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What was your favorite book of 2008? And yes, we know, you cannot pick just one, so please feel free to select up to three!

 

Peggy
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by Garth Stein

MY LIFE IN FRANCE - Julia Child

Diane
THE TRUE STORY OF HANSEL AND GRETEL: A Novel of War and Survival - Louise Murphy
STILL LIFE WITH CHICKENS: Starting Over in a House by the Sea - Catherine Goldhammer
REMNANT POPULATION - Elizabeth Moon

Margaret

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Winterlily
I just loved:

1) THE BRASS VERDICT by Michael Connelly
2) NOTHING TO LOSE - Lee Child
3) CHILD 44 - Tom Rob Smith

Sue
Identical Strangers
Still Life with Elephant
The Art of Racing in the Rain

Margaret Jordan
MARY OF NAZARETH by Marek Halter
FEARLESS FOURTEEN by Janet Evanovich
REQUIEM, MASS. by John Dufresne

Suzanne in Ohio
DAUGHTER OF THE EAST, Benazir Bhutto's autobiography

THE LUCKY ONE by Nicholas Sparks

THE HERETIC'S DAUGHTER by Kathleen Kent

Lynn
These were my favorite reads this year:
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
THREE CUPS OF TEA
A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS

Jerri Patton
Marley & Me
My Stroke of Insight

Sally Gawne
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Waggit's Tail
The Christmas Sweater

Olga Purgavie
Devil in the White City
Shoot the Moon

Alison
THE UNCOMMON READER by Alan Bennett

Lois Cairl
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Liz Picone
The Last Lecture

Susan
SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN by Lisa See and AWAY: A Novel: by Amy Bloom

Raymond Palen
THE LIKENESS - Tana French
THE LAST PATRIOT - Brad Thor
THE MONSTERS OF TEMPLETON - Laura Groff

Deanna
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY
MERLE'S DOOR

Sorry, but I can't choose the third one.

Betty Cox
1. A GENTLE RAIN by Deborah Smith

2. THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE by Julie Buxbaum

3. CARRY ME HOME by Sandra Kring

Kellie
AUDITION by Barbara Walters
THE BRASS VERDICT by Michael Connelly
CERTAIN GIRLS by Jennifer Weiner

Beth Cummings
UNACCUSTOMED EARTH - Jhumpa Lahiri
THE LAND OF INVISIBLE WOMEN by Qanta Ahmed
All of Thrity Umrigar's books

Lisa
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larsson

Patty Shogren
The Book Thief
Keeping the House
A Thousand Splendid Suns

Beverly
1. SONG YET SUNG by James McBride
2. ORANGE MINT & HONEY by Carleen Brice
3. MURDER, MAYHEM & A FINE MAN - Claudia Mair Burney

Maureen
Sarah's Key
Pope Joan

Andrea
THE NORTHERN CLEMENCY by Philip Hensher

Myrna Pennisi
There were two books that stood out for me in 2008: THE GIVEN DAY by Dennis Lehane, and BRIDGE OF SIGHS by Richard Russo

Tamara
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY
The Twilight series
The Uglies series

Toni Blair
The Art of Racing in the Rain 
The Water's Lovely
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Elizabeth V
THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE by David Wroblewski
CHILD 44 by Tom Rob Smith

Sandy Greathouse
THE BOOK THIEF - Markus Zusak
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
A SISTER'S SECRET - Wanda Brunstetter

Michael Ferrin
THE MEMORIST by M. J. Rose

Mary Champagne
There are so many wonderful books that could make the list, but I would have to choose THE LACE READER, because I can't seem to stop talking about it. It is so complex and so mesmerizing. It is like stepping into someone else's life. The characters come to life and the supernatural undercurrents make you question what is real.

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN is another huge favorite because it is a story that appeals on so many levels. There is a love story; a story about racing; the tragedy of a lost love, and the joy that a child brings and then there is the dog! He makes an unbelievable story teller.

Last, since I will only pick three, is STREET OF A THOUSAND BLOSSOMS. It is a glimpse of life in Japan during the war. It is amazing to see the lives of ordinary people and their bravery in the face of catastrophe. At the same time, the culture and the place of Sumo wrestling in that culture is so interesting to this Midwestern reader. I hope you get one of these books for Christmas!

