Favorite Reads of 2008

C.J. Rockwell · Dec 28, 2008

As 2008 ends, I thought it'd be fun to share some of our favorite reads of the past year. Here are mine-

Fiction

Picture Books
Tales from the Waterhole - By Bob Graham
Nice art, snappy writing, funny

Herbert Fieldmouse: Secret Agent - By Kevin O'Malley
Biting wit, nice wordplay, breathtaking artwork that brings a little more color than you usually see in a noir-style mystery. Though this is a picture book, the voice is so strong that I could see this is as a series of chapter books that would easily give Chet Gecko (A series by Bruce Hale that I love) some stiff competition. This would make a great read-aloud, so much so that I bet even older kids couldn't resist.

The Porcupine Mouse - By Bonnie Pryor, Pictures by Mary Jane Begin
A warm, comforting story, with the timeless artwork to match.

Lyle and the Birthday Party - By Bernard Waber
I love Lyle the crocodile, what more can I say? Well, let's just say that jealousy rears its ugly head, and it's portrayed with care and honesty.

Chapter Books/Novels
Judy Moody #7: Around the World in 8/12 days - By Megan McDonald
One of my favorite series. Funny, real, and relatable. This is one of my favorites in the series of what I've read so far.

How to Save Your Tail: If You Are a Rat Nabbed by Cats Who Really Like Stories about Magic Spoons, Wolves with Snout-Warts, Big, Hairy Chimney Trolls... And Cookies Too - By Mary Hanson
A fun collection of tales that are linked by a rat who loves to bake, and two rat-hungry cats who'd love to make him their next meal. Can the stories of him and his relatives (In relation to classic fairy tales), and a plate of freshly baked cookies save him from the oven himself?

Favorite Vintage Read
The Alligator and his Uncle Tooth: A novel of the sea - By Geoffrey Hayes
I discovered this book on one of my many searches at the Barnes and Noble website, though I bought it on eBay. It'll be a bit tough to find as it's out of print, but it's truly worth it if you can find it at a good price, and in reasonable condition.

I'm almost finished with it and really enjoyed the tale it told. Don't let the charming, yet simple art fool you! There's a rich, fun adventure found in this book.

Nonfiction

Reading like a Writer - By Francine Prose
This is a book I often go back to when I need inspiration, and hopefully one day, I can learn to decode what I read better with this book.

What were your favorite reads of 2008? I figure it's a great way to discover new books and authors we haven't checked out yet, and might want to put on our 2009 reading list.

Red.Ink.Rain · Dec 28, 2008

The Tale of Despereaux is my favorite children's book ever. I think I reread it this year. I was actually disappointed when I saw that it was made into a movie because I don't think a movie could ever do it justice.

alleycat · Dec 28, 2008

Red.Ink.Rain said:
The Tale of Despereaux is my favorite children's book ever. I think I reread it this year. I was actually disappointed when I saw that it was made into a movie because I don't think a movie could ever do it justice.

Off-topic . . . (sorry)

I saw a segment on the movie on one of the TV entertainment shows about a week ago. They interviewed some of the people who did the voices, showed a couple of short clips, talked about the movie. . . but did not even mention the writer who came up with the characters and the story.

Red.Ink.Rain · Dec 28, 2008

alleycat said:
Off-topic . . . (sorry)

I saw a segment on the movie on one of the TV entertainment shows about a week ago. They interviewed some of the people who did the voices, showed a couple of short clips, talked about the movie. . . but did not even mention the writer who came up with the characters and the story.

Gaaah! Don't tell me that! :rant:

They are not even worthy to talk about that story. The preview bore no resemblance to the book. None at all.

brittanimae · Dec 28, 2008

Pirates Don't Change Diapers, Melinda Long/David Shannon :heart:

And some other stuff. Which I'll post as soon as I remember it.

C.J. Rockwell · Dec 29, 2008

Red.Ink.Rain said:
The Tale of Despereaux is my favorite children's book ever. I think I reread it this year. I was actually disappointed when I saw that it was made into a movie because I don't think a movie could ever do it justice.

