The Sunday Salon is a virtual gathering of booklovers on the web, where they blog about bookish things of the past week, visit each others weblogs, oh — and read ;)
2009 was a good year for reading. I completed 35 books (5 more than last year) and I didn’t put any aside because I found them too disappointing. My eyes have goggled a total of 10.038 pages ;)
2009 FIRSTS:
- I took up a graphic novel (Coraline)
- I participated in the November 24 hour read-a-thon
- I posted more about books, actually ‘reviewing‘ them instead of just listing titles & authors
- I joined several challenges on the web, aside from my annual personal reading challenges
(3rd Japanese Literature Challenge, 2009 Classics Challenge, 2nd What’s in a name challenge, 100 Mile Fitness Challenge, Hello Japan!) - I’m herding with the Japanese Literature Book Group and Japanese Literature Read-along of In Spring it is the Dawn
- I discovered the world of book bloggers (including The Sunday Salon) thanks to the things mentioned above ;)
I’m afraid I have a lot of ‘wrapping up’ to do on my challenges — writing reviews and wrap-up posts — so thank god for next weekend: it’s Bloggiesta!
Now, the highlights of 2009…. (drum roll)
BESTEST book: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (published in 1939)
I would never have guessed it would end as my best read of 2009. I had a hard time getting into the book, especially because of the ‘epic’ chapters intertwining the story of the Joad family during the Great Depression in the US. But it really got under my skin. And looking back The Grapes of Wrath definitely made the biggest (and a long lasting) impression.
I still need to review it so I guess it’d better be one of the first to tackle. (Review added)
SECOND best book: The Old Capital by Yasunari Kawabata (1962)
I had never heard of Nobel Prize winner Yasunari Kawabata, even though I’ve been reading Japanese authors for a while now. So I’m really glad I got to know him thanks to the Japanese Literature Book Group that started this year. Again, I haven’t reviewed this book yet :\ But I absolutely loved the detailed descriptions of Kyoto and Japanese culture. It reminded me of last year’s favourite: The Teahouse Fire by Ellis Avery. But The Old Capital is way more subtle — Japanese, where The Teahouse Fire is recognizably American in comparison. So, another review that’s high on my to-do list.
Worst book: Butterfly in the Wind by Rei Kimura (2000)
What do you know, I do have a review of this year’s worst read on Graasland! ;) That’s because it was the first book I read for the Japanese Literature Challenge (for which I actually only needed to read 1 book, but why stop, especially after such a disappointment? ;) I read Butterfly in the Wind in Dutch (Vlinder in de wind) and found the content, the way the story was told ánd the translation all h o r r i b l e.
I have thought of listing more books especially worth mentioning, but I had many good reads this year so I’ll just give you the whole lot of them. The first title (Silk) was read last, the last of the list my first book of 2009 (Falling Angels). Are there any of these you would have picked as your best read?
- Zijde (Seta / Silk), Alessandro Baricco
- The Gargoyle, Andrew Davidson (online reading group)
- I am a cat (Wagahai wa Neko de Aru), 2nd volume, Natsume Sōseki (Japanese Literature Read-along, JapLit Challenge)
- The Old Capital (Koto 古都), Yasunari Kawabata (Japanese Literature Reading Group)
- Persuasion, Jane Austen audio book
- In Cold Blood, Truman Capote (November Book Group read; What’s in a Name)
- I am a cat (Wagahai wa Neko de Aru), 1st volume, Natsume Sōseki (Japanese Literature Read-along, JapLit Challenge)
- Coraline, Neil Gaiman (graphic novel)
- De pianoman, Bernlef
- Be With You (Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu), Takuji Ichikawa
- The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck ((multiple) challenge book) TNX to boekenxnl for this rabck!
- Revolutionary Road, Richard Yates (Classics challenge; online reading group)
- Het Pauperparadijs, Suzanna Jansen (non-fiction)
- To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee (Bookcrossing bookring / (multiple) challenge book)
- Vlinder in de wind (Butterfly in the Wind), Rei Kimura (Japanese Literature challenge book)
- Away, Amy Bloom (online reading group)
- The Mapmaker’s Wife, Robert Whitaker (Bookcrossing bookring / What’s in a name challenge book)
- What came before he shot her, Elizabeth George (What’s in a name challenge book)
- With no one as witness, Elizabeth George
- Zo god het wil (Crossroads / Come Dio Comanda), Niccolò Ammaniti
- De inboorling, Stevo Akkerman
- Ten zuiden van de grens, ten westen van de zon (Kokkyo no minami, Taiyo no nishi / South of the Border, West of the Sun), Haruki Murakami
- De kleine keizer (‘The Little Emperor‘), Martin Bril (What’s in a name challenge book)
- Nikolski, Nicolas Dickner (ring)
- Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh ((multiple) challenge book / bookgroup)
- Slam, Nick Hornby
- Notes from an exhibition, Patrick Gale
- Rivier der vergetelheid (Meuse l’oubli), Philippe Claudel
- Dans dans dans (Dansu dansu dansu / Dance dance dance), Haruki Murakami
- The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro ((multiple) challenge book)
- Grijze zielen, Philippe Claudel (What’s in a name challenge book)
- The National Trust for Scotland: Brodie Castle (non-fiction)
- De ijdele engel, Godfried Bomans
- The End of Mr Y, Scarlett Thomas (TNX to rapturina for this rabck!)
