I achieved one of my goals for 2009. I read 50 books this year. Hurray! 50 might not sound like much, but if I read many more, I would have been cutting into my writing time. If I read many less… well, it would have been sad and probably stifled my creativity.
I’m declaring 2009 the year of historical romances. It seems like I’ve been reading hist-roms longer than that, but when I checked my GoodReads account, the first hist-rom I tried out was about this time last year. I loved it so much I decided to try other authors, and I discovered that I absolutely adore this subgenre. I’ve read on-line about how people are sick of the same tropes and sick of regencies, but I’m just now reading these types of books. They’re new to me and I love, love, love them!
I’m also declaring 2009 the year of Meredith Duran. All three of her books are in my top reads of the year. I’m so
jealous impressed with her writing. Like Linnea Sinclair, she’s one of those authors who make me feel so… I don’t know. Mundane maybe?
Anyway, here are the books I gave 5 stars to this year:

The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran
This was my first Meredith Duran book and my favorite.

Written On Your Skin by Meredith Duran
No, wait. This one was my favorite Duran book.

Bound by Your Touch by Meredith Duran
No, no! THIS one... Ugh. I can't make up my mind. All three are
awesome.
The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks
I don't often read big fantasy novels anymore. They take too long and I'm always afraid the authors going to over-describe things like Robert Jordan does or kill every character I love off like GRRM, but Brent Weeks' debut fantasy was brilliant.

If You Dare by Kresley Cole
I'm not too keen on Scottish romances for some reason. Not sure why because I haven't really read any of them. I decided to try this book because I love Cole's paranormals and I figured if anyone can make me love a Scottish romance, she could. And she did. A fabulous quick read.

Three Nights of Sin by Anne Mallory
I must have read good reviews of this book somewhere because I don't think I would have picked it up otherwise. The summary kind of bothered me because it really sounded like the heroine was selling herself to the hero in order to get his help to clear her brother's name. I doubt I could get into a book like that because I would detest the hero for abusing a woman like that, but this turned out to be an awesome read and, honestly, I think the summary was incredibly misleading.

Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
Another installment in the Mercy Thompson series. Just as great as all the others.

The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne
Love this author! She's one of my favorite historical romance writers now. Her other book, My Lord and Spymaster, was great too. I don't know why it's not on this list. *scratches head*

Shards of Honor by Louis McMaster-Bujold
This author's name kept coming up when I was searching for science fiction romance. I decided to give her a try even though it sounded like her books wouldn't have enough romance for me in them. I'm happy to say that I loved this book and look forward to reading the rest of them set in this universe.

Hope’s Folly by Linnea Sinclair
Ah, Linnea. My idol. Oh, how I love your books. You're currently my second favorite author. Yes, Meredith Duran has dethroned you, but I highly suspect you'll regain your position when your next book, Rebels & Lovers, is published.

Scandal by Carolyn Jewel
I read this one earlier this year, so it was amongst the first historical romances I tried out. I think this was the book that convinced me that, yes, I do love this genre. I didn't like her most recent book as much, but I'll definitely buy her next. And I'd really like to try her paranormal series, but I can never find the first book in the store. Grr.

The Lost Fleet series by Jack Campbell
I'm cheating on this one. The whole series is going on my Awesome List. This is military sci-fi, hardly any romance at all, and I love it! Not many books make me breathless as I read, but there are so much tension and excitement and close calls that I feel almost as stressed as the characters must. I'm putting off reading the next couple of books until Campbell finishes the series because I want to read the rest all in one sitting.

The Devil’s Due by Jenna Black
I'm still loving this series by Jenna Black. This book was good enough for 5 stars, but it was a close call because it felt kind of like filler to me. I think the next book is going to get back to the main story line. I hope!

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
The only YA book on my list. Sad, I know, but I don't read that much YA these days. When I do, I always get the itch to go back and revwrite my YA sci-fi. Anyway, I put off reading this book for nearly six months because I heard it had a cliffhangar ending. Uh, yeah. A terrible, excruciating cliffhangar ending. When I finished, I immediately went out to the book store and bought Blood Promise. And then - I'm so ashamed to admit this - I read the last chapter of Blood Promise first. I never do that! But I had to know! Now, I can't wait for the next Vampire Academy book which is supposed to be comming out in May, I think.