Seeing as Ana and I met through LOST boards (we are ridiculous geeks), it should come as no shocker that both of us are huge couch potatoes. Television, movies, sports, you name it. So, given our advance stage of couch potato-ness, we have decided to enumerate our favorites of 2009!

We invite you to sit back, pop open a cold one, and enjoy. Here are my picks for The Best of the Rest 2008 (check out Ana’s HERE).

The Best of the Rest: TELEVISION

**A warning–if you’re currently catching up or haven’t seen a show, be prepared to be spoiled. We’re only talking about episodes that have already aired, but if you don’t wanna know, you’d best look away!**

Well, as Ana has usurped the first post, this may seem a bit redundant. But whatever. Here we go! I’m counting back from 10 to my absolute favorite TV moments of 2009.

10. Castle (ABC) – The Delicious Sexual Tension

This show is a book nerd and scifi geek’s dream – first, you get the charming, delightful, hot Nathan Fillion in a primetime starring role (complete with witty quips, silly humor, and general adorableness). Add to that the fact that he plays a bestselling thriller author named Richard Castle that knows his mystery tropes, who currently works as a “consultant” with the NYPD in a completely implausible plot-twist, and you’ve got a party. His new source of inspiration, Detective Kate Beckett – beautiful, confident, damaged and deadly – makes for a wonderful leading lady. And the CHEMISTRY between these two! It’s hot stuff. This is a silly show, but it’s so much fun. If you’re not watching it yet – what the hell is stopping you!? It’s all about Castle.

9. V (ABC) – The Pilot

After the craptastic, LOST-wannabe disappointment that was FlashForward, I was pleasantly surprised by ABC’s V – a remake of the 1980s series about invading aliens, called Visitors, who charm and manipulate us poor earthlings for their own nefarious ends. Of course, as V stars Elizabeth Mitchell (aka Thea’s Biggest Girl Crush Since Gillian Anderson’s Dana Scully), I was predisposed to like this show – but it genuinely is a strong new entry from ABC. The pilot had surprisingly GOOD special effects, expert plotting, and has so much potential for growth. Add to that Firefly alumni Morena “Inara” Baccarine and Alan “Wash” Tudyk as Vs, and I’m a happy camper. Also, Morris Chestnut branching out into mainstream TV is ALWAYS a welcome thing (I’m a huge fan of Morris Chestnut). Heck, even Scott Wolf (who is freaking me out with his resemblance to Michael J. Fox as he grows older) who usually annoys me is winsome in this new scifi-thriller. Even though the last two episodes faltered a bit, I still have very high hopes for this series, and cannot wait for its return in 2010.

8. Modern Family (ABC) – Dysfunctionally Wonderful

I got Ana to start watching this show, and OF COURSE she loved it. It’s certainly the best, funniest new show of 2009 about a real modern family – an older rich man and his hot, much younger, Colombian wife (and her son); a gay couple with their adopted Vietnamese baby; a yuppie couple and their three very different children. I mean, just check out the clip:

7. House (Fox) – The Looney Bin

I have to agree with Ana re:House – I started watching this show when it first came out and loved it. But, come season 4-ish, I stopped watching. The dissolution of the original team of Cameron, Foreman and Chase and the increasingly formulaic nature of the show (with House NEVER suffering really any consequences for his actions) bugged me. I’d still watch the show occasionally, but it was demoted from my Season Pass on my DVR. But…then came this season. House *finally* has to get clean – and he finally realizes that he is NOT ok. The pilot, with House in the Looney Bin, was one of the FINEST episodes I have ever seen. I loved it, and I love that House is still working through his issues, and that he is staying clean. (I’m so not happy about Cameron leaving and the return of Thirteen *gags* but nothing’s perfect)

6. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX) – “Oh my God, was that piss?!”/”Like, little Green Ghouls, man!”/”Kitten Mittons”/”Dear Chase Utley”/”Salt the snail!”

Oh God, Sunny. Sunny, Sunny, Sunny. How much do I love thee? Let me count the ways…Almost EVERY episode this season was a winner. Every Thursday, I look forward to being simultaneously entertained and repulsed by these Philly assholes – and I mean that as an endearment. I love this show. I. LOVE. THIS. SHOW. And here are my favorite clips:

Kitten Mittens

Charlie and the Pear

Dear Chase Utley

Charlie’s Profile

Gail the Snail

5. Glee (Fox) – “Defying Gravity”

I am an official, proud Gleek. Glee is the best new show of 2009, combining sweet tunes, High School tropes, and breaking down barriers between “cool” and “loser” like nobody’s business. Smart, touching, hilarious, this show has it all. My personal favorite song has to be Kurt’s rendition of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, so I’ll leave you with that clip.

Defying Gravity

The fall finale, “Sectionals,” was all kinds of awesome – and I am scared of what Sue will do when she comes back after the mid-season break!

4. The Office (NBC) – Niagara

One of the things I love the most about The Office is how the show GROWS. The characters adapt, they change, they move on – and in this case, after five seasons of angst and pining for Jim and Pam, finally, FINALLY they tie the knot. This is one of the best pairings on TV. Jim and Pam rule the effing universe. The entire wedding episode, “Niagara,” was one of the finest hours of television this year.

3. Battlestar Galactica (SciFi) – The End

BSG, what am I ever going to do without you? On the one hand, I can appreciate and respect RDM’s decision to tell a definitive story with a beginning, middle and – most importantly, especially for TV shows – an END with BSG. But I am a selfish, selfish girl and I want more. I want more Kara and Lee and Adama and Roslin and Six and Baltar! But even selfish ol’ me has to admit, the sendoff for the show was brilliant, and I think perfect in every way (I know many fans were disgruntled with the series finale, but I loved it and wouldn’t change a thing). It makes my heart hurt to know that the show is done with…but god, what a ride it was. Farewell BSG. You will be missed.

2. LOST (ABC) – The Death (and resurrection) of John Locke

GASP! LOST doesn’t take the top spot on my list! It’s a close call, but even though Lost may have lost out to another show, it’s still my favorite currently running TV series (albeit only for one more season). I wasn’t pleased with the nuclear bomb/reset timeline thing that seems to be going on, but I loved the futility and pain of John Locke’s storyline, culminating in his murder by good ol’ Benry, and his resurrection as Not!Locke on the island. OMG HE KILLS JACOB! I cannot wait to see what the final season has in store for us. I mean, have you seen the trailers? The poster that has EVERYONE on it?! And how about this new official art – squint to find spoilers…

Please, please, please, Darlton, be good.

