2008 Booklist

Here is my 2008 book list. A bit smaller than I would like due to school and studying for boards. My goal for next year is to go a minimum of ten above. *indicates I books I rather liked. My favorite was Water for Elephants. Least favorite was The Historian.

*Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
**Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk
***The Eyes of The Dragon by Stephen King
**Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk
***Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
*The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin
Big Fish by Daniel Wallace
God Bless You Dr. Kevorkian by Kurt Vonnegut
Stranger Than Ficton by Chuck Palahniuk
**The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman
**The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman
**1984 by George Orwell
The Historian by by Elizabeth Kostova
*Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
*New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
**Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer
**Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
***Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Uglies be Scott Westerfeld
Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
*Shadows in the Asylum: The Case Files of Dr. Charles Marsh by D. A. Stern
***Abarat: Book One by Clive Barker
**Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War by Clive Barker
**The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
**The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Total Books: 27

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

A sci-fi classic. Andrew "Ender" Wiggen is most certainly not your average child. At the ripe age of six, he is recruited by the military for training in preparation for the ultimate battle of alien vs. human dominion. Rooted from a family of distant parents, a sadistic brother, and a loving sister, Ender is thrown into battle simulations, isolated from anyone he might potentially become close with, and manipulated to become the ultimate weapon. Ender's Game includes aliens, war, politics, family, and diplomacy. What more does one need?

This book has received several awards, exceptional reviews, and came highly recommended to me. However, I did not enjoy it as much as I had anticipated. I recognize that I am in the minority and can appreciate others fondness of the story. Though an interesting read, it does not hold the significance and discernment for me as it does many other readers.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling

A whimsical, but brief, look into the world of Harry Potter. A must read for all fans. :)

Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War by Clive Barker

"I dreamed I spoke in another's language,
I dreamed I lived in another's skin,
I dreamed I was my own beloved,
I dreamed I was a tiger's kin.

I dreamed that Eden lived inside me,
And when I breathed a garden came,
I dreamed I knew all of Creation,
I dreamed I knew the Creator's name.

I dreamed--and this dream was the finest--
That all I dreamed was real and true,
And we would live in joy forever,
You in me, and me in you."
— Clive Barker (Abarat, Book 2: Days of Magic, Nights of War)

So begins the journey of Candy Quackenbush in Abarat, Book 2: Days of Magic, Nights of War. The beginning is has a slow build-up. I almost am inclined to think that Barker wasn't sure if this was going to be the last book in the Abarat series or not when he began writing this story. Once things get rolling, it's a hard book to set down. The reader delves deeper into Candy's history and lineage, uncovering secrets and connections hidden in the first book. Also, the reader becomes better acquainted with Abarat and the twenty-five islands of The Hours. A must read for any fan of the series or anyone looking to get lost in a magical world where anything is possible.

Abarat: Book One by Clive Barker

"I dreamed a limitless book,
A book unbound,
It's leaves scattered in fantastic abundance.

On every line there was a new horizon drawn,
New heavens supposed;
New states, new souls.

One of those souls,
Dozing through some imagined afternoon,
Dreamed these words.
And needing a hand to set them down, Made mine. "
-Clive Barker, Abarat: Book One

Thus begins your journey into Abarat, a world unlike any other. Candy is an average girl living in an average town, known as Chickentown, Minnesota. Her father is a drunk, known to beat her in midst of his alcoholic rages and her mother is a quiet, passive woman who works to bring home the family income and keep the family together the best she can. Needless, to say, there is nothing holding Candy to her home. In an angry fit, Candy walks until she no longer can see any part of Chickentown, however, she does see an old abandoned lighthouse. It is the very remains of this lighthouse that take Candy away to the world known as Abarat. Once in Abarat, Candy journeys on one adventure after another, all the while meeting vivid characters and dodging (extremely) evil counterparts. This is story that you don't want to miss.

