Best Books of 2009?

My google alerts for “Christina Berry” or “The Familiar Stranger” bring me little surprises every night. People are still reviewing the book, which means they are still reading the book, which means people are still buying the book, which means I’m a happy author!

One of the winners of my 61-day blog tour 20-book giveaway was Cafe Lily. See her review here.I think it’s great that she took the time to write a review not because she was obligated to do so, but just because she liked the book so much.

I’ve heard from one reader who will post her Top 10 Books of the Year list on Christmas. (Which I’ll be sure to link to.) The Familiar Stranger is making her list. Wow! How cool is that?

I love–and if you are a reader who doesn’t know about this yet, listen up!–the Christian Fiction Online Magazine. And guess whose book is one of the eight touring this month?

Therese Stenzel gave me permission to post this: (May it jump start your Christmas book buying!)

FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2009
Compiled by Therese Stenzel
Other books lists at www.theresestenzel.com
I polled a bunch of writers and asked what was the one book that they read this year that they can’t stop thinking about. I asked for all genres, secular, inspirational and this is the alphabetical list I compiled from their answers. Writers are very discriminating and know good writing when they see it so you can take this book list to the bookstore and know you are getting great fiction. Happy reading!
TOP SEVEN (These got multiple votes)
A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman x3
A Prisoner of Versailles by Golden Parsons x2
Symphony of Secrets by Sharon Hinck x2
The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry x2
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer & Annie Barrows X3
The Help by Kathryn Stockett x2
The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner x2
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon
Arena by Karen Hancock
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
A Vow to Cherish by Deborah Raney

Boneman’s Daughters by Ted Dekker

Cottonwood Whispers by Jennifer Erin Valent (I recommended this one!)
Danger at the Door by Michelle Sutton
Firebird by Kathy Tyers
Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee
Home Another Way by Christa Parrish
In the Shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett
Just Another Girl by Melody Carlson 
Love Finds You in Liberty Indiana by Melanie Dobson
Love’s Pursuit by Siri Mitchell
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
Raising Rain by Debbie Fuller Thomas
Scared by Tom Davis
So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones
Stand-In Groom by Kaye Dacus
Talking to the Dead by Bonnie Grove
The Apothecary’s Daughter by Julie Klassen
The Blue Enchantress by M.L. Tyndall

The Case Of The Bouncing Grandma by A.K. Arenz 

The Firstborn by Conlan Brown
The Passion of Mary Margaret by Lisa Samson
The Shack by William P. Young
The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffeneggar
Things Left Unspoken by Eva Marie Everson
Through the Fire by Shawn Grady
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Tribute by Nora Roberts
Try Dying by James Scott Bell
Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas
Ulterior Motives by Mark Andrew Olsen
Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen
Whispers on the Bayou by Mindy Starnes Clark
Zora & Nicky by Claudia Mair Burney

 

What were your favorite books of the year?

5 Responses to Best Books of 2009?

  1. Sally Bradley December 10, 2009 at 12:45 pm #

    Christina, I’ve mentioned your book to a number of fiction readers. It will probably make my top ten of ’09 as well.

    Hope it continues to do well!

  2. quietspirit December 10, 2009 at 12:51 pm #

    Christina:
    Thank you for posting this list.

  3. Lee Smith December 11, 2009 at 12:42 am #

    I’ll have to do a top 10 list as well (though it will be so hard to limit it to 10… maybe 15 or 20?). lol

    I have no doubt yours will make my list as well.

  4. Susan J. Reinhardt December 11, 2009 at 5:22 pm #

    Hi Christina –

    I loved your book. My mother loved your book. My mother’s friend loved your book. There – three votes.

    I’m not surprised at all that you made this list. 🙂

    Blessings,
    Susan

  5. Christina Berry December 12, 2009 at 10:05 pm #

    Sally, thank you! Of course you know how important word of mouth is and have used your power for good! 😉

    Quietspirit, lots of good options on here.

    Lee, you are too kind! Let me know when you post it and I’ll link up.

    Susan, I think good taste must run in your family! 😉