1. Dexter (Showtime) – The Finale

I discovered the joys of Dexter earlier this year (finally!), and I have never been happier. A twisted show with a vigilante-type serial killer as its protagonist, Dexter is dark and messed up and wonderful. And holy shit, season 4 was another awesome one. John Lithgow’s Trinity was terrifying, and Dexter is forced to come to grips with a LOT of tough decisions – what it means to be a husband, father, employee, friend, brother, and still keep his “Dark Passenger” in check with routine murder. Dex crosses some big lines in this season (his first murder of an innocent man – inadvertent, but it still happened), and that finale left me in shock. I saw it coming, but I didn’t, you know?? Holy hell. What will happen next season!?!?! What does this mean for Dexter in the future? I cannot wait. Absofreakinglutely BRILLIANT.

The Best of the Rest: MOVIES:

Aaaaaaand, here are my top 10 movie picks of 2009…

10. Inglourious Basterds

Ok, as a film I think it wasn’t exactly the best. A draggy plot and the ridiculous casting choice of Eli Roth as a main character really bothered me. BUT, then there was Hans. Christoph Waltz’s Hans Landa is THE reason to watch this movie – comical and terrifying, Hans steals the show.

Quentin Tarantino is still an over-exuberant director with camera ADD and a tendency to rely on way too much dialogue, but I cannot find anything wrong with his period setting and his direction of Waltz. Absolutely brilliant stuff.

9. Watchmen

Yes, this wasn’t a perfect film, and yes, I had major issue with the movie adaptation’s ending and its significant deviation from the book. BUT, I think Zach Snyder did a freaking fantastic job adapting such a dense, iconic graphic novel into film form – probably the best job anyone could have done with Watchmen. And oh sweet jesus, were the casting choices for Rorschach, The Comedian, Silk Spectre I, and Nite Owl fabulous!

Especially Eddie Dean and Rorscach – the sociopaths rule in this film. Definitely worth purchasing the bluray directors cut, without a doubt.

8. Zombieland

Ah, the virtues of the Double Tap. The importance of checking the bathroom before pulling your pants down. The essential need for A G.D. TWINKIE! This, and so much more, were lessons I learned from the hilarious Zombieland. Emma Stone is gorgeous and awesome, as usual, as is Abigail Breslin, and Woody Harrelson is made of win. The Bill Murray cameo had me in tears. Even the shitty Michael Cera kid, Jesse Elsenberg, was solidly hilarious!

7. Drag Me to Hell

Hey, good Raimi is back! Yeah, Drag Me to Hell is a bit familiar, taking Raimi’s tried and true hit techniques and plot points from the Evil Dead films, but it was so much fun. And I’m happy to see that he actually IS capable of making a good movie (I had my doubts since Spiderman 2). Drag Me To Hell is horror-comedy at its finest, and Alison Lohman is again fantastic – an excellent successor to Bruce Campbell’s Ash. Love that ending, too!

6. Up

I don’t think Pixar is capable of making anything less than a spectacular film – and Up is another winner. I cried, I laughed, I fell in love with Carl and Russell. The animation is breathtaking, per Pixar’s usual. It’s not Wall-E, but Up definitely wins a spot in my heart.

5. The Cove

One of the most important films I have ever seen, The Cove made me physically ill in the theater. I cried my eyes out with the final footage, and with Ric O’Barry’s triumphant, defiant stand against the systematic slaughter of thousands of dolphins each year in the small village of Taiji. This is a film EVERYONE should watch, and should take to heart.

4. The Hurt Locker

Kathryn Bigelow is a director with an eye for action and male characterizations – her iconic action flick, Point Break has been a staple in my family since it first came out (seriously, know most of the film by heart). So, when I heard she had a new film coming out this year with The Hurt Locker, I was stoked. Then, all the rave reviews began to flow in – and I immediately ran out to see the movie. And…wow. Jeremy Renner’s performance as a special unit bomb diffuser in Iraq is frakking beautiful. This is an adrenaline rush of a film, but it’s also just a damn fine movie. Kudos, Ms. Bigelow.

3. District 9

Neil Blomkamp’s film debut, presented by Peter Jackson, is even better than I hoped. It’s a science fiction film with heart – a parable for apartheid, using alien “Prawns.” Beautifully executed in its sort of docu-drama style, with special effects that are jaw-dropping cool, this is a film worth buying and watching again and again.

2. Star Trek

For a very long time, I thought Star Trek would take top billing as my favorite film of 2009. JJ Abrams finally proved to me that he is actually capable of making a Good Movie with this reinvented Star Trek. I loved this film. The casting, with Chris Pine as Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Spock, is spot on, the character nuances are perfect. Even more impressive, however, is how the film appeals to both oldskool Trekkies (like myself), and newbies alike (such as the boyfriend, who hated Star Trek by his own admission, and ended up loving the movie). Smart plotting, humor, excellent special effects…Star Trek is amazing.

1. Avatar

And here’s the film that unseated Star Trek as my favorite film of 2009. Watching Avatar in the theater made me feel the way I did when I was a wide-eyed kid watching Star Wars and Lord of the Rings for the first time. Avatar is a film that redefines the genre – it is Epic with a capital “E.” The technology, first off, is mind blowing. James Cameron wins big with this Science Fantasy film that plays on genre tropes and blends familiar story elements with a technology unlike any we’ve seen before on the screen. This is a beautiful film visually, and also it is impeccably acted. Zoe Saldana goes balls out with her role as the Na’vi warrior woman, and Sam Worthington is brilliant as Jake Sully, the marine who comes to Pandora to fill his scientist brother’s shoes.

Avatar makes you remember why you fell in love with movies in the first place, and for a scifi/fantasy geek like myself, it’s pure heaven. If this doesn’t get nominated for a zillion awards, I’ll eat my hat. Avatar deserves it.

Notable Mentions: I watched a lot of good films this year, and here are a few more that deserve special mention! The terrifying Paranormal Activity is the real deal, and will have you waking up at 2am, scared for your soul. I also loved Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (yeah it was flawed and missing the OOMF that my favorite HP book deserved, but whatever, screw you, I still liked it!). Disaster porn 2012 was spectacular in terms of special effects and pure movie FUN. Animated feature Coraline deviates from Gaiman’s book, but still is a wonderful film. And finally, comedies I Love You Man and The Hangover were good fun.

I should also mention a few films that I totally am behind on – I really want to see Nine, Up In the Air, The Road, Moon, and Precious – and it’s entirely possible any of these films may have made my top 10 list had I seen them before writing this. But I haven’t so…oh well!

