Comments on: Best of Books 2008

By: Stefanie

Stefanie — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:47:21 +0000

Nice list! And under 30 is not bad, all tings considered!

By: seachanges

seachanges — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:11:46 +0000

What a lovely list – you’re well ahead of me managing to draw up your favourites. I also loved the Maggie O’Farrell and Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus. I’ll try and find some time over the next few weeks (I daren’t say days….) to get my list up. Whatever it looks like, I’ve greatly enjoyed your blog this year: keep going!

By: Courtney

Courtney — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:44:32 +0000

Oh, I LOVED The other side of you – wonderful, wonderful book. It was on my best list last year…

By: Dorothy W.

Dorothy W. — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:35:27 +0000

Interesting list! I have the Vickers novel on my shelves, and I’m excited to get to it (who knows though!). The others I’m less familiar with (I’m sure we have a copy of the Sayers around here somewhere though), and am glad to hear a little about them.

By: Litlove

Litlove — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:11:32 +0000

Ooh lots here that I loved too, including the Vickers and the O’Farrell. I thought both were fabulous. I’d like to read Purple Hibiscus, although I can’t see a spot appearing in the schedule any time soon. Still, it’s good to have long-term plans!

By: Pete

Pete — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:13:17 +0000

Verbivore – I’ll be interested to see what you make of Agaat. Just make sure you get the English version (excellently translated by Michiel Heyns I think). And now I’m wondering what the points of comparison will be with Gordimer. The Maggie O’ Farrell should be great too – enjoy.

Sarah – I think you’ll enjoy Purple Hibiscus and Toibin is always good (even when he’s depressing!) And I’m always interested to hear how other people experience SA fiction such as Agaat. I think people could be put off the experience because it so different in other countries. Hopefully not in this case.

By: adevotedreader

adevotedreader — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:07:38 +0000

I’ll be reading Agaat then as well Pete, as I’m sorry to say my SA reading hasn’t even extended to Coetzee and Gordimer!

I’m glad to see Purple Hibiscus and Nothers and Sons on your lidt, as they ‘re in my TBR pile.

I’d agree with you about The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, Breath and of course Gaudy Night. I’d recommend O’Farrell’s other novels, in each of which she creates convincing and affecting characters.

By: verbivore

verbivore — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:55:47 +0000

I am ordering Agaat right away today…now that I’ve finished my year of Gordimer, I am looking for other windows into South African history and experience. And I have a different Maggie O’Farrell waiting for me on the shelf, so am interested to try that one.
Thank you for the list – this is one of my favorite parts of end-of-the-year blogging.