Books That My Eyeballs Have Alighted Upon in 2009: Part 1

So I write a list of the books I read as I read 'em, you may have noticed it nestled discreetly on the right hand side of this blog. Keeping this list encourages me to finish books instead of reading five at once and never getting to the end of any of them. Reason number two is that on rare occasions I will read a book, it will have no impact on my brain, I will forget it, and I will end up reading it again years later accidentally. I can only recall this happening with Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh, but my reading time is valuable and that was a repeat I could not afford. Plus who does not appreciate a list? (Probably those rare people without a hint of OCD in their personality, but who's ever met one of them?)

I usually seem to arrive at about 50 books read in a year, but I find that this year I have only arrived at 29! What could be the reason for this? I don't feel like 2009 has been a book-scarce year. I suspect the last couple of months have let me down. I have been so busy, and although I commute a lot it is now by bus and not train - I get sick if I read on the bus. Reason number three is that I picked up this whacking great volume of Great American Short stories, a collection that was edited by a bloke (Tobias Wolff) who is clearly a miserable bastard, and all the stories were depressing/tragic/thwarted. This unhappy reading experience put a hitch in my efforts.

The upside of only reading 29 books is that I feel I can easily review the entire lot. So I think I will, both for my own edification and hopefully your blog-perusing pleasure. Ahem, let us begin:

1. Changing Places - David Lodge

An amusing and accurate look at the contrasts between the US and UK university systems, which seems relevant for today though set in the 60s. I especially liked it having experienced both sides, what with my transatlantic study.

2. Franny and Zooey - J.D. Salinger

If Zooey Deschanel is named after it, then it's good enough for me.

3. The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For - Alison Bechdel

Ok, anyone who is queer, likes comics, has read Bechdel's excellent Fun Home or who likes gossip with a soupcon of politics should read this. I think that covers just about everybody. Thoroughly absorbing. (Although this edition doesn't have every single DTWOF strip Bechdel has ever written/drawn, and I wish it did - I began to suspect the sexy ones were taken out. Maybe that is just evidence of my one track mind.)

4. Small World - David Lodge

Another David Lodge, with more satire of US/UK cultural difference, and the backbiting literary world. I would not recommend reading too much Lodge at once, because you start to feel every character is basically weak or a scumbag, and no one has a happy ending. Too much depressing with your funny, basically.

5. The Best Creative Nonfiction Vol.II - Ed. Lee Gutkind

So interesting! My favourite essays I instantly wanted to photocopy a dozen times and send to all my friends. But then I did not get around to it. C'est la vie.

6. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao - Junot Diaz

My gf has just read this, and she said that although while reading it she felt it was a fantastic book, the details started leaving her brain as soon as she was done. I agree - I can remember hardly anything, and it's not even a year. Does this mean it had no permanent impact on me? Does this mean it wasn't as good a book as I thought at the time? It is about a hapless nerdy kid and his lack of romantic play, and there are a lot of informative footnotes about the Dominican Republic.

7. Another Bullshit Night in Suck City - Nick Flynn

Totally forgot I read this. That's another buzz-receiving title that didn't stay with me.

8. Sharp Teeth - Toby Barlow

You have to read this book. I know it might not seem promising - a verse novel about werewolves set in LA - but it's worth it. Lyrical, beautiful imagery, and the plot was enthralling. Trust me, I will set you upon the right reading path... Here, I blogged about Sharp Teeth before (includes pictures!)

9. Watchmen - Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

Moore has done far better since he did Watchmen, in my opinion. Check out Top Ten instead, is my advice. The plot felt exactly like something a teenage boy would appreciate if he was trying to be deep, and I hated the artwork - so garish and 80s!

10. Americana - Don DeLillo

I like DeLillo, but this felt like a bit of a juvenile work. It took me a long while to get through, it was a hard slog. I would recommend White Noise instead. That seems like that has a similar theme but a more consistent tone - which you could summarise as American modernity making you feel a bit iffy.

11. Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married - Marian Keyes

THE MOST DEPRESSING READING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. I don't want to talk about it. But I wrote about it here.

12. Molly Fox's Birthday - Deidre Madden

A quiet, intelligent book about friendship between quiet, intelligent and calm people. Produced a feeling of serenity and studiousness.

13. The Flight of Icarus - Raymond Queneau

Another lovely Oneworld Classic edition. This is a funny little book, written like a play script, about literary characters escaping from their novels and running amok. I think my friend Hannah would like it.

14. The First Person and Other Stories - Ali Smith

I love me some Ali Smith, and I love her short stories. However, I do not think this is her best. It felt somewhat insubstantial.

15. Pirates! In an Adventure With Napoleon - Gideon Defoe

Hilarious! I freaking love these books. However you never know if your sense of humour is the same as everyone else's. Totally a no-brainer for me, though: Funny pirate books, what's not to love?


That will do for now. I will return later with the next 14 "reviews". I bet you are on tenterhooks.

Happy Deer-Snow-Tree Day

Here is last year's Christmas card. I will not put up a picture of this year's card, because that would spoil the surprise.


But anyhow, this is all to say that I am feeling festive and seasonal, and I am spending all sorts of time doing seasonal crafting activities. ALSO I want to wish you all Happy Holidays! Woo!