Listmania!
Books I've Read in 2009
By an Amazon.com customer
Down RiverDown River by John Hart
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
Mellow drama that wouldn't end. Meh.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie SocietyThe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
Buy new: $14.96 / Used from: $3.55
Absolutely delightful. A quick read.
MarchMarch by Geraldine Brooks
Buy new: $9.75 / Used from: $3.00
Brooks writes a heck of a book. If you've read Little Women, you like how March fills in the gaps.
Dead to the World (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 4)Dead to the World (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 4) by Charlaine Harris
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $2.50
A real twist in the story line of the series.
Mind's Eye: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery (Inspector Van Veeteren Mysteries)Mind's Eye: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery (Inspector Van Veeteren Mysteries) by Hakan Nesser
Buy used from: $2.97
Weird. I didn't like the main character but it was an ok murder mystery.
People of the Book: A NovelPeople of the Book: A Novel by Geraldine Brooks
Buy used from: $3.14
Another hum-dinger from Geraldine Brooks. I didn't want it to end.
Dead as a Doornail (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 5)Dead as a Doornail (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 5) by Charlaine Harris
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $2.63
Another win for Charlaine Harris
Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 6)Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 6) by Charlaine Harris
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $1.82
I can't stop reading these Sookie Stackhouse books. They are quick, fun and funny.
All Together Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 7)All Together Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 7) by Charlaine Harris
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $1.50
This one is more serious than the others. Less laughs, more pensive.
Plan B: Further Thoughts on FaithPlan B: Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
Buy used from: $1.94
Reading Anne Lamott always makes me feel less crazy.
Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on FaithGrace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
Buy new: $11.20 / Used from: $2.58
I liked Plan B a bit better than this one, but it's still a good read.
Mary of Nazareth: A NovelMary of Nazareth: A Novel by Marek Halter
Buy new: $11.16 / Used from: $4.00
I was bummed that this one wasn't as good as his others. It was ok...the others are good to very good.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel (Oprah Book Club #62)The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel (Oprah Book Club #62) by David Wroblewski
Buy new: $17.13 / Used from: $0.83
Very rarely do I come across a book that actually makes me sob...this is one of those books. Beautifully and masterfully written, but will break your heart in half.
From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, No. 8)From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, No. 8) by Charlaine Harris
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $3.00
A little more disjointed than her other books but still good.
The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter MemoirThe Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir by Cylin Busby
Buy new: $12.23 / Used from: $0.23
It could have been written better, but it's still a harrowing true story.
Grave Sight (Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 1)Grave Sight (Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 1) by Charlaine Harris
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $2.59
Boo! Not even close to as good as the Sookie Stackhouse series. Don't bother.
Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love StoryBloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story by Christopher Moore
Buy new: $10.08 / Used from: $3.49
Fun, funny and zany
You Suck: A Love StoryYou Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore
Buy new: $10.04 / Used from: $4.40
I liked BS Fiends better, but still fun.
The House at Riverton: A NovelThe House at Riverton: A Novel by Kate Morton
Buy new: $10.20 / Used from: $0.96
I liked it, mostly. It could have been a lot more straight forward - I wasn't into the author's use of so much "switch back". At some point, stop implying and just come out and say what happens!
Plum Spooky (A Between-the-Numbers Novel)Plum Spooky (A Between-the-Numbers Novel) by Janet Evanovich
Buy new: $17.10 / Used from: $0.65
Not her best book, but not her worst either.
Real Murders (Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, Book 1)Real Murders (Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, Book 1) by Charlaine Harris
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $1.99
Another Charlaine Harris series opener. It was ok - better than the Harper Connelly series opener.
The Anatomy of DeceptionThe Anatomy of Deception by Lawrence Goldstone
Buy new: $10.08 / Used from: $0.46
It was ok, not earth shattering.
My AbandonmentMy Abandonment by Peter Rock
Buy new: $14.96 / Used from: $6.89
The only word I can think of to describe this book, based on a true story, is "haunting".
SweetheartSweetheart by Chelsea Cain
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $0.05
A bit too racy for me in parts but otherwise a suspenseful read.
Little Bee: A NovelLittle Bee: A Novel by Chris Cleave
Buy new: $16.32 / Used from: $14.88
Interesting & different. Makes me want to read other books this author has written.
Shakespeare's Landlord (Lily Bard Mysteries, Book 1)Shakespeare's Landlord (Lily Bard Mysteries, Book 1) by Charlaine Harris
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $1.99
Better than Harper Connolly and Aurora Teagarden series (but not better than Sookie Stackhouse - of course!)
Many Bloody ReturnsMany Bloody Returns
Buy new: $10.20 / Used from: $8.00
Good mix of short stories that all have the following in common: a birthday and a vampire.
Angels & Demons (Hardcover)Angels & Demons (Hardcover) by Dan Brown
Buy used from: $8.33
I think I may like this one better than the Da Vinci Code.
Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 9)Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 9) by Charlaine Harris
Buy new: $14.97 / Used from: $13.00
Another good one from the Sookie Stackhouse series. When is the next one coming out? :)
Never Let Me GoNever Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Buy new: $10.20 / Used from: $3.38
Weird.
Castle: A NovelCastle: A Novel by J. Robert Lennon
Buy new: $17.16 / Used from: $9.98
Good psychological suspense, but I felt like book ended too abruptly. There were some loose ends....
Shantaram: A NovelShantaram: A Novel by Gregory David Roberts
Buy new: $10.19 / Used from: $6.95
Too long, but still a good book.
The Gift of FearThe Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker
Buy new: $10.20 / Used from: $5.90
Probably one of the best non fiction books I've ever read. Every man, woman and child should read this potentially life saving book.
The Strain: Book One of The Strain TrilogyThe Strain: Book One of The Strain Trilogy by Guillermo Del Toro
Buy new: $17.81 / Used from: $9.95
A slightly different take on vampires. Almost reminds me of zombies more than vampires, but still good.
LaviniaLavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $1.91
Different from what I usually read - but totally worth it. Le Guin is a very talented and wise writer.
The Book ThiefThe Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Buy new: $7.97 / Used from: $5.07
I liked it, but it didn't "change my life".
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance - Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem!Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance - Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem! by Jane Austen
Buy new: $8.47 / Used from: $5.00
Pretty much awesome.
The Physick Book of Deliverance DaneThe Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
Buy new: $16.89 / Used from: $1.97
Great job for a first novel.
Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum Novels)Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum Novels) by Janet Evanovich
Buy new: $16.34 / Used from: $5.25
Wasn't her best book, but wasn't her worst.
ColumbineColumbine by Dave Cullen
Buy new: $17.81 / Used from: $14.09
This is a very important and well researched book. You should read it to learn what was myth and what was fact, what we as a nation have learned (and changed) since this tragedy and the important difference between psychosis and psychopathy.