The year isn’t over yet, but in early July Amazon posted their “top 10 books of the year . . . so far” in several categories. This got me wondering: what are my top 10 books of the year so far? In no particular order, some favorite new books from the year. Links will take you to the BookPage review.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Not exactly an original choice, but there’s a reason for the good word-of-mouth on this novel. Tremendously moving and unexpected.
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. Like Henry James in Turn of the Screw, Waters leaves the “poltergeist or disturbed protagonist” decision up to the reader, but draws a compelling portrait of Britain’s changing class system after World War II.
The Believers by Zoe Heller. Though this one wasn’t as much of a page-turner as Notes on a Scandal, I appreciate a writer who’s not afraid to make her characters less than likeable. Plus, I envy her Bahamas/NYC lifestyle!
Shelf Discovery by Lizzie Skurnick. Perusing this collection of essays dedicated to the teen reads of my childhood was a fun trip down memory lane. It will be especially enjoyed by anyone in the 25-35 age range.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I know this isn’t on sale yet. Does it make you feel better to know that I’m still in a state of anticipation — this time for book #3? Sequels are often disappointing, but this one lives up to the standard set by The Hunger Games. (Watch for our interview with Collins in the September issue.)
A Day and a Night and a Day by Glen Duncan. I’d never heard of this British writer before galleys of Day crossed my desk, but I’m now on the lookout for his earlier works.
A Short History of Women by Kate Walbert. The lives of four generations of women are captured in just 300-0dd pages that have the heft of a much bigger book. It reminded me in some ways of The Stone Diaries, which I just read (and loved).
Little Bee by Chris Cleave. A talked-up novel that deserved the buzz it got, Cleave’s portrait of a Nigerian refugee with a startling connection to a well-to-do British woman and her husband is a moving, honest story of immigrant life and the ties that bind us all.
A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg. I’ve long read and loved Wizenberg’s blog, Orangette. Her memoir is written in the same friendly voice, but goes deeper into the stories behind the recipes. It is heartfelt, but not sentimental, and told with honesty — so I’ll be completely honest here and admit to staying up too late to read the whole book in one gulp and actually wiping tears more than once.
My Abandonment by Peter Rock. This novel about father-daughter survivalists who live off the grid was inspired by a true story and takes an unexpected turn.
What’s your top 10?
Sad to admit it, but I haven’t read enough 2009 titles to compile a Top Ten list… yet! I still have 4 months, right? Your list great though, and includes a bunch of things I would like to read. And of course A Short History of Women will make my list! I’d also add Big Machine by Victor Lavalle, and A Brief History of Angels by R.J. Ellory.
Thanks Steph! I haven’t read as many 2009 books as I normally would have at this point, since I’m not doing fiction anymore, but these are all worth a look.
I agree about Little Bee – it makes my top 10 this year as well. Some others that I’ve really enjoyed in 2009 (not necessarily published this year) are:
- People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Shaffer and Barrows
- The Lost Men by Kelly Tyler
- The Secret Keeper by Paul Harris
- The Last Queen by CW Gortner
- Golden Boy by Martin Booth
Some of your books are already on my TBR list, like The Help. And I’d not heard of The Little Stranger but it is going on my list now.
If I had done books read this year but not published this year, it would have been a slightly different list. I loved People of the Book and Guernsey as well but will have to check out the others!
Wow, Trisha. I’ve only read ONE of your favorite books of the year! (The Help)
Well, it’s hard to read new books when you’re on a book-buying moratorium.
My favorites were:
The Angel’s Game and Shadow of the Wind
Hot House Flowers
The Gold Coast and the sequel(Iron’s Gate?)
Wildflower- (really loved this one)
Tigers Heart
Something about St Tropez
Follow me
That is all for me this year.
I loved SHADOW but found ANGEL’S GAME kind of disappointing, which is why it didn’t make my list. How did it compare for you?
Although I find this website pretty narrow in scope, I would add a couple of books that aren’t displayed through title searches:
THE NOTICER by Andy Andrews is an inspirational, down to earth commentary on seeing our difficulties from a different point of view. This along with Mr. Andrews previous work THE TRAVELER’S GIFT are two of the finest books I have read in year’s. Finally, THE WELL AND THE MINE, Gin Phillips, is an excellent “turn back the clock” look at southern living.
I’m reading “The Help” now. I can see it’s appeal for book clubs. “Little Bee” was a mixed bag for me. I think the author put his focus on getting the character of Little Bee just right. But the other characters, especially the boy (batman) was so annoying. “Is you a baddie?” Bleh.
My “Best of 2009″ list:
- The Other Lands (David Anthony Durham)
- American Rust (Philipp Meyer)
- The Way Home (George Pelecanos)
- The Confederate General Rides North (Amanda C. Gable)
- Before I Forget (Leonard Pitts)
- I Can See Clearly Now (Brendan Halpin)
- Dismantled (Jennifer McMahon)
- Addition (Toni Jordan)
- This Is Where I Leave You (Jonathan Tropper)
- Labor Day (Joyce Maynard)
Oops – should’ve included The Year of the Flood (Margaret Atwood). I am currently reading it, but I can tell already it’s making the cut.