High Dive by Jonathan LeeYesterday I spent the day ignoring my work and my family, because I couldn't look up from the pages of this book. It's that good! Poignant and funny, beautifully written. It's a marvel.
Life Would be Perfect if I Lived in that House by Meghan Daum She's a wonderful essayist, and even though I don't sympathize with the house thing (I bought my house 19 years ago and plan never to move), I was swept up in these essays.
And Again by Jessica Chiarello A good, fast, entertaining read.
Girls and Sex by Peggy Orenstein Prepare to have your mind blown by this amazing book.
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain A reread, every bit as amazing the second time around.
The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters Kept putting it down, not sure why.
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler I loved this.
We That Are Left by Clare Clark Not bad, though it didn't stick with me.
The Unfortunates by Sophie McManus Quick and fun.
Pages for Her by Sylvia Brownrigg Excellent sequel by my dear friend Sylvia!
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James At first I was utterly blown away. Eventually I became obsessed with some narrators and less with others, but that's to be expected.
City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg Fun, fast.
Among the Ten Thousand Things by Julia Pierpont Enjoyable
All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders Off the hook, and I despise young narrators as a rule!
Up the Down Volcano by Sloane Crosley Fun.
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood Excellent though so fucking bleak.
The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson He's hilarious
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout Amazing as ever.
Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari Informative.
Mislaid by Nell Zink This book is great, though I admit that I didn't rush to read it every day. It took more time than usual to get through.
Rosalie Lightening by Tom Hart Prepare to be devastated
A Sliver of Light by Shane Bauer, Joshua Fatal and Sarah Shourd Astonishing story, very well told.
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue It's rare that a book is so fascinating, so emotionally compelling and so beautiful that I literally can't put it down. I picked this up one evening before bed. I turned the last page at dawn. It ruined the next day for me--I wasn't much good for anything but a nap--but it was worth every lost hour.
Lost Cat by Caroline Paul So sweet!
American Housewife by Helen Ellis Terrific stories.
All the Single Ladies by Rebecca Traister Fascinating and beautifully constructed and written.