What book that was released for the first time in 2009 do you think was The Book of the Year? And since we know you may have trouble selecting one, you can name up to three.

Cristina Vazquez
If I had the money, everyone would get THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett. This book is destined to become an American classic.

Sandra Lee Smith
My favorite was THE DAY THE FALLS STOOD STILL. The author is Canadian and grew up right in the Niagara Falls region. She writes about it-and the history around it--starting in the early 1900s and revolving around a fictional character. I believe it was her first book. I visited Niagara Falls, Ontario, in August, THEN found this book and all the places I visited. The famous people I learned about - came alive.

Catherine Pearson
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

Susan Devitt
BROOKLYN by Colm Tolbin

Jerri Patton
HALF BROKE HORSES by Jeannette Walls! I'm having all three of my book clubs read this book. If you liked THE GLASS CASTLE, you will love HALF BROKE HORSES. This book really explains Jeannette Walls' mother.

Jerri Patton
CRAZY FOR THE STORM
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY

Julie Carter
BROOKLYN - Colm Toibin
LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN- Colum McCann

Carol Monterosso
THE HELP

Linda Sheehan
My absolute favorite of the 78 books I read is CUTTING FOR STONE by Abraham Verghese. it had everything! I also loved THOSE WHO SAVED US by Jenna Blum and THE CONDITION by Jennifer Haigh.

Mary Sylvester
THE HELP

Sharon Elliott-Fox
The LACUNA by Barbara Kingsolver

Sarah Horwitz
RELENTLESS- Dean Koontz

Elizabeth Petrovich
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett

Joan
1. THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett
2. RICH GIRL POOR GIRL by Lesley Lokko
3. THE FORGOTEN GARDEN by Kate Morton

Lisa
THE HELP by Katherine Stockett
ZEITOUN by Dave Eggers
THE CHALK CIRCLE MAN by Fred Vargas (in US)

Barbara Backus
LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN

Jane Howland
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett
THE HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford
STILL ALICE by Lisa Genova

Judy Oswood
THE HELP
THE HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET
SARAH'S KEY

Janice Hoaglin
THE HELP

Colleen Frost
COOP by Michael Perry

Bonnie Gluhanich
LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN - C. McCann

F. Tessa Bartels
THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE by David Wroblewski

Dorothy Gordon
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larsson
It was released in trade paperback.

Kay N.
THE HELP
THE ART OF MAKING MONEY: The Story of a Master Counterfeiter by Jason Kersten
and a tie between RAINWATER and LARK AND TERMITE
Too hard to limit to 3.

Linda Walonen
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE
THE LIKENESS
SWEEPING UP GLASS

Matt Dakin
RAIN GODS -- James Lee Burke

Cynde Suite
THE DOOMSDAY KEY by James Rollins
CEMENTARY DANCE by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
THE WRECKER by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott

John Wintersteen
BANGKOK HAUNTS by John Burdett

John Wintersteen
CHILD 44 by Tom Rob Smith

Nancy Martin
CUTTING FOR STONE
THE HELP
THE WHITE QUEEN

Margaret Kish
THE HELP. I loved it and have purchased four copies. My bookclub will read it for January 2010.

Michele Martin
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY

Julie
THE LOST SYMBOL
THE HELP
A RELIABLE WIFE

Lynn
THE HELP

Suzanne in Ohio
I definitely agree with your choice of THE HELP as book-of-the-year. Sandra Brown's RAINWATER would be my second choice.

Devon Murphy-Petersen
LIGHTS ON A GROUND OF DARKNESS, Ted Kooser
THE LACUNA, Barbara Kingsolver

Maryann Aidikoff
THE HELP
CUTTING FOR STONE
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE

Ivy Pittman
SOUTH OF BROAD by Pat Conroy

Sonnia Ferb
THE HELP

Lee
HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET

Paul
BURY ME DEEP by Megan Abbott, TOWER by Reed Farrel Coleman and Ken Bruen, DEATH OF A DYING MAN by J.M Redmann

Kelley Tackett
LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN by Colum McCann

Mary
THE HELP

Debra T.
I totally agree with your selection: THE HELP. Nothing else I read came close.

Pat Brown
My choice for The Book of the Year for 2009 is definitely THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett. I loved this book. I laughed, came close to crying, and definitely got angry as I saw life through these three women. It was a great read that I have been recommending to everyone I know.

Nancy Buenemann
THE HELP

Barbara Bocan
THE HELP

R.F. Marazas
THE GIVEN DAY

Doris C. Losey
THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN, by Kate Morton

Leslie
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett

Linda M. Johnson
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett
HAVE A LITTLE FAITH by Mitch Albom
THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE by Alan Bradley

Jean Kruse
THE HELP, ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET, and THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE

Gisele
THE HELP-Kathryn Stockett, I loved this book.

