2007 was a good year for my reading life. My hearty brew of fiction, comics, sci-fi, mysteries, and non-fiction keeps me content and excited to be in the librarian world.
So on with the show:
1) Yiddish Policemen’s Union- Michael Chabon.
The Diaposa of Jews had been settled in Alaska for 50 years until now when the US will take over. A fun mystery in love with language. I couldn’t get through his other book this year “Gentlemen of the Road“ -So from your favorite Library guy stick with Yiddish.
2) Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao- Junot Diaz.
A Dominican/ American family story told from various first person accounts. This book was written for me with my fluency in nerd speak and Spanish. Part of it takes place in New Brunswick, NJ where my brother lived for years, and also in the Dominican Republic. Good reminder of the sometimes untranslatable nature of language. This is Junot’s first book in 10 years. He needs to write more quickly
3) Brief Encounters with Che Guevara- Ben Fountain
My short story collection of the year. Politically smart. Strong character development. A nice internationalism and variety to the stories. The graduate student caught by FARC in Columbia story has stayed in the memory for months.
4) Absolutely True Story of a Part Time Indian- Sherman Alexie
Having this young adult novel be mostly autobiographical gives the emotional impact that much more power. Sherman was the only Indian to leave his reservation to go to an all white high school. Funny and tragic in equal measure like great YA lit. Reminded me of the best Chris Crutcher books. I loathed Sherman’s other book this year- “Flight” It’s so rare for me to find an author who gets two in row perfect, and Alexie fails like Chabon.
5) Alice in Sunderland- Bryan Talbot
Mammouth graphic novel about the history of Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland, Sunderland, England, comics, and much much more. Completely unique in graphic design and execution. A great book to own to allow multiple readings.
6) Evolution’s Darling- Scott Westerfeld
Westerfeld writes great YA novels, but this is definately adults only speculative fiction at its best. Robot/Human/transhuman meta-narratives. Sentient ships/Robot Sculptors/ hot action.
A bundle o fun
7) Spellman Files- Lisa Lutz
Around thanksgiving when the first best of the year lists come out, I race to read a few titles that are new to me. This debut novel about a family of kooky PIs from San Francisco was a great mystery find that had been getting wide acclaim. Milk coming out of your nose funny. I didn’t want it to end, and I’m thrilled there is going to be a sequel.
8) Kampung Boy and Town Boy- Lat
Sweet and delightful autobiographical comics from Malaysia’s most famous comics writer. Want to know what it was like to grow in the countyside in 50′s Malaysia and then the city?
Enjoy the art as well as the warm stories.
9) Skin Hunger- Kathleen Duey
So you want to be a Wizard? Not after reading this YA novel. Two different story lines never completely come together about a farmer’s daughter who knows the old ways, and the teen age boy who is forced to be a wizard’s apprentice or die trying. A great sense of place and pacing.
10) Black Metal- Rick Spears
This graphic novel was tons of Metal fun with a hilarous take on the dark myths behind all good black metal songs. Two twins reborn from an ancient demon to continue the battle for hell. (Bloden- this one must find your home)
