105 Ways to Give a Book

Best Books of 2007 (So Far)

I was going to do this later, but now fricking Amazon messed me up. They sent me a little email of the Amazon Best Books of the Year...So Far, and I’m all like, “Hey, I did that last year!” Not that they know, or care, or that I have any sort of hold on the idea of making a best books list before the year is even up. Except that I still feel like it’s my idea, because I made a list of the kidlitosphere choices last year and I’m a little possessive like that.

So, want to do it again? We can consider it a public service towards next summer’s reading lists, and school librarians’ fall ordering, and just plain reading choices for people everywhere. If you want to join in, starting after Labor Day, post your “Best Books of 2007 (So Far)” in any or all of the categories: Picture Books, Early Elementary, Elementary, Middle School, High School. Mix in your nonfiction or graphic novels by the age categories. Narrow it down to five choices per category (I know it will be tough). My ultimate plan is to pull together the posts into one big list by the middle of September. Oh, and the books don’t have to be the most literary choices or the Caldecott contenders. They can be on your list because they made you laugh or cry (or were better than Cats) or proud to be an American, whatever.

Now, next week is Recommendations From Under the Radar, with many blogs highlighting books that were overlooked or underappreciated, so I certainly don’t want to see your 2007 Best Books then. That would be wrong. I wouldn’t even have mentioned the idea if Amazon hadn’t made me feel pressured. But after Labor Day, I’ll be looking for your lists.

Next week I’m on vacation, but I may be able to get in an overlooked book or two at the end of the week. Could happen.

11 comments:

Becky said...

Sounds like fun. I've always been a listmaker myself. :) By the way, I'll be hosting the Bookworms Carnival on my site, Reading With Becky, in January and the theme is Best of 2007. I'll love to have lots of people from the kidlitosphere participate :)

Anonymous said...

I will have to try and make a list -- I'm feeling a bit behind on reading this year, because my WIP is so research-intensive. Eep. Still, I've read some good stuff.

Sarah Miller said...

Ooh! I just did this last week or so. Lookit:

http://sarahmillerbooks.blogspot.com/2007/08/best-of-2007-so-far.html

Stacey Shubitz said...

What are all of these buttons about? Please teach me! :)

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm, sounds interesting. I might be in for Picture Books.

Bill said...

MR's trusty editor here -- the little buttons are quick-post links for various social networking services. Just a little attempt to make it easier to share posts around the blogosphere. We may alter the layout to be more of a pop-up list, but I just thought all the little buttons looked fun. Though I suspect the novelty will probably wear off at some point...

Bibliovore said...

I'm in! Since I've been taking a vacation from my blog, it'll be a good first post back.

Dewey said...

Hope you enjoy your vacation. :) I'm a big fan of the under the radar books, myself. Word of mouth is the best way to hear about books.

Gina Ruiz said...

I'll try and make a list but I've been behind on so many things. sigh.

Liz B said...

time to put the thinking cap on. you did inspire me to update my sidebar with my best books so far, now I just have to sort them out into categories.

Franki said...

Sounds great--I 'm in--a great idea. I'll start working and wait for official word!