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In the spirit of current year in review lists, I present my thirteen-year-old son Harry’s top-10 reads for 2009. Much like my own list, Harry has included books not actually published in 2009, but encountered by him in that time. Needless to say, I am busting with pride at the general excellence of his choices. I have left his words largely unedited; except for maybe two spelling mistakes and a few added links. Without further ado, I turn the reigns over to the boy…

My top ten favourite books of this year (including a few comics):

#10

Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney

The fascinating original saga is elegantly formed and intriguing to read. Which is why it is #10.

#9

Tyrant #4, Dreams and Bones, by Steve Bissette

A gritty walking with dinosaurs is the best way to describe Steve Bissette’s amazing Tyrant series. He was set up to do life-to-death of his character Tyrant; unfortunately he only got to when the character (a T-rex) hatches! The fantastic art and narration makes Dreams and Bones #9.

#8

Louis Riel, by Chester Brown

A comic biography of the controversial figure of Louis Riel, Chester Brown’s graphic novel is laid out in a strict 6 panel grid and a plain mid range view so as to suck readers in by story alone.

#7

The Penultimate Truth, by Philip K. Dick

I love the writing style and killer plot, even though I saw it coming, and enjoyed the book start to finish. ‘Nuff said.

#6

Assassin’s Apprentice, by Robin Hobb

A Tolkein-like high fantasy novel that’s completely original! A nice change from the typical, unoriginal Tolkein–like rip-off. The plot is different and interesting, the characters are believable and the fantasy aspect is original too!

#5

The Dying Earth, by Jack Vance

This book is really good and I enjoyed it immensely. It is also very, very weird. I think this has something to do with why I like it so much; the out-there wackiness of the whole thing is too crazy to not enjoy. It’s also well written on top of the crazy giant heads and eyeball robes and tentacled robots.

#4

Animal Farm, George Orwell

I liked this book a lot because of the fable-like style that loosely covers the dark fetid gloom of the story, a winning combination. It is well written and a crazy page-turner.

#3

I, Robot, by Isaac Asimov

This book is so amazingly clever. I couldn’t stop telling people about the problematic robots and the genius solutions that I probably got a little annoying, but it was all so clever! I kept thinking (after I read the problem and solution) that it was so obvious I should have thought of it, and yet I never predicted the story!

#2

Dune, by Frank Herbert

This book is amazing all the way through. It has incredible world building, character depth enough to drown in, and a fantastic plot. Dune is a book that is cool from start to finish. Read it!

#1

The Illustrated Man, by Ray Bradbury

An incredible collection of short stories, though a little depressing. Bradbury’s ability to plunge you into their emotions is amazing.

5 Runner-ups:

15 Saga of the Swamp Thing Volume 1, by Alan Moore

14 Little Brother, Cory Doctorow

13 The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman

12 The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde 2, adapted to comic form by P. Craig Russell

11 The Raven, Fine Press Edition, by Edgar Allen Poe