2009 was my year for joining reading challenges! I really went overboard with that and as a result set a new record for myself of books read in one year. Now the year is ending and I haven’t completed a couple of those challenges, so I know that my eyes were bigger than my reading time! However, I did enjoy each challenge, whether completed or not, and that’s the important thing.
Looking back at my list of books read, I realize that this really was a year of experimentation. I tried out new genres, new authors, and I took on a whole variety of reading challenges. That was really good for me. I have already signed up for and am looking forward to a number of 2010 reading challenges, but I won’t be signing up for as many as last year. I need to save time for some of my own challenges still in progress and left behind last year.
I’m excited to see where my reading journey takes me this year! And I’d like to spend more time with the classic literature that has always nourished my soul, and with the authors that are my guides and mentors on my journey. I also look forward to reading your reviews, dear blogging friends! I love how you have enriched my reading life!
I hope that your 2010 is a wonderful year full of the pleasure of books and reading. A very Happy and Healthy New Year to each of you, dear book friends!
Overview of 2009:
115 BOOKS READ IN 2009
15 CHALLENGES COMPLETED, OR ALMOST COMPLETED (I also co-hosted the Dewey’s Books Reading Challenges with Chris (Stuff As Dreams Are Made On)
FAVORITE READ ALOUD: Christmas Day in the Morning, by Pearl S. Buck
FAVORITE AUDIOBOOK: Brooklyn Bridge, by Karen Hesse, narrated by Fred Berman
FAVORITE GRAPHIC NOVEL (new genre for me): To Dance: A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel, by Siegel and Siegel
FAVORITE AUTHORS THIS YEAR:
- Sylvia Louise Engdahl
- Alice Hoffman
- Pearl S. Buck
- Karen Hesse
- Adele Geras
TOP TEN (not in any particular order):
- The Uncommon Reader, by Alan Bennett
- Enchantress from the Stars, by Sylvia Louis Engdahl
- Odd and the Frost Giants, by Neil Gaiman
- Christmas Day in the Morning, by Pearl S. Buck
- Two Sweaters for my Father, by Perri Klass
- The Ice Queen, by Alice Hoffman (narrated by Nancy Travis)
- The Snow Goose, by Paul Gallico
- Quartet in Autumn, by Barbara Pym
- The Whispering Land, by Gerald Durrell
- My Grandmother’s Stories, by Adele Geras
FAVORITE BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Ice Queen, by Alice Hoffman
A Fondness For Reading 
The Ice Queen really is a beautiful book. Happy New Year, Robin!
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Robin, thanks for sharing your reading journey with us. I enjoy your posts so much. I hope that you and B have a lovely New Year!
I’m taking my life in a new direction in 2010 and am coming back to blogging. Stop by and see me when you can. Take care!
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Even though you may have had eyes bigger than your time allowed, you accomplished an amazing job: 15 challenges completed? Wow! I know what you mean about joining them, or even being a part of a book blogging community, period, helping to fulfill lots of reading goals.
I, too, wish you a very Happy New Year, lots of joy with your class, and all God’s blessings. It’s good to be your friend.
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I love The Ice Queen. What a great reading year for you. All the best in 2010 🙂
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I have joined too many challenges in 2010 and there were will be many more as the time goes…
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I have The Ice Queen on my library pile funnily enough. Had no idea it was that good as it was a random grab. And how nice to see Gerald Durrell on your favourites list. I have The Whispering Land on my tbr pile and also his biography by Douglas Botting, which I gather is very good. I also loved The Uncommon Reader and Quartet in Autumn when I read them last year.
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I’ve read several books by Alice Hoffman and after reading your lovely review, I’ve added The Ice Queen to my TBR list. You had a great year of reading. And, oh my, so many completed challenges!! I’m always eager to sign up for so many (I love making lists), but my follow-through is never very successful. This year, in spite of all the wonderful challenges, I think I’ll stick to reading whatever calls to me at the moment I need pick up something new.
Thank you for all your wonderful reviews and your friendship. Here’s to a great year of reading!
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