Wrapping Up 2009!

2009 has been a spectacular year for me, blogging wise. My blog has grown from a handful of (wonderful) followers in the beginning of the year to 111 (at last count), which just tickles me pink. I really feel that I'm starting to shape this blog into something that reflects who I am, at least who I am as a reader and consumer. Although I do this because I truly love books and reading, it is so great to be able to converse with fellow bloggers via their comments on my blog, as well as me being able to get to know them through theirs. Thank-you so much to everyone who takes time to stop by. I love reading what you have to say!

In 2009 I have also had the opportunity to work with some wonderful publishers, authors and promoters, who have introduced me to some fabulous books that I would not have found otherwise. A special thanks to HarperCollins Canada, Penguin, and The Hachette Book Group, all of whom have provided me with some spectacular blogging opportunities.

I didn't participate in any year-long challenges in 2009 (although I am signed up for 5 in 2010), so I don't have any wrap-up posts to do. I am going to (very randomly) list a few of my favourite reads from 2009. Not all of these were published in 2009, but all of them were read by me in 2009. These aren't in a particular order simply because I think that it would be impossible for me to "rank" one over the other, considering the variety of genres that I enjoy reading. How do you compare fiction with a memoir, etc? I'm just not sure how I could do that fairly, so here are my favourites from 2009:

The Gift by Cecelia Ahern
The Shoe Princess's Guide to the Galaxy by Emma Bowd
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
In a Perfect World by Laura Kasischke
The Opposite of Love by Julie Buxbaum
The Brightest Star in the Sky by Marian Keyes
After You by Julie Buxbaum
Millie's Fling by Jill Mansell
The Ice Chorus by Sarah Stonich
This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
The Slap by Christopher Tsiolkas
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
Advice for Italian Boys by Anne Giardini
Fool by Christopher Moore
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

There you go- 17 books that I loved in 2009, and if you haven't had a chance to read them, I would strongly encourage you to!

Before I wrap up this wrap-up post, I would love to highlight a couple of bloggers who have made me laugh, or think, or just buy books in 2009! In no particular order:

Luanne at A Bookworm's World- Luanne always has something interesting to blog about, and she's a fellow Canadian as a bonus!

Kristen at BookNAround- I joke that Kristen is my "bookmate" (a soulmate, only about books!) because 9 times out of 10, if she's read something and loved it, I will too. In the same vein, if she's hated it, I won't even bother going there.

Mandy from Mandy's Life After 30- Mandy writes about her life as a mom and a wife and a woman and she never fails to make me smile with her entertaining posts.

Deanna from My Tragic Right Hip- Deanna writes the most insightful book reviews around, and I look forward to her updates.

Debbie from Suburb Sanity- Debbie can ALWAYS make me laugh- plus she keeps me up on all of the current events and celebrity gossip. :)

Meg from write meg!- Meg is another one of my "bookmates"- I adore reading her thoughtful reviews, and chances are, if she's liked something, I had better go and check it out myself. I look forward to reading more of her reviews in 2010.

I could go on and on (I really could!) but I think that I will leave it here for now. Sometimes it's best to know when to stop. I wish all of you- my fellow book bloggers, all of the fantastic publishers out there who encourage us to keep blogging, and all of the authors bringing us new stuff to chat about- a very happy New Year and a fantastic 2010!