I've already read a few medical journal articles this morning for my thesis, but those don't count. I think my first book that I start and finish in 2009 will be Name of the Wind.

...Okay, I just went and got it off my TBR shelf, so it's official. (Yes, I have a separate shelf, double-stacked, of TBR books.)

What is going to be your first read of 2009?

Happy New Year, Danny!

I'm still in the midst of a couple of 2008 holdovers -- Breaking Dawn and The Book of Lost Things. My first official new read of 2009 will probably be Midwife of the Blue Ridge, but I'm still contemplating my choices.

I've still got to finish reading Mr. Timothy, with the cataract in my left eye I just can't read for long periods of time, nor as swiftly as I used to.

First new book to start will be Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians, followed by my reread of Ending an Ending!

I will be finishing Ending an Ending: First for the Green Dragon read and Throw Out Fifty Things for Early Reviewers. I also have Photo Cropping sitting on the coffee table waiting for me to really get into it. And then there is..... well, you know, lots of books I've already started and need to complete.

My best new years resolution is to focus on completion! I need to get better at finishing the dishes, finishing the laundry, and finishing my books. May we all have wonderful tons of success.

My first completed read will be Blindspot by Jane Kamensky and Jill Lepore. I started it yesterday, but I read less than 100 pages, so I think it counts. My first full read will probably be Paul of Dune.

Kramers Ergot 7 by Sammy Harkham.

I was finishing two books that seem to have been misplaced in the Christmas/New Year festivities and the visiting various relatives.

So until they turn up again I have started a book of short stories I got for Christmas, Far North and other Dark Tales by Sara Maitland, based on fairy tales and various mythology. It's a bit odd and it's not one where you can read the stories one after the other so last night I also started one of the books I have bought so far with my Christmas vouchers, Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. It's one I have been interested in for awhile.

Finishing Poul Anderson's The Broken Sword and Philip Pullman's The Amber Spyglass, then the first full read will be Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 for my neighborhood book club.

Book club is dictating mine as well: I need to re-read In the Bleak Midwinter before leading the discussion of it in my library mystery book club. First, though, I still need to get through the last 60 pages of Memoir from Antproof Case, which I've been enjoying quite a bit.

My SantaThing books, just finished babel 17 which was superb, an author new to me, whom I must investogate futher.

Next up will be the other santathing book, assassin's apprentice which I'm also expecting good things of, and then probably my GoReviewThatBook request of Jingo

I started reading Queste by Angie Sage on Dec. 31 and haven't finished it. So that's my first read in 2009.

I couldn't sleep last night, and have already finished Many Waters. My next will be Sorcery and Cecelia, which came yesterday as a SantaThing gift from glorymom13. Can't wait.

I plan to start The Dark Queen by Susan Carroll a bit later today. It's been on my TBR for ever and ever.

I have to read Crown of Shadows, seeing that I finished When True Night Falls last night.

The 39 Steps - I'm almost finished with it, hoping to get it complete today
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency is next... after that, well, we'll see ;-)

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell is due back to the library soon, so it's my first read this year. I saw his book-tour interview on Charlie Rose and it was quite interesting.

Right now i'm reading Harry, A History & going to start on Equal Rites. Finished The Last Hero the other day & also Wicked so will be starting Son of a Witch soon. 8^)

I am currently in the middle of The September Society but will also start one of the following during the next week:

The Bible: A Biography
Deception's Daughter
Seven Sacred Pauses

Three more days of vacation before I have to return to the office! (Yay!! The masses cheered)

I'm in the middle of The Songs and Poems of Robert Burns (still!), Born Free, Paperweight, Leaves of Grass, and His Dark Materials. I have no idea which I'll be able to finish first.

I'm reading Kafka on the Shore, which is Murakami, which means fantastic. I have a couple of YA books I want to read, and also Ending an Ending for the group read.

My first pile of books are, Ending an Ending, Night Shift, The House Next Door, Twilight, Santa Fe Dead and Eats, Shoots and Leaves.

Message edited by its author, Jan 1, 2009, 4:20pm.

I finished up Arsenals of Folly this morning, so I'm counting that as the first of 2009. Started Ending an Ending for the group read at lunchtime.

I need to finish a borrowed book, The Stargazey. I didn't particularly want to read it, but the lady who loaned it to me will be disappointed if I don't. It's ok. After that, it's back to my YA reading. I have 38 more books to read before Jan. 21st. I don't know that I'll make it, but I have to do my best to get there. The first one will be Football Genius.

I finished East is East last night and I'm going to start Airman next. My 14 year old keeps telling me how good it is and how much I'm going to love it.