I know what you mean. I loved the book when I first read it at 15. I read it all in one night. I've since gone back to it periodically to read favorite scenes again. I'd wanted to re-read it before the movie came out, but with holidays, various writing projects, and getting a cold got in the way.

I'm treading on thin ice as I haven't seen the movie yet, but you sure can't miss the TV spots. It's certainly different from what I expected, but it looks interesting to me so far.

alleycat said:
Off-topic . . . (sorry)

alleycat said:
I saw a segment on the movie on one of the TV entertainment shows about a week ago. They interviewed some of the people who did the voices, showed a couple of short clips, talked about the movie. . . but did not even mention the writer who came up with the characters and the story.

I hate when they do that! Even if the author isn't involved, you should at least mention the movie was once a book first. The author gave you the raw material for a movie, at least drop the name of the author. Still, I haven't been to the movies all year, and I'd probably see it anyway. I like to compare and contrast the book with the movie. Since we're going a little off-topic here, I was frustrated with the third Harry Potter movie. I loved the third book a lot, and I loved the first two movies, but they butchered some of my favorite parts of the book, and switched too many scenes around.

I did like seeing Draco getting decked by Hermione, just as I pictured it, and they handled the time travel bit near the end really well. Still loved it, just slightly disappointed.

I also wanted to see The Curious case of Benjamin Button so I thought I'd make a double feature out of the two. Even if I have to go to different theaters for them.

Red.Ink.Rain said:
Gaaah! Don't tell me that!

Red.Ink.Rain said:
They are not even worthy to talk about that story. The preview bore no resemblance to the book. None at all.

I wouldn't go that far, but I agree that's its quite different. When I first saw the trailer online, I was shocked, but I've seen far worse, imo.

MsJudy · Dec 29, 2008

Re: Despereaux:

My son's fourth-class read the book then took a field trip to see the movie the day it came out. His verdict: good movie, but nothing to do with the book. They changed everything. But he still enjoyed it and wants the video game, so...

I can't even begin to list all the books I've read and loved this year! Now that my boys are older, I actually have time to read. We all read every night before bed, at least one chapter. Sometimes I'm up pretty late....

Some of my favorite authors I hadn't read until this year:
Dianna Wynne Jones
Eva Ibbotson
Andrew Clements
Mary Amato, THE WORD EATER
Sara Pennypacker (Hi, Hillary!)
John Flanagan

My students are in love with Karma Wilson's Bear picture books--BEAR SNORES ON and many others.

Captshady · Dec 29, 2008

Fiction:
Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs (and my new top faves of all time).

Non Fiction:
Killing Yourself To Live by Chuck Klosterman

Childrens:
1) Junie B. Jones is a Graduation Girl -although this one could be because my daughter graduated Kindergarten this past May.
2) The Real Story Of The Three Little Pigs - the first title that made my daughter say, "I LOVE this book!"

Hillary · Dec 29, 2008

(Hi Jud!)

I mentioned this book in another thread, and I know it was published in 2003, but I got a HUGE kick out of the picture book Arnie, The Doughnut by Laurie Keller.

Red.Ink.Rain · Dec 29, 2008

C.J. Rockwell said:
I wouldn't go that far, but I agree that's its quite different. When I first saw the trailer online, I was shocked, but I've seen far worse, imo.

I was kidding...mostly lol. There are only two books-to-movies that I've ever been rabidly passionate about - The Chronicles of Narnia and Despereaux. Narnia they've done pretty well with, so I'm happy. Despereaux I just can't go see. I'm too scared of what I'll do.

I was never very upset with the Harry Potter movies for some reason. To me they were just two very different mediums and each one was handled well. If they do Deathly Hallows poorly though, I might be nauseous.

