it's a must-read for me.
Thanks for this post -- I enjoyed getting a glimpse at your year in review.
What a great post! Thanks for the review. I hope you don't mind that I plan to snatch this idea and post my own review in another couple weeks. I love it!
Looking forward to reading your reviews in 2009 and seeing what books you love and hate and what we both read. Merry Christmas! :)
What a great post! I'm adding a few titles to my (ever growing) amazon wishlist!!!!
Oh wow, Carrie. *blushes* Thanks for "awarding" me! :) I'm glad I offer you something you enjoy. :)
(Btw, be on the lookout for my new book blog. It's "hitting the [Internet] shelves" in January. I think you'll like...)
I think all those awarded books are terrific, and look incredible. Hopefully I'll get to them all...someday. :)
Have a great rest of the year, Carrie!
I read your review of The Shack. Living in New England I'm somewhat removed from the fads of American Christendom but I have seen this book around the blogosphere and wondered about it. Your quotes from the book vaguely sound like a pastor we used to sit under (we left that church because of those kinds of teachings). Anyway, thank you for a discerning and honest review. Now I won't have to waste my time reading the book.
I enjoyed your 2008 lists.
I'm currently in the middle of The Mysterious Benedict Society and am having such fun reading it! Great choice.
Thank you so much for the shout-out! I think I'm going to a "year in review" and post something similar on my own blog, if that's all right.
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