Well, it is that time of year when the major book awards are announced. As an inveterate reader I am always interested in seeing what the "experts" choose as the best writing each year. I think I am a bit of an expert myself as I consider reading an avocation of almost full time status. So here are my picks (not in any specific order) for the
BEST of 2006:
- Richard Powers. The Echo Maker
- Jennifer Egan. The Keep
- Chris Adrian. The Childrens Hospital
- Arnulder Indridason. Voices
- Jane Hamilton. When Madeline Was Young
- Ake Edwardson. Never End
- Amy Sedaris. I like You
- T.C. Boyle. Talk Talk
- Augusten Burroughs. Possible Side Effects
- James Lee Burke. Pegasus Descending
- Allegra Goodman. Intuition
- Asa Larsson. Sun Storm
- Susan Richards Shreve. A Student of Living Things
- Kazuo Ishiguro. Never Let Me Go
- Elizabeth George. What Came Before He Shot Her
- Jonathon Kozol. The Shame of a Nation
- Edward P. Jones. All Aunt Hagar's Children
Well, this is the Short List. There are some splendid writers here, with stories that evoke lost memories and feelings, change the slant of the world, create permanent bonds with the characters and their lives, and are just plain old "stay up all night and read" books. Thank heavens for books!
Happy Reading!
