A weekly meme that asks bloggers to post their opinions on specific topics.
(hosted on Wordpress)

This week's topic: 2009 in Review

I started this blog in October after rediscovering my love of blogging and reading. I started hoarding books that caught my interest during the frequent visits Ah Yuan of GAL Novelty and I paid to the used and franchise bookstores when we met every month. I now have a sizable mountain of books on my desk (don't own a bookshelf) and frequently turn to books when I'm not watching Asian dramas or doing translations.

That said, I'm still quite slow in pushing out reviews and not quite "updated" in terms of the publication dates of books I read. It's mostly because I'm not someone who would go and buy hardcover editions of books the moment they come out unless I am absolutely sure I would enjoy it. Next year, I resolve to visit the library more often so I do get a chance to look at these books when they come out.

People have probably also noticed that I don't focus on a particular genre of books, and this non-trend will probably continue for the next year. I don't like limiting myself to any particular genre because I love all kinds of stories, no matter the setting. I also enjoy reading adult novels, though I'm quickly working my way into the young adult shelves as well.

I'm rather disappointed in myself as I haven't been able to complete any of the reading challenges I've signed up for this year - though admittedly I signed up and started working on them in late October. I've signed up for many more next year and will be working hard to try and complete at least the basic levels in each.

BOOK STATS FOR 2009:
Read: 8 (since Nov 2009)
Borrowed: 0
Received: 29 (includes gifts)
Bought: 22
Gifted: 2

Since I haven't read that many books this year, I will just make a short list of the ones I've reviewed so far here (my favourites have a heart beside their title):

FICTION

Kingdom Come by J.G. Ballard ★★★.5
Mélusine by Sarah Monette ★★★.5
♥ The Virtu by Sarah Monette ★★★★
Blood Engines by T.A. Pratt ★★★
♥ The Strangler by William Landay ★★★★.5
The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan ★★★.5
♥ Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk ★★★★
♥ The Last Knight by Hilari Bell ★★★★.5

MANGA

♥ Saiyuki by Minekura, Kazuya ★★★★.5
♥ One Piece by Oda, Eiichiro ★★★★
♥ Gintama by Sorachi, Hideaki ★★★★.5

As for books I'm looking forward to next year, I've already ranted about them in my Wishlist Wednesday posts. However, here's the top 10 books (in no particular order) from my TBR pile:


Rogue's Home by Hilari Bell √
Fat Cat by Robin Brande
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
The Rise of Renegade-X by Chelsea Campbell
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Warchild by Karin Lowachee √
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Peter & Max by Bill Willingham
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie √
The Crown Conspiracy by Michael J. Sullivan
(books I actually own have a √ beside them)
I am still working on the new layout - hopefully will have it up tonight - and sorting out the details of my new weekly memes (marked with *). Here's a list of the ones I'll be participating in next year:

Monday - Cover Cravings* (temp. title)
Tuesday - Teaser Tuesday
Wednesday - Waiting on Wednesday / On My Wishlist
Thursday - Booking Through Thursday
Friday - Title Talk* (temp. title)
Sunday - In My Mailbox
Reviews will be posted spontaneously whenever I finish writing them up.

And lastly, I'm hoping to become more active in the blogosphere next year, since I'm usually quite a lurker. I would also like to thank all followers for your support - knowing people read my posts helps boost my motivation =)

That's all for this year, Happy New Years everyone!