Pat
SERENA by Ron Rush
PIECES OF MY HEART by Robert Wagner

Joan Myles
WHEN WILL THERE BE GOOD NEWS by Kate Atkinson
THE LOTTERY by by Patricia Briggs
SOLDIER'S HEART by Elizabeth D. Samet

Lynn Clifford
The Heretic's Daughter
Loving Frank
Bound

Joan Cady
My Favorite was THE 47TH SAMURAI by Stephen Hunter. I gave it as a gift to my son. I also enjoyed greatly MOZART'S GHOST by Julia Cameron and STALIN'S GHOST by Martin Cruz Smith.

Jay
SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN by Lisa See
MOSCOW RULES by Daniel Silva
THE GHOST by Robert Harris

Betsy
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
American Wife

Debi
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK by Geraldine Brooks
THE KEEPSAKE by Tess Gerritsen
INKDEATH by Cornelia Funke

K. Mehlberg
People of the Book
The Geography of Bliss
Three Cups of Tea

Mel Morgan
COST - Roxana Robinson
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Heaven Leigh
I totally adored:

1) THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Steig Larsson

2) NEFERTITI by Michelle Moran

3) CHANGE OF HEART by Jodi Picoult

Lori Simmons
ONCE WERE COPS by Ken Bruen
BREAKING DAWN by Stephenie Meyer

Rita
THE LAST LECTURE by Randy Pausch

Leah Boyer
I enjoyed all books by Diane Mott Davidson and Joanne Fluke. The mysteries are great and the recipes excellent. I love to cook for family and friends and all recipes received rave reviews. It's truly a great bonus to have recipes along with the mysteries!

Alexis
THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE by David Wroblewski
T IS FOR TRESPASS by Sue Grafton

Donna Alspach
WORLD WITHOUT END (with out a doubt)
DEWEY (!!!)

Nancy
LOVING FRANK by Nancy Horan
OUT STEALING HORSES by Per Pettersen,
FORGETFULNESS by Ward Just

Farhan Ghazali
FIRMIN by Sam Savage

Gaye
LES MISÉRABLES! --- Why did I wait so long to experience this exquisite book?!?! It's full of great examples of unfeigned love, repentance, change of character and regret. Wow!

THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX --- a thought provoking read about the discovery of what is human and where is our soul housed. It was an original voice for young adult fiction! How far would you go to save someone you loved?

Mary Q.
BELONG TO ME by Marisa de los Santos
SKELETONS AT THE FEAST by Chris Bohjalian
TESTIMONY by Anita Shreve

Jim Kaplan
THE SAME MAN: George Orwell and Evelyn Waugh in Love and War by David Lebedoff

Sallie McDaniel
The 7th Victim
Dark Summer
The Wednesday Letters

Edward Hahn
THE LIMITS OF POWER: The End of American Exceptionalism by Andrew J. Bacevich 

THE WORLD AT NIGHT: A Novel by Alan Furst 

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini

Diane
James Patterson's CROSS COUNTRY

Jeannie Hoover
HEY, GOOD LOOKING by Fern Michaels --- a hint of mystery, love and laughter with zany aunts.

JUST ONE LOOK by Harlan Coben: it sounded so good I bought 2 copies, although I didn't plan it. Both went on to others.

Nora Roberts triology: BLUE DAHLIA, BLACK ROSE and RED LILY --- anything Nora Roberts is excellent!

Jim Dermody
City of Thieves
Child 44

Barbara Clark-Greene
WHEN WILL THERE BE GOOD NEWS? by Kate Atkinson
THE MONSTERS OF TEMPLETON by Lauren Groff
THE LACE READER by Brunonia Barry

Audrey Blake
The Hunt for Zero Point

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society 

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle.

R. Honey
1. THOSE WHO SAVE US by Jenna Blum
2. THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Annie Barrows and Maryann Shaffer
3. AMERICAN WIFE by Curtis Sittenfield

Margaret A. Crow
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Kathy Kasten
THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE was very moving. However, I hated the ending, but I really liked the book, no matter what Oprah says.

Steven Schwindt
FACTORY GIRLS: From Village to a city in Changing China by Leslie Chang

DECODING THE KINDLE by Jim Cheshire

THE HOST by Sephenie Meyer

Harriet Stay
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larsson was a zinger. 

VOICES by Arnaldur Indridason is a top choice.

BLACK SECONDS by Karin Fossum, always a poet. 

