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One-year anniversary and Top 10 list Today marks the one-year anniversary of this book-reviews page. In the past year I've read 73 books and 13 graphic novels, and written 102 reviews. This last month was the most prolific by far, with a total of 15 books read and 13 reviews written (I lumped all three Farseer books together in one review). Site visits also jumped up in the last month, with 127 hits coming from around the globe--totaling 1080 for the past year. The Best Books of the Last Year (that I read) 10. The Chronoliths, by Robert Charles Wilson A great concept, deftly handled. This book was a huge improvement on Darwinia, which, in my humble opinion, sucked. 9. Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny Yet another great concept, and though the beginning is a little confusing I found it easy to grasp after a few chapters. I do have to warn you, though, that the story is a little slow; this book definitely appears on this list solely because the idea is so cool. 8. Jhereg, by Steven Brust This book is total brain candy--no deep thoughts whatsoever, just lots of assassin fun. The rest of the books in the series lose much of the fun, smart-alecky approach of the first book, and suffer as a result. So just read this one. 7. Consider Phlebas, by Iain M. Banks Also noteworthy: Player of Games, by the same author, which I liked a lot more. But Consider Phlebas deserves a spot on this list because it's so much fun to read--paging through it is like sitting through an action movie, and although I barely remember the larger plot I still remember most of the little action sequences inside. This is also on the list, rather than Player of Games, because I think the second book would be hard to stomach without at some some exposure to the Culture, which this first book provides. 6. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K Dick I would be hard-pressed to explain what made this short novella so good. But it is. 5. Perdido Street Station, by China Mieville Another novel jam-packed with great ideas, marred only by an inexplicably bad ending. 4. The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobb One of the single best fantasy series I have read in recent years. Unlike the books of other authors, like David Eddings, The Farseer Trilogy doesn't shy away from subjecting its characters to all sorts of (realistic) privations. A darkly fascinating read--in fact, I'm going to start reading her Liveship Traders Trilogy soon. 3. Bright Lights, Big City, by Jay McInerney A short book, and the only mainstream novel on this list. But it was deeply moving and meaningful--a rare combination in a novel. 2. Bridge of Birds, by Barry Hughart A joy from start to finish. No knowledge of or interest in China required--Hughart tells you everything you need to know (and a lot more, besides). The sequels aren't as good, and although I sort of liked Eight Skilled Gentlemen I don't think it was really worth it. 1. Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis What a book this was--I remember being all depressed after reading it. Also noteworthy: Willis's To Say Nothing of the Dog, which is as funny as Doomsday Book is sad, and Passage, which is nowhere near as good as the other day but is still worth a read. So there you have it--the ten best books I read in the last year. It was actually a little depressing making up this list: the top 8 are really the only books that I remember with great fondness, and the last two are here just to fill up the list. Let's hope the next year holds more, better books. |
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