Books
January
- Cryptonomicon
This was the first book of 2009. A re-read, but a great one. Neal Stephenson writes such dense, detailed fiction that most non-fiction feels like an easy read in comparison. I loved it though, and hope I don't wait years to read it again.
- Snow Crash
Another Neal Stephenson novel, and another dense read. This was all edumacational about Sumerian myths and language theory and stuff. Good, but not awesome like Cryptonomicon.
- In the Name of Heaven: 3000 years of religious persecution
Non-fiction! A very easy lay-man style book. Nothing too deep or in-depth, but a very interesting overview. Made me understand a lot more about religious stuff in England and Ireland, and yup.
February
- Heavy Metal Islam
More non-fiction! I bought this around Christmas and started it, but got sidetracked by Neal Stephenson. I enjoyed it, but the title was a bit misleading - it dealt with counter-culture music, not metal specifically. Still, a good way to learn more about the political climate of different Middle Eastern countries.
- Flame Trees of Thika
Even more non-fiction! Part of the Ravelry Twentieth Century novels reading list. Absolutely something outside of my norm, but I finished it in a day. It was really interesting, and I found a really pleasant read. Maybe memoirs aren't so bad....
- Black Hole
A graphic novel. Totally weird and disturbing. I'm not sure I really liked it, because upon introspection, I am such a "superhero" reader... But it was interesting, and creepy, and yeah.
- Tales of Beedle the Bard
Finally! I bought a regular edition so I didn't have to worry about hurting my special edition. It only took me until now to read it... It was good, and I enjoyed it. Simple, easy read. Give me the real Harry Potter books any day though...
- Little Grrl Lost
My first Charles de Lint book, and I enjoyed it. I'm such a sucker for fairy books. This was a YP "urban fantasy", and was a nice easy read. I saw a few spelling mistakes, and it wasn't the most involved book, but I liked it. I'll have to read some of his adult fiction.
- The Willoughbys
I saw someone talking about this book on a blog, and thought it would be a cute, fun read. It was. I assume it's like a kinder-hearted take on orphan stories (you know, still with the terrible awful relatives, etc. but cute and funny) I've not read any Lemony Snicket, but perhaps that would amuse me as well.
- The Chocolate War
One of those books I've always meant to read. Generally considered one of the most 'challenged' (attempts to remove from public libraries) young adult books. I didn't find it shocking or astounding or anything, but it was an enjoyable book.
March
- The World According to Bertie
I'm not sure, but I think I like each new book by Alexander McCall Smith a tiny bit less. I've enjoyed this series, lots of enjoyable characters and silly things going on, but sometimes it feels a bit tedious and blah. This was an easy easy read, but I found a bunch of the plot annoying. (I know some of the characters are meant to be annoying, but ...)
- Things I've been Silent About
Another memoir! Written by the author of Reading Lolita in Tehran. I think I preferred the older book, but I'd have to re-read to be sure. This was very much about the author's relationship with her parents. Interesting, really, but... I don't know. The parts about the political climate and things were much more interesting to me.
- Burma Chronicles
In this book, Guy Delisle accompanies his wife to Burma on her work for Medicins Sans Frontiers. It's a really interesting look at the country, because most people don't know much about it. It's also known as Myanmar, by those who recognize the military junta as the rightful rules (I think). All of his graphic novels are about the situations he ends up in while travelling for work. I've enjoyed each (one about Pyongyang, and the other about Shenzhen), but always feel a bit uncertain about the racial and cultural aspects. (like... is he making fun? or just portraying as best as he can?)
April
I've missed a lot this month and the end of last - I know I've finished things, but geez - I don't remember!
- Fragile Things
I read this in one shift at the art gallery, and totally enjoyed it. Some of the stories were a bit creepy, but nothing too scary :)
- Absolute Sandman vol 1
Total awesomeness. I read it in a week. Can't wait to start vol 2, and am glad I have all the way to vol 4 to catch up on!
- What Was Lost
This book was sad. I guess picking a book about a mysteriously disappeared girl was a bad idea, but it really was enjoyable, for the most part. And it had this quote: "They both agreed, though, that Kit Kat buyers were generally forces for good in society."
