My favorite book that I read this year was "The Yiddish Policeman's Union" by Michael Chabon. I developed an interest in it after seeing all the excitement generated by its being optioned by the Coen Brothers for a movie. I read it, and loved it. Chabon's ability to turn language into music is just amazing. I would highly recommend this book.

Since I was off of work on an extended maternity leave (before my son was born), I got a LOT of reading done this month. My favorite reads were: Roots (AWESOME!!), Children's Blizzard, Bell Jar, The March By EL Doctoro, Marley & Me, and Issacs Storm! Those are just a few. Even with an infant I got a surprising amount of reading done this year.
I would love to be included in your contest.

I enjoyed reading Endless Summer!
Christian!

I've read so many great books this year. A lot of my favorite authors released new books (I enjoyed Just After Sunset by Stephen King and Good People by Marcus Sakey the most of my tried-and-true favorites) and also found new people to love (I finally read Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl and Ann Patchett's Bel Canto this year, but I also adored The Monsters of Templeton, which you just reviewed, and Testimony by Anita Shreve).

Kelly

Kelly, congratulations on your son's birth; you probably don't have much time to read these days! Anne, I'm with you on the Yiddish Policemen -- I really liked that too. Thanks for the other recommendations.

I read lots of great books this year, the ones that spring to mind at the moment are: Loving Frank, Twilight (since my daughter was reading it), One Good Turn, Case Histories, and The Other Bolyn Girl.

/that's kind of tough - I've read some pretty good books this year! But here are a couple of top choices:

>i>The Book Thief is probably #1. I was a weeping mess by the end, but it was well worth it. I also finally got around to reading The Time Traveler's Wife and loved it. I'd probably put Duma Key on the list, because it's the first Stephen King I've enjoyed in ages. Anything Goes was the best biography (John Barrowman), and the book I just finished this weekend, The Gargoyle is one I'm recommending to everyone.

I never can pick just one.

There were a few this year. One of my favorite ones was Malcolm Gladwell's 'Outliers' . This is a must read for everyone.

Well, I did enjoy *Going Down South* (and, in fact, gave it to "somebody not black"!) ... other favorites that I read this year were:

*Sarah's Key* Tatiana de Rosnay
*The Space Between Us* Thrity Umrigar
*The Septembers of Shiraz* Dalia Sofer
*Hurry Down Sunshine* Michael Greenberg
*The Genizah at the House of Shepher* Tamar Yellin

There are many more "favorites", depending on what I'm in the mood for - lighter fiction, literary fiction, historical fiction, memoir, etc. These are the first that came to mind tonight; seems like I'm in a more serious mood!

My favorite book.. hmm... "Having Our Say" by Delany & Delany.. and many more cookbooks... and I wouldn't mind reading the whole Harry Potter series again! ;-)

I liked "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer. Kid's Book: My daughter and I like to read "In a Blue Room" by Jim Averbeck.

my favorites that I read this year (that I hadn't read before) were: "Doesn't She Look Natural" by Angela Hunt, "White Chocolate Moments" by Lori Wick, "Like a Watered Garden," "In Every Flower," and "Always Green" by Patti Hill :)

It's hard to pick just one, but I'll go with Chalice, by Robin McKinley.

I didn't get to read as many books as I hoped to in '08, but I really enjoyed Eat Pray Love by Gilbert. I loved her narrative voice - spunky, sarcastic, and very honest.

I've read quite a few books this year but I'm having trouble remembering them. I'm always saying I should start a book journal but just never do.

I did reread the City of Ember books just a few months ago. I thought it was a good JF selection.

I'll have to agree with some of the other posters who said "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory. I absolutely loved this book! It got me interested in reading some other historical fiction, but so far this one was my favorite! (Too bad I can't say the same for the movie!)

Another book I happened upon on a bookshelf in my basement was "The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing" by Melissa Bank. I remember the buzz around it a few years ago, but I just picked it up a few weeks ago, and I couldn't put it down. It's a great read for all the single ladies out there.

And this one may not count, but I loved J.K. Rowling's "The Tales of Beedle the Bard". It was a quick read, and after a great end to the Potter series, it was refreshing to get a small, yet new, glimpse into the world of Harry Potter.

I've been on a new kick of listening to audiobooks while doing the household chores. I've started with a classic series that I've read only part of before. So, the best book I've read this year, and my favorite, is "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card :)

I've read a lot of books this year, but none that are memorable. I did just finish Tales of Beedle the Bard which was interesting.

Chi, years ago, when books were on tape and Silence of the Lambs had just come out, I had a very long commute - especially in the evening! - so I listened to Silence on the way home at night. I don't remember who the reader was, but he was very good and, frankly, scared the daylights out of me!

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Susan

Artisan bread in 5 minutes a day is my big hit!!! I used to make bread daily, now have 3 children and a daycare so that went away. Once again I can have bread whenever without the fuss!