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'Best of 2013' Articles and Lists
Imagine being scolded for missing an author event! I hope you don't miss anything while you're in NY. Or perhaps you may actually run across an author appearance there. Though around the holidays there may be fewer because shopping is prioritized.
They were only trying to protect poor Allan. They just probably knew his preferences like we do.
Stoner is Julian Barnes' book of the year.http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...
I'm definitely going to buy this book, either in USA or with my Secret Santa voucher, I think! :)
Allan - get it in the US. Both The Book Depository and Kennys are out of stock!
Barbara, I know there's a copy in No Alibis, which is where I'm going to spend my voucher if I can, but if I see a reasonably priced copy in Barnes and Noble Union Square, it'll be top of my 'to buy' list! :)On another note, it's interesting to see so many of the books that our group members have loved this year make the Bookriot poll's Books of the Year.
I think I'll have to get round to reading it myself, Allan. It's turning up everywhere and I'm only hearing good things.
Allan wrote: "Barbara, I know there's a copy in No Alibis, which is where I'm going to spend my voucher if I can, but if I see a reasonably priced copy in Barnes and Noble Union Square, it'll be top of my 'to bu..."BN in Union Square reportedly has it.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/book...
The fuss over the book is in the international markets as it was republished here in 2007 (maybe that means to the US market it's old news)
http://www.themillions.com/2013/06/a-...
But Julian Barne's review will certainly get some attention over here.
Just thought I'd share this. Thought it had a very interesting non fiction list. The fiction seems to be the same picks on everyone's lists but the non fiction mentioned a few I hadn't heard of.http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles...
I saw that my local bookshop had a copy of Stoner displayed along with several other of the NYRB Classics. It was a really nice display--the book covers are gorgeous.
Barbara wrote: "Allan wrote: "Barbara, I know there's a copy in No Alibis, which is where I'm going to spend my voucher if I can, but if I see a reasonably priced copy in Barnes and Noble Union Square, it'll be to..."What a fascinating article, Barbara. Thanks for posting. I've read Anna Gavalda's short stories, and they were superb, so it's really interesting to see how many writers have found Stoner to be a perfect novel.
@Seraphina. I'll have to have a better look at that list when I get home. I haven't heard of a single one of those non-fiction books. I'll need to give it a proper vetting.
@Cathleen. I think I'm going to have to read Stoner, soon, in the New Year. It's everywhere.
@Cathleen. I think I'm going to have to read Stoner, soon, in the New Year. It's everywhere.
Declan wrote: "@Seraphina. I'll have to have a better look at that list when I get home. I haven't heard of a single one of those non-fiction books. I'll need to give it a proper vetting.@Cathleen. I think I'm ..."
It might be a good nomination for a monthly read. It sounds like the kind of book that would generate discussion.
I think it would be an excellent choice for a monthly read, Cathleen. The nomination thread will be up in a few hours.
Seraphina wrote: "Just thought I'd share this. Thought it had a very interesting non fiction list. The fiction seems to be the same picks on everyone's lists but the non fiction mentioned a few I hadn't heard of.ht..."
Seraphina - I added 2 of the non-fiction titles to my "to read" list!
Ya I think I'll be reading a couple myself. Non fiction would be my favourite genre so there seems to be a couple I think would be good
An interesting 'best of' list for 2013, including a few books of which I'd never heard, but may now check out!http://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.co...
Allan wrote: "An interesting 'best of' list for 2013, including a few books of which I'd never heard, but may now check out!
http://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.co..."
I'm keen to see if The Semplica Girl Diaries lives up to the recommendation. I'm a bit sceptical as to whether it will or not.
Thanks for the share, Allan. (Only one review was included in that link, btw.)
http://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.co..."
I'm keen to see if The Semplica Girl Diaries lives up to the recommendation. I'm a bit sceptical as to whether it will or not.
Thanks for the share, Allan. (Only one review was included in that link, btw.)
Allan wrote: "D'oh! Here's the correct one!http://www.thenewdorkreviewofbooks.co..."
Great list - I held off adding a few to my "to read" list but I know if other friends on GR add them, I am likely to do the same:
& Sons
The Constellation of Vital Phenomenon
Barbara-I listened to the audiobook of & Sons, and while I wasn't blown away by it, it was a good listen. I've got The Constellation of Vital Phenomenon in my Amazon basket as well, and may well purchase it with my vouchers that I've received this Christmas.Jamielynn-I still haven't managed to read The Secret History, but I'd definitely recommend The Goldfinch. I've actually bought 4 copies of the book now, giving some as gifts to friends this Christmas!
Thriller writer, Sophie Hannah's top 10 page turners, if anyone's interested! :)http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...
Nancy Purl is on NPR with a list of older books that are must reads. At the top of her list is The Cold Cold Ground by Adrian mcKinty. I'll link the interview later when it's available.
