Total books read in 2009: 83

* Books by women: 55
* Books by men: 28
* Fiction: 36
* Mystery: 29
* Classics: 2
* Memoirs: 1
* Non-fiction: 2
* Young Adult: 8
* Sci-Fi/Fantasy: 2
* Graphic Novels: 3
* Short Stories: 8
* Books in translation: 12 (Sweden, Iceland, Finland, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Japan, Austria, Norway)
* Books borrowed from library: 14

I read fewer books than I’ve read in previous years but what I liked a lot about this reading year is that it felt a bit more inclusive, especially in the beginning of the year. I felt like my reading was taking me to lands faraway (real & imagined), I was reading more short stories, more non-fiction, etc. I felt like I was really covering more ground with my reading.

Towards the end of the year with all the craziness of house move, holidays, etc. I relied a lot more on mysteries to get me through the stressful times and so that number got a big bump in the last two months of the year. I don’t mind though as I’m a big fan of mysteries and I read some wonderful ones.

As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t do New Year’s resolutions but I do have a few bookish wishes. For example, I am still hoping to read more classics, more poetry, more short stories and more non-fiction. I want to continue reading books that take me to faraway places. I want to discover more gems from collections such as Persephone Books and NYRB books. But most of all, I want to keep discovering new authors to call favorites.

Here’s wishing you all the best in the new year!
Hugs
Bookgirl

Fiction
The Post-Office Girl by Stefan Zweig
The Slaves of Solitude by Patrick Hamilton
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne DuMaurier
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson

YA
Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras
Speak by Laurie Halse Andersen
Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Mystery
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
A Morbid Taste For Bones by Ellis Peters
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
The Blank Wall by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding

Unfortunately, I didn’t do a very good job of reviewing a lot of the books I read this year so that’s why some of the books shown here don’t have links. Here’s hoping next year I’m a little bit more on top of things.

And, I have to point out that once again books that I read with the Slaves of Golconda ended up on my list of favorites (the Zweig & Hamilton). So if you are looking for an online book group discussion join us. We really read some gems throughout the year.

I’ll be looking forward to reading your best of lists too and tomorrow my end of year stats!