Year in Review 2008
I’ve been working on this post on or off for a few months now, just tweaking things as and when I thought of them, still it’s been a fun few days finishing and tidying up the thing. 
On the reading front this year can only be classified as a success! After a few years on only reading 30 or so books a year, this year I’ve managed to surpass my original target and in fact topped out over 100 books! (you can find my full reading list here.)
Okay, idea totally pinched from Nymeth 
here are some stats from the year – the system I use to work these out has some overlap so don’t go adding them together!
**Series reads do not count individual books for the series book count – so 2+ books from a series only counts as 1 read.
- Total Books Read : 109
- Fiction: 92
- Non Fiction: 3
- Audiobooks: 14
- Graphic Novels: 9
- Young Adult: 75
- Novels: 80
- Written By Women: 23
- Written By Men: 89
- New Authors to Me: 42
- Re-Reads: 9
- Series: 24 **
- Short Story Collections: 4
Taking a look at my yearly tally of books read, you’ll notice a high proportion of ‘Young Adult’ books in there, what is a supposed mature adult doing reading books for teenagers? Well, I’ll be darned if I’m going to miss out on some of the best written, most moving, or just out and out entertaining reads, just because I’m in my mid thirties!
Greatest Discovery
If you’ve spent anytime at all reading this blog over the last year, then you will all ready be aware of just how enamoured I am with the Tomorrow Series, by John Marsden. I won’t repeat here, what I’ve already said many times 
but I will point you in the direction of this post, where I discussed the series in some depth.
I should also give an honourable mention to Marcus Sedgwick, I’ve read five of his books this year and every one of them has been a real treat.
Greatest Re-Discovery
Probably my greatest re-discovery this year is the graphic novel.
In my late teens and early twenties I read quite a few graphic novels, however in recent years I’ve rarely touched them, until this year, thanks in part to the fantastic and much missed Dewey’s Graphic Novel Challenge, which I managed to complete quite easily in the end, and coming across the wonderful, The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.
My top three out of the year are:
- The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
- Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
- Mouse Guard : Autumn 1152, by David Petersen
Audiobooks
I’ve listened to a number of fantastic audiobooks this year as well which has been a real treat, here are my top three.
- The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman read by the Author
I’ve both read the book and listened to the audio version of this one, and I’m surprised Neil Gaiman isn’t more in demand as a narrator he’s that good at it. - Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden read by Suzi Dougherty
Another one that was good enough to read and listen to this year, Suzi Dougherty captures Ellie’s voice perfectly. (far better than Mikaela Martin who takes over narration duties later in the series). - The Pendragon Series by D.J. MacHale read by William Dufris
Much of these books are written in first person, and are perfectly suited to the audiobook format, and William Dufris is an entertaining narrator.
Overall Favourite Books of the Year [In no Particular Order!]
You’ll notice that only one of these books has been published this year, [Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book] So this is very much a list of my favourite ‘reads’ of the year, and as this was one of my most productive reading years for some time, there was plenty of choices to narrow down, never an easy task! (I’ve also decided to only highlight one (or a series) by any author to highlight in the main list – I am allowing my self to list more in ‘Honourable Mentions’ section though, as there are some I just could not leave out – even if they are re-reads!)
I’ve also not just selected the 5 Star reviews either, I’ve taken into account the enjoyment factor, you know, those books that aren’t perfect, but are just a sheer joy to read.
The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman
Reviewed: 19th October 2008
The book is an utter, utter delight to read, and is populated with fantastic characters and a fabulous world for them to inhabit.
The Tomorrow Series
John Marsden
Reviewed: 3rd August 2008
…there is nothing quite like finding a new series and just “having” to tear though every book as quickly as you can…
Looking for Alaska
John Green
Reviewed: 7th August 2008
…words like, wonderful, powerful, thoughtful, beautifully written all leap to mind.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Brian Selznick
Reviewed: 28th June 2008
Whatever you do, DON’T lend this out, you’ll never get it back! But, whatever you need to do, to cajole everyone you know who has the slightest interest in books, to get their own copy, then do it!