I have not been so enthralled in a story since I read Harry Potter. A must-read for those who like fantasy, adventure, and the timeless tale of good-over-evil. The book itself contains over 100 oil paintings done by Clive Barker himself, which add a rich context to the story.

Shadows in the Asylum: The Case Files of Dr. Charles Marsh

Dr. Marsh is new at the Kriegmoor Psychiatric Institute. Following a recent trial in Texas, Marsh escapes to the remote quiet of northern Wisconsin to once again pursue his career. Following a regular group of patients, Marsh becomes particularly fascinated with Kari Hansen, otherwise known as patient # HA-09. Kari, 20 years old, was forced to drop out of college and became a patient at Kriegmoor when she became obsessed with shadow-like-creatures that were coming for her, threatening to emotionally torment and physically hurt her. Kari becomes a top priority for Marsh, especially after unexplained cuts, bruises, and markings appear on Kari's skin. Marsh begins to delve deeper into Kari's history, attempting to find any explanation and perhaps some resolve to the issues at hand. However, what Marsh discovers has startling effects on not only Kari, but his other patients as well as himself.

Addicting. This book reads like a case file, rather than a novel. The pages are composed of articles, patient records, historical documents, and scribbled-writings of Dr. Marsh himself. Here is the link to amazon, where you can look at some examples. Right from the very beginning I was hooked. If you are one for horror/suspense/psychological thrillers, this is a book that is not to be missed! Pssst...here is the website for the book, if you are interested.

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

In the second book of the Uglies triology, Tally has finally taken the plunge and become a pretty. She recalls bits and pieces of her former life, but mainly focuses on partying and joining a clique known as the "crims". This highly regarded clique is composed of other pretties who played a lot pranks or at least got in a decent amount of trouble back in their ugly days. Through this clique, Tally meets Zane. Together they fight to remember the past and restore their future. All of the characters are back and they have a plan to turn pretty town inside out and re-align themselves with the "smokies", a reclusive community of people who live in the wild outside of the authoritative restrictions of the "pretty" community. As with anything, no plan is perfect.

I immensely enjoyed Pretties. Much more-so than Uglies. While Uglies was interesting and necessary to set the tone for the entire series, it was very predictable. After Westerfeld set acclimated readers to the ugly/pretty world, he was able to dive deeper and create a story with a deeper plot as well as throw in some unexpected turns. Again, it's not the great American novel, but it's a good story. One in which I was able to get quickly wrapped up in.

Uglies be Scott Westerfeld

Tally Youngblood can not wait to turn sixteen. It's the age you get the operation...to become a pretty, to look like everyone else. Shortly before Tally turns sixteen, she meets Shay. Shay isn't interested in becoming pretty. Instead, Shay wants to stay exactly as she is. Therefore, she runs into the wilderness to find "the smoke," a society where people can live just as they are, without an operation. The society in which Tally lives in does not approve of such societies. In attempt to snuff out "the smoke," officials tell Tally that she can either find and reveal the secret location, or she can stay ugly for life. Choosing to become pretty, Tally journies into the unknown to find The Smoke, and she does. However, the utopian socitey is quite different than she anticipated, and Tally finds herself with a much tougher choice than she thought possible.

A fun, quick read, which I needed as life has been majorly stressful lately. I look forward to the rest of the triology...Pretties and Specials. Uglies definitely had faster-and-slower-paced portions. I have started Pretties and it definitely has a faster pace to it so far. Anyways, it's a good read if you are looking for something entertaining.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

A timeless tale indeed. The story takes place during the depression era. After his parents die in a tragic accident, Jacob Jankowski, 23, is left to live out the rest of his life penniless and alone. Abandoning his final exams for veterinary school, Jacob hops aboard a circus train, uncertain of what he seeks. What he stumbles into is the Benzini Brothers Greatest Show On Earth. Though the circus is second-rate at best, it offers Jacob the chance to meet a variety of new people and live a completely different life, unlike any he has ever known.


