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Jan. 2nd, 2010 03:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bonnefoisThis started as a shamelessly-borrowed-from-Zau best of for the year. However, in the end I couldn't bear to leave some off, even if they weren't the best literature around. So have My Favorites of the year.
Total books, btw: 283 books, though plenty of them were comics which I noted to keep track, and I was pretty much constantly listening to audiobooks.
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
A scientific vampire story, just ignore the film versions. It was at times gripping, thrilling, deeply intellectual and darkly ironic. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning listening to it (as it was an audiobook version) and loved most every minute of it.
Dubliners by James Joyce
I tend to be generally non-judgmental about people’s reading habits. I mean, personally I think a person should expand and not stick to only one genre, especially if that genre is chick lit or Oprah book choices. Still, this book was so vivid, gorgeous and such genius that I honestly think anyone who didn’t love it is a lost cause.
Neverwhere: The Author's Preferred Text by Neil Gaiman.
I don't think I can actually say anything about Neil Gaiman that everyone else has except that yes, he really is that good. The world building is fantastic. The characters are memorable – also, notable that Neil reads it himself on the audiobook and is one of the best readers ever. No, really. Not just because he has a Brit accent. He's does really spot on voices for the characters. The biggest problem I had with this book was it was so fucking fantastic that it was hard to move to other, less fantastic books and I had a huge stack to go through. All the time I was reading them, I could just think I could be reading Neverwhere again. I honestly wanted to get the book, and find some manner of getting the audiobook as well. Yes, I liked it that much.
Also of note, the Preferred Text version is the one to read as it kept in some of the jokes that were left out in the American version.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
I’m not sure if it’s truly fair to rate a reread as a ‘favorite’, but I found the second time around Life of Pi was just as deep, if not deeper and more enjoyable for the symbolism and motifs I caught. You know, I snark at bestsellers being largely bad, but this book mixes zoology, religion and survival in a way that is mythic, wise and with profoundly good storytelling. No, it isn't for everyone, but I found it to work perfectly for me. This is one of my desert island books. And not only because it might actually save me if I ever were trapped with a tiger (who might be just a metaphor for my own vicious nature!)
Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut
At times romantic, deeply ironic with dark humor, it is a startling look at the grey areas of the true meaning of good and evil. A lot of people recommend Slaughterhouse-Five, and it is good – but Mother Night is great and more overlooked than it should be.
The God Box by Alex Sanchez
You know, there is a giant meta I need to do about Why Christian Media Fails, but that's beside the point. So, this book drops some anvils – but Some Anvils Need To Be Dropped. It's a book about finding a way between being gay and Christian, two genres when tend to have more anvils than a Roadrunner cartoon, and yet I think Sanchez did a pretty damn good job of skating both ways and actually writing faith in a way which doesn't sound wooden, robotic and like something that no human would ever say. It's a very cute little story with very loveable characters, and a very unbiased way of looking at faith, sexuality, and the meeting of the two. Manuel is one of the best love interests I've ever encountered. Playful, a bit naughty, and supportive, and I spent the whole book wishing I could hug Paulo.
The Help by Katheryn Stockett
I was told this was supposedly "really good" from the librarian who had heard from another who had already listened to it, and it did in fact, turn out to be very good. There's some fantastic characterization in these characters, and the subject of racism in Jackson in the 60s is handled with a deft, yet subtle hand. It's little things, like that the strongest of the bunch is a battered woman, or that people are never demonized or painted simply in black and white.
Lady Susan / Emma / Mansfield Park / Persuasion by Jane Austen.
I'm going to put these together. I really like Austen, ok. There's been centuries of people loving Austen and pointing out how witty and clever she was, so I can't really add much. Nobody writes romance like Jane Austen. I just bosomclasp and sigh happily when it comes to the climax of her books. Yes, I'm a total romantic. Shut up.
Savvy by Ingrid Law.
This has some issues, it's a bit predictable, but it's YA and a first novel, so I'll let it slide. Anyways! This was an original, enjoyable universe that I really loved to be in. It was cute and sweet and I shipped Rocket/Bobbie (het!) like whoa, to say nothing of the other adorable characters. It was just a really happy and wonderful place there and I really want more from this author.
Gentlemen Of The Road by Michael Chabon
I went into this expecting a short, forgettable novella. What I got was a funny, well characterized, perfectly researched novella that while short, lacked nothing and was anything but forgettable. I cannot recommend this enough. Especially to Myaru. Whose reading list I want to hijack. Right now.
Almost Like Being In Love by Steve Kluger
Yeah, some cliches and he can't write children's voices very well and at times they all sound alike – but that means nothing in the face of how utterly adorable it is. Seriously. Flailingly adorable. Also, funny. So if you want a cute, fluffy and gay novel, this is totally for you. Also, it makes good use of an epistolary format.
