Favorite Reads of 2009

I never read as much as I’d like. Does anyone? When I do read, I like the stories to be thought-provoking, and resonant. I like to care about the people about whom I’m reading, whether fiction or non-fiction. Of the books I read in 2009, these are the ones that lingered longest (in a good way). Although I read these books in 2009, they were not necessarily published in 2009.

1. Anathem – Neal Stephenson – I read the first book in the Baroque cycle, Quicksilver, and enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed Anathem even more. Much more. I touched on why I enjoyed Anathem here.
2. Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck – I’m still blown away by this one. With many classics that I’ve tried to read I’ve been aware that I was reading something that I was supposed to read. With The Grapes of Wrath, the story sucked me in. Other than Steinbeck’s ability to capture the spirit of the time, The Grapes of Wrath might have been written in the 21st century.
3. The Sun Also Rises – Ernest Hemingway – Though Hemingway’s prose is stripped down more than Steinbeck, it was just as accessible. I don’t know that I connected with the characters all that much, but I enjoyed sinking into Pamplona.
4. No Country for Old Men – Cormac McCarthy – McCarthy’s writing reminds me of Hemingway, sometimes even more so than Hemingway. Talk about not letting the writing (or punctuation) getting in the way of the story.
5. Consider Phlebas – Iain Banks – I came across this as a recommendation for a good space opera. For something of it’s scope, the story felt remarkably intimate. I want to read more about The Culture. Bunch of hippies.
6. American Gods (audio book) – Neil Gaiman – I got this as a free download from Audible.com. I had read Neverwhere and thought this looked like a good follow-up. I loved the concept and the execution. I was drawn in and held there for the whole story. I couldn’t wait to mow the lawn so I could finish listening.
7. I Am Legend – Richard Matheson – My father passed this on to me. I didn’t know what to expect, but I enjoyed the way it was done. The story reads as well today as it must have when it was written.
8. Writing Great Fiction: Plot & Structure – James Scott Bell – As a novice writer I’ll read anything about the craft I can get my grubby little hands on. Bell’s book provides useful information related to structuring your story such as his “doors of no return” concept. He more or less demystifies the underpinnings of the process.
9. How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy– Orson Scott Card – This is my first book related to writing in my favorite genre. A nice overview that was easy to read. It got me excited to get to my keyboard.
10. On Writing Well – William Zinsser – I had a copy of this from college (about 20 years old) and couldn’t find it, so I got anothern (as we say here in WV). I avoided reading it for a while because it is geared toward non-fiction writing. Once I started in, I couldn’t help but read it to the end. Zinsser’s observations about the craft and advice are great for anyone who writes. Period.

Honorable Mentions:

The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell

Jupiter by Ben Bova

If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland

So there you have it. I’ve probably forgotten some titles, but what are you gonna do? Enjoy.