Barbara wrote: "Nancy Purl is on NPR with a list of older books that are must reads. At the top of her list is The Cold Cold Ground by Adrian mcKinty. I'll link the interview later when it's available."I love listening to her interviews. She seems to read everything, and she's not a book snob. I really enjoy how she seems to know the perfect book for any one described. Based on her recommendation, I'll put Adrian McKinty's book on my tbr list, too.
Mod
Thanks, Barbara, for the info about the NPR show!Barbara knows, because I previously commented on her review of the book, but McKinty's novel is set in not only the town, but primarily the neighbourhood, where I grew up, which is completely bizarre for me, because it's the most non descript place you could imagine! McKinty grew up in the same area, albeit slightly before my time. Indeed, on first reading the book last year, I thought that the primary character lived in a house my dad owns as a rental property, but it turned out that my dad's house was 13 as opposed to 113 Coronation Road, a house that belonged to McKinty's grandparents while he was growing up. I still frequently walk the dog around the area, but thankfully it's not as war torn as McKinty makes it out to be!
I know McKinty is already pretty successful stateside, but it's great to see him getting even more positive feedback for a book I thoroughly enjoyed!
Here's the link to todays list by Nancy Pearl. I wrote Purl as I have knitting on the brain (you know knit/purl).http://www.npr.org/2013/12/27/2554487...
She did get it wrong kind of when she said it was set in Belfast - but that's forgiveable as it moves back and forth between Carrickfergus and Belfast.
I missed your earlier post of her review.
I see Book 2 in the trilogy is only $3.66 on Kindle so that is probably the way to go on that one.
Thanks for the link, Barbara. I was referring to your review of the book btw, as opposed to Purl's, when talking about my comments Considering there are only 10 miles between the two places, I will forgive her as well for her geographical inaccuracies lol. As regards the second book, I read an extract of it at the end of the first one, and was quite annoyed by the fact that McKinty seemed to have hammed up the setting even more, and moved Coronation Road to Belfast-as a result, I didn't buy it on release. I might check it out if I see it in the shops though, to see if it was edited any from what was published at that time.
What! He moved the road to Belfast!!! Or did the character move because his doctor girlfriend didn't want to live on Coronation Rd - which she said in Book 1.I bought the Kindle edition and also got Dead I May Be on Kobo for $1.99 - one of his set in NYC.
Ok Allan - it's time for you to get moving for your evening events.
Sara wrote: "Nancy Pearl does a series of books recommending other books that are supposed to be really good, but I haven't gotten around to any of them yet. Books about books are my kryptonite though, because..."Sara and Cathleen - I listened to the audiobook narrated by Gerard Doyle who is really top knotch.
And a few drinks in, apparently my grandparents and my mum etc lived at 110 Coronation Road! My uncle has just purchased on kindle...!
Barbara wrote: "Here's the link to todays list by Nancy Pearl. I wrote Purl as I have knitting on the brain (you know knit/purl).http://www.npr.org/2013/12/27/2554487......"
Thanks for that info, Barbara. I'll look for it.
Seeing as we're only 3 days from the end of the year, I'd share my own personal 'best of' reading list from 2013. These books weren't all released this year, but I read them for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed them during the last 12 months. I originally was going to compile a Top 10 out of the 101 I've read, but ended up with 15. So...drum roll please....here they are in order of reading... :)The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay -Michael Chabon
HHhH -Laurent Binet
Triburbia - Karl Taro Greenfeld
Strumpet City - James Plunkett
East of Eden - John Steinbeck
Telegraph Avenue - Michael Chabon
Transatlantic - Colum McCann
The Son - Phillip Meyer
The Spinning Heart - Donal Ryan
The Effect of Her - Gerard Stembridge
My Traitor - Sol Chalandon
Return to Killybegs - Sol Chalandon
Dissident Gardens - Jonathan Lethem
The Street Sweeper - Elliot Perlman
The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt
I'd be really interested to read other group members' personal favourites from the year, from which no doubt I'll be able to pick up recommendations for 2014! :)
Allan- Love your list!Here's mine. I forced myself to pare it down to 10:)
Eureka Street by Robert McLiam Wilson
Howard Zinn: A Life on the Left by Martin Duberman
Dissident Gardens - Jonathan Lethem
Farewell Fred Voodoo: A Letter from Haiti - Amy Willenz
Runaway by Alice Munro
Transatlantic - Colum McCann
Stoner by John Williams
Perla by Carolina de Robertis
Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat
The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan
Thanks for sharing your list as well, Barbara! I'll definitely be tackling Stoner next, whether or not it's the group read next month, and I'll also be taking a look at the others that I haven't heard of in your rundown. Delighted to see Jonathan Lethem, Colum McCann and Robert McLiam Wilson in the list as well! Here's a bold prediction for the new year-I'd venture to say that if you tackle some Steinbeck, he'll feature somewhere in your 2014 list!
Mod
My favourite reads of 2013 are:
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Troubles by J.G. Farrell
Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke
A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
TransAtlantic by Colum McCann
The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
And special mention for The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie.
