It's been a long year in the library...
I'm not too good at making top ten lists, and when it comes to reading, it's really difficult to narrow down. Still, among the 60 + books I've read this year, some were more gripping, inspiring, or hilarious than others. I whittled it down to twelve, in date order. So I guess one favorite per month isn't bad. I paired some of these with tea, and the rest I'll leave up to you.
1. The Sherlockian by Graham Moore
One of my Sherlock Holmes - related reads of the year, except this one is a mystery that encompasses modern times and the detective work of Arthur Conan Doyle.
One of my Sherlock Holmes - related reads of the year, except this one is a mystery that encompasses modern times and the detective work of Arthur Conan Doyle.
2. One of Our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde
Since 2001, a year without a new Jasper Fforde book is like a month without ice cream: I'll survive, but I won't like it! Even better of course, is when the new book is a Thursday Next novel - that's a 2 for $5 sale on Haagen Dazs pints! (I know they're 14 ounces now, but we pretend.) The latest installment takes place in the BookWorld, where the fictional Thursday Next looks for the missing RealWorld Thursday Next. The newly mapped out BookWorld (particularly Fiction) is well done, a reference to reading on e-readers is made, and now I'm getting excited. I need to read this one again. Have your mechanical butler bring you a nice cup of Rooibos with this one, because it's 'red' tea. Get it? No?
3. The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope
Since 2001, a year without a new Jasper Fforde book is like a month without ice cream: I'll survive, but I won't like it! Even better of course, is when the new book is a Thursday Next novel - that's a 2 for $5 sale on Haagen Dazs pints! (I know they're 14 ounces now, but we pretend.) The latest installment takes place in the BookWorld, where the fictional Thursday Next looks for the missing RealWorld Thursday Next. The newly mapped out BookWorld (particularly Fiction) is well done, a reference to reading on e-readers is made, and now I'm getting excited. I need to read this one again. Have your mechanical butler bring you a nice cup of Rooibos with this one, because it's 'red' tea. Get it? No?
3. The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope
I'm still working through the Barchester novels, but so far I'd say if you only read one Trollope, this should be the one. It was astoundingly modern, especially for something written over a hundred years before I was born. It's long but moves swiftly.
4. The Immortal Dinner by Penelope Hughes-Hallet
Imagine spending an evening with John Keats, Charles Lamb and William Wordsworth without having to pick up a book. This is based on the host, Benjamin Haydon's, account of the dinner and also explains the significance of the subjects discussed that evening. If you're at all interested in writers and artists of that time period, and I am, you'll enjoy this fly-on-the-wall experience. I'd try Tay Tea's 'Muse' herbal blend with this one...because these guys are some of my greatest inspirations.
Imagine spending an evening with John Keats, Charles Lamb and William Wordsworth without having to pick up a book. This is based on the host, Benjamin Haydon's, account of the dinner and also explains the significance of the subjects discussed that evening. If you're at all interested in writers and artists of that time period, and I am, you'll enjoy this fly-on-the-wall experience. I'd try Tay Tea's 'Muse' herbal blend with this one...because these guys are some of my greatest inspirations.
5. The Earth Hums in B Flat by Mari Strachan
One of the sad ones - a mystery, a girl who thinks she can fly as investigator, and mental illness. If you can handle gorgeous writing and depressing reading, then this is your book. Also, it takes place in Wales.
6. Eating for England by Nigel Slater
Food, eating and food shopping habits in England. An Anglophile's delight. Have some PG Tips and some real Cadbury chocolate with this one.
Food, eating and food shopping habits in England. An Anglophile's delight. Have some PG Tips and some real Cadbury chocolate with this one.
7. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
I wrote about this one already. Scroll down.
I wrote about this one already. Scroll down.
8. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Oh my goodness. I can't believe I never read this one until this year. I'm not a fan of 'hostage situations', but this novel makes the experience almost poetic. You are warned from the beginning that it won't end well, but somehow you manage to move through it and savor the ride. Tea with lemon and honey...I just think that's what an opera singer would drink.
Oh my goodness. I can't believe I never read this one until this year. I'm not a fan of 'hostage situations', but this novel makes the experience almost poetic. You are warned from the beginning that it won't end well, but somehow you manage to move through it and savor the ride. Tea with lemon and honey...I just think that's what an opera singer would drink.
9. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? and Other Concerns by Mindy Kaling
Fun and funny even if you don't watch the Office. It's too easy to say she's of an Indian background so drink Indian tea, so no...have some Oolong.
Fun and funny even if you don't watch the Office. It's too easy to say she's of an Indian background so drink Indian tea, so no...have some Oolong.
10. The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
A Sherlock Holmes story, well done but darker than most. If you know most of the actual Conan Doyle stories, you'll pick up a lot of references.
A Sherlock Holmes story, well done but darker than most. If you know most of the actual Conan Doyle stories, you'll pick up a lot of references.
11. A Jane Austen Education by William Deresiewicz
I love it when men learn life lessons from Jane Austen. It turns her into so much more than a chick-lit writer.
I love it when men learn life lessons from Jane Austen. It turns her into so much more than a chick-lit writer.
12. Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams
Did I mention I've been to Peru? It's been years, but reading this more adventurous trip (I just took the train from Cuzco - no hiking.) It's easy enough to pair with Coca Tea...if you're in Peru. You might have access to a Pisco Sour otherwise (I've had these in Jackson Heights.)
I feel like I should have spent more time on these books here, but I've moved on. For 2012 I hope to be more thorough when in 'book blogging' mode. There's always room for improvement!
Did I mention I've been to Peru? It's been years, but reading this more adventurous trip (I just took the train from Cuzco - no hiking.) It's easy enough to pair with Coca Tea...if you're in Peru. You might have access to a Pisco Sour otherwise (I've had these in Jackson Heights.)
I feel like I should have spent more time on these books here, but I've moved on. For 2012 I hope to be more thorough when in 'book blogging' mode. There's always room for improvement!
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