Walk While Reading

My Favorite Books of 2011

When I look at back at the year that was through reading, I’m struck by how the books I chose to read didn’t fall into any pattern whatsoever. There was no genre specific adventure I went on. I did read more books released in a specific year, then any past years. Although it hurt my bank account. It was nice to read books being talked about in the moment. My favorite release of the year and my favorite book I read in 2011, was Volt by Alan Heathcock. A collection of stories based around the people of a made up town called Krafton. He’s drawing comparisons to Cormac McCarthy. Which is fair and unfair at the same time. The opening story and it’s opening page is the most gripping piece of writing I’ve read in years. The book is dark, moving, haunting, but so incredibly brilliant, makes everything else I read this year feel like a grade twelve journal. That’s not entirely true, most of the books I read this year were amazing. My second favorite book I read this year was Patrick deWitt’s The Sisters Brothers. Nominated for awards all over the globe, it was the kind of book that leaves a mark. Two brothers that are hired guns, roaming the west in search of there next target. This book is so good it deserves a bigger audience. I hope some of you get a chance to pick it up. You’ll be grateful you did. Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes, was just perfect. Everything I ever want in a novel. I’ve always been interested in the history of the Vietnam War. I read Denis Johnson’s Tree of Smoke years ago, and although I loved it, it didn’t move me the way Matterhorn did. I seem to read a book by Cormac McCarthy ever year. A tremendous writer and a favorite of mine. This year I read Suttree. Like all of Cormac’s works he leaves me hollow, after turning the last page. Suttree did the same thing. But it was so good. Two books I was surprised by were Flannery O’Connor’s Wise Blood and John Williams The Stoner. I didn’t know a lot about them going in but was left aghast, at the beauty of literature. Let’s see what else was there, I read The Marriage Plot. A character driven novel about three lives all connected. Beautiful read, a must read for anyone who loves, Eugenides. I had a lot of fun with Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind. I love fantasy novels. They have the ability to make me feel young at heart. 2012 will bring more books read, new worlds, places, people to discover. I may even start Harry Potter, and I do have a date again with The Pale King. I hope 2012 allows me the attention that book deserves.