And that’s it for me, folks! How about you? Any favorite TV Moments and/or Films for 2009? I’m all ears!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best books of the year picked and listed and now we turn to Movies and TV shows. Thea and I are both major couch potatoes (and we even came up with a new feature last year, On The Book Tube with the Book Smugglers) so it should come as no surprise that I loved more TV Shows than I loved Movies (just like last year!) . I shall start with the latter:

Best of the Rest – Movies

Looking back at the year in movies, I only really went to the theatre to watch a handful and then stuck to DVDs. And preparing this list made me realise that at the moment I am either watching Super-heroes/Scifi or Bromance/Rom com. I can’t remember watching a drama I really enjoyed last year (I thought Julie and Julia was meh) and I am fully aware that I should watch Up in the Air ASAP. Alas, I just can’t find the will to be super excited about movies anymore. Anyways, out of the ones I watched, I LOVED the following:

Zombieland

One year ago, it would have been unthinkable that I would not only watch a zombie flick but actually love it. I owe it all to Thea who taught me that the best Zombie movies are the ones not about zombies at all. In Zombieland, the story is about a lot more, about the guy who lost the family and went nuts, the boy who was unlucky with girls; I loved Woody Harrelson here (as usual) and totally have Jesse Eisenberg in my radar. The List was awesome and the surprising cameo by one of my favorite actors was hi-la-rious!

District 9

The worst of the Apartheid only, with aliens. District 9 was brilliantly realised and acted. Sharlto Copley as Wikus van de Merwe owns my soul.

Funny People

I am a huge fan of Jude Apatow so it was a given that I would be watching this one and I loved it! Adam Sandler took me by surprise and I loved how the movie is about comedians and yet it was rather sad with a lot of loneliness, doubt, old friends and new friends and lost love.

The Hangover

Funniest.Movie.Of.The.Year. The trailer alone is made of win and the movie proved to be quite clever as these guys wake up in Vegas without a clue about what happened the night before and went around town trying to find the pieces of the puzzle. Awesome.

Star Trek

Ah. Guys, I loved this movie. It took me some time to figure out that they were re-setting the whole thing but when I did have the revelation, I actually went “whoa, GENIUS”. I am hoping that this new series will go on forever and ever.

Watchmen

I think this is my favorite movie of the year. I love the Graphic Novel and I think the movie was quite faithful. I loved the art and photography and I fell in love with the Comedian and Rorschach all over again.

I Love You, Man

Another bromance. Gods help me, but I thought this movie was awesome with the story of the guy trying to find a guyfriend. Dear Partner totally loved it as well. What can I say, we are silly people, at Casa de Ana.

I also need to give shout outs to 500 Days of Summer which I thought was really clever and cute and Inglorious Basterds with my favorite character of the year: Christoph Waltz’s Landa, the “Jew Hunter”.

Best of the Rest – Television

**A warning–if you’re currently catching up or haven’t seen a show, be prepared to be spoiled. We’re only talking about episodes that have already aired, but if you don’t wanna know, you’d best look away!**

These are my favorite TV moments of last year:

1 – Lost

I need to say that I actually think last season was the best season since Season 1,especially the first say, 10 episodes even though I am prone to complain a LOT about character development. They don’t make any sense. But I only complain because I love it.

Because Lost is my favorite show (well, one of them) , I have loads of favorite moments: like when they started jumping through time and then end up being part of the Dharma Initiative! Or when Jin was alive and the he met Rousseau! Or when we found out that Sawyer was Lafleur, and that he was with Juliet! Or when Faraday came back to the island in the sub! Or that awesome scene when the O6 came back and they met with Sawyer and Sawyer looked at Kate and I was like awwww, YES! and NO! at the same time? And the revelation that OMG Jonh Locke is dead! DEAD! Gasp!

2 – Mad Men

I only started watching this show last year and after watching all seasons in a row I can safely say, it is one of the best TV Shows ever. The thing is, no other show make me simultaneously love and hate its characters in a very bipolar way. Season 3 was my favorite and my favorite scene of the year was the one where Betty confronts Don and he is forced to come clean. That was SUPER acting people.

3 – Dexter

I think I love Dexter as much as I love Lost and this season was the best one to date. Every time a new season starts I wonder where they can possibly go next and they never fail to surprise me. Last season had an amazing John Lithgow playing another serial killer and the scene where they were facing each other without any masks was AWESOME. But nothing was more amazing than the last 5 minutes of the finale. I was left staring at my tv, sobbing, completely heartbroken and surprised.

4 – The Office

There were many many awesome episodes last year but two take the cake. First there was the moment when Michael QUIT Dunder Mifflin and I stared at the TV for about 5 minutes basking in the sheer awesomeness of that scene. And the entire episode of Jim and Pam’s wedding: with all those scenes when Jim was a dear, and then all the funny moments and then the wedding itself playing with that famous youtube video, ending with Jim’s three wedding plans that made me cry like a baby.

5 – House

Another show that always surprises me – when I think they are becoming too formulaic, they turn around and show me something brilliant. My favorite episode was the season’s premiere when House said for the first time: I Need Help.

6 – Castle

Listen, I DO think that the premise of the show is SUPER far-fetched but do I care? No. It has Nathan Fillion in it and he has crazy chemistry with his co-star. Enough said.

And then there are the new shows, I started watching several but am only sticking with three:

7 – V

The Pilot of this show was so.very.cool. I loved everything about it, the special effects, the acting, the premise of the show. And the other episodes since have been pretty solid too.

8 – Glee

A musical- comedy-drama? It was a given I would watch this one and I adore it. I love the songs and I love the characters and one of my favorite scenes of the year was that one where Kurt came out to his father. The scene did not go the way I was expecting it go and ended up being one of the best father-son scenes ever. But nothing, nothing tops Jane Lynch’s Sue Silvester, I drink her every single word like a mental woman.

9 – Modern Family

It took me a while to start watching this one but once I did, I was lost. I actually think this one is as funny as The Office and has the potential for a long TV life. Phil Dunphy, the “cool dad” is the new Michael Scott. The Christmas episode made me cry. The fact that the funniest new show can ALSO make me cry, makes this the best new show on tv.

And that is it from me. You might notice that I did not include Supernatural on this list. That is because Supernatural sucked huge donkey balls and it is making my Airing of Grievances post later.

One final word: I love TV.

That is all.

And don’t forget to check back later, for Thea’s Best of the Rest.

Ana: Hello, I’m Ana

Thea: And I’m Thea

Ana & Thea: And we’re…[Wyld Stallyns] BOOK SMUGGLERS!!!!!!!

*play facemelting riffs on air guitars*

We’ve brought you some of our favorite authors with their reflections on 2009 and plans for 2010… We’ve brought your some of our favorite bloggers with their own wonderful ‘best of’ lists… But now it’s finally time to get our own hands dirty! We have scoured our personal libraries, gone through all our reviews for the year, and we are happy to report that we finally have our final picks ready to go. The rules: the books in our lists are books that were published in 2009 and that we read and reviewed here.

Thus, we Smugglers are proud to present you with our Most Excellent Books of 2009!

ANA

Looking back at the books I read in 2009 and comparing to those I read in 2008, it is plain that there has been a huge shift in my reading habits.

