It’s that time again: As 2009 draws to a close, we’ve been given the formidable task of culling the finest literature from the year. As always, it was tough picking out the best from a bevy of books published in the last 12 months. But who won? In the fiction category, it was Daniyal Mueenuddin’s collection of short stories, In Other Rooms, Other Wonders. As for nonfiction, the always reliable Dave Eggers topped the list with his Hurricane Katrina-centric book, Zeitoun. (For EW’s complete list of the top 10 fiction and nonfiction titles of the year, pick up a copy of our year-end Best & Worst double issue, on newsstands now.)
But that’s just EW’s opinion, Shelf Lifers. Tell us, which books top your 2009 list?
Best nonfiction book of the year: “Lit” by Mary Karr
Best fiction book of the year … I’m still waiting to read it. Though I’ve enjoyed several titles this year, nothing that struck me as The Best Novel of 2009. That being said, I’ve got a few candidates on hold at the library!
Fiction:
1. The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet
2. This is Where I Leave You
3. Spooner
4. Sag Harbor
5. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
6. Let the Great World Spin
7. The Anthologist
8. Lowboy
9. Beautiful Creatures
10. Everything Matters
Nonfiction (Just 4):
1. Zeitoun
2. Eating Animals
3. Manhood for Amateurs
4. Columbine
The Silver Mage by Katharine Kerr
I second the vote for “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.” Loved it.
However, the best book I read this year was Colm Toibin’s “Brooklyn.” Wonderful. Still can’t shake it.
Beat The Reaper by Josh Bazell. A fantastic debut novel for fans of Goodfellas or The Departed.
That was definitely my favorite book that came out this year. It was so FUN to read it!
Zeitoun is fantastic. Glad to see it getting some love.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
I TOTALLY agree – it was like having a roomful of women telling a compelling story – their story. Absolutely wonderful, but I wasn’t sure it came out in 2009.
The Help was a great book! I loved it!!
Under The Dome was phenomenal, really an enjoyable read.
Stone’s Fall by Ian Pears was my favourite book this year – gripping, imaginative and clever it had everything you’d ever want in a book.
Wilderness by Samantha Harvey was also a stunning book – sad, but innovative.
2009 has been a fantastic year for new fiction!
“Best” and “worst” have to be picked from what i read and it may just be the “most enjoyed” read
Best: “Lady Vernon and Her Daughter”
Worst: “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”
(can you tell I like Jane Austen?)
Probably not on any reviewer’s “best” list but like fellow poster Barbara, my “most enjoyed”…
The Chalk Circle Man by Fred Vargas
The Suspect by LR Wright
This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
The Girl Who Played w/Fire by S.Larsson
Beat the Reaper by Josh Bszell
Elegance of the Hedgehog
Beautiful Creatures
Arctic Chill by A. Indridason
Falling Under
beat the reaper: i could not put it down. hilarious, brilliant, and grotesque.
Loved Colm Toibin’s Brooklyn and Jess Walter’s Financial Lives of the Poets. Go read the latter NOW! Hysterical.
Verghese’s Cutting for Stone comes out in pb next month. Will be big.
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
You Better Not Cry: Stories For Christmas by Augusten Burroughs
Looking For Calvin & Hobbes by Nevin Martell