I am winded, you guys. Winded from laboring over this list. This is the first time I've attempted to cobble together a Best Books of the Decade list, and I can't say I'll be up to it for another ten years or so. But my, I couldn't resist the challenge (or profound pleasure, if we're being honest). I kept trying to winnow it down, kept forcing myself to be ruthless. Like somehow I could (or should) keep it to a top ten (flat impossible) or at least a top twenty-five (who are we kidding?). But after bidding those constraints good riddance, I really did press myself to take a hard, clear look at what hurts (to mangle my favorite Hemingway quote). Because these novels hurt in the best way. Each entry on this list is a five-star book in my books. Which means I wouldn't change a single thing about a single one of them. They are the ones I call perfect when I recommend them to friends and strangers. They are the ones I have read and reread over the past ten years and…
We're taking nominations for the next book club read on my blog.
ReplyDeleteSo far Desire Unchained, Angels' Blood and Clockwork Heart have been suggested. Maybe one of those?
Ooh, Angel's Blood looks like a likely one. I read and loved Clockwork Heart. A definite comfort read.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading Blackbringer, by Laini Taylor, and loving it!
ReplyDeleteThe Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. I can't recommend it to enough people. Or The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. It's a totally different genre than what it appears you normally read, but also excellent.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, thanks! I've heard good things about Blackbringer.
ReplyDeleteAllie, I read The Namesake awhile back and it was lovely. I actually have The Thirteenth Tale in my stack. Will give it a shot.
Since my real life nickname is indeed Chrissy, I just had to answer your call. I suggest Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh. Intelligently written, clever characters, and an intense story line. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series? Haha There's no search function on your blog, so I can't check to see whether or not you've read him before. Looks like you've read a lot of authors already (my favorite being Juliet Marillier). Nicholas Cage looks terrible in that photo :P
ReplyDeleteAnything by Jessica Day George. I just finished Dragon Slippers and loved it!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny the first comment is by Ann Aguirre because I've just clicked on to tell you to give Grimspace a try. (I'm new to your blog, so I'm not sure if you've already read it.) I started Grimspace yesterday and haven't been able to do anything productive. I just got back from my local Borders because I needed Wanderlust NOW (even though I haven't finished Grimspace). I love Sirantha. I love March. I love every character in this book.
ReplyDeleteIf you've already read that, try Ilona Andrews (Magic Bites) or my new favorite YA, Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey. (The Opposite of Invisible is my other favorite YA at the moment. I would have recommended Lisa McMann, but you've read Wake and Fade already.)
I hope you find something soon. It's a terrible feeling when you finish a few great books and can't find anything to top them.
Laura
Christine, that's another vote for Angel's Blood. It must be a sign.
ReplyDeleteSharry, I actually have the first two in Nix's Old Kingdom series but haven't read them yet. I read his Sabriel books and loved them. I hate that there's no search feature, btw. Must rectify that.
Kath, I loved your review of Dragon Slippers. Being a fan of dragons, it sounds awesome.
Laura, I feel the same way about the Jax books. Love, love, love them. Can't wait for Doubleblind to come out in August. And thanks for the two YA recs. I haven't read either.
Oh, then I must recommend The Opposite of Invisible to you again. It is a beautiful story about love and friendship and it's only 151 pages. That isn't a good thing if you end up loving the voice as much as I did, but it's a quick read and may be just what the doctor ordered. I think you will love Alice and Jewel.
ReplyDeleteLaura
Excellent. Just what I'm looking for, Laura.
ReplyDeleteI have to do the obligatory plug for THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE (especially as she just sold her second novel this week for 4.8 billion). I love that book and for someone like me, who normally loves YA contemporary fantasy only, it was a wonderful compromise between adult commerical/literary and fantasy.
ReplyDeleteMaggie, I heard about that deal. Unreal. I read and loved The Time Traveler's Wife not long after it came out and have been wondering what she'd do next. Will definitely pick the new one up.
ReplyDeletea bit late, but just in case you are still looking for great reads (and since i didn't see dwj or mckillip in your next post and so thought you might not have read any books by these two) may i suggest almost any book by diana wynne jones, though i would suggest howl's moving castle, dogsbody, archer's goon, fire and hemlock and ... first. really almost all her books are GREAT and the ones that are not great and really good :) and then the same goes for patricia mckillip, she writes beautifully, choose any of her books and you won't be dissappointed.
ReplyDeleteand since i didn't see emma bull's "war for the oaks" in your urban fantasy list, just in case you still haven't been pushed into reading this, i though i would do some pushing.
and charles de lint is also very good in urban fantasy department.
Katayoun, thank you! I'd love for recommendations to keep coming in. I seriously need to pick up a de Lint book. I'm embarrassed that I haven't yet. I love McKillip and have been meaning to get her new one. I enjoyed War for the Oaks as well. But I hate to say that I don't seem to have the DWJ gene. I read Fire and Hemlock and Howl's Moving Castle and I just can't seem to get into it.
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