My first read of 2009 will be a hold over from '08, the Three Pillars of Zen. However, I borrowed the copy I'm currently reading, and seeing as I may have to return it tomorrow, I may have to put the book on hold until I can get my own copy.

I was thinking of Kafka on the shore or Survival but am right now rereading Finity's End.
Am also reading The dark heart of Italy.

#26 Busifer, I'd love to discuss the Murakami when you do read it.

I'll be finishing up Love's Civil War first and then I think I'll be reading The Princes in the Tower as a follow up to The Daughter in Time which I finished yesterday. I'll get another opinion on whether Richard III killed his nephews or not (I don't think he did). But in between I'll be reading The Frozen Thames too, it's just too lovely to wait on, and there's that wonderful book my cousin gave me for Christmas Imagined London: A Tour of the World's Greatest Fictional City. Oh! And then there's ... argh! so many books...

I'm currently reading Rollback by Robert J. Sawyer and Ending an Endingby our very own Danny Birt. My TBR pile is actually larger than it was this time last year.

Well, my first book of 2009 was Gaiman's Stardust. I started it when I woke on the 1st and finished it before I went to bed on the 1st. Nice light read to start out the year. I was gifted with a good little pile of Gaiman and Pratchett books that I hadn't gotten around to yet (Wintersmith, Hat Full of Sky, Coraline, Neverwhere, Making Money among others) so I'm starting out my year with lots of fun from my two current favorites - yay!

Message edited by its author, Jan 1, 2009, 6:13pm.

I'll be finishing up Don't Know Much About Mythology then starting on The Art of Political Murder and my ER book Fault Lines.

Decided to start the new year off with a couple quickies. Read Sharon Leeand Steve Miller's Two Tales of Korval and Fellow Travelers early this morning. Now onto Ian R. Macleod and The Light Ages.

I started the year by finishing Beckwood Brae by David Webb. Then I thought I would try to get in my rhythm of reading several books at once, which I haven't done for a month, so I started King John by Shakespeare, A Brief & True Report Concerning Williamsburg in Virginia by Rutherfoord Goodwin and The Boy's Tale by Margaret Frazer.

Then my daughter came out and said I had to start reading Watchmen by Alan Moore, RIGHT now. So, I'm reading that first, then I'll finish the others.

I finihed Cherith Baldry's The Reliquary Ring on NYD & started The Roses of Roazon (by Cherith Baldry too)...

New Year's Eve I started Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead which is my first novel of 2009. I'm not really very far into it yet as I've been busy the last few days. I did manage to read my first manga of 2009, Vassalord, which is also my first strike off my 999 Challenge list.

I started Reliable Wife yesterday, and will finish it today. Good read, I am liking it.

Re: #20 - I ADORE Murakami. His Wind-Up Bird Chronicle was AMAZING.

My first read of the year is Storm Front the first Dresden Files novel by Jim Butcher. I don't know whether it was deliberate or not, but I've managed to avoid these books for far too long despite everyone on my flist being HUGE fans.

Currently I'm splitting my time between The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz and The Complete Book of Swords by Fred Saberhagen (which is really a re-read, but since I last read it about fifteen years ago and I can't remember what happened last Tuesday....) so we'll see what I finish first.

Littlegeek - I'd be delighted to! I just have to start reading it, first ;-)

#37 - I thought Storm front was... entertaining. Fool moon was less so, to many clichés in one pot, and no deliberate bending. Well written, though. I know I'll read more of them, just for entertainment, but they really are trash of the cheap supermarket kind. Each to their own, though :-)

#39 - Ha ha ha! Ouch, that's harsh!!

Just because something is escapist and serves no other purpose than to entertain, doesn't mean it's trash. I'll agree that it's brain candy, though. A steady diet of the sugary stuff will make you sick, but it's nice after reading a heavier novel to be able to pull up a comfy chair and shut the brain off.

#39 Busifer, again we agree. I gave up on Jim Butcher at the same time for the same reasons.

#40 Well, there are levels of trash. I liked The Lies of Locke Lamora much more than any Jim Butcher book, but it's not great literature either. It's just not nearly as cliche.

JMO

#42 - I liked The Lies of Locke Lamora quite a bit, but I HATED Red Seas Under Red Skies. Have you read it yet? (That's my aside from the subject at hand.)

I'm sure the issue here is just a difference in terminology. I'm afraid I rather object to being told I consume 'trash,' but I don't mind 'brain candy.' ;P We're not actually disagreeing - I think there are levels of candiness, too. From Beruit to Jerusalem is not candy. Jane Austen is not candy. GRRM is not candy. David Eddings is candy. JR Ward is candy that will rot your teeth if you read more than one. I don't seen any problem with varying my diet to get a bit of everything.

