Haven’t done this in a while!
Booking Through Thursday asks…
“It’s a week or two later than you’d expect, and it may be almost a trite question, but … what were your favorite books from 2008?
(It’s an oldie but a goodie question for a reason, after all … because, who can’t use good book suggestions from time to time?)”
I mentioned some high-rated books in my year-end wrap-up, but I think my real favorites were as follows:
In the Woods and The Likeness, by Tana French
I absolutely loved these two books about police detectives in Dublin. The writing was excellent, the plots were amazing, and I’m suffering from Tana French withdrawal as we speak.
The entire Thursday Next series of books, by Jasper Fforde
Come on. Who doesn’t like the idea of a literary detective who can travel through books and who has a quirky inventor uncle and a father who doesn’t exist but does and a resequenced dodo for a pet? No one, that’s who. Books plus grammar plus science equals AWESOME.
The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell
This was my first favorite book of the year. It’s a science fiction novel, partly set in Cleveland (where the author lives!), about a Jesuit priest called Emilio who goes to another planet from which music has been transmitted.
The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
After reading this, I wanted to go to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books so bad, you guys. And I wanted to read Julián Carax’s novels. Unfair.
Those are my favorites… what were yours?
Wow, thanks! I’m adding to my list of books to find and the detectives in Dublin sound like a great fit for my brother who is next to impossible to find gifts for, so I’m always excited to find books he might not have heard of yet.
I like the sound of the Irish detective books, more to add to my list.
Oooh, Shadow of the Wind is an excellent choice!
Can’t wait to read In The Woods. So many people with great opinions love it.
My husband read In the Woods last month and really liked it. I’ll be picking up the sequel soon and will read ITW in the next few weeks. Nice list!