2013 Reading List
Since I'm my mother's son, I'm a list nerd. My brother, John, just posted his book recommendations of 2013, and I decided to follow suit. I find this especially interesting since John mostly reads nonfiction and I almost exclusively read fiction.
Using his notation, which is in turn modeled on Aaron Swartz's, books I highly recommend are in boldface.
Some observations:
I read 35 books this year, or a book every week and a half. Of those, 5 were rereads. I'm a little surprised I read so many books, considering I did my Leaving Cert. this year.Of those 35, I marked 17 with a star, indicating that I really enjoyed the book. I marked 2 with a minus sign, indicating that I finished the book wishing I hadn't wasted the time. As I've said before, I'm a little skeptical of my marking system; I think I might be biased into thinking I enjoyed books more so that I feel like I'm not often wasting my time.The list in full can be seen on my Reading Log. Highlights are below.Les Misérables, by Victor Hugo.
I haven't read too many of the classics, but this is one of my favorite books overall. You're most likely more familiar with the musical and/or movie versions, but the book is much better -- for one, there's more subtle drama and less comic relief. If you have a vague idea the story beforehand, I think you'll enjoy it all the more. Because it's so long, and because it's free, I recommend getting the Kindle version.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green and David Levithan.
I was ultimately underwhelmed by this. If you're looking for an introduction to John Green, check out The Fault in Our Stars and give this one a miss.
I bought this wondering if Dan Savage wrote well outside advice columns. He absolutely does. A poignant story that isn't saccharine.
How To Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie.
Underwhelmed. Could impart the same lessons in a quarter of the length.
Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow.
I read this first in the summer of 2008. I reread it this February, and I imagine if I reread it now it would be more culturally relevant still. Probably the closest thing we have to a contemporary 1984.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson.
Also a reread. Excellent thriller. Bring on an airplane, but don't bother reading the last two books in the series unless you really enjoyed this first book. As for me, it's a book about a journalist and a hacker -- how could I not love it?
Here's the Deal, by David Leonhardt.
I remember reading this and learning from it when I read it back in April, but I can't remember any of the wisdom imparted now in December. Make of that what you will.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane, by Neil Gaiman.
Excellent introduction to Neil Gaiman. Not too long, either.
The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Like John, I read Irish literature rather than what I call modern American classics like Gatsby, and, like him, I'm trying to rectify that now. As good as everyone tells you it is. Read before seeing the movie.
Close to the Knives, by David Wojnarowicz.
One of the first books I read for college. Thoroughly enjoyed. Read for an acerbic sense of New York in the 80s and 90s.
Washington Square, by Henry James.
Thoroughly enjoyed, also for class.
The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck.
Another of my American literature catch-up. Descriptions sharp, dialogue masterful, plot compelling.
Harry, A History: The True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon, by Melissa Anelli.
I don't remember if I overheard this being called 'the eighth Harry Potter book' or if I came up with the term myself, but if you went into mourning upon the release of Deathly Hallows, this is both an excellent continuation and summation of the love affair so many of my generation (and beyond) went through with Harry Potter.
The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger.
Another American literature catch-up. I enjoyed this, but I think I should reread it to get the full punch. I didn't like Holden, I don't know why so many of my high school friends did.
