Thursday, December 31, 2009

The year in reading


2009 was a memorable year in books for me. Yes, it was a crazy, crazy year, but 2009 did have special personal highlights in terms of my love of reading. First, I started this blog this year. Then, there was this mention in BBC about my bookshelf project. I also became active in a book club this year -- Flips Flipping Pages. Finally, I came to know several book bloggers like myself who have a passion for books and reading.

Although I was only able to read 48 books this year, I did come across some truly wonderful ones. I usually come up with a list of the best books that I've read for the year. So for 2009, here are my top books (in random order) that I really, really enjoyed.



  1. Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
  2. Gomorrah by Roberto Saviano
  3. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
  4. Netherland by Joseph O'Neill
  5. The Clothes on Their Backs by Linda Grant
  6. The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
  7. Memoirs of a Master Forger by William Heaney
  8. Margherita Dolce Vita by Stefano Benni
  9. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
  10. This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
Incidentally, here are the books that I absolutely detested:
  • The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan
  • The Crimson Labyrinth by Yusuke Kishe
  • The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
So what's in store for KyusiReader next year? Well, I'm not really sure. I do plan on reading more classical (or non-contemporary) books in 2010, so let's see how that goes. But one thing's certain -- I'll always keep on reading! And I feel really good about 2010, the year of the Metal Tiger, since I was born in the year of the tiger myself.

How about you, dear reader? What are your best and worst reads for 2009? What are your reading plans for 2010? And by the way, allow me, the KyusiReader, greet you a...

Happy New Year!
More books, more reading, more blogging in 2010!

31 comments:

Ryan said...

Happy New Year to you as well. I look forward to reading your blog over the next year.

Peter S. said...

Hi, Ryan! Happy New Year to you! I really love visiting your blog.

Astrid (Mrs.B) said...

Great list Peter! The Woman in White is one of my all time faves. I just bought the Little Stranger so I hope to read it soon and I see there are other books on the list that I just have to look up! Happy New Year!

Peter S. said...

Hi, Mrs. B! I can't wait to read your review of The Little Stranger!

fantaghiro23 said...

Happy New Year, Peter! And, yes, one of my highlights for this year is blogging and meeting people like you.:)

Peter S. said...

Hi, Honey! The pleasure was mine!

Unknown said...

hi peter! happy new year to you too! :)

Peter S. said...

Hi, Ruby! Hope to see you again soon!

Anonymous said...

My main reading plan is not to have any reading plans other than not buying a book for a whole year... more on that next week. I loved the BBC feature, I will have to pop thta link in my next Bookish Bits!

Peter S. said...

Hi, Simon! Exactly! That's why I haven't participated in any reading challenge yet.

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

Happy New Year Ryan! I love reading your posts and your book favs make me want to start making a list to add to my own plans to read for 2010! :)

Thanks for the comment on the shelves - the idea came from your blog... you posted someones shelves a while ago that went around the top of the room like that and I looked at my own room and thought "that might work".

Have a Happy New Year Peter!

Peter S. said...

Hi, Sheila! I just love your shelves!

Anonymous said...

Happy new year!

May you come across more classical titles this 2010. Looking forward to more book reviews...

Again, a grand and prosperous new year to you and your family!

Logan said...

This blog is quite an accomplishment for the year 2009. You've been enriched by several great books as well as have shared them with poor guys like me who don't know a good book from road-kill.

Thanks and happy new year!

Charlie said...

Happy New Year to you too, Peter. You've done a great job with this blog this year, and I've really enjoyed it.

If I had to guess, I would say that The Woman in White was your favorite of the year.

And did you get stuck on page 48 again???

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I LOVED Out Stealing Horses and I'm looking forward to Littler Stranger as well.

Peter....Hope that you have a Happy and Healthy New Year. May all they books that your read in 2010 be terrific.

Unknown said...

I, of course, haven't read any of the books you mentioned (oh, wait, i did read Collins's book) but I already have my sights set on The Knife of Letting Go and pretty much anything by Sarah Waters. I am glad there is not Hunger Games on your list (it seems to end up on everybody else's and I didn't think it was that fantastic. It was good but not exceptional). If it's not here because you haven't read it yet, I don't wanna know, lol!

Happy New Year!

Peter S. said...

@scribesexpress: I actually have bought a few classical titles to start me off for 2010.

@Logan: Thanks! I just hope I can continue with the same zeal this year as last year.

@Charlie: Nope, I didn't get stuck on page 48. Hehehe.

@Diane: Have you read his latest novel -- In Siberia?

@Lilly: Yes, I've read The Hunger Games this year, but I liked The Knife of Never Letting Go better. I think it worked on so many levels.

Stepford Mum said...

Happy New Year, Peter! I am so behind on my reading because the holidays have just been crazy. But I do regularly check in and read your reviews. I must read some Patricia Highsmith this year!!

Peter S. said...

Hi, Iya! Yes, you should! Happy New Year to you and your family as well!

Alexia561 said...

Happy New Year Peter! Looking forward to seeing what 2010 has in store for us all. Can't wait! :)

Peter S. said...

Hi, Alexia! I am so excited for 2010 just like you!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year! May this year be the best of the best. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi, Peter! I haven't read any of the books you mentioned in your favorites as most of them are still on my wishlist. But I'm taking note of those which aren't in yet.

Also noting those you detested. :)

Wishing you a great 2010 of great reads.

Peter S. said...

Hi, J. Kaye and josbookshelf! Happy New Year to you guys!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to you!
A toast to more books and more hours of reading!

Anonymous said...

You're the third person I've seen pick Out Stealing Horses as one of their favorites for 2009. I need to read it soon! Have a great 2010!

Peter S. said...

@Sumthinblue: More books for 2010!

@Kristy: It's a very well-written novel. Have a wonderful 2010, Kristy! And thanks for dropping by!

Patrick said...

Happy new year Peter! I think I forgot to congratulate you with the BBC feature. I was just browsing BBC one day and saw you there. Hehe! 2009 has truly been a good year for you.

And only 48 books?! Come on man! I can't even read a book in a week! Haha! Oh well, here's to more books this 2010.

Peter S. said...

Hi, Patrick! I used to read more than 100 books in a year! Hehehe.

Elizabeth Braun said...

I love 'The Woman in White' too, it's been my favourite since I first read it at age 16!

Last year I also read 'East Lynne' - eerie!=)

I love Victorian Sensation fiction as well.