Marcovaldo by Italo Calvino
My favorite of the Calvino I read this year. Funny, insightful with Calvino's trademark magic.
Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistlestop Café by Fannie Flagg
Amazing, unforgettable characters and great writing. This is one of the most beautiful f/f love stories I've ever read.
Ely & Naomi's No Kiss List by David Levithan & Rachel Crohn
I had some issues, with Naomi, but I included this if only because Ely/Bruce was adorable. Yes it's trashy and cliche at times... but still. Ely and Bruce were flailworthy adorable and that is exactly why it's here.
Of Love And Other Demons by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
My favorite of the Marquez I read this year. Tragic, beautiful and haunting.
Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami
My favorite of the Murakami I read this year. Totally relevant to my interests. There were lesbians, writers, and interesting fluid look at love, gender, sexuality and reality.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Sittenfield (Audio)
Another bestseller. Hmm! I really like the gothic genre, ok. And I'm not talking about angsty kids in black, unless they're Abby Normal. This was compulsively quotable with a great twist and I loved the atmosphere here.
Written On The Body by Jeanette Winterson
My favorite of the Winterson I read this year. Some of the prose was so beautiful I had to jot it down for later. It's original and breathtakingly beautiful.
Masks by Fumiko Enchi
The ending still haunts me to this day.
Brideshead Revisited by EvelynWaugh (audio)
This is a book that everyone needs to read sometime in their life. They also have to see the Miniseries. Seeing the movie is optional, but I'd youtube the Sebastian & Charles scenes and then listen to the score, which is amazing. But seriously, a great tale ofgay love friendship, religion and redemption. Waugh has a great prose style. I need to read more of his stuff.
The Pirates! Series by Defoe
This is one of my favorite new series. It's a silly AnachronismStew about Pirates! What's not to love?
The Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs
I could flail over this series all day. I really have yet to find another urban fantasy series which has the awesome characterization that this series does. Way too many fall into a gazillion love interests, a mary-sue character and bad writing. Mercy, however is a strong, yet balanced character who can hold her own without being a God Mode Sue.
Total books, btw: 283 books, though plenty of them were comics which I noted to keep track, and I was pretty much constantly listening to audiobooks.
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
A scientific vampire story, just ignore the film versions. It was at times gripping, thrilling, deeply intellectual and darkly ironic. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning listening to it (as it was an audiobook version) and loved most every minute of it.
Dubliners by James Joyce
I tend to be generally non-judgmental about people’s reading habits. I mean, personally I think a person should expand and not stick to only one genre, especially if that genre is chick lit or Oprah book choices. Still, this book was so vivid, gorgeous and such genius that I honestly think anyone who didn’t love it is a lost cause.
Neverwhere: The Author's Preferred Text by Neil Gaiman.
I don't think I can actually say anything about Neil Gaiman that everyone else has except that yes, he really is that good. The world building is fantastic. The characters are memorable – also, notable that Neil reads it himself on the audiobook and is one of the best readers ever. No, really. Not just because he has a Brit accent. He's does really spot on voices for the characters. The biggest problem I had with this book was it was so fucking fantastic that it was hard to move to other, less fantastic books and I had a huge stack to go through. All the time I was reading them, I could just think I could be reading Neverwhere again. I honestly wanted to get the book, and find some manner of getting the audiobook as well. Yes, I liked it that much.
Also of note, the Preferred Text version is the one to read as it kept in some of the jokes that were left out in the American version.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
I’m not sure if it’s truly fair to rate a reread as a ‘favorite’, but I found the second time around Life of Pi was just as deep, if not deeper and more enjoyable for the symbolism and motifs I caught. You know, I snark at bestsellers being largely bad, but this book mixes zoology, religion and survival in a way that is mythic, wise and with profoundly good storytelling. No, it isn't for everyone, but I found it to work perfectly for me. This is one of my desert island books. And not only because it might actually save me if I ever were trapped with a tiger (who might be just a metaphor for my own vicious nature!)
Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut
At times romantic, deeply ironic with dark humor, it is a startling look at the grey areas of the true meaning of good and evil. A lot of people recommend Slaughterhouse-Five, and it is good – but Mother Night is great and more overlooked than it should be.
