1. We Need to Talk About Kevin - Lionel Shriver
I thought this book was exceptionally thought-provoking. Admittedly, it was a little overlong, but touching, and it kept me captivating throughout. It was a recommendation from a friend whose book choices I trust, which meant I kept going despite the first 100 or so pages being hard work, but I was glad I did.
2. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safran Foer
Aww wow, what a fantastic story. Excellent idea, excellent characters, excellent style, everything, Just fantastic.
3. Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov*
I've read quite a number of Nabokov's works after reading
Lolita for the first time in 2005, and have loved them all, but Timofey will always have a special place in my heart after reading
Pnin. A brilliant introduction to Nabokov IMO if you don't fancy
Lolita (reading the book, I mean, obviously, no hebophiliac insinuations here whatsoever).
4. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Wow, wow, wow. I only read this as it was a BOTM choice, but it was fantastic. I loved the family history in the novel, as well as the psychological aspects of being born a hermaphrodite, as Calliope was. Much preferred this to
The Virgin Suicides.
5. Foucalt's Pendulum by Umberto Eco
I put off beginning this due to struggling through
The Name of the Rose, but I loved it. I didn't find it tedious or difficult at all, so if anyone is considering this book then jump right in, I'd say.
6. Swann's Way by Marcel Proust
Thanks to Peder, I got through the first part of the famous
Remembrance of Things Past, and don't regret it for a second, super-long sentences and paragraphs included.
7. Out by Natsuo Kirino
As a non-reader of crime usually (or fantasy, SF, horror etc either really), I searched out this book in order to participate in the BOTM and was enthralled (quite disturbingly
) with it; whether this was because I normally stay away from the genre, thus it was 'novel' or because of the discussion, I don't know, but I pondered this story for a while after reading it.
8. The Rachel Papers by Martin Amis*
How could I possibly do justice to Martin Amis? He is wonderfully, and sickeningly accurate. I love him.
9. Asylum by Patrick McGrath*
Favourite read of the year, and now McGrath is my most favourite author. I think he portrays psychological distress amazingly well, and writes with a perfect balance of sensitivity, horror, humour... wonderful!
10. The Cider House Rules by John Irving*
This really had little impact on me when I first read it, but I've found myself thinking about the novel since, and I'm even tempted to reread it. Also loved
The World According to Garp,
A Prayer for Owen Meany and
A Widow for One Year this year.
* Loved other books by this author last year too, but have only included one book per author.
