Call this the year of the audio book, at least for me. I took advantage of my work commute to get in a few extra books - especially those that I would be unlikely to sit down and read at home. Twenty six of the sixty books read were audio books. In addition to being pleased by the total number of books, I'm pleased that I finally read so many different classics of one sort or another. For those of you keeping track (i.e. just me) I now have only 751 books on my "to read" list. That's down 2 from the end of last year...

Edit: Spoke too soon. Just got a book in the mail (ordered it a mere 13 months ago...), so 752 books to read.

( The list )
 

58. And Another Thing... - Eoin Colfer

In "Mostly Harmless", the fifth book of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy trilogy, the book ends with all the main characters being killed when the Earth is blown up (for the second time). Eoin's jobin book six is to give the series a happy ending. It has been way to long since I read "Mostly Harmless" so I was glad for the mini summary presented in the beginning. Over all this is a fine book, but not a great one - mind you I don't think the last few HHG books were great either. He does a good job with the characters, but tries to take too many things too far (a stronger drink then the Gargle Blaster? A meaning creature the the Bugblatter Beast?)

59. Who Killed Amanda Palmer - Neil Gaiman

A few short stories, plus song lyrics woven around a collection of photos of the late Amanda Palmer.

60. Crazy Hair - Neil Gaiman

Lovely little children's book (ages 4-8) from Neil and Dave McKean
 

57. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

I hadn't realized going into this book that is was a YA book, but I figured it out pretty quickly. It is written with a very strong first person view, decent characters and an interesting world, though I'm not convinced it is a completely thought out as some reviewers seem to feel.
 

56. Four Freedoms - John Crowley

Set during WWII, Four Freedoms follows the lives of several men and women working at a bomber factory in Oklahoma. Good characters and engaging stories, but not really my cup of tea.
 

55. The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman *

Excellent end to the series. I really enjoyed both the story and the message (as I understand it).

54. The Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman *

Book two of the series - not as good as a stand alone story, but that is why I've got book three waiting for the ride home.

53. Northern Lights - Philip Pullman *
aka "The Golden Compass"

A full cast, unabridged audio book of a very good story :)
 

50. Unseen Academicals - Terry Pratchett

Yay! A return to Discworld. The main characters are new, but the supporting cast are the wizards of Unseen University. Fun with football :)

51. Heat Wave - Richard Castle

This was an interesting read. A mystery novel written by the main character from the TV show Castle. It was a nice little story - read like an episode of the show, though the characters in the book aren't exactly the characters from the show.

52. Catch-22 - Joseph Heller *

Another classic that my education failed to hit. (Admittedly, going into it I wasn't sure if I had read it or not, but I would remember it if I had) Funny and weird in just the right ways.

 

49. Saturn's Children - Charles Stross

Not a bad story, but I found the technology and world more interesting then the characters and plot.
 

48. Mother Night - Kurt Vonnegut *

Ok, this wasn't a light and cheerful novel, but it was excellent.