I have, but not read yet, Michael Connelly's THE BRASS VERDICT, and have ordered Carol O'Connell's BONE BY BONE, both late-in-the-year publication dates.

Cecile Cherry
THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by Garth Stein

THE HOST by Stephenie Meyer

WHAT SHAMU TAUGHT ME ABOUT LIFE, LOVE AND MARRIAGE by Amy Sutherland

Linda K. Jitmoud
My favorite book of 2008 was DUMA KEY, which I finished a few days ago. The characters were realistic, the story was suspenseful, and the climax was memorable. This was my third Stephen King book, and I like each one better than the last.

Linda Hastings
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Carol
Three Cups of Tea

Carol
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL LIE SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Barb
1.) THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE - David Wroblewski
2.) UNSTRANGE MINDS: Remapping the World of Autism - Richard Grinker
3.) MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN - Jonathan Lethem

Hunter Prey
I loved:

CHANGE OF HEART by Jodi Picoult
DUMA KEY by Stephen King
HOLD TIGHT by Harlan Coben
THE BRASS VERDICT by Michael Connelly

Cynthia
The Gargoyle

Lou Panelli
WHEN WILL THERE BE GOOD NEWS? by Kate Atkinson

Jerry
Nameless Night by G. M. Ford

Kathryn McNamara
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Carly Bohach
THE LACE READER by Brunonia Barry 
UNACCUSTOMED EARTH by Jhumpa Laniri
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK by Geraldine Brooks

Mary
The Secret Scripture
People of the Book
The Heretic's Daughter

Jean
THE KOMMANDANT'S GIRL - Pam Jenoff
THE SAVAGE GARDEN - Mark Mills
SCOOP - Kit Frazier

Heather Murdock
The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer

Gary
CHILD 44 by Tom Rob Smith
THE GIVEN DAY by Dennis Lehane
THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE by David Wroblewski

Jean
Water for Elephants
The Glass Castle
Remember Me?

Judy Ross
FEARLESS FOURTEEN by Janet Evanovich
The Little Lady Agency books

Martha Eskuchen
THE SHACK by William P. Young
DEAD UNTIL DARK by Charlaine Harris (reprint) was new to me
and
FIRE STUDY by Maria V. Snyder

Gary
This one's easy: THE KILLING CIRCLE by Andrew Pyper. It might be the best novel I've read in years --- scary, original, and satisfying. Runner up: THE FILM CLUB by David Gilmour.

Marion
I have to say it was a tie between KEEPING THE WORLD AWAY, by Margaret Forster, and MISTER PIP, by Lloyd James.

Waterlily
I absolutely adored:

1) CHANGE OF HEART by Jodi Picoult

2) THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE by David Wroblewski

3) THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Steig Larsson

4) A MERCY by Toni Morrison

Mary Keys
AN EQUAL MUSIC by Vikram Seth
A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini

Kathy Vieira
Tough, tough question!! I think I'll go with:

THE DOUBLE BIND by Chris Bohjalian 
THE KNITTING CIRCLE by Ann Hood
KEEPING THE HOUSE by Ellen Baker

Three completely different books, yet all fully satisfying. I found myself missing them long after I finished!

Pat Cook
When Will There Be Good News? 
The Hour I First Believed
Loving Frank

Georgia Blaco
THE GARGOYLE by Andrew Davidson
BRIGHT SHINY MORNING by James Frey

Debbie
I loved so many books, but since I only can name three, here they are: HOLD TIGHT by Harlan Coben, THE HUSBAND by Dean Koontz, and DON'T SCREAM by Wendy Corsi Staub. I wish I could name more...

Fran
Fiction:
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen
GODS IN ALABAMA by Joshilyn Jackson
FLEDGLING by Octavia E. Butler
GRACELIN O'MALLEY by Ann Moore

Non-Fiction:
ESCAPE by Carolyn Jessop

Jill
DEEPDISH by Mary Kay Andrews

Joanna
HURTING DISTANCE by Sophie Hannah
THE READER by Bernhard Schlink
GONE TO GROUND by John Harvey

Missy
My children love a new book called BRODY MEETS A BULLY. It's not boring or sing song... It's funny funny funny, making for great family time!

Rut
THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield
CHILD 44 by Tom Rob Smith
THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS by John Boyne

You must have already read them in 2007 but they come later to Spain/Germany.