Best book you’ve read in the past 10 years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another vote for A Little Life but it sounds like it’s maybe the opposite of what OP is looking for...

I just finished it, and it is HARROWING. Thought it was beautifully told, and in the end I’m glad I read it, but ... wow.

[Anonymous]

I read a lot and have a terrible memory, so this year I finally started keeping a list of my favorites of the year. Here’s what I’ve got as favorites for 2021:

Mexican Gothic — not something light for OP, but it was a page-turner; read it nonstop in one sitting

Transcendent Kingdom — Yaa Gyasi’s 2nd; not as good as Homegoing but still good

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold — you don’t need to have read LeCarre’s other works; this is a perfectly crafted standalone story

The Plague of Doves — I always feel Louise Erdrich’s books are a little slow, but then realize after reading that they’ve taken hold in my imagination and feel real to me

Luster — weird story with little plot, but such enjoyable “voice”; wished it was 3x longer because I was sad to leave the story

Red Clocks — a sort of dystopian novel set in a very day-to-day setting, with an interesting balance of poetic and lighthearted (The Memory Police, one of my favorites from last year, is in a similar niche if that appeals)

Nonfiction: I’ve enjoyed Notes on a Foreign Country (thoughts on America’s influence abroad), The Purpose of Power (Alicia Garza’s thoughts on activism), American Prison (despite the topic, the writing is an easy read), and You’ll Never Guess What Happened to Lacey (an entire book of racist incidents, somehow successfully made light and funny!)

[Anonymous]

So tired of the WWII books, which is why I can't put "All the Light" in my top selections. Also tired of the sappy Southern genre so Crawdads gets the boot.

A Man Called Ove, Anxious People and Beartown are all great works by Frederik Bachmann.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone stuck with me for a long time. Agree about The Overstory - faultless.

Nothing to See Here was so original and delightful. I haven't been as charmed by a book since Where'd Ya Go Bernadette?

Recently read 2 of Malcolm Gladwell's books: Bomber Mafia and Talking to Strangers. He's a gifted storyteller and thoroughly researches his topics. Everything he's written is worthwhile.

[Anonymous]

Do you want fiction? Non-fiction?

Many good fiction books listed already but “All the Light We Cannot See” would be my pick.

Non-fiction: How to Survive a Plague by David France

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did not like All the Light You Cannot See! I am clearly in the minority here. My top few are:

Sense of an Ending
Mother Sunday (Graham Swift)
Normal People
Room

Realizing now that they are all by British or Irish authors.

It was pure schmaltz. This is why it's helpful for people to list 5-6 books, if they love-love-loved a book that did nothing for me I can skip the rest.

I can totally accept differing opinions, but would like to hear a little more about All the Light We Cannot See being total schmaltz. And what your favorite books are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you want fiction? Non-fiction?

Many good fiction books listed already but “All the Light We Cannot See” would be my pick.

Non-fiction: How to Survive a Plague by David France

Oooh, I have to add Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer to the non-fiction list. Ive read that one multiple times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When breath becomes air

I read this around when I read Being Mortal, which is just as good/thought provoking in its own way.

[Anonymous]

If you haven't read Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy, and you're looking to laugh, it's a good one. Nothing like the movie, btw

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually listened to the audible version and also it's two books, but it's War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk and then it's sequel, Winds of War. It is the story of a navy family before and during WWII and it is epic. It's a great human story but also I learned an incredible amount about WWII. It's a lot of hours whether you read it or listen to it. I am actually listening to it now for the second time, the first time was ten years ago and although a lot is familiar I am picking up a lot more info and detail the second time around. I listen to it on long driving trips mostly. But, I highly recommend it. Oh, and just FYI, it was made into a pretty good movie starring Robert Mitchum.

Two great books but "Winds of War" is the first book and "War and Remembrance" is the sequel. The movie adaption always bugged me because Pug was supposed to be on the short side...

Right! Thanks for the correction. I agree about Pug but also I love Robert Mitchum.

Awesome books (and audiobooks). And they are remaking Winds of War--one of the streaming services.

[Anonymous]

A Fine Balance. So, so good.

[Anonymous]

Here’s another vote for A Gentleman in Moscow. Simply outstanding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here’s another vote for A Gentleman in Moscow. Simply outstanding.

My choice, to

Others

Drive your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

Cold Millions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read about a book a week, so I don’t know that I could go back 10 years, but some of the most engaging, thought provoking reads that come to mind are quirky ones:

Mary Toft, or The Rabbit Queen
Hollow Kingdom
World War Z
the Deep (Alma Katsu, also The Hunger by the same author. Historical fiction, a little scary, and both allegories about something bigger than their main plots)

Others that are more mainstream:
Ask Again, Yes
Song of Achilles (preferred over Circe)
News of the World
Mrs. Everything
Circling the Sun

Plus 1
Ask Again, Yes

I loved Homegoing, but it’s intense. I HATED Where the Crawdada Sing
This Is How it Always Is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hands down, Unbelievable, which later became a Netflix series starring Toni Collette. I never read books involving rape etc. and I couldn't put it down. It was so compelling, and the fact that it was true, floored me. It is also really hopeful in terms of the fact that we are slowly and gradually making change about how we treat rape, and women, in this country.

Also really enjoyed A Woman is No Man.

Reminds me of what is now happening in Palestine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the Light We Cannot See
Pachinko
The Girl You Left Behind
Peony in Love
The True Story of Hansel and Gretel (this has lots of triggering areas but is incredible)

Can you tell I like historical fiction set in Europe and Asia?

+1000 to "All the Light We Cannot See". I really loved this book. Read it a few years ago, but puts things in perspective truly.
I'm reading Unbroken right now - the true story of Louie Zamperini, an Olympian and WWII bomber. It's almost impossible to believe that this man faced so much adversity and persevered. Very inspiring.

Like the previous poster, I clearly love WWII books.