The God Box by Alex Sanchez
You know, there is a giant meta I need to do about Why Christian Media Fails, but that's beside the point. So, this book drops some anvils – but Some Anvils Need To Be Dropped. It's a book about finding a way between being gay and Christian, two genres when tend to have more anvils than a Roadrunner cartoon, and yet I think Sanchez did a pretty damn good job of skating both ways and actually writing faith in a way which doesn't sound wooden, robotic and like something that no human would ever say. It's a very cute little story with very loveable characters, and a very unbiased way of looking at faith, sexuality, and the meeting of the two. Manuel is one of the best love interests I've ever encountered. Playful, a bit naughty, and supportive, and I spent the whole book wishing I could hug Paulo.
The Help by Katheryn Stockett
I was told this was supposedly "really good" from the librarian who had heard from another who had already listened to it, and it did in fact, turn out to be very good. There's some fantastic characterization in these characters, and the subject of racism in Jackson in the 60s is handled with a deft, yet subtle hand. It's little things, like that the strongest of the bunch is a battered woman, or that people are never demonized or painted simply in black and white.
Lady Susan / Emma / Mansfield Park / Persuasion by Jane Austen.
I'm going to put these together. I really like Austen, ok. There's been centuries of people loving Austen and pointing out how witty and clever she was, so I can't really add much. Nobody writes romance like Jane Austen. I just bosomclasp and sigh happily when it comes to the climax of her books. Yes, I'm a total romantic. Shut up.
Savvy by Ingrid Law.
This has some issues, it's a bit predictable, but it's YA and a first novel, so I'll let it slide. Anyways! This was an original, enjoyable universe that I really loved to be in. It was cute and sweet and I shipped Rocket/Bobbie (het!) like whoa, to say nothing of the other adorable characters. It was just a really happy and wonderful place there and I really want more from this author.
Gentlemen Of The Road by Michael Chabon
I went into this expecting a short, forgettable novella. What I got was a funny, well characterized, perfectly researched novella that while short, lacked nothing and was anything but forgettable. I cannot recommend this enough. Especially to Myaru. Whose reading list I want to hijack. Right now.
Almost Like Being In Love by Steve Kluger
Yeah, some cliches and he can't write children's voices very well and at times they all sound alike – but that means nothing in the face of how utterly adorable it is. Seriously. Flailingly adorable. Also, funny. So if you want a cute, fluffy and gay novel, this is totally for you. Also, it makes good use of an epistolary format.
Marcovaldo by Italo Calvino
My favorite of the Calvino I read this year. Funny, insightful with Calvino's trademark magic.
Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistlestop Café by Fannie Flagg
Amazing, unforgettable characters and great writing. This is one of the most beautiful f/f love stories I've ever read.
Ely & Naomi's No Kiss List by David Levithan & Rachel Crohn
I had some issues, with Naomi, but I included this if only because Ely/Bruce was adorable. Yes it's trashy and cliche at times... but still. Ely and Bruce were flailworthy adorable and that is exactly why it's here.
Of Love And Other Demons by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
My favorite of the Marquez I read this year. Tragic, beautiful and haunting.
Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami
My favorite of the Murakami I read this year. Totally relevant to my interests. There were lesbians, writers, and interesting fluid look at love, gender, sexuality and reality.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Sittenfield (Audio)
Another bestseller. Hmm! I really like the gothic genre, ok. And I'm not talking about angsty kids in black, unless they're Abby Normal. This was compulsively quotable with a great twist and I loved the atmosphere here.
Written On The Body by Jeanette Winterson
My favorite of the Winterson I read this year. Some of the prose was so beautiful I had to jot it down for later. It's original and breathtakingly beautiful.
Masks by Fumiko Enchi
The ending still haunts me to this day.
Brideshead Revisited by EvelynWaugh (audio)
This is a book that everyone needs to read sometime in their life. They also have to see the Miniseries. Seeing the movie is optional, but I'd youtube the Sebastian & Charles scenes and then listen to the score, which is amazing. But seriously, a great tale of
The Pirates! Series by Defoe
This is one of my favorite new series. It's a silly AnachronismStew about Pirates! What's not to love?
The Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs
I could flail over this series all day. I really have yet to find another urban fantasy series which has the awesome characterization that this series does. Way too many fall into a gazillion love interests, a mary-sue character and bad writing. Mercy, however is a strong, yet balanced character who can hold her own without being a God Mode Sue.
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no subject
Date: 2010-01-02 08:53 pm (UTC)I'm glad you liked "Written on the body", it's such an amazing book and I'm still stealing from it even today.
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Date: 2010-01-08 02:27 am (UTC)It was the first book I read that made me realize that someone could write like that and it could be published and celebrated. It made me really happy because I had to keep revising original stuff (or outright dropping) and going "this is too florid, it might work in poetry but not fiction.." I'm glad that there's a market for out~of~the~box things too!
no subject
Date: 2010-01-02 09:29 pm (UTC)Also you piqued my interest for Sputnik Sweetheart 8D