2009 Book Awards

In the year 2009, I decided that I would record the books I read in that year. I think the record-keeping part of it made me more motivated to read.

Best book: Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. It is kind of ironic for a history teacher to not enjoy history books, but I really don’t. I tried. John Adams, 1776, I tried (maybe I don’t love McCullough?), and a slew of others have not kept me entertained enough. Goodwin easily blends historical fact into a compelling narrative. While this book focuses particularly on Lincoln, it also gives a lot of attention to the political climate, his critics, his friends, his family, and, obviously, his cabinet. I found myself becoming so attached to Lincoln, that during the chapter about his assassination I cried. I cried! It’s not like I didn’t know that Lincoln was assassinated or something. Be warned: this book is a commitment.

Worst book: The Glory Field by Walter Dean Meyers. Since I teach adolescents, I read their literature every now and again. This is a story about a family starting in slavery, up until the present day – kind of Roots-esque. I had read great things about this book and I went in with high hopes. It was too long and I wouldn’t recommend it to kids. Or adults!

Honorable mention:

Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Hated it when I read it in high school; fascinated by it when I read and taught it the second time around.

Persuasion by Jane Austen. That letter from the “hero” to the “heroine” at the end alone makes the book worth reading. Better than Pride and Prejudice, I think.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini. Kind of a happier version of One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

Now I’m on to my 2010 reading. I don’t include the baby-stuff reading I do because it’s not literature. I would love to hear what books you loved this year and any of your recommendations. Les Mis is already on the list.