- Don't Hex with Texas
I remember reading the review of this in Library Journal and thinking that it sounded amusing. It got a good review, so when I saw it for $5 at BMV, I grabbed it for travel reading and discarding. Only at this very minute did I discover that it is indeed part of a series. It was an amusing book, in the goofy chick-lit fantasy romance way. That is all.
May
- American Gods
By Neil Gaiman. I wasn't sure if I'd like this. For whatever reason, once I understood the plot (gods on earth, somewhat mortal), I felt like it was an overdone plot. Because I read Gods Behaving Badly last year, I think? But I got past that and I really enjoyed it. I'll probably re-read it and take a bit more time to absorb stuff.
- Good Omens
By Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. This was funny! I enjoyed it.
- An Abundance of Katherines
Totally amusing teen fiction. About a geek and his friend on a road trip. Ending up in a town called Gutshot. Complete with mathematical equations determining how long relationships will last, feral pig hunting, and chewing tobacco. Yup. it was fun!
- Wicked lovely
I enjoyed this - I've been on a teen fantasy kick lately, and this fit in quite nicely. I have to say, I read enough girl-centric (I thought) fantasy books lately, that they're starting to feel formulaic. Fantasy books, formulaic? Ha, yeah.
- M is for Magic
I've also been working my way through Neil Gaiman's work. I enjoyed this, and am really excited about the Graveyard Book. I was a little disappointed that I'd already read some of the stories elsewhere, but they were certainly good enough for a re-read!
- The Good Neighbours
Least favourite of the bunch. I enjoyed Holly Black's other books greatly (seriously, the Ironside trilogy is fantastic!) But meh.
- City of Bones
I've been waiting to read this trilogy for ages! For whatever reason, I didn't realize my library had them! But they do, and I'm anxiously awaiting the second and third.
- Anansi Boys
I wasn't impressed with American Gods, at first. I felt like the premise was overdone. But after I got over that, I totally enjoyed it, and loved this book too! It was awesome. (perhaps a bit better than American Gods - it wasn't so ... dark?)
- I am Mordred
This is considered a children's book at my library. Eep! Way too mature, I thought. Definitely teen fiction. but I really enjoyed it! I've always been interested by Arthurian legend, and this was an aspect I knew little about. (time to dig out Le morte d'Arthur, maybe?)
- City of Ashes
I enjoyed this book. I'm excited about the third, it should be in any day now! I think the first book may have been better, but this one was good... Lots of whining and moaning, but still lots of action. What will happen in the third book?
June
- Absolute Sandman 2
Still working my way through the Absolute Sandman volumes. I feel like I may be reading Sandman forever. I didn't enjoy this volume as much. Maybe because I wasn't as absorbed in it? I'm not sure. It was still awesome, but started to feel like a bit of a slog towards the end. (each separate storyline I think of still seems awesome, but as a whole, maybe it was just too much story.
- City of Glass
Finished! The! Trilogy! It pretty awesome! Except for the incest-y bits, which got worked out nicely in the end (yay Clary and Jace. or whatever.) I enjoyed it. I especially liked the vengeful angel. Woot! But um yeah. Lots of things happened, and I really do feel like the trilogy is worth a re-read.
- Charmed Life
by Diana Wynne Jones
Someone told me that they read a quote somewhere by Diana Wynne Jones, saying something like JK Rowling must have reall enjoyed her books when she was younger. So true, so true! You know who! He was there, in a different form. Moving staircases, hiding lives in inanimate objects... I totally enjoyed it, but I can see why Harry Potter was more popular. Even back when it was written, I'm sure kids liked informal fun books. Harry Potter is like a perfect mix of old-fashioned and contemporary, and Charmed Life just isn't. I will finish the Chrestomanci series, but I know already that I'll never love it quite like Harry Potter.
- Tea Time for the Traditionally Built
So, I felt like this series had been declining a bit. Sort of seems like the more Alexander McCall Smith writes about characters, the less I enjoy them. But! This book was a pleasant surprise. There were a few parts that made me grump, but all in all, I really liked it. This series, it's so pleasant and down to earth.
- Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life
Graphic novel series set in Toronto. Full of awesome! This was the first volume, and I found it a bit confusing. But basically, slacker-dude meets American-ninja-delivery girl, and in order to date, he has to defeat her seven evil ex-boyfriends. It's very awesome.
- Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Volume two! Involves a girl fight in the middle of the Toronto Reference Library. Between Ramona Flowers (new girlfriend) and Knives Chau (ex-girlfriend still in high school). So much fun! Three more to read!
- The Court of the Air
I saw this on someone's blog, described as steampunk fantasy. It got lots of good reviews, but meh. I think I really prefer things that are written in more contemporary language? I found it to be such a slog. Just a long, somewhat interesting read. The two main characters started off interesting and likeble, but I cared less and less as the book went on.
- Scott Pilgrim and the Infinite Sadness
I loved it! A showdown at Honest Ed's, concerts at Lee's Palace, the Vegan Police. Awesome. Just found out there's a movie coming out. Not so excited about that, actually....
- Blue is for Nightmares
More teen fic. Sigh, I need to read some adult books I think. I read this on a whim - ordered it in for someone who never came to get it. So read it to lessen the wasteful feeling. This is about a girl who has visions, intuition, etc. She dreams repeatedly of her best friend's death, and wakes up after wetting the bed. (I just thought that was unique - I haven't read any teen fic that so prominently discusses bedwetting). Anyways. blah blah
- Sisters of Misery
Eeeep! This was scary! It's evidently a good example of gothic fiction, of which I know nothing. Creeepy creepy creepy. There's supposed to be a sequel, and I will need to read it, but only in the daytime. Basic premise: girl lives in small town controlled by the elite/secret society. She joins the Sisters of Misery, and then her non-conformist aunt and cousin come live with her. Shenanigans go down, and cousin disappears after being ritually abused (abused by ritual...) on a deserted island.
- Lives of Christopher Chant
This talks about how a young boy becomes the Chrestomanci of his world. It precedes Charmed Life, and I think I preferred it. It is less reminiscent of Harry Potter, but still very amusing. It still seems quite old-fashioned and formally written, but it is a nice change.
- Witch Week
This is also part of the Chrestomanci series, and was read slightly out of the recommended order (which is not chronological). Although, I don't think the order matters - each book functions very well as a standalone, and is not necessary for any of the others. This takes place in a world where magic is abundant, but not tolerated. There are Inquisitors and witches are still burned at the stake. Many things happen, but all is well in the end.
- Ink Exchange
A companion to Wicked Lovely, which I read in May. It follows a similar timeline, but deals with a friend of the orginal main character. This was definitely better than some of the teen books I've read lately, but... I'll wait and see how I feel about Fragile Eternity, the sequel to Wicked Lovely.
- The Summoning
I almost didn't read this book because it sounded too scary! Again, teen-fic, but different than what I've been reading lately. A girl who can see and communicate with ghosts is institutionalized and diagnosed as schizophrenic. She finds out that she's actually a necromancer, some friends are variously a werewolf, sorceror, shaman, and half-demon. Stuff happens, and..... Cliffhanger!
- Kitchen
by Banana Yoshimoto
A re-read, but oh! Such a good one. I love Banana Yoshimoto, I love how she writes. I may read this again tomorrow. I love her descriptions of places, of food, of people... It's a tiny bit magical. (or maybe just compared to the fluff I've been reading lately?)
July
- The Diamond Age
Well, I moderately enoyed this book. Really, I found it to be a bit of a slog. It was interesting, but rather odd by the end.
- My Heaven Hockey Club v.1
Well, this was read purely out of curiosity. I'd never read a 'back to front' manga book before, so it was a learning experience. I caught on pretty quickly, but found the story absolutely ridiculous.
- Triple Shot Bettys in Love
This was another book read purely on a whim. It was.... Not bad for a teen romantic-comedy style book.
- Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty
And followed up by the first book in the series.... Most amusing part? A wispy, pink-loving main character named Hero who sighed and fainted a lot. w00t!
