2009 was such a wonderful year for books.  Every once in a while we would look at each other and say, “Gee, it’s got to end soon right?  They just can’t keep coming?!”  But they did and frankly we are very very spoiled.  

Here is a list of some of our favorites from the year.  They are not in order of preference because for a lot of us that would be like naming our favorite child.

Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann

It is August 1974 and Philippe Petite is walking between the Twin Towers and setting off a chain reaction in the lives of seemingly unconnected New Yorkers.  This was the National Book Award winner for fiction.
 

The Wentworths by Katie Arnoldi

California is home for our favorite dysfunctional family of the year.  This one had us shaking our heads in awe of their total lack of normality and the wonderful writing of Arnoldi.

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghase 

Everyone in Readers Advisory just loved this novel that was 20 years in the making.  The world of Marion and Shiva, twins who are raised in a hospital in Ethiopia will take over your life.  Be prepared to surrender to the fact that you will not get anything done until the last page is read.  

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel 

This was the Booker Prize winner of the year and while not the easiest of reads, it brings alive the world and mind of Oliver Cromwell.  

This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

Whenever anyone asked us for a book that would make them happy this is what we handed them.  And no one ever came back to us wondering what we were thinking.  Tropper presents a rollicking tale of love and redemption with humanity and not a small amount of humor.

The Piano Teacher by Janice Lee

  This wonderful debut examines the lives of ex-pats in Hong Kong both before the beginning of World War II and after.

East of the Sun by Julia Gregson

This was one of our favorite pure escape reads.  Three young English women in the 1920s go to India to seek their fortunes. Rumor has it the BBC is making a 6 part adaptation.  We can’t wait.

Lit:  A Memoir by Mary Karr

Karr continues her exploration of her life which was begun in The Liars Club and Cherry.  Darkly funny and brutally honest about her demons, this is one we will return to again and again.

The Bolter by Frances Osborne

Lady Idina Sackville was far from your typical Edwardian stereotype.   Five times divorced, with a dog named Satan at her side she rocked convention and propriety to its core.
 

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This had to be the book of the year.  Whoever would have thought that a book about Alabama housewives and their domestic help could strike such a chord? 
 

We wish you all a very Happy New Year!