Sunday, January 3, 2010

My Top Picks for 2009




Here are my top picks for 2009 in no particular order. Eight of the twelve are historical fiction which doesn't surprise me. The others in my list consist of, The Bolter and American Lion (Pulitzer Prize) both biographies. Half Broke Horses is advertised as a true life novel about the author's grandmother. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, is a moving memoir of determination and spirit. High Spirits will be released under a new title in May 2010 called We Hear the Dead.



Half Broke Horses, by Jeannette Walls
The Bolter, by Frances Osborne
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, by William Kamkwamba
The Widow's War, by Mary Mackey
The Crimson Rooms, by Katharine McMahon-review pending publication
The Little Stranger, Sarah Waters
Scottsboro, by Ellen Feldman
Sweeping Up Glass, by Carolyn Wall
The White Mary, by Kira Kalak
High Spirits by, Dianne K. Salerni
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by, Jamie Ford
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Sociey, by Mary Ann Shaffer
American Lion, by Jon Meacham

A special classic pic for the year is:
Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott read for graduate course

11 comments:

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Ack! I can't believe I forgot all about the book Scottsboro!!! Thanks for the reminder - must definitely get it into my pile!

Literary Feline said...

I had to get something out of my TBR room the other day and saw Scottsboro sitting there and thought of you. :-) I'd like to read that one this year, if I can swing it.

I'm glad to see Sweeping Up Glass on your list of favorites. Such a good book.

Great list, Wisteria!

Alyce said...

I've only read three of the books on your list, and I have to agree that they are all good choices. I have American Lion on my bookshelf and haven't gotten to it yet. It's nice to see that it was one of your favorites.

Alice said...

I haven't read any of the books you listed here but I really need to change that. I read your review on Scottsboro with great interest.

wisteria said...

Rhapsody..You're funny! I remember you liked Scottsboro too. It is a standout!

Literary-Scottsboro is definitely your kind of book and I know we share the feelings about Sweeping. Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping to see my list. :)

Alyce-American Lion is an intense but valuable read. It is not textbookish so I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for checking out my list. :)

Alice-There are just too many books out there. LOL...Thanks for stopping by to check my list too.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I loved Half Broke Horses as well and am looking forward to Little Stranger some time in 2010. Great list!

Iliana said...

That's a pretty cover for Crimson Rooms. Hadn't heard of that one so looking forward to your thoughts on it.

The Guernesy book almost made my top reads list. I sort of wish I had add it now :) It was a great read.

Serena said...

there are some books on this list I haven't heard of. I'll have to check them out. I loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Sociey, by Mary Ann Shaffer.

nomadreader said...

Fantastic picks! I love the ones I've read and many are on my TBR list. I'm reading Scottsboro right now and absolutely love it!

Blodeuedd said...

Great pics, even if I only have read one and that one rocked. But I do wanna read more of those too

Anna said...

I loved Guernsey, too. I'm glad to see Hotel made your list, as I'll be reading it soon for a blog tour.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric