I do not think I have ever read more varied styles of books in one year than I did this year. The titles just don't seem to belong together at all. Yet, I also cannot remember a year when I awarded more perfect five-star reviews than I did in 2013. Some five-star books did not even make my top five.
I read less books than normal, but a lot more pages (an average of 485 per book through 23). "The Year of The Big Book" has been everything I hoped for even though not at all what I expected.
This time, I'm putting my top five together right at the front. I loved each of these.
1. Infinite Jest, by David Foster Wallace. I have written a lot about this book. It deserved all the treatment it got. It may end up number two on my all-time list (that's where I'm leaning) by surpassing the great War & Peace. I wrote about Infinite Jest Here, Here, Here, Here and Here. Jen has described my mood while reading this book as "grumpy" and then revised that to "gloomy." Fair. And, it was amazing. It just isn't something a person can share. It's a solitary read and maybe one of the most brilliant pieces of work I have experienced. It is also messed up. Very messed up.
2. (tie) The Last Lion No. 1, Visions of Glory; and The Last Lion No. 2, Alone, by William Manchester. I have written much about this series as well. Without these two books, I could never have rated IJ so high. This was my balance, and it was probably the best written biography series I have ever experienced. I cannot explain how wonderful these books have been. Part three will have to wait until 2014, but I can't wait. What a fantastic series. And, I found the following youtube clip that just gets me every time. When the cranes lower as the boat passes, it gets a little dusty in here. Just saying. I may not have even liked Winston Churchill as a person if I would have met him, but I respect that man so much and consider him a hero of mine.
3. The Pale King, by David Foster Wallace. This book would rank number one in almost any other year. This book is like Shawshank Redemption from 1994 when it finished behind Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction. No one denied the quality, and it was universally respected and loved as a movie, but it was never going to win the Oscar. People argued for the other two, and everyone liked it, but all arguments were between the other two camps. It was everyone's second place and therefore third. The Pale King got to my eyes in the wrong year. This book was brilliant and I loved it. It will make a mark on my all-time list, but the Year of The Big Book is not for the feint of heart. Messed with by a ghost.
4. The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas. Did I mention this was a tough year for rating books? I wrote about this book Here, Here, Here, and Here. I experienced this book with wonderful people in the Longmont Book Club and treasure those discussions. This book made me think deeply and left a long-term mark. An all-time classic story about revenge, and it made me think deeply about vengeance and grace.
5. Choke, by Chuck Palahniuk. The toughest decision. I loved so many books behind this one, but when I think back, I just really enjoyed this book. I had never read Palahniuk before, and I think he's much like DFW in many ways, only with shorter books and more focus on sex. Still, as raunchy and busy as this book was, it was entertaining as hell and very well written. And, I just discovered it was made into a movie!
THE BEST THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT (No particular order)
Dreamland, by David K. Randall. I learned a lot about sleep and even made some life adjustments to account for some of the information. Dad dedicated his life to sleep research, so it was also interesting to read the familiar parts dealing with sleep apnea.
A Dance with Dragons, by George R.R. Martin and Feast For Crows, by George R.R. Martin. How is it possible I did not include these two books in my top five when each of the first three made it last year? I mean, I even participated in this love-fest of a post that we titled Almost a Perfect Book. I loved both of these books, but they were the middle of a long story that is not yet finished. Also, I mean... have you SEEN the competition this year? I loved both of these books. I'm as shocked as anyone they landed outside the top five. (Also, any excuse I can find to re-post this is a win: YES)
Of Human Bondage, W. Somerset Maugham. I wrote about this book Here. Baggs assigned this one to me, and I loved it. It was my first experience reading Maugham. I thought for certain it would be in my top-five when I read it. This book earns every bit of its reputation.
David and Goliath, by Malcolm Gladwell. Gladwell has earned "automatic purchase" status with me. I automatically buy and read anything new he produces. Until that bites me, I will keep doing it. This book was fascinating as usual. I love the message of opportunism from the stories in this book. Each illustrates an example of weakness being turned into strength by opportunistic people. It goes to the value of tenacity, and I love that message. Life is not about strengths or weaknesses, but about how you handle each.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, by J.K. Rowling. I read this out loud to Jacob to finish the series. The joy I received from this book was in how riveted Jacob became in the story and how much fun it was to watch him become engrossed in the story. It is a memory I will treasure always. The book was probably the best of the group, and it was the cherry on top of a very sweet experience reading to my son.
SPORTS
It Never Rains in Tiger Stadium, by John Ed Bradley. Less a sports book than a life adjustment book. It was a good read and led to some great discussions.
League of Denial, by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru. This book is ruining football for me. I can't help but feel terrible for watching football at all after reading this book. It's just so sad to read about what happens to players as a result of repetitive head trauma. The clip below was posted in an online column I read and pretty well illustrates it. Lets just move on.
SHORT BOOKS?!?!? WHAT?!?!?!
I read some short books to break up the pace. It is NOT a cop-out... No it does not compromise Year of The Big Book! Because I said so, that's why.... A man must have a life.... Well, kinda have a life.... OK, well read and not get out much... Hey, that's mean... Anyway...
Raising Cain, by Kindlon & Thompson. An assignment from James. An interesting look at raising boys among bullies and expectations. I will always feel a little isolated in my approaches, but this gave me some things to think about. I try to avoid raising my son with any expectation of serenity, but I'm certainly no fan of bullies. Our focus is more on adaptability, but I got something out of this book.
The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien (out loud to Jacob). I read this out loud to Jacob, and it was good to revisit the story. Jacob was confused when the movie was nothing like it. That made two of us.
Proof of Heaven, by Eben Alexander. I was fascinated by the medical details of the author's illness. His description of memories generated while in a coma were interesting. It was food for thought and a worthy mental exercise.
Marching Morons, by C.M. Kornbluth. The movie Idiocracy was loosely based on this short story. I read it on the recommendation of my friend Pete. Kornbluth accomplished a lot in his very short career. I enjoyed the story. Especially when idiotic political fights were going on as a real-life illustration. Morons.
How to Disappear, by Frank Ahearn. An interesting book about how easy it is to break through the "security" systems in place. It was also interesting to learn just how many ways a person can be found. I have no desire to hide, but if I did, this book would help with that.
I wear the Black Hat, by Chuck Klosterman. Klosterman, like Gladwell, has earned automatic purchase status. This was his most focused essay collection and I really enjoyed it. People either like Klosterman or not. I find his writing funny, thoughtful, and clever. He always makes me think. Black Hat
REGRETS
Dad is Fat, by Jim Gaffigan. I love Gaffigan, but I did not like this book. I laughed out loud a few times, but it was also a bit odd how focused he was on defending his decision to have five children in midtown Manhattan. Look, it's an odd decision and people aren't weird for thinking that.
Everything Is Perfect When You're A Liar, by Kelly Oxford. Never buy a book based on a twitter feed again. It worked for Sh!t My Father Says, but not for Oxford. I have written about this, and it sucked. Bad Decision.
A Fire Upon the Deep, by Vernor Vinge. A fantastic concept and story for one of the two worlds. The other was a space romance. I loved every bit of the Tines world and hated the characters on the space ship. Too bad Vinge couldn't have made this book all about that world.
Let Me Off At The Top, by Ron Burgundy. I fell for the media blitz. It was a rushed PR piece. But, it was written in a way that you can hear Burgundy's voice, and there's something to be said for that. Not much, but something. It was a fluff read and a break.
Thus ends another year on 25booksayear. I am reading Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon as my final book of the year and will update if it makes a dent. Until then, have a happy new year and keep reading!
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