- Absolute Sandman v.3
Finally! Something worth reading, but what a cliffhanger! Oh my gosh. I loooooove this series. I want to cuddle with it and be its best friend. (or maybe I just want to hang out with Dream and Death? whatever. love it. seriously)
- Howl's Moving Castle
Oh hey! Another good one! Awesome! I really enjoyed this; I think it may have been my favourite of Diana Wynne Jones' novels so far. I think I need to watch the movie now though. She really writes such wonderfully whimsical stories. They feel like something you've heard before, and forgotten...
- Runaways: Pride and Joy
This was recommended by staff at the Silver Snail. I totally enjoyed it. The writing is great! It was such a fun read, I can't wait to read the rest!
- The Sugar Queen
Super fluffy totally chick-lit romantic fantasy book. It was fast and easy to read, and the food descriptions were wonderful. (Yeah, I read it for the food. Is that a problem?)
- Garden Spells
By Sarah Addison Allen, who also wrote Sugar Queen. Another slightly-supernatural, very fluffy romance. Again with the food! One of the characters is a caterer, and can cook magic into things. Her sister gives magical hair cuts, literally, and the daughter knows just where things belong. There's an apple tree that chased away a bad guy, and hmmm. Yup. Another fast easy read. I should really try for something that requires a slight bit of brain power....
August
- Castle in the Air
I didn't like this nearly as much as Howl's Moving Castle - it seems like I can be rather hot and cold about Diana Wynne Jones' writing. In this case, I found the main characters nowhere near as likeable as Sophie and Howl. Abdullah was annoying, the soldier was annoying. The genie was pretty cool, cuz he was Howl in disguise.
- My Heavenly Hockey Club v.2
This is fluff. Complete fluff, but slightly addictive nonetheless. I'd never pay to read it, and I'd probably never even check it out from the library. But since someone else is requesting them to be brought in, then I might as well read it, right? Get the most use out of it and all.
- Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
This was yet another teen fantasy book. Surprisingly better than the title would lead you to believe, but still teen fantasy romance, 110%. A few interesting observations about American culture, and lots of silly teen romance stuff. One more book to be described as a quick, fun read....
- Evermore
This book was suggested in various places. I didn't like it. It felt weird, it felt creepy. It felt derivative, and it felt vapid. Poo to you, Evermore.
- How I Live Now
Really excellent (teen fiction, as always - you'll know if it's something different! I will shout from the rooftops!). I really really loved this book. I want to re-read it already. It was done in stream-of-consciousness style, in the voice of a 15 year old girl. It dealt with so many things. War and eating disorders. And family and survival. And love and hate. Really, just a great book. I didn't think I'd like it because the narration was a bit much occasionally. but I did. I totally liked it.
- The Mitochondrial Curiosities of Marcels 1-19
This was Canadian teen fiction! The distinction is important to note. It involved psychiatric hospitals, and alcoholics, and embezzlement, and Alberta. And craft projects and high school and scavenger hunts! It was put out by Coach House Press, who I have a secret crush on. I enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it. And I found a mistake - you're instead of your. Tsk
- Once Dead Twice Shy
Some people were comparing this to Cassandra Clare's trilogy. It deals with some of the same ideas, but dealt with in a completely different way, I thought. This was definitely a lighter, more fun book to read. Did I enjoy it as much as Cassandra Clare's books? Nah. But it was a fun, easy read with a few thought-provoking moments!
- My Heavenly Hockey Club, vol 3
I'm not sure why I keep reading these. I guess because they're there, and they're silly, and fast to read. I'm becoming a pro at the right to left format, but yeah... Content? Not much.
- Scott Pilgrim vs The Universe
And... I feel like the series is diminshing. Each volume feels slightly less awesome than the one before. Still a fun easy read? Absolutely. But the awesomeness is not as abundant.
September
- Absolute Sandman, volume 4
Wow. Finally, after 4 months, I'm done. What a fantastic series, and how I wish I'd read it as it was released (not that it would have been possible - I was a youngun then!)
