Best of 2009: Book Edition

This is running late, so here we go with the best of 2009 in books! (with even briefer reviews)

Best books released in 2009:



Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne
I had promised a review of this a while back, but things fell through. It did get written, I never posted it. Anyway, despite the writing style, this was a worthwhile read. He had some interesting insight on various cities and the joys of bike-riding. I recommend this to Talking Heads/David Byrne fans and those who enjoy travel memoirs.

Strange Things Happen by Stewart Copeland
While I enjoyed Andy Summers' memoir more, the Police drummer had something to say too. And did his voice come out loud and clear. He was more than the drummer, y'all, and he proves it with stories of live performances in Italy to writing the soundtrack of Rumble Fish. Good read, but do watch out for its slow moments.

A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog by Dean Koontz
At times it does get a bit sappy (hell, most pet memoirs are guilty of this), but genuine love pulsates from the work. Koontz loved that dog with all his heart and he tells you why. As someone who was raised with having dogs, this book reminded me of the joys and tears of pet ownership.

Good reads yes, but the choice for the best of 2009 belongs to...

The Vinyl Princess by Yvonne Prinz
The narrator, Allie, is basically me when I was sixteen (yet I worked at a movie theater and knew mostly seventies-eighties rock, but whatever). The story does have the tendency to fall for some of the typical YA cliches (relationships, parental issues, etc.), but it easily triumphs over it all with Allie's amazing knowledge and personality. So girls and young women alike, if you are rock nerds and proud of it, give this a read. You'll find yourself in good company.

And plus, a book that mentions this album and this one also can only exist to do good and be good.

~

It's no lie that that I read more older books than new releases, so never the one to leave worthwhile items of interest out in the cold (hur-hur), here are the best of those:

Chuck Amuck by Chuck Jones
Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
One Train Later by Andy Summers
Geisha, A Life by Mineko Iwasaki and Rande Brown
Nightmare at 20,000 Feet (short story collection) by Richard Matheson
Paper Towns by John Green
Tideland by Mitch Cullin
Bonjour, Tristesse by Francoise Sagan

Yet, two books tie as the best:

Falling Angel by William Hjortsberg and after the quake by Haruki Murakami

If you would like a review of some of the above reads, by all means, ask! You just may not see it right away, or until I launch my new review blog.

I dunno if I will post the music lists tomorrow. You will see the lists by the end of this weekend, that's for sure. If I am silent until Saturday (which is likely), I wish everyone a joyous and safe [insert holidays you observe here]! May the food be good, the drink also good, your company warm and loving, and the presents (if you get any) be awesome.

As always, the universal wish is for peace and goodwill towards humankind.

Good night...

/obligatory cheesetastic well-wishes speech