I really don't want to give too much away. This is by far the BEST book I have read all year. The Benzini Brothers Circus offers a variety of multidimensional, colorful characters, some you will love and others you will hate. The journey Jacob takes throughout the novel is amazing. Gruen definitely did her research on the era and the circus. I read several rave reviews on this book a while back when it first came out, and never really gave it chance, not being interested in the circus and whatnot. I wish I would have picked it up sooner. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is willing to get lost in a truly amazing story.

Also, if you can get a hold of Water for Elephants on audio book, I would recommend to digest the story that way best. Though the reader still goes on the same journey, the audio book offers, what I think, is a better idea of the type of characters Gruen wanted to portray. I read the book half-and-half, half in the car on audio and half in the novel itself. I was completely absorbed in it. Whichever form you chose, don't miss out. I will definitely read this book again.

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

I have heard a lot of negative buzz in regards to Breaking Dawn. Honestly, it was my favorite book in the Twilight Saga. I had to ration the last half of the book to make it last as long as possible. I really enjoyed the entire series. I wasn't even through the first chapter of Twilight before I became completely wrapped up in the Cullen's world. I believe that people have heavily criticized the series because they were looking for a great literary masterpiece. The fact of the matter is this is just a good story. There is nothing precisely remarkable about the series, except that it's a good story. So if elegant prose or symbolism are what you seek, look further. For those willing to get immersed into an imaginative and magical world, I highly recommend Breaking Dawn as well as the entire Twilight Saga.

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks

What instead of World War III we survived World War Z: the living vs. the un-dead? This is the question that Max Brooks poses in his novel World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War. Brooks travels the far reaches of the globe to interview those who have survived this horrific war. Generally, the interviewees reflect on the war, beginning from how the war originated to how they were able to survive. Many also share the stories of people who were not as fortunate as they. This book got a lot of rave reviews. I found it interesting and utterly believable, but was not as immersed as some. Perhaps I had built up the story from my preconceived notions, therefore, not giving it a fair chance as I otherwise might have. All-in-all, I enjoyed Brooks' presentation of a not-so-unlikely Zombie war and would recommend it for those who enjoy all things zombie-related.

Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer

Soooo good.

New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

Amazing.

Favorite quote from the book:

"He thought for a minute. 'All right.' Forget time limits. If you want me to be the one-then you'll just have to meet one condition.'

'Condition?' My voice went flat. 'What condition?'

His eyes were cautious-he spoke slowly. 'Marry me first'."


*squeeeeeeeeeeeeee*

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

I just finished the first book in the "Twilight" series. All I have to say is it's AMAZING. I don't even want to see the movie. I'd rather just allow the book to play out as it did in my imagination. *insert side note: So MANY movies ruin the way you picture books as you read them* If you haven't already read it, do so immediately (admittedly, it' does have a target audience).

I am extremely eager to read the rest of the series.

1984 by George Orwell

Orwell paints a disturbing picture in his novel 1984. One in which the government controls everything, including your thoughts. Winston Smith is on ordinary man who does what he can to survive. However, he can not help but remember bits and pieces of his old life, before Big Brother came into play. When we meet Smith, he is just beginning a journey to patch these pieces together in attempt to remember how life was before the party came into power. It seems the more he recollects, the more he realizes how manipulative and morally wrong the party is. He grows to hate the party in every way and craves to revolt. Along the way, Smith commits one crime after another...a love affair with another party member, thought crime, joining a anti-party movement known only as the brotherhood...As his crimes accumulate, the party begins to notice an otherwise ordinary man. The question is...is it enough to make a difference? Is it enough to bring the party, which seems to revel in the misery of mankind, down?

My head still spins from reading this book, and I am left with several questions unanswered. Is O'Brien a good guy or a bad guy? Did he set Winston up? Or was the party bound to notice Winston, and O'Brien was just doing his job? As O'Brien mentioned before, should anyone from the brotherhood get caught, there would be no effort to rescue them. Is the brotherhood completely fictional? Is it just the party's way of detecting people who wish to revolt?! Any theories on this is greatly appreciated!!!

