March 30, 2008
8:00 AM
Good morning, Saloners! I hope you are all enjoying your last Sunday in March. It looks to be a gorgeous day in sunny California, albeit a little chilly.
Several lit bloggers are commenting on their best books of the first quarter of 2008, so I thought I’d join in. I catalog my books at Library Thing, and one of my tags is Best of 2008. I’ve been a bit more selective this year than I was in 2007. So far, six books have made their way onto the bests list:
- Cat’s Eye, by Margaret Atwood
- So Big, by Edna Ferber
- The Translator, by Daoud Hari
- Ghostwritten, by David Mitchell
- Belong To Me, by Marisa de los Santos
- Resistance, by Owen Sheers
Which books are the best you’ve read so far this year?
This week I finished Belong To Me, by Marisa de los Santos (read my review), and loved it (as you must have surmised from my list above). Then I read Jackfish, The Vanishing Village (read my review) which was a tough, literary novel. My thoughts about it changed as I read it – from wanting to put it aside to not being able to stop turning the pages. There are readers out there who won’t appreciate this book because it is not a feel good book, it is difficult and heartrending and just…well, sad in many ways. But, the writing is wonderful; and if you stick with it, I think you’ll find it is a book which is hard to forget.
In between novels, I re-visited my childhood by reading a couple of Dr. Seuss books (read my post) in honor of this amazing author’s birthday. I managed to salvage some books from my youth – and these were two of them…well worn and loved. I cherish them more than the newer books on my shelf!
Last night I picked up Embers, by Sandor Marai. Written and published first in 1942, the novel has been recently translated into English by Carol Brown Janeway. Marai was a gifted writer who was driven from Hungary after WWII because of his anti-fascist views. That alone makes me want to read his work. Last night I stayed up late and read 100 pages into this 215 page book. The writing is amazing – I feel like I’m there in a castle between the mountains of Austria and Hungary. I think I’ll finish this one today without a problem.
That’s all for now. Have a wonderful Sunday!
= Excellent
= Good/Very Good
= Okay read
= Not recommended
= Ugh! Don't waste your time.
I need to create my 1st quarter “Best of” list today. The Translator will definitely be on my list.
=) Jill
I just checked the books I had rated 5 stars since January on my site and here they are:
Secrets of a Family Album by Isla Dewar
The Book of Lost Things – John Connolly
This is all – Aidan Chambers
Mouse Tales – A Behind the Ears Look at Disneyland – David Koenig
The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
Eclipse – Stephanie Meyer
New Moon – Stephanie Meyer
I think that makes 7 out of a possible 17 – maybe I should be more fussy as to what gets 5 stars?
You’ve got through a good few books this week – I wish I could read that fast! *sigh*
I just realized I only have one more day for my UNbirthday. Make sure to stop buy and leave me a present! *wink*
I have had a pathetic first quarter of 2008 in regards to reading. I read some amazing books at the end of last year. But this year I have mostly disappointed myself. My list is…
Getting Over Jack Wagner by Elise Juska
The Sixteen Pleasures by Robert Hellenga
Alice the Fairy by David Shannon (picture book)
This is my first time commenting here; I wanted to say that I am super impressed with how much you have read this year! I have only completed one book so far in 2008 and it is one that I enjoyed: The Wind Up Bird Chronicle!
http://beastmomma.squarespace.com/from-shelf-to-hand/2008/2/3/wind-up-bird-chronicle.html
Hi Caribou! It’s always nice to visit here. I have a few favourites already for this quarter.
Wide Sargasso Sea – Jean Rhys
Paulina 1880 – Pierre Jean Jouve, translated by Rosette Letellier and Robert Bullen
Persuasion – Jane Austen (Really good!)
The Ghost at Noon (aka Contempt) – Alberto Moravia translated by Angus Davidson
The Stone Angel – Margaret Laurnece (a reread)
I think so far it would have to be Richard Russo’s ‘Bridge of Sighs’. That is one of those books that will still be resonating with me ten years from now.
What a fantastic list! I haven’t read any of those novels, although I own a copy of Cat’s Eye and Ghostwritten and have seen Resistance in the bookshop. I’d love to read several on your list and must look into The Translator. Thank you for some lovely new book ideas!
Jill: Can’t wait to see your list! I have a feeling it will be books I will also love
Mrs. S.: I made notes of your books – I’ll have to check them out. The only one I’ve read on your list is The Book Thief (which I read last year and LOVED – it made my top 10 of the year…and actually was right up there in the top three).
Megan: I haven’t heard of any of these! Will need to check them out. And you’ve tempted me – I’ll have to stop by and see what all this UNbirthday stuff is
Beastmomma: Thanks for the link – I’ll be over later to read your review…I haven’t read this one yet. Thanks for the compliment!
Immani: I haven’t read any on your list – I can see now that my wish list is going to continue to grow!!
Ann: I have Bridge of Sighs on my wish list from your review of it! I am determined to read a Russo book this year…maybe it will be this one
Litlove: You’re welcome! I highly recommend The Translator – tough read, but a real MUST read.
I am still getting the hang of posting for The Sunday Salon.
I think I need to get an earlier start.
I am very interested in Belong to me, thanks for the review…I really need to read it. I picked up love walked in a while ago, but haven’t read it yet. I should probably do that.
thanks, happy sunday!
I think Hari’s book is my favorite so far this year. I’ve read a couple of really good crime fiction that stood out for me in that genre as well. I think I’m being harder on the books I read this year too.
I hope you have a wonderful week, Wendy.
J.Kaye: You’re doing just fine
Bethany: You’re welcome. I hope you love it as much as I do!
Wendy: Thanks! Last year I had a lot of books I rated a 5 and then thought maybe I was being too easy!! I agree Hari’s book is near the top, and will probably remain there.