In regards to where the Jim Butcher books fall on the continuum, I can't say. I haven't read the first one yet.

I'll be reading Alcatraz versus the Scrivener's Bones followed by The Lies of Locke Lamora after I finish my current ER book.

#43 trash sounds worse than candy, that's true. Neither are nutritious, however.

I only read the first Scott Lynch and I wasn't particularly inspired to read on. I enjoyed the first 2/3 and then got bored. The ending was less than inspired, imho. I never really cared about the characters since they all seemed very similar to me, and not sympathetic.

I am happy that for my reading diet I do not have to worry too much about nutritional balance. No worries about too much fat, or too little vitamin C. Just read as the mood leads me, that's my program. I am not creating any list of expected reads because I have no clue what will inspire me. I like the freedom without discipline. Wish more of my life could be successfully lived under a similar program but I have not found that to be true.

# 46 - I'm with you, Maggie1944. In this world of obligations, I prefer not to create a list of reading obligations. I read as the mood leads me, and most often I like to alternate - a little Gene Wolfe seasoned with a splash of Garth Nix. A side of Gaiman with a hint of Brown. Who cares whether everything I consume is "nutritious" if it keeps me engaged?

I have to admit - calling any of my reading predilections "trash" or "non-nutritious" smacks of elitism, and it seems so silly. Everyone has different tastes. *Shrug*

I love junk food, and eat it regularly, but I'm not kidding myself that it's nourishing. I read junky novels, too, and I enjoy them. I don't think it's elitist to acknowledge them for what they are.

Got Chaos mode and DoOon Mode by Piers Anthony from the library yesterday. Am planning on enjoying both.

I don't judge people by what they - we! - read. Reading should be a pleasure, and sometimes all you need is a diversion and some fun. That's what the Dresden Files books are, to me.
I need to engage my brain every now and again, so not starve to death, though - to start wonder if there's a connection somewhere, or to find that behind the action there are some serious topics discussed or elaborated.

But that's me. I don't primarily read for escape but to "boldly go" (at least in my mind), and to learn things ;-)

Other people have other reasons, and to me that's just as it should be.

Well, after avoiding reading Edgar Sawtelle, and even rashly declaring somewhere on LT that I will NEVER read it. I guess I am going to read it.

Barb, my co-worker is reading it and called me to tell me she loves it and thinks it is totally a kath book. She has been right before.. wrong too. But, I always make it a point to read books that she offers..why not? She is being nice.

So next week I will probably be reading the Sawtelle book.

Attagirl, mckait, a little flexibility and willingness to change is always good for the soul. I'll be interested to read what you really think of Edgar Sawtelle.

I found myself reading and finishing The Uncommon Reader last night, chiefly on the basis of its brevity. I needed to feel a sense of accomplishment in finishing *something*. It's a lovely book, and deserving of a second browse before I try to blog it.

I finished Smoke and Shadows and read Smoke and Ashes, the first and third books in the Smoke trilogy by Tanya Huff.

I'm currently reading Sirius, the dog star, an anthology of science fiction stories about dogs that my sister gave me. So far I like it a lot and it's reminding me of other dog-related f/sf I've read (A Night in the Lonesome October, A Boy and his Dog).

Thanks maggsimae... I will let you know.. :)

Oh, a new alternate personality is available to me. How did you know I'm developing multiple personalities. I love maggsimae! must be from the south, about wherever Scarlett now lives....

The Fire Rose by Mercedes Lackey

>57 Yes! The Fire Rose is one of my top comfort reads. LOVE that book.

mckait--I am currently reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle for book club read. So far I am enjoying it. Not spectacular but a good read. I will be interested in your opinion of it when you finish.

I just finished an ARC A Reliable Wife and loved it!
I will try to remember to tell you too, momom..when I read about Edgar :P

I have to find something to take to through to monday, though. Unless I decide to take a day off from reading...

( can you do that?)

Nope.

thought not

My first read for the year is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, which apparently got a lot of attention. It's one of my Christmas books. I'm finding that it deserved the attention it got. It's a thoroughly engaging and interesting book.

Time to check in: How many of you have finished that first book? Or did you end up putting it aside for another book?

I read all but Twilight, Eats, Shoots and Leaves and Ending an Ending.

Twilight I just can't bring myself to start. There has been so much hype and I'm not a vampire story fan, and even though friends have recommended and got me the book I just can't quite do it.

Eats, Shoots and Leaves keeps getting passed over for more interesting books.

Ending an Ending is progressing well. I'm halfway done with it and am enjoying it. Pretty good considering that I'm not a huge fantasy fan.

Finished the first two, and trying to decide on the next. Could be any of three: Bell at Sealey Head, Pillars of the Earth or start into David Gemmell's Troy series.

