If you are a list lover and a book lover (OK, that would be me), The New York Times has now whittled down that list of 100 notable books to the top 10... They are posted right here. They will appear in the Dec. 9 print edition of the Times.
If you're like Brian Murray, and you don't need anybody telling you which books are good, jump in on the blog and let us know your own favorite books this year. (Take a look at Brian's snarky comment by clicking here.) If you're a wanderer, share the gems you've found this year while cruising through the stacks.
I lean toward autobiographies, "Little Heathens" is the one on the list I'm looking forward to.
Have you noticed how many of the popular political books, which constantly fill their nonfiction bestseller list, are noticeably missing from their list of the best? What? No Ann Coulter? I'm shocked. And where is Bill McEwen's book called "It's a Dry Heat." How good can a list be that leaves out Bill? Check out Bill's latest column by clicking here.
Maybe McEwen's book didn't make the list because no one's seen a copy -- I paid for it online on Nov 15 and still haven't seen anything in the mail.
In the age of Amazon.com 16+ days for delivery seems untenable.
My favorite books this year were mostly fiction:
1) The Maytrees by Annie Dillard
2) Suite Francaise by Irene Nemerovsky
3) The Keep by Jennifer Egan
4) Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl
5) Astrid & Veronika by Linda Olsson
6) Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose
Of course, I always read a smattering of literary magazines, and some of the best this year were from The Missouri Review, Tin House, The Believer, and McSweeney's.
I hate to say it, but the final 10 best books from the NYT are all male authors with male protagonists--something they've been criticized for in the past.
Long live books!
~C
http://www.cindywathen.com
There are many people out there that appreciate being given ideas of what books people are enjoying so the list is helpful to them . I don't read much because I just cant see the print that well anymore however the Bible is highly recommended.
Wow-a link to my snarky comments.This could be a major stepping stone.A list of personal favorites.The Bible(KJV)by God.Class of 1846 by Waugh-Journal of Ramblings by LeConte-James Herriot's Dog Stories-Autumn of War by Hanson-Farther than any Man by Dugar-The Green Mile by King-The Virginian by Wister-Smokey the Cowhorse by James-The DaVinci Code by Brown-Unfolding Beauty(Celebrating California Landscapes)by Various Authors.Reading a book is like taking a vacation-Go where you want and create your own experience.
Hey, Brian and Cindy, thanks for your lists. Books come out so fast and furiously, that good ones swoosh right by sometimes. I like recommendations from other people myself.
A friend of mine just recommended, with bells and whistles, Joel Osteen's "Your Best Life Now" and "Become a Better You". This is not something she would normally go for at all, but she said the first one surprised her at its substance. She and her husband are going through a rough patch and this has inspired them greatly.
Cindy -- I agree with you about the women authors... I asked an English teacher during an open house how many women writers were on his list of required readings and he was very uncomfortable. I think we should challenge these folks to engage their students with women writers.
It's especially motivating to the girls to have great writing role models. Of course, we adore the fantastic male writers, but we need some balance here.
"Moby Dick" just doesn't do it for everyone; and I'm sure Jane Austen isn't everyone's cup of Earl Grey, either. But literature students benefit from reading both.
Brian -- your list sounds great. "Unfolding Beauty" intrigues me since we are always looking for California-related books heavy into photography to give to our international friends who do not get a lot of practice with their English.
Gail, there are no pictures.The book is different selections written by various famous authors that include California's landscapes as a backdrop. When I travel to a place in CA, I try to read something on the areafrom the book.It seems to enrich the experience.Example: Before I went to Death Valley I read the piece by William Manly that described a struggle that gold seekers encountered in 1849 crossing the valley.It made it come alive when I visited.Check it out.