Last year I read 134 books, out of which 88 were Romance Novels. This year, I read and reviewed 133 (OMG LESS books read in 2009???!! Shame on me!) books and only 37 were Romance novels. One of my New Year’s resolutions was to read more Fantasy and YA and I am happy to see that I succeeded: in fact, I read more YA than any other genre this year (39) and loads of Fantasy as well (36, if you count UF). I am pretty satisfied with the results, I feel like I read some pretty good stuff and discovered wonderful new authors and genres – I also read quite a few short stories and I have found a new appreciation for the format. If I have a New Year resolution for 2010 is to read more anthologies and short stories. On the down side, I read less Graphic Novels than I wanted, another fact I plan to rectify in 2010.

With all that in mind, my top 10 list was a pretty easy one to come up with and I think it reflects beautifully the genres I read the most this year.

Thus, my favourite reads of 2009 are, in no particular order:

Scandal by Carolyn Jewel

Review here.

Scandal is my favorite type of romance novel: all the focus on the main couple. Add to that, the fact that this is a historical about a reformed rake and voila, you have me interested from the get go. The thing that makes this one different though, is the fact that the story opens with the rake ALREADY reformed and completely in love with the girl trying to prove that he has changed. Via flashbacks, we see just how much of a rake he was in the past and the writing is so lovely, and the story is so amazing, I just loved everything about this one.

Ash by Malinda Lo

Review here.

I love fairytale retellings! Ash is based on Cinderella and I loved the writing, which I thought was very lyrical. Above all, I loved the main character Ash and her journey to happiness, battling depression and abuse till the very end, when she saves herself and find love not in the arms of a Knight in Shining Armor but in the arms of another kick-ass girl, the King’s Huntress.

Revealed by Kate Noble

Review here.

I found Kate Noble’s books this year and now I am a fan for life. Revealed is here because it has lovely writing, and an amazing pair of protagonists: a beta hero and an alpha heroine. In fact , in any other romance novel, the heroine would have been the Rival or the Villain: she is rich, beautiful and the most influential woman of the Ton, and she knows it and she loves it. Then there is this sentence that is their signature greeting “It’s just me” that made me melt pretty much every time they said it.

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

Review here

One of my most anticipated reads of 2009, Fragile Eternity is Seth’s book, the one character that I loved since the first book in the series, and whose point of view we hadn’t seen. I love this fairy-human world, the struggles of all characters to fit in either or both. Complex relationships and politics and amazing writing, proves to me that Melissa Marr can do no wrong in my book.

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Review here.

This one I did not see coming, it caught me by surprise and I read Going Too Far in one go, I read till I was done with it and it was well past midnight and I can’t remember the last time I did that. I was so engrossed in this love story between too youngsters in a small town : one who wanted to stay put, the other wanted to go and there were more layers to the story and to the characters than a freaking onion and the vegetable comparison is so lame and so tame when compared to the book that I am a bit ashamed of myself for using it. In any case, this is an amazing YA romance between two characters on equal footing of awesomeness and one book I loved with all my heart.

The Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan

Review Here.

Now, this one, this one is here for several reasons: Nick, the unreliable narrator (just how much, you need to read it to find out); the relationship between the two brothers, Alan and Nick, (this book is about brotherly love and devotion and it is awesome); the many cool details in the story including the Goblin Market. Above all, the main reason for loving this book is the crazy chemistry I have with Sarah Rees Brennan’s writing. Plus, it has the best opening sentence of the year:

“The pipe under the sink was leaking again. It wouldn’t have been so bad except that Nick kept his favourite sword under the sink.”

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Review here.

The best Steampunk novel I read this year, with all the elements that make it pure Steampunk goodness: alternate history, worldbuilding where the Steampunk elements are necessary and not only white noise. It has a mix of biology and mechanics, a great story and two great kids as the protagonists, especially the girl-who-pretends-to-be-a-boy. And Holy Barking spiders!, the book comes with wicked illustrations too!

Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh

Review here.

I love Nalini Singh’s books and with this first in her new series, she outdid herself. Angels’ Blood is one of those books where plot meet characterization and everything is well balanced and everything just works. Elena Deveraux is my one of the strongest, most interesting female characters I have read and I loved her every single word.

Demon Forged by Meljean Brook

Review here.

Meljean Brook is another author whose writing I have crazy chemistry with. I love everything she writes and Demon Forged is her best book to date. From the amazing romance to the awesome worldbuilding where everything matters and everything has a reason. The stakes are high and the author is not afraid of showing it. This is Paranormal Romance at its best. I dare say all the nay-sayers have not read Meljean Brook’s Guardian series.

Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Review here.

Liar is one of those books that speaks directly to me but not because of the characters and story (although both are really, really good) but because of the narrative itself. I love unreliable narrators and Micah is the Ultimate Unreliable Narrator because right from the first page we know she is a compulsive liar. What comes next is an exercise of writing that begs the reader’s attention and connection in order to really work as every single line makes one wonder and doubt. This book is gripping, mind-blowing and brilliant. I Loved it.

The ones that didn’t make it:

My list would have looked quite different if I could have included books not published in 2009. By now, our regular readers must know how much I enjoyed, loved, ADORED the books below. I loved them for the amazing world building, the awesome characters and above all the incredible prose. Patrick Rothfuss’ is particularly akin to “reading beauty” (tm Kris n Good Books)

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

The Queen’s Thief Series by Megan Whalen Turner

Heir to Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier

Notable Mentions:

(For other damn good books from this year, and for those not published in 2008)

Because it is so hard to narrow down to a mere top 10, we always try to mention other notable, awesome reads from 2009 or before.

For starters this was the year I discovered Brandon Sanderson, a fantastic Epic Fantasy writer, with a thing for writing kooky Magic systems. I loved his Mistborn Trilogy and Warbreaker. Speaking of Fantasy, I also loved finding out the Princess books by Jim C. Hines, they are Fantasy, fairytale retellings of the highest order with Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty as warrior-princesses. It’s a mixture of comedy and high adventure and so much fun!

Two other that totally worthy of praise are Jasmyn by Alex Bell, a modern fairytale and Prospero Lost by L. Jagi Lamplighter, I loved both books with their somewhat unreliable narrators (it seems I used this excuse a lot this year, but I am a fan!).

On the Romance front, I need to mention my favourite contemporary romance of the year: Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James. James writes the best romantic comedies around. But in the romance genre, I really am a historical romance fan and this year I felt I was especially lucky with the ones I read. Eloisa James’s This Duchess of Mine, Loretta Chase’s Don’t Tempt Me, Julia Quinn’s What Happens in London and Meredith Duran’s Bound By Your Touch are the finest romance published in 2009.

