Awhile back I had fun looking back in time to books I loved in pre-blogging days. So I did some EXTREME mini reviews of those books listed on my side bar as my top ten favorites. Here's another set! These are my favorites from my 2004 reading year:
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer: A crazy intense story about a kid who is bred for his parts and DNA. It's one of the first dystopian books I read and I was blown away.
The Princess Bride by William Goldman: After loving the movie so much, I finally decided to read the book, and I loved it!
Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand: This book was making a big buzz and even though I'm not really a horse person, I thought I'd give it a try. And I'm so glad I did because I loved this story and recommend it all the time, even for non-horse people!
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett: I was blown away by the craziness that is the book when I read it this first time around. I loved the writing and the story and all the characters.
The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly: This is a great historical romance that takes place in both New York and London. Lots of intrigue... murder, romance and adventure. I loved it and need to read more like this again. I miss this time of book!
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke: Ah, what a fun book! The story about what happens when you have the ability to read yourself into a book! You'd think it would be cool, but it causes all sorts of craziness! What a fun first book to a fun trilogy.
Educating Esme by Esme Raji Codell: One of those books that makes you want to go out and fix the world! Very inspirational.
The Killer Angles by Michael Shaara: A fictionalized account of the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. If you are visiting there, read this first.
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck: This must have been a re-read that year, probably because of Oprah's book club? But I love this book and was fascinated with it just as much this second time around as the first.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston: So if you don't want to watch that movie 127 hours, read this book instead. The movie was based on this book, which is Aron's account of getting pinned by a rock while hiking and how he got himself out of it. So good!
Thanks for the mini reviews - many of these I have not read.
ReplyDeleteLaura Hillenbrand teamed up Gary Sinise and she distributes her books to children along with school products and other items the children might need through Operation International Children. They started off in the middle east and it has now spread worldwide.
Ann
I wish I'd kept notebooks like you! There are so many books from my past that I simply don't remember. And can I just say, you have ALWAYS read such a diverse group of books! I seriously need to branch out more.
ReplyDeleteYep! Before the Goodreads years and the blogging, um, months I have nothing recorded. I still need to read Between a Rock and a Hard Place. I saw the movie and it wigged me out. I think I would enjoy the book more.
ReplyDeleteI am reading the Tea Rose right now! It's driving me crazy because I can't wait to find out what happens but it is sooo long that i keep having to put it off.
ReplyDeleteLove this idea!
I haven't read a lot of these, but definitely have to agree with Inkheart and The Good Earth. In fact, I may have to re-read those in the near future! :)
ReplyDeleteI think I may be the only person who will say this, but The Princess Bride underwhelmed me. The movie was so-so and the book was not much better. Gasp..I know.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I am at a bookstore, I eye the books by Jennifer Donnelly. One day I will read The Tea Rose.
Yeah, reading yourself into a book is a very cool concept. I liked Inkheart but was not overwhelmed.
The Good Earth is on my You Must Read list; this list is for me to rank my very, very favorites and worthy books, AND a list of books that I hope one day my children will read.