[also: I'm a native West Virginian. As someone who has danced through many evenings in the Appalachian hills, I can confirm that the banjo player CRUSHED "Rocket Man."]
Nice list, Mari. I was just having coffee with a friend and we were talking about taste and timing and how much both have to do with our reactions to books. I also loved BIRNAM WOOD, until the end, which made me feel like the author just gave up (that's not a spoiler--an opinion only). I could not get past the beginning of THE OVERSTORY, but my friend loved, loved, loved it, as did Arthur. Probably my favorite fiction book this year was THE EXILES by Jane Harper. A murder mystery, yes, but so much more. I also loved YELLOWFACE for it's unstinting and hard-nosed look inside the world of publishing. Thanks for the thought-provoking recommendations.
So interesting--I really liked The Overstory, but that same year another novel that tells a historical story through scientific details about trees came out, Who Killed Piet Barol? by Richard Mason. The title is just awful, and the author is South African, which might explain why that book got so much less critical attention, but I thought it was far superior to The Overstory.
As for Exiles, great minds think alike, because it is on next week’s list! And thanks for the recommendation of Yellowface--I’ll have to check it out!
Thanks, Mari! I've been looking forward to snuggling up with hot tea and a good story, so your hasn't-snowed-yet-but-it's-coming recommendations are appreciated.
He really loved Demon Copperhead but hasn’t read the rest of them yet. I think North Woods would be his favorite of the others. And today I’m posting another list, which has another favorite of his, Exiles, by Jane Harper (which Theresa also mentioned above).
[also: I'm a native West Virginian. As someone who has danced through many evenings in the Appalachian hills, I can confirm that the banjo player CRUSHED "Rocket Man."]
Wasn’t he amazing?! And the mandolin player was no slouch either!
Nice list, Mari. I was just having coffee with a friend and we were talking about taste and timing and how much both have to do with our reactions to books. I also loved BIRNAM WOOD, until the end, which made me feel like the author just gave up (that's not a spoiler--an opinion only). I could not get past the beginning of THE OVERSTORY, but my friend loved, loved, loved it, as did Arthur. Probably my favorite fiction book this year was THE EXILES by Jane Harper. A murder mystery, yes, but so much more. I also loved YELLOWFACE for it's unstinting and hard-nosed look inside the world of publishing. Thanks for the thought-provoking recommendations.
So interesting--I really liked The Overstory, but that same year another novel that tells a historical story through scientific details about trees came out, Who Killed Piet Barol? by Richard Mason. The title is just awful, and the author is South African, which might explain why that book got so much less critical attention, but I thought it was far superior to The Overstory.
As for Exiles, great minds think alike, because it is on next week’s list! And thanks for the recommendation of Yellowface--I’ll have to check it out!
Thanks, Mari! I've been looking forward to snuggling up with hot tea and a good story, so your hasn't-snowed-yet-but-it's-coming recommendations are appreciated.
Please let me know if you like the books!
Which of these is Matt's favorite?
He really loved Demon Copperhead but hasn’t read the rest of them yet. I think North Woods would be his favorite of the others. And today I’m posting another list, which has another favorite of his, Exiles, by Jane Harper (which Theresa also mentioned above).