Otherwise, I really enjoyed reading this book. It definitely makes you think, which I believe was Orwell's entire goal in writing it. I highly recommend it if you liked other books such as Oryx and Crake by Atwood, A Clockwork Orange by Burgess, Lord of the Flies by Golding, or Brave New World by Huxley.

The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman

Hoffman outdoes herself yet again in The Ice Queen. It's story about a girl, whose name is never revealed. She loses her mother in a fatal car crash when she is barely 8 years old. Said girl grows up to be a narcissistic, invisible librarian who physically and emotionally detaches herself from everyone as punishment for wishing her mother dead. Upon her grandmother's death, our narrator is moved from New Jersey to Florida via her brother Ned. Though Ned's intentions are good, his sister again makes a disastrous wish, this one for herself. She wishes to get struck by lightening, and does so. From here on out, things start to get interesting. Our narrator sets out on a quest to meet "Lazarus Jones," best known to have been fatally struck by lightening, only to rise from the dead 45 minutes later. Her mission is to find the one person that she can not destroy.

I will be honest, the beginning of this story is downright depressing. Hoffman's theme is "it can't get any worse," and then it does. The appropriately self-titled "ice queen" makes a remarkable journey from one end of the spectrum to the other. The majority of the novel is centered around death, but the story is anything but morbid. I highly enjoyed reading this book, and look forward to reading many more of Hoffman's novels. I loved this book just as much as The Probable Future, though they were very different. It is rare to find an author that is versatile, while drawing in the same audience into each and every novel.

The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman

My head is stiiiill spinning from this book! The story is about the Sparrow family. Each girl in the family awakens on her thirteenth birthday with a gift. Such gifts include the ability to dream other people's dreams, detect lies, feel no pain... For Stella Sparrow, her gift is the ability to see how people are going to die. The story starts out with Stella and her mother Jenny, who have a typical mother-rebellious teenager relationship. Over the past thirteen years, Jenny has worked extremely hard to keep her daughter safe from the secrets and past of the Sparrow family. However, Stella receives her gift non-the-less and turns to father for help. During this revelation to her father, Stella reveals that a woman is going to be brutally murdered and wants her father to help. Instead, her father becomes the lead suspect and puts both of Stella's and Jenny's lives at risk. Therefore, Jenny has no where else to turn and ends up relocating Stella and herself back to life she desperately tried to leave behind.

This book is amazing! I was so sad to see it end! There are various elements besides the plot. There is the love-hate relationship of mother and daughter. There is a magical element. There is death and there is life. It's about first loves and true love. About the struggle to find your place in life. Hoffman definitely writes for an audience of women, but goes above and beyond your general chick lit. I would highly recommend this book to any woman looking to fall into a magical world, that is not unlike the world we live in everyday. I look forward to reading more of Hoffman's novels. Some of her other works include, but are not limited too Practical Magic, Turtle Moon, and The River King.

Big Fish by Daniel Wallace

Ok, so let me start off by mentioning where I first heard about this book...or movie, I should say. It was a few years back during my humanities class (the very one in which I met Jake). Our instructor was somewhat of fruit loop. She had just gone to see the movie with her husband and absolutely hated it because it dealt solely with a father-son relationship (she was very Feminist). So, of course, I had to go and watch the movie to see what all the fuss was about. I rather liked the movie, just one of many things I did NOT have in common with this instructor. :P Plus, its a Tim Burton film...how can you go wrong?!