- Vallende engelen (Falling Angels), Tracey Chevalier
The ‘stats’ (for real geeks like me ;) will have to wait until another day. But here’s what I read in 2008 and in 2007 — for those of you who haven’t had enough yet (are you also from the Eighties generation, too fond of making lists? ;)
My Google map will show you my Bookcrossing releases of all-time. Making a sidebar button for it is one of my wishes for next week’s Bloggiesta! As is, maybe, a special page where I can bring my year lists together?
Coincidently (dôh) this week’s Booking Through Thursday wants to know exactly what I’ve been talking about today!
18 reacties
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zondag 3 januari 2010 bij 23:16
claire
Revolutionary Road is one of my top reads this year. Amazing writing by Yates. Have already purchased two others of his books as follow up. Haven’t read The Old Capital yet, but plan to. Loved Kawabata’s Snow Country and The Sound of the Mountain before. The Grapes of Wrath is also on the to be read list. Happy new year, Gnoe!
maandag 4 januari 2010 bij 16:10
gnoegnoe
I really liked (?) Revolutionary Road as well. Like Grapes it got under my skin: there’s a constant sphere of doom! Very well done. Easter Parade is on Mt. TBR — I might get to it in 2010! Happy New Year to you too :))
zondag 3 januari 2010 bij 23:18
Amanda
The Grapes of Wrath was by far my favorite book of 2008. I didn’t expect to like it at all, but it turned to be brilliant.
maandag 4 januari 2010 bij 16:11
gnoegnoe
Weird, isn’t it? I had been reluctant to pick up Grapes of Wrath too and I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for my reading challenges! That proves why challenges are great ;)
zondag 3 januari 2010 bij 23:25
Nymeth
I need to read The Grapes of Wrath! Congrats on a great reading year :)
maandag 4 januari 2010 bij 16:12
gnoegnoe
Yes, you do. And you probably will some day — that’s how it happens!
zondag 3 januari 2010 bij 23:38
Marion Hogervorst
I love your pile of books! I am soo gonna keep track of my reading this year (and attend the Sunda Salon more often). With my new blog it should be easier. I really should go get some sleep now, but I will click the Bloggiesta link and blame you :P
maandag 4 januari 2010 bij 16:13
gnoegnoe
Please do! It is so much fun to look back on what you’ve read :)
Hope to see you at Bloggiesta! Just blame me — I can handle it ;)
maandag 4 januari 2010 bij 03:31
mee
Congrats for a great reading year! I would love to read the Grapes of Wrath, but I’m not sure if I can fit it in this year. *sigh* too many books too little time
ps: I’m glad you’ve tried graphic novels!
maandag 4 januari 2010 bij 16:14
gnoegnoe
The Grapes of Wrath will be around for many more years to come ;) No need to hurry! It will happen when it does.
maandag 4 januari 2010 bij 03:31
historyofshe
I got about 75 pages in to The Grapes of Wrath and decided that I couldn’t do it. This was, oh, close to five years ago so I might need to try it again ;p I’m glad to see it’s on your favorites list– it makes me want to pick it up again!
maandag 4 januari 2010 bij 16:17
gnoegnoe
Like I said, I didn’t grab me immediately either! On the contrary. I believe it almost took me a 100 pages… Maybe you’ll try it again some other time! Then again… lots of great books out there ;)
maandag 4 januari 2010 bij 05:14
Natasha @ Maw Books
Yay for Bloggiesta!!!! :)
maandag 4 januari 2010 bij 16:14
gnoegnoe
Yay indeed! ;) TNX for organizing ;)
maandag 4 januari 2010 bij 18:00
Sakura
I read Of Mice and Men when I was at school but was too chicken to try The Grapes of Wrath because of its size and content (seemed too serious!) so it’s nice to know that it was your favourite read of 2009. That gives me confidence to give it a try, and makes me curious to see what it’s all about.
dinsdag 5 januari 2010 bij 14:26
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
I’m sure I read the Grapes of Wrath as a teenager, but remember nothing about it. It must be time for a reread!
I have heard lots of great things about The Old Capital too. I’ve added it to my wish list! Great list – I look forward to following you in 2010, since I only recently discovered your blog.
maandag 11 januari 2010 bij 23:50
stacybuckeye
To Kill a Mockingbird is a favorite of mine. I finished Persuasion this week and liked it.
zondag 4 april 2010 bij 20:28
harvee
Sorry you didn’t like Rei Kimura. She is a mystery writer and not a writer of serious literary fiction. Too bad you didn’t read her book in the original English. I have read most of her novels and been entertained by them, but the one you mentioned must have a different name in English as I don’t recognize it. Hope you try her in English if you like mystery novels or crime fiction!
I look forward to your review of The Old Capital.
Regards,
Harvee
Book Dilettante