But really. Just great stories, wonderful characters, I love!
- Runaways: Teenage Wasteland
It took me almost a month to finish this. Which is ridiculous. But I don't know if it was the cheap printing, small pages, etc, or if it was the story, but I found it hard to read, and hard to enjoy. In the end, it was good, but nowhere near as good as the first volume.
- The Awakening
This was the second book in Kelley Armstrong's series. Where the main character is a necromancer. Yeah, it still freaks me out, but I like the characters, and it's sort of more an adventure book than a creepy zombie book.... Hopefully. Another good one.
- Fragile Eternity
And here is where the Wicked Lovely series jumped the shark. Oh boy, I hated it! Hated it hated it hated it. Blerg.
- Almost Archer Sisters
Some chick-lit for me. I put it on hold, and can't remember why. Anyways, it wasn't the worst thing I'd ever read. (there was a draft-dodger hairdresser living in an Airstream!) But yeah. Still can't remember why I thought I should read it. Ah well.
- Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity
Do non-fiction instructional books count? I read this from cover to cover. It was educational, but the content is also quite freely available online.
- Demon's Lexicon
I'd been wanting and wanting to read this book. Thinking about buying it sight unseen. Because I love this author's writing style. Sure, all I'd read was fanfiction, but. Seriously. It appeared out of nowhere in my library's catalogue, and I'm so glad it did! Anyways, I quite loved this book! It was really quite fun, and the ending! Shock.
- Eyes Like Stars
Um yeah. I'd also been waiting to read this. I've seen great reviews, but... I thought it was kind of dumb. I read Demon's Lexicon in 1.5 sittings, but this book? It took me over 2 weeks. I just didn't like it very much at all.
- Joker
We just got this in at the library, and I read it on my breaks. I... Enjoyed it. But not as much as other Batman comics I've read in the past. I find the Joker scary. An entire book just about him, it's a bit... Much for me. But it was very well done, I thought.
October
- School for Dangerous Girls
This was okay. I might not be an observant reader, but I kept waiting for the book to get really scary. There were parts that were totally creepy, and I just didn't like that. But it ended up more being about human nature and all that jazz, so it wasn't as scary as I'd feared.
- Academy 7
I was shocked when this hold came in for me. I didn't remember requesting any cheesy romance novels... But no - futuristic, sci-fi romance. I enjoyed it. Nowhere near as good as The hunger Games, but interesting and fairly well-written, nonetheless. I liked it!
- Fairy Tale
This book was dumb. I didn't like it.
- Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature
I really enjoyed this book. When the hold came in for me, I was searching online, trying to remember why I was interested. I saw it described as Christian Fiction in various places, and found that odd. It's basically about a mega-church-going girl who did something which made her an outcast with her family, friends, and church. Eventually they start studying evolution, and the church and students who belong to the church, make a very big deal about it.
- The Magicians
I really enjoyed this book. It was a bit like Harry Potter for grownups, in an almost literal way. Teen finds out about hiden school of magic. Teen goes to magic school, gets up to shenanigans. People die, teen learns that magic is dangerous. But then stuff happens, and that is when the book got really interesting. I really liked this book, and am so glad I decided to read it. It wasn't profound or meaningful, but it was enjoyable and well-written.
- Life Sucks
A graphic novel about geeky vampires who work at a 24 hour convenience store. Fun and silly, and why isn't it more popular?
- Derby Girl
I think that the movie Whip It (which I so want to see...) is based on this book, just a bit. Anyways, totally fun book. I always wondered what on earth roller derby was. Now, I have at least some understanding! I think roller derby would be an awesome sport, except for the fact that I'm scared of wheels.
- Batman: Cacophony
I have a confession to make. I totally have the hots for Batman. But this book is the first that has made me reallly like the Joker. I hate to say it, but I enjoyed Kevin Smith's writing of Batman more than Neil Gaiman's. It was just funny and interesting and pretty awesome. I will totally read any of his other Batmans, if he does more.