One book on order for January hasn't come, and I just had what looks like a reliable word, another book I've wanted and waited for beyond a year, last slated for April release, has once again been postponed. Sigh.

On the good side - distractions will be less tempting.

Alcatraz is finished and was excellent, Lies has been superseded by Tales of Beedle the Bard and Hero of the Ages but it will be after those for sure!

Oh and I read a manuscript for someone in there as well.

Message edited by its author, Jan 14, 2009, 2:36pm.

I finished The Book Thief. It was well worth reading, even if it was kind of depressing.

I just finished my seventh book of the year, Mistborn. I LOVED it and am starting The Well of Ascension now. Also started a bio on Christopher Columbus and may keep my nonfiction to him for two or three more books, I realize that I have them all in my TBR pile for some reason.

I finished both of my holdovers from 2008 and Midwife of the Blue Ridge. I've actually plowed through a couple more since then too.

So far, I've finished all the books I started reading in January (not that it was hard, really -- two of them are graphic novels), but am only half-way (ish) through Temeraire and the betaing I promised to do. Only half-way through the month, though, so I'll finish these before the end of January too. Curious to see how many books I'll have finished by the end...

Finished Revolutionary Road and liked it very much, although I must have been the only person on the planet not to be aware of the film until I spotted Kate and Leo on the cover (I don't like getting movie tie-in covers).

Also finished The Gargoyle and loved that too, although it is a bit strange and gruesome in parts.

Due to my stay in hospital yesterday with lots of waiting and not much happening I finished The Ice Queen and loved it and Death of a Murderer also very good.

Am still in the middle of both The Blindfold and BUtterfield 8 but expect to finish both shortly and am just a few stories away from finishing Far North and Other Dark Tales.

So far my resolution to try to read better books has been kept (at least I think so) so I am happy.

Finished The Amber Spyglass and then Fahrenheit 451 (for my book club). Now winding up The Broken Sword before I begin a group of Antoine de Saint-Exupery books including The Little Prince.

#69 - I'd be interested to hear what you think of the last of the Mistborn books, Hero of Ages, when you've finished the series.

Three books so far, all rereads. It wasn't meant that way but I've had an urge for comfort reads. The books have been Finity's End (a planned reread) and then The Lions of Al-Rassan and In the company of others (both comfort reads).

Halfway through the fourth; The dark heart of Italy (not a reread, but non fiction, read parallel to the others).

#74 - Oh, I'm sure I'll be talking about it. :) I joined the Brandon Sanderson group here on LT so I could blather on and on if I want to.

You know, when I joined the Green Dragon, I maybe read one or two fantasy works a year. So far this year 4 of the 7 books I've read have been fantasy. It's true, you do have to be careful who you hang out with. ;)

My first of 2009 was Maskerade. Lovely way to start the new year.

#75 - :-) The reason for my saying this about Hero of Ages specifically is that I think he has let his faith colour it, and very much so. Always when I read books like that I wonder what people of faith themselves thinks of such books...

Probably World Without End just to complete a sequel I unwittingly started around Christmas. :)

The first book I "read" in 2009 (finishing up from December) was The Urth of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. Very good, and it explained a good deal about The Book of the New Sun. I'm going to have to reread the whole thing at some point.

I followed that up with The Warded Man for LT Early Reviewers. It was good, and probably better than I had hoped. Not great fantasy fiction, but still very enjoyable.

Last night I started Matthew Stover's Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor. Stover's one of my absolute favorite authors (for both his Star Wars and original stuff) and word of mouth has it that Mindor just might be the best SW novel ever. So far, it's living up to the hype.

Message edited by its author, Jan 15, 2009, 3:29pm.

I'm reading Dissolution, it is a good break after finishing A Clash of Kings. I also read a story to Daniel each day, and some days a childrens story is all I am able to read, but he loves having me read to him and I just have to oblige him.

I started The Green Man, a collection of short stories, yesterday and I'm listening to Fer de Lance in the car. Both fun, although I did find one story I didn't get at all.

hi

durrrr

Since this is the year 2009, I started it appropriately with Ralf-Peter Märtins "Varusschlacht" (the German name for the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest). A non-fiction book on the newest findings about this four-day battle in the year 9 CE, when a coalition of Germanic fighters destroyed three Roman legions and left about 15,000-20,000 soldiers dead (a huge loss for an army of about 230,000).
Fascinating stuff about the Roman imperial policy towards Germania, and how this battle ultimately ended the Roman quest to include northern Germania (north of the Limes) as a province in the Empire.

Message edited by its author, Jan 16, 2009, 5:47am.

That is soooooo cool.

Sigh. German.

I'm up to book thirteen for the year.