The following is a summary of books I have read this past year. Unfortunately, this list is very incomplete because I did not keep record of every book. These are not books published in 2008, but rather the books I read in 2008. Year of publication (according to GoodReads.com) is in the parentheses.
January
Twilight, Stephenie Meyer (2005) Oh, Twilight. What should I say about thee? You are certainly entertaining, though at times I loathe you. At times I love you. You are craptastic and overly hyped and I cannot stop reading.
Princess in Pink (Princess Diaries, Book 5), Meg Cabot (2004) I always enjoy the Princess Diaries books more than I think I will. I find Mia’s voice comforting and funny, even when she annoys me with all her “OMG MICHAEL I LUUUUV HIM!”
February
The Book Thief, Markus Zusak (2005) Is there anyone who dislikes this book? It is amazing. I have never cried so hard reading a book in my life.
Spud, John van de Ruit (2007) I did not love this book, but I enjoyed it.
Uglies, Scott Westerfeld (2005) Uglies was not completely un-put-downabble, but I was hooked. It hasn’t made me pick up the rest of the series, though.
March
13 Little Blue Envelopes, Maureen Johnson (2005) I love Maureen, and this is one of her best books.
The Year of Secret Assignments, Jaclyn Moriarty (2004) The Year of Secret Assignments is funny and brilliant.
Devilish, Maureen Johnson (2006) Again, I love Maureen and I enjoyed this book.
May
Frankenstein, Mary Shelley (1818) I was surprised by how much I liked this book.
Eclipse, Stephenie Meyer (2007) Whatever I may say about Twilight, I like Eclipse. It’s good.
June
Suite Scarlett, Maureen Johnson (2008) Again with the Johnson! I really like Suite Scarlett. I find myself wanting to spend time at the Hopewell.
The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie, Jaclyn Moriarty (2006) I really like this book. It’s in the same universe as The Year of Secret Assignments.
A Great and Terrible Beauty, Libba Bray (2003) This book is seriously good. I don’t understand how a series like Twilight is more popular than a series like this. Well, I understand it but I do not condone it.
Girl at Sea, Maureen Johnson (2007) Maureen never ceases to amuse me. Her books are not just there for humor, though. I enjoyed Girl at Sea just like I have enjoyed all her other books I have read, even though occasionally her writing style gets on my nerves.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie (2007) I had been avoiding this book for quite some time. I do not know why. It was wonderful.
July
Rebel Angels, Libba Bray (2005) Again, this trilogy is fantastic.
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. 1: The Pox Party, M.T. Anderson (2006) I feel like I should put a huge exclamation mark on the side of this title. It is fantastic. Read it. I am currently finding my way through its second volume. It’s not easy. It’s beautiful. It’s many things.
Small Steps, Louis Sachar (2006) Meh. Not great.
Princess in Training (The Princess Diaries, Book 6), Meg Cabot (2005) As said before, I am entertained by the Princess Diaries although Mia annoys me at times and I do not think all the books are very good.
August
Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer (2008) Again we are back to Twilight. Breaking Dawn is not a good book. The entire series is ridiculous, but this is even too much for me. That being said, I enjoyed reading it. It entertained me.
The Sweet Far Thing, Libba Bray (2007) This is the last book of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy, and it lives up to its predecessors. It is a good book, though I had a difficult time getting through it.
Party Princess (The Princess Diaries, Book 7), Meg Cabot (2006) I think I’ve said all I have to say about this series.
All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Maria Remarque (1928) I feel this book is necessary for people living in a world with war.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, E. Lockhart (2008) Thinking of this book brings a smile to my face. It is definitely not the greatest book I’ve ever read, but it is a great piece of young adult fiction.
September
The Bermudez Triangle, Maureen Johnson (2004) I love Maureen Johnson, and I liked this book.
Brave New World, Aldous Huxley (1932) There’s not much to say. It’s a good book. If you like dystopian science fiction, you’ve probably already read this book, and if not you’ll probably like it.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Jonathan Safran Foer (2005) There are certain books which, while reading, I have felt my life change. This is one of those books.
October
Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List, Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (2007) This is not a great book. Not bad, but not good.
Paper Towns, John Green (2008) Thinking about any of John’s books makes me smile and feel a million things. Paper Towns is great.
1984, George Orwell (1949) I see why this book is a classic.
The Boy Book, E. Lockhart (2006) E. Lockhart’s books entertain me and give my brain something to chew on as well.
November
All-American Girl, Meg Cabot (2003) I enjoyed this book as I enjoy all Meg’s books, even though they aren’t super fantastic.
More Information Than You Require, John Hodgman (2008) I love John Hodgman. That is all.
Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare (1601) Shakespeare makes my ears, my eyes, and my brain smile.
December
The Tales of Beedle the Bard, J.K. Rowling (2008) Harry Potter. Fairy Tales. Charity. What is there not to like?
Let It Snow; John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle (2008) Do you like Christmas? Do you like good YA authors? If you answered yes to either, read this book. It’s fun.
The Boyfriend List, E. Lockhart (2005) Again, read what I have to say about E. Lockhart. This book is good; I think the main character, Ruby Oliver, is brilliant.
Months Unknown
Cry, The Beloved Country, Alan Paton (1948) I don’t have much to say.
New Moon, Stephenie Meyer (2006) Though I may say bad things about Twilight, I love Jacob Black, which makes me like this book.
I Am The Messenger, Markus Zusak (2005) I love this book. I really love it.
Posted by Elena 