Starseeker
Tim Bowler
Reviewed: 12th December 2008
Sometimes a good book comes completely out of nowhere, you pick up a random book in a store and it turns out to be an absolute corker! This was my experience with Tim Bowler’s Starseeker…
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chbosky
Reviewed: 24th November 2008
Charlie is an immensely likable protagonist, who you really do care and feel for, and the fact I spent a very relaxing Sunday afternoon gobbling up all but the first chapter or so, without stopping…
Honourable Mentions:
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card | Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman | Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel | Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi | Boy A by Jonathan Trigell | The Pendragon Series by D.J. MacHale | Coraline by Neil Gaiman
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Great list! fun read! congrats on exceeding 100! wowza!!!
Care´s last blog post: Where Am I? Where Are You?
Thanks! I entered December not sure if I’d make it, but a combination of a decent reading month and finding I’d missed some off my original list, meant it was quite comfortable in the end.
Wow! You had a hell of a year Bart! I stole Nymeth’s categories too :p Why create something new when there’s something perfect out there already? lol. You really read some amazing books this year and I never really realized how similar our reading tastes are. I’m sure I’d like any of the books that you’ve listed as favorites that I haven’t read yet. In fact, the Tomorrow series sounds great! I’ll have to add that one to the wishlist. Can’t wait to get started on Perks of Being a Wallflower soon! Have a great 2009 Bart!
Chris´s last blog post: 2008, The Year In Review
Not to mention, Nymeth owes us, for what she does to the size of our TBR piles and wishlists!
The Tomorrow Series is great, I’m sure you’d enjoy it
Have a great 2009 yourself!
lol, my categories had overlaps too…I hope nobody added them up and thought I was cheating
And yeah, I see absolutely no reason to ever stop reading children’s or YA books either.
I really like your list. The ones I read are favourites of mine too, and the others I still want to read. Especially Hugo Cabret!
I’m glad you had such a good reading year, Bart! I hope 2009 is great too.
PS: I totally stole the categories from a mix of posts by other bloggers last year too
You must check out Hugo Cabret, it’s a fantastic read, and I just know you’ll love it.
Great year end list, Bart!!!
I really need to read more Sedgewick. I’ve only read the one but really enjoyed it!
Comics (graphic novels) are wonderful, aren’t they. There are so many entertaining, powerful, moving, mind-blowing stories that have been told in this medium over the years and I am sad for anyone who is unwilling to give graphic novels a try. The really can be incredible.
Hugo Cabret was great, wasn’t it. If you have a chance to check it out on audio there is an additional DVD that comes with it that is quite fun.
Glad you loved the book and audio of Graveyard Book. Gaiman is an incredible reader, isn’t he? But I don’t want him doing anything that takes away from him writing us more great books!!!
Have a fantastic new year’s eve and day Bart. I wish you all the best and look forward to visiting over here more often in 2009.
Carl V.´s last blog post: 2008: A Literary Year in Review
Depending on when you decide to read some more Sedgwick, I can heartily recommend My Swordhand is Singing. Perfect for R.I.P time, and an intriguing take on the Vampire Genre.
Have a great day yourself Carl and I hope you and yours have a wonderful 2009.
Looks like a great year! I didn’t break down my books by genre this year, but I imagine my YA total would look similar to yours… I always feel bad for everyone who is missing out on all of those great books, just because they’re “for kids”.
Also, I love the layout and design of this post – very visually interesting!
Fyrefly´s last blog post: A Year in Books: 2008
One of the things I like about YA books it that the authors don’t tend to feel the need to show off how clever and talented they are in their writing, and actually stick to telling the story.
Glad you liked the layout, I really had far too much fun, and spent more time than was strictly necessary
putting it together.
What a great wrap-up post! It’s so interesting and pretty.
And congrats on exceeding your goals!!! ;D
Eva´s last blog post: It’s that time: the 2008 Reading Wrap-Up
Thanks Eva, and Happy New Year to you!
Great books, many that I want to read. I really must try and give Marcus Sedgwick and Terry Pratchett another go. Happy New Year x