Patty
HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET
THE HELP
STILL ALICE

MsAnnie
HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET was the book that stayed with me, so much so that I bought copies of it for Christmas gifts. Also on the list of greats for the year are UNDER TH DOME and THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.

Irl Newham
THE LAST SONG by Nicholas Sparks

THE SHACK by William Young

Dena
ACHERON by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Linda Slott
No question, THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett

Trez
UNDER THE DOME by Stephen King,
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett 
U IS FOR UNDERTOW by Sue Grafton

Elizabeth V
I agree, THE HELP by Kathryn Sockett. No other book came close this year.

Rosalie Sambuco
THE HELP, K. Sockett
THE LAST TRAIN FROM PARIS, Stacey Cohen
THE SHACK, William Young

Kaye DeMaio-Hays
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, Stieg Larsson
NINE DRAGONS, Michael Connelly

Kaye DeMaio-Hays
OLIVE KITTERIDGE

Judy Bates
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett
THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG by Muriel Barbary
THE HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford

Joan Mitchell
THE HELP, Kathryn Stockett;
THREE WAYS TO SAY GOODBYE, C.J. Box;
THE WARDED MAN, Peter V. Brett

Kate Gossfeld
THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield
WHISTLIN' DIXIE IN A NOR'EASTER by Lisa Patton

Kate Gossfeld
(my third selection)
Jamie Ford's HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET

Krishna
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
DREAMERS OF THE DAY by Mary Dorie Russell

Mjs
THE HELP
HALF BROKE HORSES
HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET

Terri Mager
SARAH'S KEY

Mary D'Amour
UNDER THE DOME by Stephen King

Hedi
NIGHT OF FLAMES- Douglas Jacobson
CUTTING FOR STONE- Abraham Verghers
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE- Stieg Larsson

Kathleen Kelly
THE HELP by Kathryn Stocket was my favorite

Bernice Spier
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockert

Bernice Spier
UNDER THE DOME by Stephen King

Anna Robinson
I vote for THE HELP. It is a wonderful book.

Sherman Hughes
TRUE COMPASS by Edward Kennedy was one of the best books in my opinion for the year.

Kay
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY.

Margaret Holdman
A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS -R.J. Ellory
AMERICAN RUST
THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN

Stephen Hughes
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett was the best book in 2009.

Val
I think you hit the nail on the head THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett by far the best...

Beckie Dicke
I too loved THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett. I have another favorite this year. THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE by Steig Larsson.

Judy Melvin
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett
STILL ALICE by Lisa Genova
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Linda Collins
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett

Sandra Hughes
I think one of the best books was EYE CONTACT by Cammie McGovern

Nora Rawlinson
THE HELP, Stockett
BLAME, Huneven
A RELIABLE WIFE, Goolrick

Jamille Krupa
PRAYERS FOR SALE

Chris Copeland
THE HELP

Harriet Stay
Three just won't do. Please forgive me.
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE (US) and THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST (UK) by Stieg Larsson. 
BOX 21 by Anders Roslund & Borge Hellstrom
THE REDEEMER by Jo Nesbo
HYPOTHERMIA by Arnaldur Indridason (Canada)

Jennifer Starr
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett hands down!!

Irish
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE
SARAH'S KEY
OLIVE KITTERIDGE

Cat
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett. Perfect in every way. A book everyone should read.

Susan Schultz
HOMER AND LANGLEY by E.L.Doctorow and THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE by Alan Bradley.

Jean V.
THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett. Hands down on this one!

Sharron
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY
THE HELP
HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET

Nikki
Absolute #1: THE HELP

Gloria Winzenread
HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET

Anita Boomstein
CUTTING FOR STONE, Abraham Verghese


THE HELP, Kathryn Stockett

Candace Stockstill
THE HELP

Waterlily
I would have to say:
1) THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett
2) THE LOST SYMBOL by Dan Brown
3) ACT LIKE A LADY THINK LIKE A MAN by Steve Harvey

Anita Nowak
The Lost Symbol
Handle With Care

Anita Nowak
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Shirley Barrett
The Help
The Weight of Silence

Allison Gardner
The Help

Margaret Whipple
The Help

Margaret Whipple
The Help

Julie Caldwell
HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford
THE LAST BRIDGE by Teri Coyne

TWENTIES GIRL by Sophie Kinsella

Rebecca
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society