Top Five Nonfiction 2008

Choosing our top ten titles this year (Lynn's list / Cindy's list) was so hard. Even when I cheated and added an extra title many of our favorite books were still left out. So we decided to list our top five nonfiction titles too. These are chosen for their outstanding quality and are listed alphabetically by author. We’d love to hear what nonfiction books are your favorites!

Lynn: Top Five Nonfiction 2008

Fleischman, Sid. The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West. (HarperCollins/Greenwillow)
This fascinating look at Twain’s western years is delightful and packed with quotes from Twain. You won’t be able to resist reading large chunks of this to anyone nearby.

Fleming, Candace. The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary. (Random House)
In my Top Ten of the year, this inviting book is the perfect blend of impeccable research, interesting design and fascinating writing.

Freedman, Russell. Washington at Valley Forge. (Holiday House)
We all know Valley Forge was important but Freedman helps us really understand how and why. I couldn’t put this book down.

Nelson, Scott Reynolds. Ain’t Nothing But a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry. (National Geographic)
The librarian in me loves the beautifully explained research process but what I love best is the way this fascinating book reads like a mystery.

Stone, Tanya Lee. Sandy’s Circus: A Book about Alexander Calder. (Penguin/Viking)
This playful book perfectly captures Calder’s joyous spirit. If only all biographies could be so much fun!

Cindy: Top Five Nonfiction 2008

Fleischman, Sid. The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West (HarperCollins/Greenwillow)
In a perfect melding of author and subject, Fleischman’s writing is as spirited and sarcastic Twain’s, and this is just as entertaining as his previous Houdini biography.

Bishop, Nic. Frogs (Scholastic)
This book could easily be on my top picture book list as the photographs are so incredible and are integrated with the text beautifully. Fascinating frog information, attentive graphic design, and stunning photography combine for a remarkable read.

Greenberg, Jan. Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Through the Gates and Beyond (Roaring Brook)
A book that makes me long to witness their art in person. Beautiful bookmaking, too!

Nelson, Scott Reynolds. Ain’t Nothing but a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry (National Geographic)
A treat of a read that shows just how rewarding, mysterious and how much fun research can be. This is the kind of book that makes a librarian’s heart go pitter-pat!

Stone, Tanya Lee. Sandy’s Circus: A Story about Alexander Calder (Penguin/Viking)
Another book that could have been on my favorite picture book list, but I didn’t want to ignore the wonderful storytelling that illuminates Calder’s childhood and fits so well with the gorgeous artwork. If you need a graduation gift for an artistic student, this is it.

Lynn's 2008 Baker's Dozen

Why 13 titles? Everyone makes a top ten, and besides, Cindy and I can’t possibly narrow our favorites down that far, so we're giving you a Baker’s Dozen of 2008 favorites. Mine are here and Cindy's are in a separate post. Our first ten are selected on literary merit alone and are in alphabetic order by author. The extra three titles are some of our other favorites of the year, thrown in for free. Let us know what YOUR favorites are!

This was SO hard! Stay tuned for our Top Five Nonfiction and Top Five Picture Books coming soon.

Lynn's 2008 Baker's Dozen

Anderson, M.T. Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. II: Kingdom on the Waves (Candlewick)
Brilliant sequel to an equally brilliant first book. Challenging, thought provoking, emotional, memorable, searing – there just aren’t enough adjectives to describe how much I admire this book.

Dowd, Siobhan. Bog Child. (Random/David Fickling)
Dowd weaves multiple plot threads effortlessly in this beautifully crafted book.

Fleming, Candace. Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary. (Random)
The inviting scrapbook format is perfect for either browsing or immersion in the staggering amount of fascinating information about the time, the Civil War, the important issues as well as presenting admirably complete biographies of both the Lincolns.

Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. (HarperCollins)
Sweet despite real scariness, Gaiman’s story telling skills shine in this highly original tale.

Horvath, Polly. My One Hundred Adventures. (Random House/Schwartz & Wade)
Horvath’s luminous writing perfectly captures those first itchy feelings of adolescence.