So recently I was browsing my favorite bookstore, the one that is just down the street from my new apartment, and I came across the Big Fish. Admittedly, I did not know the movie had been a book prior. It was on sale, so I scooped it up on my way to check out. As I neared final season of school, I wanted to read something light, fun, and entertaining. Big Fish fulfills all these expectations. It is a quick read and easy to pick up, read a few excerpts, and set down until you have time to pick it back up again (which sometimes expanded into weeks for me). It is about a father-son relationship, and the ups and downs that goes along with it. The father is on his death bed and his son is re-living all of the stories that his father has told him throughout his life. The son reflects that several times, when he has wanted to have a serious heart-to-heart with his dad, he instead hears a joke or tall tale. However, instead of being resentful and angry, the son accepts his father for what he is, bad jokes and all. Overall, this was a delightful read, and of course, I now want to watch the movie again!

God Bless You Dr. Kevorkian by Kurt Vonnegut

So this was an interesting choice for my first Vonnegut. This book of small excerpts Vonnegut did for a New York Radio station. He allows himself to go under with the help of Jack Kevorkian in order to go to heaven and have short interviews with various individuals ranging from Hitler to Shakespeare to a random constructor worker who died to save his schnauzer from an angry pit bull. Vonnegut's writing is witty, sarcastic, and entertaining. It's a short, but wonderful read.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

I have just finished my first book of the new year, Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. The story is about a man named Richard Mayhew who discovers a life underground London. He lives an ordinary life in London Above, until he meets a character named Door. Upon helping Door, Richard is thrown into the underground world, where he discovers life has more color and meaning than one could possibly imagine. Richard meets several vivid characters along the way, many of which aren't quite who they seem to be.

I really enjoyed this book, although, it is not my most favorite Gaiman novel. The story has a nice flow, keeping the reader interested in the journey. Neverwhere is easy to get caught up in. A fairy tale for adults, I might say. I found myself able to relate to Richard in many ways. Perhaps the most prominent relation was the personal growth he made throughout the story. Overall, it was a delightful read and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a short and sweet journey from reality.

The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin

Joanna Eberhart moves to Stepford with her husband and two kids. Leaving the city, they look forward to bonding and growing as a closer-knit family in the slower-paced suburbs. They settle in quite nicely. Joanna makes new friends and dives into her love of photography. Walter commutes to the city to work, but joins Stepfords' Men's Association, where he spends the majority of his nights. The neighbors are friendly, but sadly outdated. The women are very tedious about their housework and always look gorgeous; perfect figure with large boobs and hair doused in hairspray. They look forward to cooking and tending to their husbands, leaving no time for hobbies or interests of their own. Joanna starts to become suspicious when her closest friend succumbs to the Stepford lifestyle, a woman who was quite anti-Stepford beforehand.

I first fell in love with Ira Levin's writing when I read Rosemary's Baby a few years back. The Stepford Wives only makes me love Levin even more. This anti-Utopian novel is fun to read, yet eerily possible. Admittedly, I first watched the movie when it came out in 2004 (with Nicole Kidman and Matthew Broderick), and was terribly disappointed. Thankfully, the novel is nothing like the movie. I should have known better, so shame on me. If you are looking for a quick read that is easy to get lost in, I would highly recommend The Stepford Wives.

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

I chose Oryx and Crake for my first Atwood novel based on a friends recommendation. I have to say, I was not in the least bit disappointed. If Atwood writes every novel with this much originality, creativity, and intrigue, then I am forever hooked. Oryx and Crake is set in the future and is told by the character Jimmy, who also goes by Snowman. Snowman is the present and Jimmy, the past. The reader is thrown into a civilization that has been demolished and re-created. The story is narrated by Snowman, who explains the chain of events that lead to this new civilization by retelling his childhood bit by bit. The reader is along for the ride as Snowman retells his entire life, up to present day.

Admittedly, it is slow to begin. However, the more I read about Snowman/Jimmy's past, the more difficult it was to set this novel down. Atwood certainly did her research. The future she paints is very believable, and quite frightening. The story ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger. I am almost certain that Atwood does this for a reason. However, it does leave the possibility for a sequel. Oryx and Crake was a remarkable read, and I definitely would read it again.

Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk

Reporter Carl Streator is investigating a series of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) for an article, when he discovers a common factor. It's called a culling song...an African "lullaby" used to send the listener into a swift, painless death. Culling songs are often used on suffering elderly, starving children, or during plagues. One particular culling song has found it's way into a poem anthology in America, causing an outbreak of death and despair. Streator takes it upon himself to journey across America in effort to destroy every copy of said anthology, a most daunting, and seemingly impossible task.

Palahniuk draws in the reader into his twisted world once again. The beginning is slightly confusing as it passes from person to person, but once the storyline stabilizes, it is pretty easy to follow. Before long you are swept into the journey, craving more. So far, I definitely think that this is Palahniuk's best piece. Much better than the highly acclaimed Survivor. I was able to polish off this book in just a few sittings. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to get lost in a quick journey into the twisted world of Chuck Palahnuik.

The Eyes of The Dragon by Stephen King

Last night I finished The Eyes of the Dragon, beautifully told by the master storyteller himself, Stephen King. King has shown his versatility yet again in this fairytale of old. It is the classic tale of good vs. evil. A must read for anyone who enjoys fantasy or who is looking to get lost in a world of kings, magicians, and dragons. When King Roland is poisoned, next-in-line Prince Peter is convicted of said crime and sentenced to spend the rest of his life atop the "needle" tower. Roland's second born son, Tommy, takes the throne at the age of eleven. The kingdom is thrown into chaos, but at the hand of an evil mastermind.

I LOVE LOVED this book. I read it like it was candy. It reminds me of a cross between Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, but on a much less complex level, so to speak. Easy to read and wonderful to get lost in, I highly recommend The Eyes of the Dragon to anyone who is looking to get lost in a good story. Up next is Chuck Palahniuk's Lullaby.

Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk

Before I watched Fight Club, I had never heard of Chuck Palaniuk. While I loved the movie, I was unsure if I would like the book. So I started with a book that has not (yet) been made into a movie. Survivor begins on page 289 and counts down to page 1 as narrator Tender Branson tells his life story into the black box of an airplane that is flying over that Pacific Ocean, about to crash into the Australian Outback. What makes Branson unique is that he is the sole surviving member of a religious cult. Branson takes you on a journey like no other, from his cultist upbringing to his unplanned demise.

What might you have in common with a ex-cult member who is hijacking a plane, you ask? More than you can possibly imagine. Though you may not agree with everything that Branson does, it is easy to relate and feel for him, on some level at the very least. The only complaint that I have is that the ending is somewhat anti-climatic/somewhat cliffhanger. I imagine Palaniuk did that on purpose, but I find it takes away from the story. I would definitely recommend Survivor and plan to read other novels by Palaniuck in the very near future!

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

A voice from the dead. A forgotten soul. Primarily, if not solely, known as "Wife of Odysseus." Atwood provides a powerful feminist approach to The Odyssey through the voice of Penelope. While Odysseus encountered war, adventure, and triumph; Penelope waited for essentially half of her adult life for Odyesseus' return. For twenty years, Penelope thwarted suitors attempts to marry and take over the throne. For twenty years, Penelope watched as men half her age satisfied their ravenous hunger for meat, wine, and sex at the expense of her household. For twenty years, Penelope was unable to do much other than wait, hope, and cry. For Penelope was stuck in a time where men held the power and women were only silent backseat participants. A time when women were seen as property and a means to an end. A time when women were enemies instead of allies, all vying for attention from what else but a man? A remarkable read and wonderful addition to your Atwood library.

2007 Booklist

Here is my list of books that I read in 2007. It is rather unimpressive. I left out the bajillions of nursing textbooks that I also read because I don't consider them to be books, just torture. * represents books that I rather liked.

**The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
*Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
*We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
***Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Jones
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
*The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
**The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
***The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
**Stardust by Neil Gaiman
***American Gods by Neil Gaiman
**Coraline by Neil Gaiman
**The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
**Rose Red: The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer
On Writing by Stephen King
**I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
*The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
***Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling