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| JLaw loves book lists, too! |
This year as I was reading the list, it felt like I'd read a LOT of the titles and I started to feel perhaps a little too pleased with myself. Then I actually counted the titles and it was only 16. Not to brag about my mad math skills or anything, but I can tell what percentage of 100 that those sixteen titles make without even using a calculator. In other words, 16 titles ain't squat for someone in my vocation (bookselling) or avocation (blogging, though avocation is putting it a bit strongly. okay, a LOT strongly).
Here are the titles in alphabetical order that I read, with nonfiction at the end. I conclude with two that I gave the ol' college try and just couldn't get anywhere with.
1. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
2. Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat
3. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena* by Anthony Marra
4. The Dinner by Herman Koch
5. The Goldfinch* by Donna Tartt
6. The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer
7. Longbourn by Jo Baker
8. The Lowland* by Jhumpa Lahiri
9. A Marker to Measure Drift* by Alexander Maksik
10. Schroder by Amity Gaige
11. The Son* by Philipp Meyer
12. The Two Hotel Francforts by David Leavitt
13. We Need New Names by Noviolet Bulawayo
14. The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud
15. Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink
16. My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor
*These books will likely make my personal Top Ten list for 2013, which I've clearly not compiled yet because, hello, I will be reading books in December, unlike The New York Times.
17. The End of the Point by Elizabeth Graver -- ugh, not for me
18. Someone by Alice McDermott -- ugh, really not for me
If I had to pick one title that I'm gobsmacked wasn't included on the list, I'd go with Ruth Ozeki's excellent novel, A Tale for the Time Being, which was one of the best books I've read this year. On the other hand, my favorite book this year, The Rosie Project, I am not at all surprised to see not make the cut. There are works of fiction on this list that I don't believe are worthy of inclusion, but I won't name them here because I *perhaps* have met these folks (or will meet them one day) and don't want to burn any bookselling bridges.
So what about you, dear reader? Check out this link and tell me which books you read, if any, and which books should have been included in your impeccable estimation!
I've read exactly one book off of that whole list (Maddaddam) which is basically about right since I never read newly released books- it just doesn't happen! I REALLY REALLY want to read The Goldfinch though!
ReplyDeleteBut you read Margaret Atwood, which to me says you can *totally* rest on your laurels because hey--it's Margaret Atwood!
DeleteREAD THE GOLDFINCH!
Also, this is something that publishers NEED to understand better. That there are thousands and thousands of readers out there who aren't reading new releases for the most part. Which is why it's so important to highlight "backlist" titles.
DeleteI am drawn to lists of every kind but I especially love book lists! I checked the link and was surprised at how few I had read - only four - then I remembered that many of them are not yet out in the UK. I read and loved numbers 1, 4 and 7 in your list. I also really enjoyed Dr Sleep. I'm always dubious about sequels but this one is superb. I know you don't like scary books so maybe this one is not for you but it is my top ten for this year. So far anyway, I am also reading throughout December.
ReplyDeleteOoh, definitely not Dr. Sleep for me, though I'd be pleased if somebody gave me a point by point summary of the book. That way I'd look more knowledgable about a genre I don't read AND I could satisfy my curiosity without getting scared!
DeleteOh,my. I've read two - The Goldfinch and The Signature of All Things. I have 4 others (2 fiction, 2 non-fiction) on my nightstand to read. Humph. I know I've read many outstanding books this year. White Dog Fell From The Sky belongs on that list.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I've decided that over what passes for a holiday break for me (i.e. December 25) I want to start reading The Signature of All Things.
DeleteYeah, White Dog Fell From the Sky is definitely an omission!
I have read one. ONE, EMILY. And it was The Goldfinch and yay The Goldfinch, but still. One.
ReplyDeleteWell, if you're only going to have read one, that is certainly the one to read. I think that book will stand tall 50 years from now among future readers.
DeleteIf you would like to feel better about your stats, I have read 0 books from this list. Whatever, NYTimes, you can't make me feel bad
ReplyDeleteREAD THE GOLDFINCH.
DeleteHahahaha! No feeling bad aloud.
DeleteAnd by "aloud," I clearly mean "allowed." UGH!
DeleteHaha I will not feel bad, quietly or aloud! And I will EVENTUALLY read the Goldfinch cos people with good taste keep saying good things about it. I'll just get around to long after NYTimes has come up with a new list.
DeleteNYT should do a list like this but for the last 5 or 10 years.
I've only read a five of the fiction and NON of the non-fiction (The Woman Upstairs, The Goldfinch, Maddaddam, The Interestings, and Life After Life), but I'm not all that surprised. There are a lot of books there that I *want* to read (have even purchased and/or have galleys of and/or have checked out from the library!), but SO many books and so little time, etc. etc. etc.
ReplyDeleteThe Goldfinch is one of my favorites of the year, though. And Life After Life (the Atkinson one, not the McCorkle one, which I haven't read).
Goldfish was so fantastic--I think it's going to top quite a few Best of 2013 lists.
DeleteI feel so bad for the books released in December... this is why I CAN'T write a "best of" list until at least 12/31.
ReplyDeleteAnd I read 0 on this list. I mean, I have a couple on my TBR, but haven't got to them yet. And a lot I've just never heard of.... BOOOOOOO NYT. They suck at bookish lists.
I'm impressed with your list of 16. Although I was disappointed you didn't love Graver's novel. It was on my holiday "to read" pile. But so is Lowland and you've inspired me to move it to top of nightstand stack!
ReplyDeleteI'm always late to the party with these kind of lists. I use the list to note books to add to my ever-increasing TBR list, and often I really do get to those titles....someday. What I love is finding little notepads and notebooks with all my lists of books (probably written down after I read a good review). Most of the time I eventually track down and read the book. My whole life is composed of little lists!
ReplyDelete16 is pretty impressive, especially since Goldfinch equals about three books. That's on my holiday reading list. I was sorry you didn't enjoy Elizabeth Graver's book. That was also on my list. Oh well - I can't wait to dive into Goldfinch - especially after just visiting NYC to see the painting on view at the Frick.
ReplyDeleteI kind of hate these lists. Because I've read only THE DINNER off that, and I have LIFE AFTER LIFE from the library, and it's increasingly clear to me that I will never in my lifetime read ALL THE BOOKS. *breathes into paper bag*
ReplyDeleteJust dropped in to wish you a very Happy New Year and say thank you for so many great book reviews and beautifully descriptive travel writing (with fabulous photos) over the past year.
ReplyDeleteI shall look forward to reading your blog throughout 2014.
Kind regards
Jan