Top Ten Books I Have Read in 2008

I am a reader. I read on my break at work, (and sometimes when I am not on break), I read every night before bed, I read on rainy days, in airports, and on the plane when I travel. I just love to read. I have read many books this year, and have compiled a list of my personal best books of 2008. Some of them are new books, and some are old. The only requirement to be on my list is that I read it in 2008.

10. Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell (1990) - My late mother was a huge fan of Patricia Cornwell, but I never had a chance to pick up one of her books until I was going through a box of my mother's things in the basement and found this one. Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta is the main character, and she is tough, independent, and flawed. She is a woman that many women could relate to. I highly recommend any Cornwell book featuring this character (I know there are many to choose from). Postmortem is a high intensity read, and one thing I loved about it, is it reads like a CSI episode from before DNA testing was trusted. I can only imagine what a more recently written novel from Cornwell would be like. I think I will read one in 2009.

9. Panic by Jeff Abbott (2005) - A fast moving novel with bombs, CIA, spies, and secret government agencies, this book is great for the action junkie. Filled with some likeable characters, and some that you will absolutely loathe, Abbott has written a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. I loved it.

8. Was by Geoff Ryman (1992) - Was is a book for anyone who knows the story of The Wizardof Oz. It is several stories running concurrently, and the characters include the real Dorothy Gael, and her horrible abusive life, a man whose obsession with oz dates back to his childhood, and Judy Garland. It is a confusing jump across centuries from chapter to chapter, but it is all worth it by the end. It is a journey I will happily take again and again.

7. The Fallen by T. Jefferson Parker (2006) - Detective Robbie Brownlaw is the youngest officer in the homicide division of San Diego Police Department. When a former cop is found dead, Brownlaw works the case that is filled with political conspiracy, prostitution rings, and murder. This book is a great read, especially since the main character has a sort of special power to tell when people are lying to him. I guess it comes in handy for a cop.

6. Mirror, Mirror by Gregory Maguire(2003) - A lovely, dark, disturbing take on Snow White and the 7 Dwarves in a way only Maguire can tell it. This is no Disney book, that is for sure. And there is even an 8^th Dwarf. Maguire's style of writing is in depth and makes you think while you read. I love this book. It is a must read for anyone who likes fairy tales with a twist.

5. The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold (2007) - This is a novel that is both disturbing and touching at the same time. The main character is a woman on the edge of sanity, who kills her mother. Don't worry, this is not a spoiler, you learn this fact on the first sentence of the book. Sebold delves into the mind and life of the woman who does the unthinkable, and by the end, you understand her a bit more, you may cry a tear or two, and I, personally, was haunted by this story for weeks after reading it. I think that is what makes a good book, when the story stays with you long after you put the book down.

4.) New Moon by Stephanie Meyer (2006) - See below.

3.) Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer (2007) - See below.

2.) A Tie for #2 favorite! Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer (2008) and Twilight by Stephanie Meyer (2005) - 2008 is the year I discovered Stephanie Meyer and her wonderful Twilight Saga. I liked the first and the last book in the series the best, because I really love Edward and Bella, and their love that will stand the test of time. I read all four of these books within a month, and understood immediately what all of the fuss was about. It is a truly wonderful story.

1.)The Host by Stephanie Meyer (2008) - When I had heard that Meyer had written her first novel geared towards adult readers, I had to read it. It ended up being the best book that I read all year. It is a wonderful science fiction story that is not too science fiction like in nature. I am not the biggest fan of the sci-fi genre, but I am of this book. It is a story of love, of human nature, and of strength and resilience. Everyone should read this book.