Looking at my reading history for last two years, at the beginning of this year, I set myself a Goodreads challenge of reading 50 books. The start was rather slow, and had some lean periods in between when I was busy with other things. By October end, it didn't seem likely that I'll complete the challenge, but I ended up well overreaching it (at least in terms of quantity, if not quality) - owing to binge reading small, fast murder mysteries in the last two months. I have always loved Perry Mason series, and dived into the ones I hadn't read before. I read a couple of Hercule Poirot novels, and explored a few books by some new authors - Dick Francis, John Le Carre, David Rosenfelt (Andy Carpenter series), Jessica Fletcher (Murder She Wrote), Sue Grafton (Alphabet series).
I read quite a few highly recommended books, some worked for me, others did not.
Best reads of the Year:
Winternight Trilogy - It was the absolute high of the year, what's not to love about Russian fairy tales and a totally kickass heroine!
The Strawberry Thief [Chocolat #4] - I love the Choclat series, and totally admire Joanne Harris's storytelling. Had been looking forward for this for almost a year.
Bartimaeus Trilogy - Started just about okay as I didn't find the first book good but not great. I am glad that I continued with the series.
History of Love - Hadn't heard of this one until a friend from my online reading group posted a beautiful review of this one. It was delightful.
Angela's Ashes - Of this one, I had heard a lot. I put off reading it for quite a while as I was afraid it was going to be very taxing. It was a great read. Although it is terribly sad, it doesn't drown you in misery (like Khaled Hosseni or Premchand's stories), as the heartbreaking tale of poverty and loss is related through a child's matter-of-fact voice, sometimes even with a little humor.
Big disappointments: There was so much hype around them that I had a big expectation with each of them. They weren't bad at all, but they left me underwhelmed.
Dead Poets Society - Plot was simple and predictable, and storytelling wasn't great to save it. The romantic subplot felt unnecessary and glorified stalking.
The Forty Rules of Love - Liked both the story-lines, but for me, they didn't gel together. The rules themselves felt forced into it.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - Even though the simple story was unrealistic in extreme, the end was heartbreaking. I think it works neither for children who may be unaware of the horrors of Nazi regime since everything is left unsaid, nor for adults for whom it doesn't add much insight.
The Book of Lost Things - The takes on popular fairy tales were enjoyable. But it has too much of violence and abuse for kids, and a very simple plot for adults. If it could be 'sanitized', it would be a wonderful adventure story for kids.
Little Women - I am perhaps in absolutely minority here, but I didn't even remotely love it; in fact, I considered quitting it halfway. There was only one character I liked, who was messed up with to 'nicely wrap up' the story.
Worst reads:
In the Convent of Little Flowers - I loved whatever works of Indu Sunderasan I have read, and thought that the short stories would be even better. It gave me a reader's block - the tone of stories is melancholy and depressing, and there was nothing new about them.
The Sunday Philosophy Club - Didn't connect to any of the characters, in fact, found the protagonist too juvenile. And was thoroughly bored by the philosophical musings after a short while.
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