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1. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Long and rather boring. I was surprised this book actually won 2009's Man Booker Prize.
Rating: 3/5

2. Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall by Kazuo Ishiguro
Total disappointment. I cannot believe this book was actually written by my (ex)favourite writer, Kazuo Ishiguro. Although the stories remind me a little of The Unconsoled, they end up being completely absurd and devoid of interest. It was painful to read this book. What a shame.
Rating: 1.5/5

Alex wrote: "2. Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall by Kazuo Ishiguro
Total disappointment. ..."

Oh, Alex! That sounds so harsh! I'm sorry that your favorite writer is now an ex :( It's a sad day when that happens.

Well, here's hoping there's better stuff out there for you! :)

3. Ghostwritten by David Mitchell

This "novel" is based on a good idea, even though it's prose is rather irregular. Some parts are beatiful and poetical, while others seem to be just mere rambling. It is easy to see that Mitchell's got talent, but lacked maturity in this novel.

Rating: 3/5

4. Great Granny Webster by Caroline Blackwood
Wonderful book. This novella gives account of the history of England through the life of weird aristocratic characters. Although the story itself is not particularly interesting, I would like to read this book again in the near future. Lovely!

Rating: 4.5/5

5. We Think the World of You by J.R. Ackerley

This book is overwhelmingly poignant because of the constant yearning of an impossible happiness, yet, it is quite ironic when commenting on social issues, such as poverty and education. What i found most distressing about this story was the impossibility of true communication between humans.
I would really like to translate this book into Spanish. One of my best readings this year for sure.

Rating: 5/5

6. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

I had read this book when I was a teenager. Back then, I remember, I had thought this book was pretty funny. Now, years later, I finally had the opportunity to read this again and, although now I'm able to better understand all the references to Milton, Shakespeare, feminism, etc., I think the book is rather outdated and long. Although I still think it's a funny book--perfect for vacations--I no longer believe this is a masterpiece. I had a few good laughs, but after more than 300 pages of the same stuff over and over, it stopped being so funny.

Rating: 3/5

7. A Sorrow Beyond Dreams by Peter Handke

Very poignant but never melodramatic. I think I'm going to read it again one of these days, to take a closer look at his detached narrative.

Rating: 4/5

8. Thérèse Raquin by Émile Zola

Rating: 5/5

9. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

Rating: 4/5

10. Night Games: And Other Stories and Novellas by Arthur Schnitzler

Rating: 5/5

11. Women As Lovers by Elfriede Jelinek

A love story à la Jelinek.

Rating: 5/5

12. Howards End by E.M. Forster

Fascinating. I can say that this is definitely one of my favourite books this year and will be for a long time. I will have to read this novel again and again, and let it grow in me.

Rating: 5/5

13. The Flight of Icarus by Raymond Queneau

Funny, but not exactly what I expected. I don't think I will ever read this book again, although it wasn't that bad. I think it is just not so relevant anymore.

Rating: 3/5

14. The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan

Dark and uncanny.

Rating: 5/5

15. Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice

I only read this terrible book because it was in the list of the 1001 book you must die before you die. And boy, was it a near death experience.

Obnoxious, conceited, irrelevant and melodramatic. A total waste of time. Possibly the worst book I've read this year.

Rating: 0.5/5

Thank God!! I thought I was the only one!!

16. The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood

It was difficult for me to get started with this book. But at the end I just loved it.

Rating: 4/5

17. A Crown of Feathers by Isaac Bashevis Singer

Some of the short stories were simply great, but others were terribly boring and pointless.

Rating: 2.5/5

18. Hideous Kinky by Esther Freud

I really liked this little, poignant book. Although it was not what I was expecting, it was a really nice story. Maybe I will read it again in a few years.

Rating: 3.5/5

19. The Blue Door by André P. Brink

I loved this book. I think I'm going to translate it and use it as my thesis for college!

Rating: 4.5/5

20. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Incredible. Bleak and poignant, it helped me to understand and to put name to many things I'm going through.

Rating: 5/5

21. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Wonderful. Bizarre.

Rating: 4.5/5

22. The Wasp Factory by Iain M. Banks

It went very good until the last chapter, a pseudo-psychoanalytic explanation of the novel that was utterly unbelievable and disappointing. What a shame.

Rating: 3/5

Alex wrote: "15. Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice

I only read this terrible book because it was in the list of the 1001 book you m..."

I hated this, too!

Now, another book from the 1001 list. This time it really exceeded my expectations.

23. Solaris by Stanisław Lem

Incredible. Although sometimes the style was a little bit awkward, generally speaking it was amazing. The philosophical and psychoanalytic implications of the story are quite interesting. I think I'm going to read it again soon.

Rating: 4/5

24. The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner by Alan Sillitoe

Really liked it. I had already read the first story that gives title to the book, and I am happy I have read the rest. Sad, angry stories.

Rating: 4/5

It was a good year for reading. Unfortunately I was not able to complete the challenge this year. Let's see if next year I can read at least 50 books.