The new list is shaping up!

Well, I finally asked people to suggest books via Twitter, and the suggestions are rolling in. As promised, I'll put the first 12, one from each person, that I haven't read on the list for 2011. (I had revised it down to 10, given I'm starting later and also joining a book club, but I'm enjoying the suggestions too much.)

So far, the list is:
  1. The Minotaur Takes A Cigarette Break by Steven Sherrill, suggested by Elaine via the blog. "I'm fairly evangelical about this book."
  2. The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson, suggested by Loki via the blog.
  3. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler, suggested by Matt ("galactichand") via the blog. "It's good stuff."
  4. At Swim, Two Boys by Jamie O'Neill, suggested by Richard via the blog. "The book I recommend to everyone ... It's poetic, convoluted, heartfelt and beautiful."
  5. The Dictionary of the Khazars by Milorad Pavic, suggested by Patrick via the blog. "I, of course, recommend [it]. You can borrow my copy; it's hard to find otherwise."
  6. Palimpsest by Cat Valente, or "if you don't mind YA cooties", Liar by Justine Larbalestier, suggested by Danika via the blog. (As per my original rules, it's only one book per person, so I'll find out a bit about these and make a decision.)
  7. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson, suggested by Jessica on Twitter. "As long as none of the books are Twilight that's fine." (I shouldn't mention that I'm doing a marathon of the films this weekend then...?)
  8. The Voice of Seven Sparrows by Harry Stephen Keeler, suggested by Rob on Twitter. "Awesome book. You'll love it."
A couple of great suggestions were also made which won't go in, because they're for great books I've already read. Dan suggested The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, which is an all time favourite of mine; likewise Sarah suggested Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut, not my favourite Vonnegut (that's probably The Sirens of Titan or Slaughterhouse 5) but a great, weird read nonetheless.

So there are still a few slots left. I should say though that this might not be the final list; if I find out one of these is a twelve hundred page tome, I reserve the right to put it off until the year is over!
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4 comments:

  1. RichardJanuary 28, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    I second the vote for Raymond Chandler - what that man does with prose is inspired.

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    (I can happily arrange lending for all of these, too...)

    1) Hagakure by Yamamoto Tsunetomo. It's my personal bible, and a great guide to a focused life.

    2) The Gunslinger, by Stephen King. Unlike the later parts of the series, which go a bit strange for my liking, this is a poem disguised as a novella. And it's a poem about a wrung out world, and a hard, bitter man. Beautiful stuff.

    3) Boneshaker, by Cherie Priest. Steampunk, done right. I won't spoil it by indicating what ingredients are in the soup, but she takes some fairly overused tropes, and puts them together in really clever, organic ways.

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  3. TraceJanuary 29, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    Try "Trader" by Charles de Lint or one of Josephine Tey's - say "The Franchise Affair" or "Brat Farrar"

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    I second the suggestion of The Gunslinger, and I can lend it to you if you like. I also enjoyed the rest of the series, though it certainly has a different tone.

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