I started writing this on the 31st, OK? Surely that counts for something (even if I didn't get around to finishing it yet!). Anyway, here is my belated goodbye to 2007's books. I haven't linked to my discussion of each one but just use the author tags on the side of my LJ if you want to see what I originally thought.

As with last year, these are fairly random categories and any book I read in 2007 is eligible regardless of publication date.

( The books )

Overall, it was a good year. I seem to have blogged less than usual about books which makes remembering them difficult. The preponderance of recently read books is what makes me worried about the validity of my awards! I might start a reading list this year as I've only read one so far.

ETA: I forgot one of the books that as I read it made me think this is one of the best books I will read all year. *facepalm* Privilege of the sword by Ellen Kushner. It was such a great combination of swashbuckling and romance!

Most belated ETA of all time: I forgot to add Geraldine McCaughrean's The white darkness even after being reminded by philia_fan. It took the Printz prize to shove me along - congrats to a fantastic book!

Tags: books, brande, dessen, fisher, green, johnson, knox, kushner, mccaughrean, perkins, smith, tan, wells

As I promised, this time a book I enjoyed, Just listen by Sarah Dessen. If you are sensitive to spoilers please don't read as I can't figure out if what I've written includes spoilers.

( Stuff about the book )

I’m in a bit of a book drought here now: Amazon books are running late being delivered*, the busy weekend has meant no bookshop visits and I won’t be able to get back from work tomorrow in time to get to the library. Maybe I’ll sneak off to a cool London bookshop at lunch (suggestions happily received – I’ve heard of Forbidden Planet but that’s all!).

*And I've reached the end of my gift vouchers, so I have to start thinking about where to get books over here. Which makes any bookshop advice (not just for London) most welcome! Are there any chains that are ebil and I should avoid? Any noteworthy independents I should visit when travelling?

Tags: books, dessen, young adult

Following on from my enjoyment of Peeps, I bought Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies earlier in the week, and had finished it the same afternoon. It’s a story about Tally, who lives in a world where you are made beautiful on your 16th birthday, and then enjoy a carefree life of parties and fun. The theory is that if everyone is gorgeous then no one can be discriminated against based on looks. But not everyone is afraid of staying ugly, and adventure and soul searching follow Tally's discovery of an alternative way of life. The story is fast moving and suspenseful – I’m going to buy the sequel, Pretties tomorrow, and if it ends in a similar cliff hanger fashion I can see why the third book in the series, Specials, has made the New York Times bestseller list.

( Warning - big spoiler! )

Because I read a recommendation for Sarah Dessen’s (writergrl) books recently (can’t remember where!) I didn’t read the back of Dreamland before borrowing it from the library. If I had scanned the blurb it I might not have been as quick to read it, which would have been unfortunate for me. But the story of a teenage girl in a violent relationship was handled well. Dreamland was well written, and managed to be both funny and moving. Definitely an author to keep an eye out for.

Tags: books, dessen, science fiction, westerfeld, young adult