Then, a couple of YA like Rampant by Diana Peterfreund and Lips Touch by Laini Taylor, and this is me totally cheating, because I never reviewed this one but I looooooooooove the writing like whoa and OMG.

Finally, I read only but a few short stories and graphic novels but the ones I did were quite memorable. The Dragon Book anthology with stories of luminaries of the Fantasy genre was amazing and One Con Gloryby Sarah Khun was quite possibly the most fun I ever had with a short story. As for Graphic Novels , I absolutely loved Madame Xanadu, The Walking Dead and Rapunzel’s Revenge.

Favourite characters:

2009 will be known as the year when I lost my heart over and over again to some amazing characters. Top of the list is Eugenides from Megan Whalen Turner’s Queen’s Thief Series. Oh my word! That guy is unbelievably clever and one of the most memorable characters ever. I also fell in love with Nick and Alan from The Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan and their brotherly relationship. I can’t wait to read more!

But really, this year is the Year of the Awesome Female characters. Never before, I fell in love with so many of them. First there were two kick-ass warriors: Elena Deveraux from Nalini Singh’s Angels’ Blood and Irena from Meljean Brook’s Demon Forged. Then, there are: Rapunzel from the graphic novel Rapunzel’s Revenge and the three princesses from Jim C. Hines books that are strong and spunky. Equally strong but in a more quiet way, is Anna from the Alpha and Omega books by Patricia Briggs. And also, any Juliet Marillier protagonist. After reading those example of awesome female protagonists, I find myself wanting more!

Love the authors:

I developed serious author-crushes this year. I always start falling in love with the books, then I follow the white rabbit to their blogs and voila, I almost feel like a stalker because I read everything they write, be it movie reviews, book reviews, writerly stuff, etc. These authors are only but a few I discovered this year and their blogs are awesome and well worth reading:

Jim C Hines, Sarah Rees Brennan, Justine Larbalestier, Diana Peterfreund, Karen Mahoney, and Patrick Rothfuss. Plus “old” favorites Meljean Brook and Nalini Singh . Gotta love the people who bring me so much joy!

2010 Books I REALLY want.

Where do I even start?

Highest on my Most Wanted list are A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner (I got the ARC! I got the ARC! Ahem), The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss, Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr, the next Sevenwaters book, Seer of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier, Demon Blood and the Iron Duke’s Steampunk series by Meljean Brook and The Demon’s Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan.

I also wait with baited breath for the next in the Princess Books by Jim C Hines, Red Hood’s Revenge , Forget You by Jennifer Echols, Tome of the Undergates by Sam Sykes, Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld, Lex Trent versus the Gods by Alex Bell, Prospero in Hell by L. Jagi Lamplighter and The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson…

plus anything by Nalini Singh, Julie James, Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Loretta Chase, Meredith Duran and Linnea Sinclair.

I also reserve the right to be caught by surprise by new-to-me and debut authors. There is nothing quite as amazing as finding new treasures!

2010 is looking like it’s going to be a mighty fine year for reading! I can’t wait!

THEA

I didn’t go through such a dramatic shift in reading habits as Ana as I was pretty varied to begin with, but I did read a whole lot more Young Adult this year – so that’s something! This year, I reviewed a grand total of 159 books (holy crapoly!!!!!). Of those 159 books, the most dominant genre was YA – a whopping total of 75 books reviewed were YA! I blame our YA month for the imbalance (and just in case you were wondering, of those 75 YA titles, 27 were SF, 20 were Fantasy, 11 were UF, and 11 were Horror, with the remaining 6 YA books historical/literature/graphic novels). Besides YA, I reviewed 21 Fantasy novels, 20 Urban Fantasy novels, 15 Horror titles, and a pitiful 8 Science Fiction titles (the remaining 20 books were a mix of literary fiction – mystery, thrillers, chick-lit, even 2 romance titles – and graphic novels/manga).

Pretty GD nuts, huh?

All that said, and without any further ado, here are my top 10 picks of the year…

Flood and Ark by Stephen Baxter

Review of Flood HERE; Review of Ark HERE.

I lucked out this year, as Flood was just released this fall in the US, and then shortly after Ark hit stores in the UK – and thanks to the good folks at Gollancz (and Ana in the UK), I was able to read both books in the duology within only a few short months of each other (whereas other poor folks here in the US have to wait until next year for Ark). And holy, holy crap – I’ve discovered a brand new MUST BUY author in Stephen Baxter. Flood, which tells the apocalypse by way of subterranean ocean leaking and flooding the Earth’s surface, was an awesome good novel and one I thoroughly enjoyed (even if it was a bit clinical and cut and dry). But Ark took the series to an entirely new level – it was flat out, knock my socks off fantastic, and the first (and only one of TWO books) I gave a perfect 10 rating to this year. Let me just put it this way – If I had to pick a single favorite book from 2009, it would be Stephen Baxter’s Ark.

Ark follows a group of talented young people as they try to get a spot on humanity’s last ditch effort to survive the floodwater apocalypse – through the creation of a spaceship that can travel at super-luminal speeds, in a search for an inhabitable planet elsewhere in the universe. Part military thriller, part exploration novel, and all around a compelling, haunting, and ultimately hopeful tale about the human will to survive, Ark is one damn fine book. I loved it. And I have proceeded to glom Stephen Baxter’s scifi backlist, thanks to this awesome duology.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Reviewed HERE.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth was probably my most anticipated, lusted-after book of 2009. I had been hankering for this book since way back in 2008, when I first caught wind of the synopsis, heard the lyrical title, and saw the gorgeous cover. And wouldn’t you know it, not only did The Forest of Hands and Teeth live up to my incredibly high expectations, but it surpassed them. PLUS, author Carrie Ryan is one of the coolest cats on the web. (That’s right, I just used the phrase “cool cat” – she’s THAT awesome)

The Forest of Hands and Teeth is about a village in the woods, surrounded on all sides by fences that keep the “unconsecrated” – or zombies – out, and the humans in. But one girl dares to dream of a future beyond the fences and the rules of her strict society, and when the fences inevitably fall, she has the strength to seek out life beyond in the forest of hands and teeth. I don’t think there are words to express my love for this grim, post-apocalyptic tale – it’s a zombie novel, but like the best works of zombie fiction, it’s not so much about the undead as it is about the living. I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. And its companion novel, The Dead-Tossed Waves is – you guessed it – my most anticipated novel of 2010.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed HERE.

Like the rest of the known universe, I was enamored with Catching Fire – in fact, I loved it even more than The Hunger Games, primarily because it finally showed me that Ms. Collins can create something new and compelling (The Hunger Games was a tad too much Battle Royale meets The Running Man meets The Long Walk for my tastes). I loved the action of this second book, I loved the government complications, the surge of rebellion in the districts of Panem, and most of all, I loved how Katniss grows in this book.

