BEST OF 2008 - which was your top bookclub book (and what was your Book of the Year overall)?

[TillyBookClub]

Tim Dowling or Jonathan Coe? To Kill a Mockingbird or The Ghost Road? Which of our Mumsnet Books of the Month did you enjoy most?

My top read was definitely To Kill a Mockingbird - I had forgotten what a fantastic story it is, and how inspiring. Second place would go to Agent ZigZag.

Outside of bookclub, the best book I read all year was another classic: As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning, by Laurie Lee. I am definitely channelling the golden oldies right now...

What were your favourites of the year?

[Cocodrillo]

I thought the Tim Dowling book was very funny, also enjoyed Fall on Your Knees.

Outside MN, Tana French's In the Woods was a good read, also Sadie Jones's Outcast.

[Cocodrillo]

I thought the Coe book was flimsy, but I know I'm in the minority there.

[foxinsocks]

can't remember if it was officially 2008 but the 'Notes From an Exhibition' (Patrick Gale) sticks in my mind (I read it in 2008 iyswim!).

Also Mother's Milk by Edward St Aubyn (have a feeling that also wasn't 2008 but I read it then)

[foxinsocks]

I love J Coe and I didn't get on with that one either (the rain before it falls).

Thinking back on it, that Edward St Aubyn book (Mother's Milk) is one of my faves of all time I reckon.

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

loved re reading to kill a mocking bird

too many others but i am thoroughly enjoying the mitford sisters

[TillyBookClub]

I agree, Mother's Milk was excellent. I can't remember if we actually did that as a bookclub book or not - there were so many ace reads that were up for vote that didn't win (like The Outcast).

[christmasteafortwo]

Less of a specific book more of a specific author...

T42 Stands outside of shed (Jesse from Fast Show style) "This year I have mostly been addicted to Wallace Stegner novels" - definately my personal joint overall winners for 2008!

As for the bookclub books - well I will have to wait and tell you next year because I have only just been brave enough to join in the bookclub and can't wait for January's "I capture the castle" discussion!

[BigGitLovesMulledWineDad]

I must get that if it rated so highly. I have just ordered Grapes of Wrath and another John Steinbeck book (the name of which escapes me right now)
I'll be interested to see what the result of this is.

[BigGitLovesMulledWineDad]

Oops I was talking about To Kill A Mockingbird.

[mygreatauntgriselda4christmas]

Our fave was A Thousand Splendid Suns (Khaled Hosseini)

Mother's Milk sounds great - must seek that out!

[BrieVinDeAlkaSeltzer]

School book club has to have been: Not Dead Enough. I inwardly turned my nose up at the choice, then read it in 24 hours.

Off my own bat, A Quiet Belief in Angels. Beautifully written and owes a lot to Steinbeck and Salinger, a little bit overwritten in places but a fantastic read.

[donnie]

the Reluctant Fundamentalist , on Chesil Beach and A Thousand Splendid Suns - my fave reads of the year.

[donnie]

I also finally got around to reading Donna Tartt's Secret History - which is excellent.

[jeminthecity]

Donnie- On Chesil Beach was fantastic- I just loved it. Just soooo....sad, poignant, unrequited, etc

[Kally]

My favourite book read was The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. can anyone suggest anything else in that 'religious and mystical vein?'

[FreeGeorgeJackson]

BEST BEST BEST

book all year was the "finest kindof englishw omanhood"
which i am pleased to note has been shortlsited for the costa new novel thing
i DID LOve ( from your book thing) the one about the hermaprhodited

cant remember name - was truly fab thanks all

[HarveysFurniture]

To kill a mockingbird was fantastic! I dont think that book will ever get old for me to rad... and it will never be irrelevent