It's that time of year again. Have you noticed that you can barely do a little surfing on the web without coming across a 'Best of 2008' book list these days? Actually I love these lists as I get more reading ideas. I'm not yet ready to post my favorite books of the year (there's still time for one of my last reads to make its way on to it), but one thing I've discovered is that I've read very few (just a smattering as a matter of fact) of the books on any of these lists. I'm either reading even less contemporary fiction (and nonfiction) these days than I thought or I'm reading the wrong kind of contemporary fiction (actually I don't think that's possible as long as I am enjoying what I'm reading, right?). Glancing over all the lists, however, I think I need to read both Roberto Bolaño and Amitav Ghosh as they seem to be showing up all over the place!
So a little rundown of what's out there for your browsing pleasure:
My favorite list so far: The Washington Post list. Be sure to click on the tab on top to see the fiction list. I like the variety of books they chose.
You've probably already seen the New York Times list. They whittled it all down to just five each of fiction and nonfiction.
But there is more to see in the New York Times Holiday Books Guide. 100 different titles.
The Village Voice always comes up with titles that off the beaten path.
Granta asked authors what their favorite reads of the year were.
I think most of the books on The Economist's list are too intellectual for me,but you might find me picking up some of their fiction choices.
I absolutely positively need to read more books in translation! The Three Percent Blog's list might give me a few new ideas.
New York Magazine has weighed in.
NPR has shared a variety of best of lists and in some unusual categories.
Another long and varied list was chosen by the editors of PW. It's always nice to see mysteries included in these lists.
Of course Amazon's list has long been posted on their homepage.
The Guardian's list goes on for pages and pages and pages (did I get them all?).
Then there is the New Statesman list and the TLS list.
Whew. I don't think I even got them all. What's your favorite read of the year? Or do I need to wait for your 'Best of' list, too?!