Reading is perhaps one of the most important things in a writer's life. I've had a very good year; my reading life has been rich and inspiring. Here are the books that simply enthralled me (in no particular order):
In fiction:
The Rehearsal, by Eleanor Catton
Tinkers, by Paul Harding
The Blind Contessa's New Machine, by Carey Wallace
The Little Stranger, by Sarah Waters
Curiosity, by Joan Thomas
Father of the Rain, by Lily King
Room, by Emma Donoghue
Blonde, by Joyce Carol Oates.
November 22, 1968, by Adam Braver
Out Stealing Horses, by Per Petterson
Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout
The Color of Lightning, by Paulette Jiles
Evening, by Susan Minot
Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel
A Reliable Wife, by Robert GoolrickIn non-fiction:
Lives like Loaded Guns, the story of Emily Dickinson and her family, by Lyndall Gordon
The Death of Donna Whalen, by Michael Winter — I know, this is usually called "fiction"
A Week at the Airport, by Alain De BottonThe mood, the beauty of the prose, the compelling insights: every single one of these books still linger with me. If my reading life is even half as good in 2011, I will consider myself lucky.
Happy holidays, all!
♥♥♥
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6 comments:
I already have ROOM and LITTLE STRANGER on my "To Read" list for next year. I will check out some of the others I haven't yet read. Great list!
Great list, thanks for posting it! From your fiction list, I'm pretty sure "Room" and "Wolf Hall" will also be on my Top Ten list for the year. I read "The Little Stranger" last year and found it intriguing; the others on your list I've yet to check out but will keep the recommendations in mind!
I haven't read any of your non-fiction list yet, but am intrigued. I'm glad you listed The Death of Donna Whalen in non-fiction since I think it is mistakenly categorized as fiction, but I do intend to read it based on the good things I've heard about it!
Thank you for sharing your picks. I can't wait to check some of them out. Merry Christmas, Sandra, and Happy New Year.
Count of losing sleep for both, Erika: they are that good!
Apologies for the erratic spacing in my post. Blogger drives me crazy! "What you see" is SO not "what you get." I'm looking forward to the transition to WordPress next year.
Trudy and Leah, thank you, and Happy Holidays to all!
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