Lanagan, Margo. Tender Morsels (Random House/Knopf)
Lanagan is one of the most original stylists writing today but this book also shines in other categories: extraordinary world-building, thematic depth and vibrant characters as well as fascinating play with fairy tale elements.

Lockhart, E. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (Hyperion)
Smart, funny and an oh-so-subtle exploration of gender/power struggles. Frankie is a terrific character!

Pratchett, Terry. Nation (HarperCollins)
I think this is Pratchett’s best ever. The humor and word play is still joyously present but this amazing book also features a remarkable setting, richly developed characters and beautifully explored themes.

Tharp, Tim. The Spectacular Now. (Random House)
Probably one of the best character studies I have ever read! Sutter will stay with me forever.

White, Ruth. Little Audrey. (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)
Smith, Hope Anita. Keeping the Night Watch. (Henry Holt)
I know this is cheating but I simply cannot chose between these two gorgeously written little gems. (It certainly IS cheating, but I'll let you get away with it since I loved them both too!--Cindy)

Lynn's three extras:
This was the year of fabulous page-turners and these three were pure pleasure for me to read!

Cashore, Kristin. Graceling. (Harcourt)
Collins, Suzanne. Hunger Games. (Scholastic)
Goodman, Alison. Eon: Dragoneye Reborn. (Penguin)

Cindy’s 2008 Baker’s Dozen

Why 13 titles? Everyone makes a top ten, and besides, Lynn and I can’t possibly narrow our favorites down that far, so we're giving you a Baker’s Dozen of 2008 favorites. Mine are here and Lynn's are in a separate post. Our first ten are selected on literary merit alone and are in alphabetic order by author. The extra three titles are some of our other favorites of the year, thrown in for free. Let us know what YOUR favorites are!

Cindy's 2008 Baker's Dozen

Anderson, M. T. Octavian Nothing: Traitor to a Nation: Vol. II: Kingdom on the Waves. (Candlewick)
Different than Pox Party, but with equally excellent storytelling, this sequel brilliantly concludes a duet that is destined to become a classic.

Collins, Suzanne. Hunger Games. (Scholastic)
A rip-roaring adventure with important themes to consider.

Dowd. Sioban. Bog Child. (Random House/David Fickling)
More proof that we lost this talented author too soon.

Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. (Harper Collins)
Exquisite storytelling that tells a creepy story but also illuminates the journey that prepares you to leave the safety of “home” to seek your fortune.

Green, John. Paper Towns. (Penguin/Dutton)
Are you a string, a blade of grass or a vessel? Quite possibly John’s best book yet.

Lanagan, Margo. Tender Morsels. (Random House/Knopf)
I just started this one, but am so sure that it will make my top ten, I’m putting it there now. I’ll own up if I change my mind after I finish.

Lockhart, E. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks. (Hyperion)
In a year full of fun female characters, Frankie is tops. This is a breakout book for Lockhart.

Pratchett, Terry. Nation. (Harper Collins)
If Jonathan Hunt admires a survival story, you know it is something special. This is.

Scott, Elizabeth. Living Dead Girl. (Simon & Schuster/Simon Pulse)
Painful to read, but a haunting and searingly honest story that won’t be forgotten.

White, Ruth. Little Audrey. (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)
I hadn’t read this until after I saw it on Booklist’s Top of the List Editor’s Choice list. It quickly moved firmly into a place on my list too.

Cindy's extra three:

Doctorow, Cory. Little Brother. (Tor)
I’m now a hacker librarian with my R3AD license plate, thanks to “w1n5t0n.” Loved the technology usage in this and the cautions about privacy.

Ness, Patrick. The Knife of Never Letting Go. (Candlewick)
Evil, pure evil…to leave a reader hanging so precipitously waiting for the sequel.

Scieszka, Jon. Knucklehead. (Penguin/Viking)
Everyone who reads this shares a funny childhood story with me. It doesn’t get any better than that.