This was meant to be part of December's Month of Faves but, as you may have noticed, December really got away from me blog wise. Still, it's always good to look back at the books that really made an impact in the past year.
FICTION:
Lincoln In The Bardo by George Saunders
News Of The World by Paulette Jules
Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout
The Changeling by Victor LaValle
The Martian by Andy Weir
The Bones of Paradise by Jonis Agee
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrente
The Talented Ribkins by Ladee Hubbard
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
Shrill by Lindy West
Notorious RBG by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik
Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell
An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken
We Were Eight Years In Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Victoria The Queen by Julia Baird
Epic Measures: One Doctor, Seven Billion Patients by Jeremy N Smith
Mr. Rosenblum Dreams In English by Natasha Solomon
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Ruby by Cynthia Bond
HONORABLE MENTION:
The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
Miss Burma by Charmaine Craig
What Is Not Your Is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi
Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford
Of my favorite fiction books, Lincoln In The Bardo and News Of The World really stood out; Bardo in no small part because of its unique writing style and News because of Jules' amazing characters. The most surprising books on my lists are The Martian because it always surprises me when I really like a sci-fi book and The Changeling because fantasy is so far out of my wheelhouse but LaValle completely sold me. The most creative book I read this year was Ella Minnow Pea; imagine trying to write a book using fewer and fewer letters from the alphabet.
I "read" far fewer audiobooks this year so there were far fewer to add to my best-of list. Miss Burma is a book that has really stayed with me, particularly given the recent events in what is now Myanmar. The book that by far and away made me the most uncomfortable was We Were Eight Years In Power. The book that made my heart hurt the most was An Exact Replica of A Figment Of My Imagination.
I need to give Lincoln in the Bardo another chance--I started it when I wasn't in the mood for innovative writing or a dark story. I loved News of the World--I hope Paulette Jules is working on another novel! I have got to get a copy of Victoria The Queen, especially since I'm about to start season 2 of Victoria.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2018
I've heard Lincoln in the Bardo is amazing in audio. I'm tempted to get it from audible. I want to read The Martian this year. I'm not much for science fiction but this one has caught my attention.
ReplyDeleteThe Changeling is on my must-read horror list this year. And I just picked up Pachinko on the Kindle. Looks like you had a great reading year. Here's to another year of reading!
ReplyDeleteGreat picks! I think I've only read The Martian here (which I enjoyed, too), but I have The Woman in Cabin 10 waiting on my TBR bookcase, and I want to read many of the others you've listed here.
ReplyDeleteI hope that 2018 is another great reading year for you - Happy New Year!
Sue
Book By Book
Why haven't I read Lincoln in the Bardo yet?? Will rectify that this year.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I spy several books that have made bookish awards lists too, which is always fun. My audiobook "reading" is down significantly this past year too. I miss it but still have to find time to work it into my routine.
ReplyDeleteI hope your 2018 reading is just as successful!
What a great list, Lisa! I never did get to News Of The World by Paulette Jules. My mom had loaned me her copy and everything. Perhaps I can add it to this year's books I want to get to. I wish I had more time to read--that would help a lot. I really enjoyed Amy Poehler's audio book too. I hope you have a wonderful year in reading, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteI have Lincoln in the Bardo on my phone for listening, but haven't gotten to it yet. I loved News of the World and fell in love with those characters! Such a good book! Pachinko and My Brilliant Friend are high on my list to try this year. So many books...
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