Chris and Nymeth are responsible for bringing this one to my attention. Maybe I won’t be able to read five, but thinking of the five I would include inspired me to join up. Renay of Let’s Get Literate is hosting this one, and has set up the following guidelines:
Here are the rules Herding Cats II (April 1st, 2009 – December 31st, 2009):
1. Make a list of five books you love. Directions:
- Five. I’m as serious as a beached whale.
- All titles must be books you’ve read in 2007, 2008 or 2009.
- Please don’t list a series; just the first book. If you really want to list a book in the middle of a series, you can, but it has to be that specific book.
- Feel free to share why you’re putting the book on your list, because I am nosy.
2. Post your list:
- in your own journal, in the comments here, whatever is fine. Share the list here.
- Lists should be public (no locked entries, no logging in to view).
3. Browse the new book list. Stay a while. Read a few (eta: if you want; not even reading is required this time around if you don’t have time to commit to a new challenge but still want to share your favorites).
4. If you review your books, you can share the reviews. You know, if you want. No pressure. Definitely not.
The home page for this project is at http://www.echthroi.org/getliterate/herdingcats/ (or http://tinyurl.com/cdxk45). If you twitter, feel free to #herdcats over there. 
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I could go crazy trying to narrow the books I love down to five, so I’m just going to throw out the first five that come to mind:
- The Manual of Detection (Jedediah Berry) – Jedediah Berry had me wound around his little finger from page one of his debut novel. I hope lots and lots of people discover this one!
- Daughter of the Blood (Anne Bishop) – The first novel in the Black Jewels trilogy. The books in this series always make the top of my list(s) because they are just flat-out fantastic.
- New Amsterdam (Elizabeth Bear) – Remarkable atmosphere and well-drawn, memorable characters make this one not to be missed.
- Silent in the Grave (Deanna Raybourn) – I am a huge fan of Ms. Raybourn! Her Julia Grey books are unreasonably fantastic.
- Magic Lost, Trouble Found (Lisa Shearin) – Because I’ve been re-reading the first two books in this series as I (impatiently) wait for the third, The Trouble with Demons, which is coming out late April.
Daughter of the Blood! I’m so glad you picked that. If it had been 10 instead of five I probably would have too. And I’ve heard wonders about New Amsterdam…I’d love to read it for this challenge.