Let’s finish up 2007 over the next few days, shall we?

Here are my picks for the top ten books I read last year:

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K. Rowling (2007)

I haven’t re-read the series finale yet, but my first reading grabbed me around the waist and dragged me through the English countryside for two non-stop days. It’s rare that you can feel like you’re part of the literary world, but that’s precisely what Rowling allowed for millions around the world.

2. The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield (2006)

I pegged this novel as being a favorite way back last January and without a kick-ass finale to the Harry Potter series, it would have rated top on the list. If you haven’t read it yet, do, but make sure you have the time to read it in one sitting because it’ll dog you until you finish.

3. Crazy ’08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History, by Cait Murphy (2007)

My favorite work of non-fiction this year. I’d still love to hang out with Cait Murphy to talk baseball.

4. The Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan (2006)

Although not as unbelievably amazing as the first Percy Jackson novel, this story is still a fantastic book for kids and adults alike. This series makes me want to know more about Greek mythology since the whole premise lies in that Greek gods have hooked up with modern mortals and that the offspring that came from the relationships are now troubled teens.

5. Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time, by Rob Sheffield (2007)

This memoir devastated me and I can still recall the pathos of some of the author’s writing. Heartbreaking.

6. The Fourth Bear, by Jasper Fforde (2006)

Jasper Fforde is the most creative writer of the last decade. Even the least of his works is so much better than most everything else out there. Jack Sprat, a nursery rhyme detective, is clever and hard-working and misunderstood and utterly endearing in the most recent Nursery Crimes book. I can’t wait to read his latest Thursday Next novel, which I got as a Christmas present from Rudi.

7. The Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale (2005)

This delightful award-winning novel keeps you turning the pages to find out what will become of Miri and her village. A must-read for anyone who appreciates strong girls.

8. The Camel Bookmobile, by Masha Hamilton (2007)

This book felt like nonfiction, so the author clearly did her research on Kenya. This is another book that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading it.

9. River Secrets, by Shannon Hale (2006)

Shannon Hale writes such wonderful fairy tales that she merits a second mention on the list. This tale features a young man who comes to discover that what he considers his inconsequential talents are valued highly by everyone he meets.

10. Over Sea, Under Stone, Susan Cooper (1965)

The first in the Dark Is Rising series, this novel sets up the Arthurian legend with excitement and intrigue. The characters feel like real kids, but are compelling enough to keep an adult’s interest.

What were the best things you read last year?

Total books read in 2007: 42 (Five fewer than last year!)

Total pages read during 2007: 13,535 (nearly 1,000 more than last year)

I know, I know. I have great intentions at the beginning of December to post the November reads and then I get behind. And I read so little in December that it seemed after a certain point that I might as well wait and count the two months together. And already we’re a week into January, so I’d better get last year’s books finished off so I can start the year afresh with this year’s reads. My own reviews are no great reads, but I’ve decided to ignore that and to let them free into the world anyway. (more…)

Hmmm… Travelling always means that I read a lot of mysteries, since I can pick them up at the charity shop for a buck or two, they’re compact, and generally the cozies don’t stress me out too much. Who wants to read a weepy book while you’re alone in a hotel room far from home? (more…)

I know, I know. This September reading report is long overdue. The books have been sitting on my desk for weeks waiting for me to get around to writing them up. Credit the library with getting me off my butt, as they’ve refused to let me renew some books again and would like them back yesterday, thank you very much.

So in honor of Halloween, I offer you demigods, ghosts, and a trio of witches, as well as several other casts of characters: (more…)

Jenn invites people to play along on this meme she found:

These are the top 106 books most often marked as “unread” by LibraryThing’s users (as of Oct. 1). Bold is for books you’ve read. Italics for books you’ve started but haven’t finished. Strikethrough is for books you found unreadable. Leave the ones you haven’t read as they are. Put an asterisk before each book you want or plan to read. (more…)

Does anyone have any recommendations for authors I should hear at the National Book Festival this Saturday?

The authors who will be in attendance are (Bolded names include authors I have a stronger interest in seeing):

* Diane Ackerman
* Ann Amernick
* M.T. Anderson
* Maria Celeste Arrarás
* David Baldacci
* Michael Beschloss
* Holly Black
* Ashley Bryan
* Ken Burns
* Stephen L. Carter
* Cat Cora
* Deborah Crombie
* Carmen Agra Deedy
* Elizabeth Drew
* Jan Spivey Gilchrist
* Jan Crawford Greenburg
* Dr. Sanjay Gupta
* Brian Haig
* Carolyn Hart
* Francisco Hernández
* Jennifer L. Holm
* Stephen Hunter
* David Ignatius
* J. A. Jance
* Edward P. Jones
* David M. Kennedy
* Doro Bush Koch
* Gail Carson Levine
* Patricia MacLachlan
* Thomas Mallon
* Judith Martin
* Mercer Mayer
* Patricia McCormick
* Megan McDonald
* N. Scott Momaday
* Shelia P. Moses (more…)