Last Post of the Decade!

Tonight we will usher in not only a new year, but a new decade too! Before a new year begins I often like to reflect on the one soon to be written into the history books.

Never has my reflecting urge been stronger then now that I am blogging. One hundred forty blog posts later, I am so very grateful . First to be a member of such a giving community. I never cease to be inspired by my fellow bloggers. A special shout out to Marcia at the Printed Page for hosting Mailbox Mondays. My week would be so less interesting without this weekly posting. Another special shout out to Yvette at True Crime Reviews for giving me my first award and for her friendship. Thank you also to my commenters who share their thoughts with me. It is truly gratifying to read your words of wisdom. And thank you also to the publishers, publicists, and authors who have given me the opportunity to expand my reading horizons.

This past year I have reviewed some incredible books that I would like to spot light once again before its lights out for the decade. In no particular order, here are a few books that have stayed with me long after I have returned them to the book shelf.

Most Inspirational Book of 2009: Jantsen’s Gift by Pam Cope with Aimee Molloy. My very first book review and also the book that has stayed most in my thoughts ever since. When I picked up Jantsen’s Gift I never suspected the depth of the story contained within the pages or how much I would love it. If I can recommend only one book for your reading pleasure from 2009, then Jantsen’s Gift is that book!

Best Noncookbook Cookbook of 2009: I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti by Giulia Melucci. While I loved Melucci’s confessional of the dating travails of a New York singleton, the recipes are what keep me reaching again and again for this book. Consequently, my copy of I Loved, I Lost has reached the state of my favorite cookbooks: “well spackled with food stains.” Buon Appetito!

Best Vacation in a Book: The Motion of the Ocean by Janna Cawrse Esarey. While I was reading about Graeme and Janna Cawrse Esarey’s B-HAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) to sail away to the South Pacific on a small boat I became their third mate. This landlubber thanks you Janna and Graeme!

The Book I Would Buy For Someone Seriously Ill: The Body Broken by Lynne Greenberg. Sometimes life never returns to what it was before, but as poignantly detailed by Greenberg “you can learn to live with what you can’t rise above.”

The Book I Would Buy for Someone Seriously Ill Who Shares My Dark Sense of Humor: The Book of Dahlia by Elsa Albert. Slacker Dahlia Finger is dying from a brain tumor, but before she does she skewers nearly everyone in her line of fire: doctors, self-help authors, relatives, frenemies and more.

The Book I Wasn’t Prepared to Enjoy So Much: How It Ends by Laura Wiess. It has been a long time since I have read anything with a “YA” label on it, so when I received How It Ends, I was a little skeptical. I should not have been so concerned, because this is a book, which alternates between a teen perspective and a senior one, that both young and old can enjoy.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!