Best Reads 2014
It was a great year of reading for me. One of my resolutions was to get back into reading lesbian fiction. While I was in graduate school, reading fiction fell down on the priority list. As a result I felt like I did not know the landscape of lesbian fiction. After this year, I still do not feel completely au courant, but I have a better sense of what is being published at the moment. I read Sarah Waters new book, The Paying Guest, and enjoyed it, but I didn’t put it on my list of Best Reads. It was fun, long, and pleasurable, but no a best. So without further ado, here are my best reads in 2014.
Fiction: Yabo by Alexis De Veaux and Moving Forward Sideways Like a Crab by Shani Mootoo.
I loved Yabo and so did my students in Theories of Feminisms. I think it is a novel worthy of having Firebrand Books on its spine. I think that Nancy Bereano published some of the best feminist fiction during the late 80s and 90s through Firebrand Books. Of course, maybe it is just that Redbone Press is now publishing some of the best fiction. Either way, go buy and read Yabo. You will be happy you did.
Shani Mootoo’s newest book, Moving Forward Sideways Like a Crab, is an extraordinary book by an author just coming into her full power. One of my favorite things about Mootoo’s writing is the large worlds that she creates with complex lesbian, gay, bi, and trans characters. Currently, Mootoo’s newest book is only available in Canada; order it from an independent bookseller and have it shipped to you now.
I also read Marilynne Robinson’s Lila, and it is a fine and beautiful book. It has gotten lots of ink so I am only mentioning it. It’s a brilliant book, read it along side books by lesbians and books published by small, independent publishers.
Poetry: Faithful and Virtuous Night by Louise Glück
Glück’s new book has received accolades, and I loved it. Deeply. I read it with awe and wonder, remembering why I love poetry. I highly commend it to you as one of the best reads of 2014.
Best classic feminist fiction: City of Hermits by Gina Covina
This is a feminist chestnut. Lots of copies available on used book websites. Covina’s book about lesbian-feminists in a post apocalyptic world is fun and delightful. Dust this one off from your shelves and enjoy.
Memoir: Cease by Lynette Loepkky
When is the last time you read a memoir about a lesbian relationship that was real, complex, thoughtful, and honest? It has probably been a while. Loepkky’s Cease is a wonderful book. Buy it and read it.
Essays: Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
Roxane Gay’s An Untamed State, her debut novel, was another great read of the year, but difficult and harrowing. Gay’s collection of essays was a joy. One of my favorites is here, but check out the full book for a pleasurable read.
Want to know more about what I am reading? Follow me on Goodreads! Right now I am reading Marc Solomon’s Winning Marriage in conversation with Jo Becker’s Forcing the Spring. Posting full commentary to Goodreads.
Filed under: lesbian, poetry Tagged: best reads of 2014, reading, top books
