I
know there are still two weeks left in December and I'm not done
reading for the year, but I want to get my best-of lists up before
everyone scatters for the holidays.This year I have only two lists: fiction and nonfiction. I'm not making a separate audiobook list or food writing list.
Here are my top ten in fiction, in alphabetical order. Links lead to my reviews or blurbs. If there isn't a link, it's because I haven't yet reviewed the book. (Note: books read in 2014, not necessarily published in 2014.)
1. Nell Leyshon, The Colour of Milk (Ecco paperback, 2014): "beautifully written, almost lyrical in its pacing."
2. Tim Johnston, Descent (Algonquin, 2015): The tension is so exquisite it's almost unbearable.
3. Rene Denfeld, The Enchanted (HarperTorch, 2014): "A haunting novel that makes you think about what happens to children who have no protectors."
4. Lin Enger, The High Divide (Algonquin, 2014): "balances the wonder and dangers of the wilderness with a deeply emotional and complex psychological landscape."
5. Carrie La Seur, The Home Place (William Morrow, 2014): "about the complex ways home and place intertwine to make us who we truly are."
6. Colm Toibin, Nora Webster (Scribner, 2014): "[This] beautifully crafted novel is a testament to the importance of being true to oneself, even (or especially) during times of great change."
7. Peter Heller, The Painter (Knopf, 2014): "The stark prose and sharp descriptions [balance] us on the knife edge between beautiful and ugly, good and evil."
8. Christine Heppermann, Poisoned Apples (Greenwillow, 2014): "stark, beautiful, haunting, disturbing, and oh so very honest."
9. Bill Roorbach, The Remedy for Love (Algonquin 2014): "about what happens when two people who would have never normally met are thrown together under dire circumstances."
10. Elizabeth McCracken, Thunderstruck (The Dial Press, 2014): "a powerful, emotional collection that should be read slowly and savored."
I haven't read ANY of these books... but Nora Webster is near the top of my wish list!
ReplyDeleteLike JoAnn, I have read a single one of those books. I have a feeling my wish list is going to explode these next few weeks.
ReplyDeleteThese all look and sound wonderful. Thanks for sharing your list.
ReplyDeleteTerrific list! I've read THUNDERSTRUCK, HOME PLACE, and THE REMEDY FOR LOVE. And I just recently put THE COLOUR OF MILK on my list.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I really liked The Painter as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to check these titles out. The only one that's been on my radar is Poisoned Apples.
ReplyDeletethese sound terrific .. thanks
ReplyDeleteI would put 3 on my list also: The Colour of Milk, The Painter, and the Roorbach book. I started Nora Webster but then set it aside; it seemed too bleak!
ReplyDeleteI have only read one title! The Remedy For Love. Poisoned Apples is on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteI loved Nora Webster! It's one of the best books I've ever read. I will always remember Nora. Such a great book.
ReplyDeleteThank you for these favorites.
ReplyDeletereaderbuzz.blogspot.com
Nora Webster was so beautifully written, and there a few books here I must add to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear! I haven't read ANY of these!
ReplyDeleteI am reading Nora Webster now - glad to see it made your list!
ReplyDeleteI read The High Divide and Descent when I was working at Workman and I loved them. I never got around to reading The Remedy for Love, but it sounds like I should!! The book I loved most this year from my former employer though was The Transcriptionist. I just thought it was so wonderful. It was on the Spring list - if you haven't read it, I really recommend it!
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