C.J. Rockwell · Dec 29, 2008

Let's get bacl on-topic please

Make your favorite reads of 2008 known. They don't have to have been published this year, just any book you read and loved this year counts

Hillary · Dec 29, 2008

Not little-known, not new, not even that many words to read... BUT... I did get an autographed copy this year, and (after swooning for an excessive amount of time over seeing "Hillary" and "Chris Van Allsburg" written so close together), I read it again. And it reminded me how desperately I love that book. It sends shivers up my spine with every single page.

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg.

Outstanding picture book.

Ken · Dec 29, 2008

"The Resistance," about the Warslaw uprising against the Nazi invasion,
and also "Death Camps," included in the same Holocaust Library series.
Plain and simple no-nosense prose w/o any attempt to sensationalize the accounts.
(Both YA books.)

Exir · Dec 30, 2008

I just finished The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. The feeling was just -- Wow! I loved his flowing style, his use of language, his understanding of human nature. Loved it.

Exir · Dec 30, 2008

Oh, and the Death narrator was cool.

C.J. Rockwell · Dec 30, 2008

Exir said:
I just finished The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. The feeling was just -- Wow! I loved his flowing style, his use of language, his understanding of human nature. Loved it.

Sounds great, I've debating about whether or not to read it. I always love books that play with language.

I'm putting it on my readling list for next year.

You might want to check out Tor Seidler. His use of language and warm writing style makes him one of my top 10 favorite authors.

Micheal Hoeye is one of the best authors I discovered in 2008. He writes the Hermux Tantamoq series, of which there are four books currently.

I got halfway through the first one, Time Stops for No Mouse, and was hooked all the way through. But when I had one of my writing marathons, by the time I got back to where I left off, I'd forgot some of the key plotpints.

No big deal, I get to fall back in love with this book again from the beginning. It's THAT good. :hooray:

Like the book above, great use of language, and an inventive and detailed use of setting. I have bought the other three books in the series since I know I'll want to read them in succession straight away.

These two authors are some of my greastest inspirations, and are written proof that the stories I'm trying to write CAN be done.

MsJudy · Dec 30, 2008

Michael Hoeye is also interesting because he self-published the first two in the series....
Eventually sold the rights to Random House, I believe, for more than $1 million. So it can be done that way...

C.J. Rockwell · Dec 31, 2008

JudScotKev said:
Michael Hoeye is also interesting because he self-published the first two in the series....
Eventually sold the rights to Random House, I believe, for more than $1 million. So it can be done that way...

I remember doing a search for the books and found images of the first book in spiral-bound form. I guess that's the self-published version that's still floating around.

I'm not surprised it was picked up, it's got so much going for it.

If money were no object, I'd probably would've tried that with Gabriel...

Oh well. I'm really trying to enjoy the stage I'm at now, but I'd enjoy it more if I could hone my skills a little faster.

SheilaJG · Jan 1, 2009

I just finished Incarceron, by Catherine Fisher and it was outstanding. It's a children's book with an 18 year-old protagonist and I would guess it weighs in at over 100,000 words. There were a couple of threads regarding protag. age and length for Middle Grade books and I found it interesting that this book seemed to break those rules. The book is very imaginative and well written, and I can't begin to describe it.

I guess most of my favorite reads come in the Middle Grade/Upper MG range. This year I'd say my favorite reads were The Penderwicks of Gardam Street, by Jeanne Birdsall, Playing With Fire, by Derek Landy, The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry, The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaimon, and The eye, The Ear and the Arm, by Nancy Farmer.

BlueMouse · Feb 9, 2009

Whoops! Wrong forum. ~blush~

emandem · Feb 9, 2009

Hmmm...I haven't read many of my kids' books this year. I did pick up Coraline by Gaiman. I had a hard time putting it down, but I wouldn't say it was a favorite. There are some books that I just have to read to the finish so I can see what the ending will be like, but it doesn't mean I loved it or would read it again. What is it about a book that you want to read a second and third time, and others never...

I also picked up Holes (funny I hadn't read it before) and I thought this was really good.

C.J. Rockwell · Feb 9, 2009

C.J. Rockwell said:
Sounds great, I've debating about whether or not to read it. I always love books that play with language.