- Catching Fire
Suzanne Collins is awesome. I am so in love with this trilogy. It's dystopian, and ouch. The main characters are awesome, and the love (twue wuv forevah!) triangle is such a big plot point. I know who I hope she ends up with, if anyone, and I'm quite sure it's not who the author will choose. I have so long to wait, but I'm so invested in the characters!
November
- Bitten
I've read Kelley Armstrong's teen books, and really enjoyed them. I haven't been feeling motivated to read lately, so I thought I'd try her adult books. I enjoyed it! I really liked the narrator, and as always, am totally amused by plots set in Toronto. It wasn't a masterpiece or anything, and I prefer the lack of sexing in her teen books, but this was a fun read. I'll definitely work my way through the series.
- Shop Class as Soulcraft
Not really what I was expecting at all. But interesting, with valid points. I think there was a lot of over-simplification to make things fit his categories, but meh. It's his book!
- Marriage Bureau for Rich People
I really enjoyed this book. I'm not a great judge of things, so I don't know if it was well-written, but it was really pleasant and interesting. It was a bit reminiscent of Alexander Mccall Smith - pleasant and cozy.
- The Unbearable Lightness of Scones
This was a fun book to read, but it seems like so long since I read the last book in the series! I forgot a bit about what was going on, and what was happening. I sometimes wonder how Alexander McCall Smith can write so prolifically. I enjoyed this more than some of his more current books. His books are always so pleasant. Just a nice change from the other stuff that's out there.
- Stolen
Well, I read this all in one day. oops! I meant to go to bed early! It was good, but at this point, I don't like the new characters. I like Elena and Clay and Jeremy. All that said, it was basically like a jail/jailbreak type book this time. Sort of creepy, but I read it so quickly it wasn't too disturbing. I think the next book is narrated by Paige, and poo! I didn't like her. Blah.
- Industrial Magic
Paige gets better after a while, but it's still weird to read from her point of view. Clay and Elena are like shadows of the awesomeness that was in the first two books... But it was better than Dime Store Magic. It's interesting that my library considers these horror novels, yet they're not too scary. A bit scary. But not too bad.
- Dime Store Magic
This comes before Industrial Magic. Industrial Magic is much much better than this book. I didn't enjoy it very much, but I suppose it was a good building block for the next book.
- Soulless
This was awesome! It was fantasy set in Victorian England, with werewolves, vampires, ghosts, etc. All integrated into society. I loved it! It was fun and funny, and just generally awesome. (some descriptions involve steampunk. this makes me happy. I'd thought that perhaps all steampunk was very serious, with no sense of humour whatsoever.) READ THIS BOOK!
- Printing for Pleasure
Just reading up on my new hobby. Very interesting, charming book. Sadly, I didn't feel there was enough of the nuts and bolts to satisfy my curiosity. On to more in-depth tomes!
December
- Lemon
This was.... Very Canadian. Some poor teen is all miserable, and bad things happen, and it got a bit overwhelming with misery and despair. All that said, I enjoyed it, and quite liked how it ended. I've found Coach house books to be a bit hit or miss. I haven't even tried reading the ones I bought earlier this year again... Because... I just couldn't get into it. But this, and the Curiosities of Marcel.... were both quite good.
- Lost Art of Gratitude
I felt this way about The Unbearable Lightness of Scones, as well. Alexander McCall Smith was getting a bit overdone in the middle of these series, but it's really picked back up. Much better than the last few books! This was a quick fun read, as all of his books tend to be.
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Not my normal reading fare, it's true. But this was excellent. Maybe I'm jaded and cynical, but I didn't find it as brutal as I'd been expecting. There was one scene that was quite horrific, but other than that... I'm quite anxious to read the two remaining books in the trilogy. It was a great read.
- The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
I read this sometime in the spring, but forgot to include it here. I really enjoyed this book, and will definitely watch for other titles by this author. It's about a girl who has issues with society and norms and the patriarchy. She pulls off a number of pranks, making it seem as though they were done by the secret society at her boarding school. They are shockingly complex, and people may think she's a psychopath. Very well written and interesting book.
- Case of the Missing Servant
I don't have much to say about this book. It was okay, nothing special, I thought.