And….TEAM PEETA, for the win! I cannot wait for the third book this coming fall.

Slights by Kaaron Warren

Reviewed HERE.

As I said in my review of Slights, I don’t think I have the words to properly convey the sense of shock, of depravity, of total, awesome horror that Kaaron Warren’s debut novel from Angry Robot left me with. This is one of the most disturbing books I have read in a very long time – not since Mark Danielewski’s House of Leaves have I felt so unsettled (in the BEST way) by a book. Horrific, resonating, and profoundly sad, I loved Slights. This is horror at its absolute finest, and I wholeheartedly recommend Ms. Warren’s novel to all.

Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Reviewed HERE.

It was a close call between this novel and Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs for a spot on my top 10 – but ultimately, Magic Strikes won out because of the sheer scope of the book. In this third novel, heroine Kate Daniels goes through a LOT – she finds herself in an honest-to-goodness Arena, fighting off creatures decidedly outside the usual realm of shapeshifter/vampire/fey. The action is unparalleled, and Ms. Andrews just continues to get better with each subsequent book. I cannot wait for the next Daniels novel early next year – if it’s anything like Magic Strikes, I’ll be one happy camper.

Hunger by Michael Grant

Reviewed HERE

I started this outstanding series by Michael Grant this year, and loved both Gone (published in 2008) and Hunger immensely. Michael Grant’s FAYZ books, about a seaside California town whose inhabitants over the age of 14 all disappear one day, is the stuff Stephen King fans will salivate over. Part X-Men, part Lord of the Flies, sprinkled with a healthy dose of supernatural King-style terror, Hunger is a surprisingly gritty Young Adult novel. Don’t let the YA label fool you – there is nothing juvenile about this title. It is Grim, with a capital “G.” Heck, I loved Hunger more than I did Stephen King’s Under the Dome (a similar setup to Michael Grant’s FAYZ)! Recommended for fans of violent, dystopian style novels.

Naamah’s Kiss by Jacqueline Carey

Reviewed HERE.

It’s no secret that I am a Jacqueline Carey fangirl. The Kushiel’s Legacy books are among my favorites of All Time – if I’m stranded on a desert island, Kushiel’s Dart (or Kushiel’s Avatar) is coming with me. With Naamah’s Kiss, Ms. Carey returns to the world of Terre d’Ange, this time with a new heroine named Moirin, touched not by Kushiel but Naamah herself. Naamah’s Kiss has everything I have come to expect from Ms. Carey’s books – adventure, strong characters, breathtaking worldbuilding, love and sex, and prose so lush it makes you catch your breath in wonder. Ms. Carey takes Moirin to lands far beyond Terre d’Ange’s borders, to cultures different and familiar at the same time – and I loved every second of it. This is a no brainer for me – Naamah’s Kiss completely rocks.

Drood by Dan Simmons

Reviewed HERE.

As with Ms. Carey, it should come as no surprise that I am a huge Dan Simmons fangirl. His Hyperion cantos are among my favorite books of all time, and so when I learned he was releasing a new book this year, I was beside myself with giddiness. Drood is Simmons at his best – weaving intricate history with strong characters, solid plotting and an unmatched eye for detail. About Wilkie Collins and his jealousy and close friendship with Charles Dickens, Drood is part mystery, part horror, and captures the era and both authors flawlessly. Seriously, Dan Simmons is an author that does his homework. Another home run from Dan Simmons, as he proves again why he is one of the finest authors of ANY genre he chooses to write in.

Fire by Kristin Cashore

Reviewed HERE.

Another YA novel with the word “Fire” in the title! But seriously, Fire is a book that completely took me by surprise. I had the pleasure of reading both Graceling and this companion novel/prequel this year, and both blew me away. I loved the character of Fire, the world of “monsters” and their normal counterparts. Ms. Cashore’s second novel, in fact, appealed to me more than her debut novel did. Fire is YA Fantasy at its finest, evocative of Tamora Pierce. I love the strong heroines that she writes, and urge everyone – especially young girls dissatisfied with the wishy-washy Bellas of the YA literary landscape – to read her work.

Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier

Reviewed HERE.

Another no-brainer, favorite author of mine is Juliet Marillier, and her 2009 release of Heart’s Blood – a Celtic retelling of Beauty and the Beast – is another solid gold winner. Ms. Marillier, like Ms. Carey, is an author whose prose never fails to win me over. Lush, evocative, hauntingly beautiful, Heart’s Blood is no exception. I loved this smart, heartfelt retelling of a familiar fable.

Honorable Mentions (2009 Close Calls and Pre-2009 Published Favorites)

As the title suggests, this section is for favorite books read in 2009 – books that I loved but didn’t make the cut (barely), or would have made the cut if they were published this year.

I. 2009 Close Calls

I think I lucked out this year, as I read a number of really awesome memorable books. For organization’s sake, I’ve broken ‘em out by genre:

In the YA Genre, these 2009 close calls include: Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman, Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr, The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong, Forest Born by Shannon Hale, The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness, Rampant by Diana Peterfreund, Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison, Blood Promise by Richelle Mead, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines (a VERY narrow miss for my Top 10), and Going Bovine by Libba Bray.

In the Fantasy Genre: Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey, Jasmyn by Alex Bell, and Prospero Lost by L. Jagi Lamplighter top the list of 2009 published titles that I absolutely loved, but didn’t quite make the top 10.

In the UF Genre: Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs, Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire, Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs, and Deadtown by Nancy Holzner top my favorites. I didn’t read as much UF this year as in 2008, but the genre still holds a soft spot in my heart. Seanan McGuire and Nancy Holzner are two debut UF authors that managed to completely win me over with their first in a series books, and I eagerly await for more from them. And Patricia Briggs is Patricia Briggs – her writing is AMAZING.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Paranormal Romance Genre novel Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh, and Horror Genre novel Hater by David Moody. Both took me by surprise and managed to win me over, and are definitely recommended.

II. Pre-2009 Publication Faves

Leading the pre-2009 published favorites read this year is Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go – the only other book (besides Ark) that I gave a 10 rating to. This is literary fiction, yes, but also falls into the realm of science fiction, about mysterious “donors” and their upbringing in an english countryside boarding school. Mr. Ishiguro has won numerous awards for his literary efforts, and Never Let Me Go showed me why he is so worthy of those accolades. Please, for the love of pete, read the book before watching the movie adaptation coming out next year. Please.

Along with Never Let Me Go the lightbook Goth by Otsuichi would easily have made my top 10 list, had it been published in 2009. Goth tells the story of two teenage sociopaths in Japan, and is a truly chilling portrayal. Another title that easily would have cracked my top 10 was delightful gothic/regency/romance/fantasy novel The Magicians and Mrs. Quent by Galen Beckett. I hadn’t seen this book reviewed anywhere, but I was so very glad I took a chance on this title.