Only 29 of my 51 were sci-fi which is pretty good for me, too. That's pretty much down to the group, too. Some of the books I've mentioned I would have never read if not for the group.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Troubles by J.G. Farrell
Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke
A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
TransAtlantic by Colum McCann
The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
And special mention for The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie.
Only 29 of my 51 were sci-fi which is pretty good for me, too. That's pretty much down to the group, too. Some of the books I've mentioned I would have never read if not for the group.
Allan wrote: "Thanks for sharing your list as well, Barbara! I'll definitely be tackling Stoner next, whether or not it's the group read next month, and I'll also be taking a look at the others that I haven't he..."Allan -No doubt. I have a lovely copy of East of Eden on my shelves - paperback but with deckled edges.
Declan - I found it an interesting exercise to whittle a list of 20 down to 10. And surprisingly, only 2 (3?) scifi titles.
Mod
Another great list, Declan, with more ideas for books for me to add to my Amazon basket. I've only read Slaughterhouse V and Breakfast of Champions by Vonnegut, so will aim to check out the Sirens one as well. Have you ever read Mother Night by Vonnegut? I bought it recently on audiobook but haven't listened yet...Barbara, I have to say that I love those deckled edge paperbacks and indeed US editions of paperbacks in general. When I was away, I forced myself to put down a beautiful deckled edge edition of Paul Auster's New York Trilogy in four different locations, given the fact that I have two editions of the book already, but I did succumb to buying a deckled edge edition of Michael Chabon's The Yiddish Policemen's Union, which I have yet to read.
For the real book nerds among us, the last time
I was ordering in No Alibis, the owner encouraged me to order the US hardcover edition of the book I was buying instead of the UK one, not because he was making more money from it-he was completely open about the price he was charging etc-but because apparently the quality of the binding of the US books are much better...
Mod
Thanks for the Vonnegut recommendations, Sara! Cat's Cradle is another one I've heard of, so that'll be another to look out for!Re Chabon, to be honest, I bought the book solely because I had dollars left at the airport and liked the edition in the bookstore in JFK-it'll be a while before I get round to reading it, but I'll let you know what I think when I do. :)
Sara wrote: "I count 5 scifi titles on Declan's list Barbara. Were you not counting the Vonneguts?"I counted one Vonnegut, the Banks and Clarke.
Allan wrote: "Another great list, Declan, with more ideas for books for me to add to my Amazon basket. I've only read Slaughterhouse V and Breakfast of Champions by Vonnegut, so will aim to check out the Sirens ..."I haven't read Paul Auster yet but that edition will probably push me to...
The Kennedy Center Honors is on TV and Carlos Santana is sitting with President and Mrs Obama and Tom Morello (formerly of Rage Against the Machine) is playing Black Magic Woman - great job...
I've read a few Vonnegut, Allen, but I haven't read Breakast of Champions or Mother night. I enjoyed Cat's Cradle. I love the way he lampoons almost everything in it: Science, religion, politics, love/romance etc., but I think the Slaughterhouse-Five and Sirens of Titan edge it out of the way. Sh5 would make a good mirror to To Say Nothing of the Dog with it's stance on predestination. I think I'll be reading his whole back-catalogue.
My sci-fi reads in my list are Banks, Asimov, Clarke, Burroughs and Vonnegut x 2.
Also, I love how TransAtlantic is recurring in the lists, so far.
My sci-fi reads in my list are Banks, Asimov, Clarke, Burroughs and Vonnegut x 2.
Also, I love how TransAtlantic is recurring in the lists, so far.
Oh, and I meant to add, I own one book with Deckled edges, thanks to Susan. :)
Tom Morello is a great guitarist-I can't believe that it was over 20 years ago I saw RATM at the Ulster Hall!Auster is an American author that I find people either love or hate. I've enjoyed a number of his novels, as well as his recent memoir, Winter Journal. If you do end up liking him, Barbara, I was able to pick up Volumes 1-3 of his Collected Novels very reasonably second hand, albeit about 7 years ago.
The latest Bookrageous podcast is the contributors discussing their best of 2013s!http://bookrageous.podbean.com/2013/1...
Allan - my son "discovered" RATM after they broke up but he was able to see them on a reunion tour a few years ago. He was initially going to go all the way to California to Coachella to see them. Then they added NYC to the tour so his clever girlfriend was able to sell their Coachella tickets (they were about $350) and they went to NYC. Awesome they were in Belfast.Declan - my ignorance of Scifi is showing :) We have a book club at work - and only meet twice a semester. Our reading has leaned toward distopian young adult lit. I can only read a limited number of those.
Mod
Hey have you read Kindred by Octavia Butler? I think your group might like it and it's not dystopian young adult lit. I almost put it in the December poll instead of the Willis, but since I had read it kinda of recently, I didn't want to read it again.
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BTW, good luck this week-end and know I am there in spirit. Many blessings.