I'm putting it on my readling list for next year.

You might want to check out Tor Seidler. His use of language and warm writing style makes him one of my top 10 favorite authors.

Micheal Hoeye is one of the best authors I discovered in 2008. He writes the Hermux Tantamoq series, of which there are four books currently.

I got halfway through the first one, Time Stops for No Mouse, and was hooked all the way through. But when I had one of my writing marathons, by the time I got back to where I left off, I'd forgot some of the key plotpints.

No big deal, I get to fall back in love with this book again from the beginning. It's THAT good.

Like the book above, great use of language, and an inventive and detailed use of setting. I have bought the other three books in the series since I know I'll want to read them in succession straight away.

These two authors are some of my greastest inspirations, and are written proof that the stories I'm trying to write CAN be done.

I finished Time stops for no mouse last month, kept me up well into the night until I read the last page.

I'm almost halfway through the second in the series, The Sands of Time.

When I'm done, I'll start The Book Thief that I bought a couple weeks ago.

Thanks again Exir for recommending it!

Hedgetrimmer · Feb 9, 2009

I know it's rather old in date, but last week I finally read Because of Winn Dixie. I never bothered to see the movie. The voice is wonderful, the storytelling great, and it really resonates on an emotional level. Yet as much as I enjoyed it, I can't help but wonder if Ms. DiCamillo would have gotten this published had she gone the traditional route. Listening to editors and agents, they claim this sort of book would never survive the current market. I was glad to see something like this make it to print and, ultimately, dispel the hard and fast rules.

MsJudy · Feb 9, 2009

Hedgetrimmer said:
I know it's rather old in date, but last week I finally read Because of Winn Dixie. I never bothered to see the movie. The voice is wonderful, the storytelling great, and it really resonates on an emotional level. Yet as much as I enjoyed it, I can't help but wonder if Ms. DiCamillo would have gotten this published had she gone the traditional route. Listening to editors and agents, they claim this sort of book would never survive the current market. I was glad to see something like this make it to print and, ultimately, dispel the hard and fast rules.

Didn't she do it the "traditional" way? I haven't heard the story, if she didn't...

And I'm not sure about editors and agents not wanting this kind of book. I asked Jennifer Laughran over on her agent thread, and her opinion was that editors aren't getting nearly enough of these literate, heartfelt contemporary middle-grade novels. Lots of fantasy and YA, but not much else. She mentioned THE PENDERWICKS as a specific example, and that's at least as sensitive and quiet as WINN-DIXIE.

ColoradoKate · Feb 9, 2009

Hedgetrimmer said:
I know it's rather old in date, but last week I finally read Because of Winn Dixie. I never bothered to see the movie. The voice is wonderful, the storytelling great, and it really resonates on an emotional level. Yet as much as I enjoyed it, I can't help but wonder if Ms. DiCamillo would have gotten this published had she gone the traditional route. Listening to editors and agents, they claim this sort of book would never survive the current market. I was glad to see something like this make it to print and, ultimately, dispel the hard and fast rules.

As far as I can discover, she submitted it to Candlewick, where it was pulled from the slush... is this not the traditional route? It seems to me she got it published precisely by going the traditional route rather than by doing something untraditional--could you clarify, please?

The editors and agents I hear at conferences say that, first and foremost, they look for a unique and compelling voice, which Winn-Dixie certainly has. What hard and fast rules did its publication dispel? I ask because it was reading Because of Winn-Dixie that made me realize how much I wanted to write for children--favorite book, favorite voice, favorite author--so I'd love to know more.

Favorite Reads of 2008

Not so new, really

Not your kid brother's YA

Still around

Not your kid brother's YA

making a fresh start.

Not so new, really

What happened to my LIFE?!

Neural Trailblazer

Not your kid brother's YA

Not so new, really

Neural Trailblazer

Out of the cradle endlessly rocking

Out of the cradle endlessly rocking

Not so new, really

Not so new, really

Not so new, really

What happened, just there?