Monday, June 29, 2009

Musing Mondays - The Year-to-Date in Books

Musing Mondays (BIG)

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about mid-year reading…

Now that we’ve come to the middle of the year, what do you think of your 2009 reading so far? Read anything interesting that you’d like to share? Any outstanding favorites?

So far 2009 has been a great year in books. Where to begin?

The first book I read and really loved was Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, by Winifred Watson; originally published in the 1930s and recently made into a film, it was delightful.

The first recent book to really grab me was Abraham Verghese's wonderful Cutting for Stone, which I hope everyone will read.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Doghead, The Tricking of Freya and Wild Strawberries also stand out. My favorite graphic novels of the year so far are Siberia and The Photographer.

2009 promises to continue to be a great year for literary fiction. Of course, A.S. Byatt's magnificent new novel, The Children's Book, will doubtless be in my top five favorites for the year. I'm also really looking forward to Kazuo Ishiguro's new collection of short stories, Noctures, and Margaret Atwood's new one as well.

You can read more Musing Mondays responses at Just One More Page.

17 comments:

Yvonne said...

I really should try reading a graphic novel. I've heard so many good things about them.

Good luck with the rest of 2009 :)

bermudaonion said...

I've got Cutting for Stone, and it sounds like I need to read it as soon as possible.

Sherrie said...

Hi!
I have read several of Margret Atwood's books this year. She puts lots of detail into her stories. Have a great day!!

Sherrie
http://sherriesbooks.blogspot.com/2009/06/musing-mondays_29.html

LorMil said...

So far I am glad that I read most of the books I have. There might be 2-3 that I haven't been that fond of. But, on the whole, I usually read books that I feel fairly safe in knowing I will like, in one aspect or another.

I've read a lot of Holocaust-related non-fiction and historical fiction.
~~Lorri

Ellen Steinbaum said...

Great question. I like the idea of pausing to consider what I've read recently. Loved some, liked some, but was glad to have read even the ones I didn't like. I think if I never read a book/see a play/hear a piece of music I don't like, I'm playing it too safe. I like venturing out of my comfort zone a little. So next I guess I should try a graphic novel. Open to suggestions.

Amy M. said...

Okay, I have GOT to sit down and read CUTTING FOR STONE. And I am embarrassed to say I haven't picked up Byatt's new book yet. I better get busy!!!
-Amy
(Life by Candlelight)

Nise' said...

Miss Pettigrew is on my wish list. Read good reviews for Cutting Stone. Continued good reading.

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Cutting for Stone is on my TBR list so I'll get around to reading it at some point. I've read wonderful reviews for it.

Anonymous said...

I searched your blog to see if you had posted a review of "Cutting for Stone", and sure enough, there it was on February 4th. Based on that review, I will be reading it this summer.

caite said...

I liked Cutting For Stone as well...maybe not as much as you did, but I would certainly recommend it.

I have The Elegance of the Hedgehog in my TBR pile and must get to it...

Lisa (Southern Girl Reads) said...

I haven't read any of the books on your impressive list, but I do want to read Cutting For Stone.

Anonymous said...

I'm reading Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day real soon. You have recommended it to me and have mentioned it on more than one occasions. :)

gautami tripathy said...

I have to check those out!

Here is my Monday post

Anonymous said...

Doghead and Wild Strawberries are on my wish list thanks to you :)

The Bookworm said...

It sounds like you got some great reading in so far!

http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Sandra said...

I have to read Cutting for Stone now, I tired for an arc and didn't get it. I enjoyed The Elegance of the Hedgehog too. I'm so glad Byatt's new book is good, I have it on reserve at the library and after reading Possession I can't wait. I have Nocturnes right here on my side table and can't get to it because others are due back first.:(
I had a lot of four and five star reads this year. And I'm doing Musing Mondays now.

Literary Feline said...

Sounds like you've had a good reading year so far, Marie. I really want to read Cutting for Stone and The Elegance of the Hedgehog.