There were a slew of pre-2009 YA titles that I read and absolutely loved this year, so I’ll just list them quickly: The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale, the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld (Uglies, Pretties, and Specials), Genesis by Bernard Beckett, Exodus by Julie Bertagna, and Feed by M.T. Anderson. Also Wildwood Dancing and Cybelle’s Secret by Juliet Marillier were standout novels that deserve mention.

On the fantasy front, I also discovered the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson this year, which is one of the most inventive and original epic fantasy series’ I have read, period. There also was the beautiful The Orphan’s Tales: In the Night Garden by Catherynne Valente that blew me away. Finally, The Bell at Sealey Head by Patricia McKillip was another solid winner that I truly loved and wholeheartedly recommend.

Favorite Characters:

I didn’t discover anyone as lovely as Miles Vorkosigan or Amelia Peabody this year, but I did read a number of YA protagonists that totally won me over. Perhaps most winsome of them all are Todd and Viola from Patrick Ness’s incredible/awesome/insert superlative Chaos Walking series, The Knife of Never Letting Go and The Ask and the Answer. I love these two characters so very much; I root for them like no other pair that I can think of in an ongoing series. So, they get my vote!

New Authors:

2009 was another great year for new-to-me authors – topping the list has to be Diana Peterfreund, author of the excellent Secret Society Girl series (which I *will* get around to finishing soon) and the awesome Rampant, a new YA series about killer unicorns and the girls that slay them. Diana is not only a fabulous author, she’s also really friendly, she’s allowed us to bug her for interviews and guest posts, and she also shares the love for Christopher Pike. Another autobuy author I discovered this year is Brandon Sanderson – his Mistborn books blew me away, and his 2009 release, Warbreaker wasn’t too shabby either. He’s definitely an author I will be looking out for in the future.

Finally, there’s the ineffable Stephen Baxter. Man, I loved Ark with every fiber of my being – so much so that I am currently glomming his backlist (I just finished Moonseed which was also absofreakinglutely phenomenal – another one for the keeper shelf. Next up is Titan – I love me some apocalyptic-toned scifi!). This guy’s writing just does it for me.

2010 Books I Cannot Wait to Read:

Oh, the list is long indeed. I suppose I should set a reading goal for next year – and that is READ MORE SCIENCE FICTION. It’s a genre I love (hell, my favorite two books of 2009 were scifi titles), and there’s no excuse for my deficiency in this area. So, if there are any scifi titles you have to recommend, please let me know! I’m all ears.

Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness – The dramatic final novel in the Chaos Walking series. The Ask and the Answer kicked my ass – I cannot wait to see what Mr. Ness has in store for Todd and Viola in this third book.

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan – Given my big love for The Forest of Hands and Teeth this is – if you’ll pardon my lame puns – a no-brainer! Seriously, love Carrie Ryan’s writing, and cannot wait for this title. The covers are gorgeous too.

Lies by Michael Grant – Again, given my love for Gone and Hunger, it should come as no surprise that this third book in the planned 7 book series is on my most anticipated of 2010 list.

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs – Patricia Briggs freaking rules. Mercy Thompson is one of my favorite UF heroines for a reason, and I cannot wait for more of her in Silver Borne.

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews – Again, given my love for Magic Strikes this is an autobuy for me. Love Kate and Curran, and cannot wait to see where Ms. Andrews takes them next! (Although what is with these stupid “Guaranteed Good Read!” stickers on books? Who do publishers think they are fooling? They just look tacky)

The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss – I read The Name of the Wind this year as part of our “What She Said” feature, and I loved it. So, I, along with the rest of the fantasy reading world, will be anxiously hoping for The Wise Man’s Fear in 2010.

This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer – OMG. Probably my MOST highly anticipated book of 2010 – I *loved* with the force of a thousand suns the first two books in Ms. Pfeffer’s Moon Crush trilogy (Life as we Knew it and the dead and the gone were my two favorite reads of 2008), so I am on tenterhooks waiting for this third volume. EEEEEE! The cover gives me goosebumps.

Mr. Shivers by Robert Jackson Bennett – I have heard nothing but Good Things about this upcoming title, and hey, I even have an ARC. I cannot freaking wait to dive in. (Plus, I hate to be shallow, but how awesome is that cover??)

Horns by Joe Hill – I really, really enjoyed his debut novel Heart-Shaped Box, and being the son of Stephen King and all, I’m partial towards Mr. Hill. Horns looks to be a fantastic read, and I have high hopes. AND I have an ARC that I am just dying to start ripping through…

The Line by Teri Hall – Talk about BUZZ, this book is all over the blogosphere. The cover is gorgeous, the title mysterious and atmospheric, and the synopsis sounds like it’s a book right up Thea Alley. I cannot wait.

Black Magic Sanction and Early to Death, Early to Rise by Kim Harrison

I was a little bit disappointed with White Witch, Black Curse, the newest entry in Kim Harrison’s otherwise near-flawless The Hollows series. BUT, I still have high hopes for the next Rachel Morgan. And I absolutely loved Once Dead, Twice Shy, Ms. Harrison’s YA entry – and I eagerly await Madison Avery’s next novel.

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead – Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy books are among my favorite YA Vampire series’ – and given the number of YA Vampires out there, that’s saying a LOT. Forget the poorly written (and brain numbingly idiotic) Twilight, because it is all about Rose. And Adrian.

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong – The Summoning (book 1 in the Darkest Powers series) didn’t really wow me, but I was pleasantly surprised by The Awakening this year. Chloe and Derek are a wonderful couple, and I am eager to see where The Reckoning takes them.

Naamah’s Curse by Jacqueline Carey – Come on. Jacqueline Carey. Book 2 in Moirin’s story. No. Brainer.

Walking the Tree by Kaaron Warren – I loved Slights so very much, and was incredibly impressed with Kaaron Warren. So, it goes without saying that I will most certainly read her next book – which happens to be fantasy title, Walking the Tree, again from Angry Robot.

Prospero in Hell by L. Jagi Lamplighter – I was so delighted with Prospero Lost, and I wish everyone would run out and purchase it. Seriously, smart, funny, well-researched and impeccably written. THIS is Urban Fantasy like you’ve never seen it before – and I want more Miranda and Mab!

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson – The new Brandon Sanderson, first of a planned 10 book series, is an investment (both emotionally and economically). But it’s one I’m ready to make. Come on, The Way of Kings!

Eona: The Last Dragoneye by Alison Goodman – I loved Eon: Dragoneye reborn very, very much. Though there were predictable elements, it reminded me of all the things I loved in Tamora Pierce’s Alanna books and Lian Hearn’s Tales of the Otori. This is an action filled YA fantasy that took me by surprise, and has me impatiently waiting for the next book.

The Third book in Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series – Seriously. Is it October yet? I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS, DAMMIT!

Seer of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier – A new Sevenwaters book!!! I am going into paroxysms of glee!

And with that we, your Friendly Neighborhood Book Smugglers, bid you so long, farewell, au revoir, see you in 2010!

And be Excellent to Each Other, dudes!

As we hit (and passed) the half year mark AND our 18 month blog-o-versary (yay us!) , we decided to take a look at what we read so far this year and list our current favourites (Note: this is a work in progress, subject to be revised when the year ends) .

The verdict? 2009 has been a most awesome year for reading.

So here it goes: Ana and Thea’s Most Excellent (Half-Year Mark) Reads of 2009.

Ana’s List:

I kick start my list with the best of the best. Two fantasy books that knocked my socks-off and are hands down, two of the best books I read, ever. Unfortunately, they will not make my top 10 of 2009 because they were published some years ago but they do get Hors Concours Status. They are Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Mariellier and The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

Both books have amazing stories and amazing protagonists : the former is a take on The Six Swans fairytale and the second a Hero’s Quest and Coming of Age story that is equal parts epic fantasy and the satire of an epic fantasy. Abso-frickin’-lutely brilliant. Another thing that both have in common? The beautiful writing, to the point where reading these books felt like Reading Beauty (tm Kris) (thank you, Kris!) . I was so touched by The Name of The Wind that now I consider my reading and reviewing to be dated Pre-Patrick Rothfuss and Post-Patrick Rothfuss.

Now that I got Hors Concours out of the way, what else rocked my world?

Favourites of 2009 (so far) – (Published, read and reviewed in 2009) (in no particular order)

1.Scandal by Carolyn Jewel , 9, Historical Romance
2.Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh, 10, Paranormal Romance
3.Revealed by Kate Noble, 9, Historical Romance
4.Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr, 9 YA
5.The Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan, 8, YA
6.Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev, YA
7.Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh, 9, Paranormal Romance
8. What Happens in London by Julia Quinn, 8, Historical Romance
9. Bound by Your Touch by Meredith Duran, 8, Historical Romance
10. Don’t Tempt Me by Loretta Chase, 8, Historical Romance
11. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James, 8, Contemporary Romance
12. The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns by Elizabeth Leiknes, 8 , Fiction
13. Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre, 7, UF

Total of Books reviewed in 2009 so far: 58

Reviews By genre:

Romance: 26
Graphic Novel/Manga: 6
Fantasy: 8
Urban Fantasy: 8
YA: 6
Horror: 2
Sci-fi: 1
Fiction: 1

Reviews By rating:

10 Rated Books: 4
9 Rated Books: 4
8 Rated Books: 15
7 Rated Books: 16
6 Rated Books: 10
5 Rated Books: 4
4 Rated Books: 2
3 Rated Books: 0
2 Rated Books: 1
1 Rated Books:1
DNF: 1

Thea’s List:

I have to concur with Ana – thus far, 2009 has been a pretty good year for reading. (And hey, I’m always happy to see that my reading suggestions *cough*Sevenwaters*cough* make Ana happy)

Here’s my rundown, a little different than Ana’s as I’ve split my books into two lists: Honorable Mentions for 2009, and Favorites for 2009. I should also note that the books on this list are ONLY those which I have reviewed here on The Book Smugglers. I’m kinda a cheater in that I don’t always review the books I read (most notably for graphic novels/comics and some older books), so technically this is my “Books Reviewed in 2009″ list. With that in mind, here we go!

Favorites of 2009 (so far):

1. Namaah’s Kiss by Jacqueline Carey, 9, Fantasy
2. Slights by Kaaron Warren, 9, Horror
3. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, 9, YA (SF)
4. The Magicians and Mrs. Quent by Galen Beckett, 9, Fantasy (Classic)
5. Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews, 9, UF
6. Drood by Dan Simmons, 8, Mystery (Classic, Historical)
7. Goth by Otsuichi, 9, Horror (Lightbook)
8. Flood by Stephen Baxter, 8, SF (Apocalypse)
9. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs, 8, UF
10. Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman, 8, YA (Fantasy)
11. Fragile Eternity* by Melissa Marr, 9, YA (Fantasy)
12. Hunger by Michael Grant, 8, YA (Horror)

Honorable Mentions 2009:

1. Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey, 8, Fantasy (UF)
2. Jasmyn by Alex Bell, 8, Fantasy
3. Angels’ Blood* by Nalini Singh, 8, Romance (Paranormal)
4. In Her Name* by Michael Hicks, 8, Science Fiction (Fantasy)
5. Generation Dead by Daniel Waters, 8, YA (Horror)
6. Gone by Michael Grant, 8, YA (Horror)
7. Zombie Haiku* by Ryan Mecum, 7, Horror (Comedy)
8. Secret Society Girl by Diana Peterfreund, 7, Literary Fiction (Contemporary)

Total Books Reviewed in 2009: 58

Reviews By Genre:
Fantasy: 11
Horror: 6
Literary Fiction: 2
Mystery: 3
Romance: 3
Science Fiction: 3
Speculative Fiction: 2
Thriller: 1
Urban Fantasy: 10
Young Adult: 17

• Fantasy: 7
• Horror: 3
• SF (Speculative/Science Fiction): 5
• Urban Fantasy: 2

Reviews by Rating:
10 Rated Books: 0
9 Rated Books: 7
8 Rated Books: 20
7 Rated Books: 18
6 Rated Books: 10
5 Rated Books: 2
4 Rated Books: 1
3 Rated Books: 0
2 Rated Books: 0
1 Rated Books: 0
DNF: 1

Interesting Trends and Analysis:

Thea: I remarked to Ana in an email that before we’d taken the time to compile a database of all the books we had reviewed this year, I had no concept of how much romance Ana read! Even the UF/Fantasy titles have a romantic bend, which I suppose is rather dense of me (considering we are a Romance and Speculative Fiction reviewing blog). Still, it took me by surprise! Also interesting was how many Young Adult novels I have read this year! Of the staggering 17 YA titles I have read, all of them fall under the speculative fiction umbrella. Craziness! Urban Fantasy has taken a pretty significant decline in books I’ve read this year, with traditional fantasy and horror gaining a larger share. Verrrrry interesting.

Ana: I find it so interesting that this is how you see it Thea – I was surprised to see how little romance I read so far this year especially compared to last year! If you add the number of other genres , they surpass my romance reading. So, first interesting trend is that I am reading less romance and expanding to other genres. I had NO IDEA I had read 8 UF and I honestly thought I had read more YA. Verrrrrrry interesting indeed. I am curious to see how the rest of the year goes.

So there you have it! Our midway mark, best of 2009. What books are we missing out on? Which titles are your favorites for the year so far?