Kimber An's Top Ten Favorite Books for 2009

Yeah, I'm a few days early, but when you're a mom you got to grab your time and use it when you have it.  So, here it is!

.

Middle Grade totally rocked this year.  Didn't find much Young Adult Science Fiction (or books which are that but labeled something else), but what I did find of it was excellent.  Very good books which just missed the Top Ten did so for two reasons.  One, the characters didn't engage me or each other well enough.  I'm a very character-driven reader (and writer.)  Or, two, the books were a part of a series which had run out of steam and had become too repetitive for me.  It seems like it's hard to keep a series riveting beyond the trilogy.

.

I'll start the Top Ten with my number one favorite, but the others are in random order.

.

Kimber An's Number One Most Favoritest Book of 2009-

.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISLAND by Allegra Goodman.  (Cover Art Varies)  Everything about this books was practically perfect.  Even though it's Middle Grade Science Fiction and I'm a forty year old mommy, I loved it.  The Heroine was vivid and real.  In a twist on the rebellious tweenager, it was her parents who defied the status quou.  Just awesome.  Read my review.  http://youngadultsciencefiction.blogspot.com/2009/03/other-side-of-island-by-allegra-goodman.html

.
And now onto the other books in no particular order.
.
REINING IN THE RANCHER by Karen Templeton.  Totally nailed what it's like to be pregnant and in love.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/02/reining-in-rancher-by-karen-templeton.html

.
TENNYSON by M. M. Blume.  Middle Grade Paranormal.  This one almost knocked THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISLAND out of the Number One spot and only missed because I prefer Science Fiction.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/04/tennyson-by-lesley-m-m-blue.html

.
THE BRIDEGROOM by Linda Lael Miller.  I don't read Westerns, but Ms. Miller is such a glorious storyteller I couldn't help loving this one.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/05/bridegroom-by-linda-lael-miller.html

.
THE KING’S DAUGHTERS by Nathalie Mallet.  Author of my favorite book for 2008, Ms. Mallet didn't disappoint with this book too.  Old characters grew, new characters sweated and breathed, plot twisted until I screamed.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/08/kings-daughters-by-nathalie-mallet.html

.

WARLORD’S DAUGHTER by Susan Grant.  The most original SFR storyteller allowed in the New Release aisle, this one had two young people overcoming abusive childhoods to find love and live happily ever after among the stars.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/08/warlords-daughter-by-susan-grant.html

.
CLEOPATRA’S DAUGHTER by Michelle Moran.  'Happily Ever After' is never enough for me.  I always ask, "And then what happened?"  Michelle tells us what happened after Queen Cleopatra of Egypt committed suicide by letting herself get bit by a snake.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/11/cleopatras-daughter-by-michelle-moran.html

.
AMAZON INK by Lori Devoti.  Wasn't much interested in Urban Fantasy until this one and I wouldn't have picked it up without a recommendation from my good buddy, Tia over at Fantasy Debut (now morphed into Debuts & Reviews.)  http://www.tianevitt.com/weblog/  Modern day Amazon Mama, totally engaging world-building, not a stereotype in sight that I could see.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/07/amazon-ink-by-lori-devoti.html

.
SKINNED by Robin Wasserman.  Young Adult.  Shhhh!  It's also Science Fiction, but we're not supposed to know that because girls don't like science and science fiction, you know.  Ha!  After a terrible accident, a stereotypical teenage girl gets her consciousness downloaded into an android body and all of a sudden there's nothing stereotypical about her anymore!  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/09/skinned-by-robin-wasserman.html

.
XOMBIES by Walter Greatshell.  Not classified as Young Adult, but I think my younger friends would enjoy it.  Awesome world-building and the male author managed to create a believable female character, a seventeen year old no less, which is something few male authors can do.  Human females get infected and turn into raving lunatics on a rampage.  Very cool.  http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2009/11/xombies-apocalypse-blues-by-walter.html

.
And here are some Honorable Mentions reviewed by my family members instead of me-
.

HEART OF THE RONIN

.

PEOPLE OF SPARKS

.

VANISHING SCULPTOR

.

That's it, Folks!  Now, check 'em out and add 'em to your Christmas list.  And, remember, always buy your favorite authors' books NEW.  That's how they make money so they can stay in the business of writing the books you love.

.

Merry Christmas.