So, I did it – on Christmas Day, I finished the fifty-second new book of the year – Creeping in Reptile Flesh by Robert Hood (great way to finish my reading year, with a truly fantastic writer). So I did it – 52 new books, 65 books in total – the most I’ve read for a long time.
During the year, I kept track of my reading by recording each book I read, the dates on which I read them and a short comment about the book. Next year, when I’m reading my 52 books, I think I’ll also add a bit of a scoring system, so I can easily see the books I considered the best of the year.
Having not done that, I’m going to refer to a) my memory and b) my list and give you my ten most memorable books of the year.
Eats Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss (read Jan 6-7 at writing retreat, spreadsheet comment - Was good to get myself updated on my punctuation - it's something I need to keep thinking about and working on and not be lazy about) Being a child of the 70s, my education in terms of punctuation and grammar isn’t that good. I’ve got a pretty good grasp of it naturally, but it’s still something I need to work on (as my copyedit for Love in Control proves). Good start to a very writerly year.
Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny (read Jan 1-18, mostly at writing retreat, spreadsheet comment -Fan-bloody-tastic. Very impressive, to see such tight plotting and such vivid characterisation and see that you don't have to crap on with description and padding - the story can be all) This was a Christmas present from my brother and I have to say – Bless you, Matthew! It’s a collection of the first four Amber books, and the writing and the story amazed me. It’s not often that I remember a story so vividly, but I already know this is one of my all-time classics.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (read May 22-25, spreadsheet comment - Fabulous, loooooove Neil Gaiman. It seems so simple, and yet you stop to think about what was involved in creating it and realise that's deceptive. Damn him). I read two Neil Gaiman’s this year – the other being American Gods, and this is the one that most affected me. I loved it – so sweet and eery and scary and wonderful. And it inspired my own writing, so thanks Neil.
The Ambassador’s Mission by Trudi Canavan (read Aug 8-Sep 3, spreadsheet comment - Trudi's new manuscript - boy the woman can tell a rip-roaring story! Couple of aspects that didn't work for me, but otherwise shazaam!) Yes, I know, this wasn’t something available for just anyone to read – the book hits the shelves next year. But I had to mention it, cause I love Trudi’s writing and damn girl!
Booklife by Jeff VanderMeer (read Nov 22-25, spreadsheet comment - Jeff VanderMeer's book on living life as a writer. Some interesting thoughts - will be using it for the PR plan. Also nice to see that the way I've been thinking lately matches other experiences) If you want a career as a writer, you must read this book. That is all.
Horn by Peter Ball (read June 6 on way home from Natcon, spreadsheet comment - Novella from Peter M Ball. Very punchy and good story, well told, although some of the graphic details of it were very disturbing). On the way to dinner on the Sunday night of the convention, I ignorantly followed Jason Fischer’s directive and teased Alisa Krasnostein with the word “pop”. Alisa, I hearby apologise for that.
Siren’s Beat by Tansy Rayner Roberts and Roadkill by Robert Sherman (read November 25, spreadsheet comment - A double from Alisa's Twelth Planet Press. I really don't like stories without a clear ending - so it ruined Rob's for me, which was fantabulous and fantastical in a spooky way. Tansy's kicked arse. Great characters, great idea) This was the beginning of the great Urban Fantasy run of 2009 – I overdosed on mythical creatures running around the city, which is a great way to go, I must say.
A Book of Endings by Deborah Biancotti (read November 1-11, spreadsheet comment - My lord, that Deborah Biancotti is a fabulous writer. I always knew a collection of hers would be a good read, and it was incredible. And inspiring) I’d been waiting for someone to publish a collection of Deb’s short stories, and it didn’t disappoint. Yet another writer I want to be when I grow up (along with Rob Hood, Trudi Canavan and Margo Lanagan).
Ulysses by James Joyce (read Feb 25-April 13, spreadsheet comment - Gave up half way through - language is beautiful, but I don't have a clue what's going on, even after reading the opening essay telling me what's going on. Might try another Joyce though) I got more than half-way, which I consider quite an achievement. Stunning language, but I do like a plot in my stories. And Leopold Bloom has got to be one of the most meh protagonists every created.
Change Your Thinking by Sarah Edelmen (read May 6-21, spreadsheet comment - Gave me some good insight into myself, made some notes in diary about not being so black and white, more accepting and having a more realistic belief system) This was a big year for me in terms of self-discovery, and this book helped to make things clearer for me.
Just stopping at ten books is hard. I want to tell you, for example, about Tracey O’Hara’s reimagining of vampires in Night’s Cold Kiss or the incredibly sensual experience of Erica Hayes’ Shadowfae (not just the reading – the book itself is wonderful to hold) or how PS I Love You reduced me to tears again and again or about the mastery of Graham Joyce in TWOC.
All in all, it was a pretty good reading year for me – very few duds, lots of interesting stuff, and one absolute classic to rest alongside important childhood/teenage books like LOTR and Narnia and the Runestaff. And when I look at my shelves and see books like Slights and Little Brother, well I’m all excited about my reading in 2010.