200 Books in 2008

Well, I think I read 200 books in 2008.
It's kind of hard to tell, because my list is on paper, and it seems like I'm constantly having to cross books off because I read them twice this year.

But I am looking over the list, and I'm pretty sure that I read 201 books this year.

One of the biggest surprises for me looking over the list is that this was the year I got hooked on Ann Rinaldi -- I thought that happened in 2007, but it actually happened in January 08.

The main reading "challenge" I undertook this year was my attempt to read four Shakespeare comedies in a month this summer. *grin* That was a success, and I'm glad I did it. I loved Twelfth Night and Much Ado About Nothing. Comedy of Errors had a good plot but for me lacked an interesting character, and Midsummer Night's Dream had a ridiculous plot (I think that's what makes it hilarious) but great characters.
And now I am reading As You Like It, mostly because it is often grouped with Twelfth Night and Much Ado as one of Shakespeare's "joyous comedies."

Best books that I have read this year (in no particular order):
1. Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, Children of the Mind, First Meetings, and Ender in Exile.
I considered just saying Speaker for the Dead, because I think it was the best of all of these, but then I realized that I would end up listing CotM and EiE anyway, so I decided to list all five of these Ender books by Orson Scott Card. I actually also read War of Gifts this year, but I didn't like it much, so it isn't on this list.

2. Much Ado About Nothing
I adore Beatrice and Benedick both, and their "merry war" constantly makes me laugh. To add to that, the movie by Branaugh was excellent. I think Claudio was stupid for not trusting Hero, but that's my only problem with this play.

3. Twelfth Night
I'm not too big on the Antonio storyline, but other than that, this play rocks. I still have Orsino's speech from the beginning memorized, and Viola/Cesario is a strong heroine/hero. There's also Feste, the fool -- I really like him. Throw in the Malvolio plot...oh yeah.

4. This I Believe II
My library doesn't have This I Believe I, which is unfortunate, because after reading II, I really want to. This was a collection of This I Believe essays, and the book as a whole was very inspiring.

5. The Wanderer
This is by Sharon Creech, and it was one of my favorite books before thie year, but I can't help but list it. Sophie..*cries*

6. The Three Musketeers
I love Dumas' tone in this book -- conversational, interesting. He's the same way in Count of Monte Cristo, which I'm reading now. I need to read this book in French...

7. Single Shard
I devoured this book. I knew I liked Linda Sue Park, but this is beautiful.

8. The Cajun Night Before Christmas
Okay, okay, this is a picture book and probably shouldn't count, but I couldn't resist. Who can get tired of Papa Noel saying "Me, I ain't goin' back by the way that I came," and calling for his alligators Gaston, Tiboy, Pierre, Alcee, Ninette, Suzette, Celeste, and Renee?

9. All of the Murderous Maths Books
I can't choose one, but I read all of them this year. I must admit, I like the ones after Do You Feel Lucky? better because they have Brett and Lil.

10. Be Careful What You Wish For
This is a collection of short stories about wishes, and I really like it. I read it over Spring Break, and I believe I read it three times that week. *grin*

11. (last one, I promise) A Wind in the Door
This is the sequel to A Wrinkle in Time. I've read the first three books in the quintet, and this one is definitely my fav.

Worst books that I have read this year (in no definite order):
1. Redwall
This is a bit surprising. However, when I reread this book for the first time in 4-5 years, I discovered that it was not well written. Jacques has improved a lot as a writer.

2. Les Penguins
That is my French NaNo of 2007. It's terrible. That is all I shall say. It is less terrible after editing, but still.

3. Tara Lipinski: Triumph on Ice
Icky style, probably because it's Tara dictating to someone.

4. Trouble About Wednesdays
Erm...just not good.

5. Daphne's Book
See note on Trouble About Wednesdays

6. Romeo & Juliet
First of all, I don't like this play. Second, I had to read it in English class at school, which makes it torture. The Odyssey was bearable because I like that story, but this?

7. The Silver Pencil
Very little plot...

8. What's a Girl to Do?
This is an interesting book (about dating...*rolls eyes*) but at first, the author tries too hard for the tone she wants, and then she goes off on random tangents. By the end, the reader knows her far too well, and if you disagree with her viewpoints (which -- guess what! -- I do) then it's difficult to like her, because her life seems to revolve around those viewpoints.

Most ...Interesting?... books I read this year (in no certain order)
1. L'etranger (translated: The Stranger) by Albert Camus
This book was well written. It got its points across, sometimes subtly, sometimes not, but it did it the way Camus wanted it to. I know the main character is supposed to be annoying, but as a writer, that annoys me even more than I think it annoys most people. How could Camus stand to write about this guy? I know I couldn't, and most of my friends couldn't. Camus is a better writer than us, but still...
And I'm not big on the whole existentialism thing. So.

2. The Silent Boy by Lois Lowry
Well written...*shudder*

3. Witch Child
I did not appreciate what I viewed as a lack of resolution...sometimes I can handle that, because I see that there is a resolution, like in L'etranger...but here...

*bows* And that is the end of my 2008 Book Post.