I read a lot of good books this year, probably more than I have in any other year of my life. Here are my top 5 reads of 2008, in order.
#1 - The Resurrectionist (review here)
Jack O'Connell
Jack O'Connell's The Resurrectionist is the best book I read this year. Weird, beautiful, fascinating, and ultimately redemptive this one has largely slipped under many peoples' radars, which is a complete disgrace.
While the main storyline is about a man's effort to rouse his son out of a coma, the thing that really makes The Resurrectionist shine is the story that unfolds in the comic books that are the son's favorite and that the father also reads. Eventually, the comic book stories and the "real" story become intertwined and lines blur.
#2 - Through A Glass, Darkly (review here)
Bill Hussey
Through A Glass, Darkly is another book that has slipped somewhat below the radar, at least here in the States. As far as I know this book is virtually unknown here and is not available in major bookstores. This is unforgivable as this book is the best horror novel I have ever read!
In addition to being a fantastic and absolutely terrifying horror tale, Hussey has added fantasy elements to this story that make it truly innovative. Look for his next book, The Absence, to be released in the spring of 2009.
#3 - The Name of the Wind (no review)
Patrick Rothfuss
Unlike #1 and #2 in this list, The Name of the Wind has largely received the praise it deserves. The first of a trilogy, this book tells the story of the youth of this fantasy trilogy's hero, Kvothe. If it hasn't quite reached classic status yet, it's well on its way.
This one is the most immersive book in my top 5. When I think about books that are almost magical, The Name of the Wind immediately comes to mind. The second book in the trilogy will be released in the Spring of 2009. If you haven't read this book yet, you owe it to yourself to do so right away.
#4 - The Shadow of the Wind (no review)
Carlos Ruiz Zafón
The Shadow of the Wind, like The Resurrectionist, was so powerful that I had to stop reading for a few days after I had finished it.
It begins when a young man in early twentieth century Spain tries to track down works and information about a little known author and learns that someone has been systematically destroying the author's works. Beautifully written prose, wonderfully realized characters and setting, this book is part mystery, part fantasy, part romance, part horror. It is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read.
Look for the sequel in late Spring of 2009.
#5 - Pump Six and Other Stories (review here)
Paolo Bacigalupi
Many of the short stories collected in Pump Six and Other Stories are post-apocalyptic and address various issues that could be potentially devastating for humanity and the future of the Earth. Bacigalupi creatively imagines the dilemmas he explores to a degree not often found in examinations of these issues. His real achievement, though, is that he gets the reader's soul involved.
This collection should be required reading for everyone. I believe that Bacigalupi is currently in the process of writing two novels, but I can't remember where I read that now.
Well, that's it. 2008 was a great year for speculative fiction and 2009 promises to be just as good, if not even better.
- 50 Watts
- The Agony Column
- The Black Abyss
- Bookride
- Dark Wolf's Fantasy Reviews
- Fantasy & Sci-fi Lovin' Book Reviews
- Fantasy Book Critic
- Graeme's Fantasy Book Review
- Grasping for the Wind
- Grim Reviews
- The Hat Rack
- Horror World Book Reviews
- Inspired by Dubious Virtues
- It's Dark in the Dark
- Literary Mayhem
- Like Fire
- Mad Hatter's Bookshelf & Book Review
- The Man Eating Bookworm
- Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books
- The Neglected Books Page
- Neth Space
- Only the Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
- The Oxen of the Sun
- Pat's Fantasy Hotlist
- She Never Slept
- Shroud Magazine Book Reviews
- The Speculative Scotsman
- Spooky Reads
- Staffer's Musings
- The Stars at Noonday
- Stomping on Yeti
- Twilight Ridge
- Vast and Cool and Unsympathetic
- Walker of Worlds
- Weird Fiction Review
- Wordsmithonia
About SFJ
Speculative Fiction Junkie is a product of my love for fantasy, science fiction, horror, and weird fiction.
As someone who loves to collect first edition/first printing books myself, I'll do my best to identify the true first for each of the books reviewed.
Tags
Anthology
Cemetery Dance
Chapbook
Chomu Press
Couldn't Finish
Dark Regions Press
Dead Letter Press
Delirium Books
Dystopian
Ex Occidente
Fantasy
Favorite
Funny
Horror
Interview
Journal
Limited Edition
Meme
Midnight House
Miscellaneous
News
Night Shade Books
Noir
Post-Apocalyptic
Prime Books
PS Publishing
Reviews
Sci-Fi
Short Stories
Small Press
Steampunk
Subterranean Press
Tartarus Press
The Swan River Press
Top 5 Reads
Weird
Young Adult
Seeking
Please email me if you have copies of the following books that you'd be willing to part with:
The Desolate Presence and Other Uncanny Stories (Thomas Owen)
Links
- The Absence
- Acacia
- Act of Will
- Avempartha
- Beneath the Surface
- Beyond the Door
- The Bleeding Horse and Other Ghost Stories
- Bloody Baudelaire
- The Boats of the "Glen Carrig" and Other Nautical Adventures
- Box Nine
- Canticle
- City of Saints and Madmen
- Cold to the Touch
- The Company
- The Court of the Air
- The Crown Conspiracy
- Curfew and Other Eerie Tales
- The Darkly Splendid Realm
- Dark Eden
- The Dreaming Void
- Feesters in the Lake
- Finch
- Foundling
- Horrible Imaginings
- The Horrifying Presence and Other Tales
- The Infinite Instant
- Judas Unchained
- The Kill Crew
- The King of Deadtown
- Lamentation
- Lamplighter
- The Last Book
- The Lies of Locke Lamora
- Literary Remains
- The Manual of Detection
- The Man Who Collected Machen and Other Stories
- Mars Life
- Meat
- The Midnight Charter
- Mistborn: The Final Empire
- Mr. Gaunt and Other Uneasy Encounters
- My Own Private Spectres
- The Mysterious Flame
- Nightingale Songs
- Nocturnes
- Nyphron Rising
- The Oblivion Society
- Old Albert - An Epilogue
- Old Man's War
- One
- Pieces for Puppets and Other Cadavers
- Pump Six and Other Stories
- Pure
- Putting the Pieces in Place
- The Quantum Thief
- Red Planet Noir
- Remember You're A One-Ball!
- The Resurrectionist
- Revenants
- The Road
- The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart
- The Saint Perpetuus Club of Buenos Aires
- Saturn's Children
- Scar Night
- Shadows & Tall Trees - Issue 1
- Snow Crash
- Song of Time
- Sourdough and Other Stories
- Southern Gods
- Spellwright
- Strange Tales: Volume III
- The Third Sign
- Those Who Went Remain There Still
- Through A Glass, Darkly
- Witchfinder: Dawn of the Demontide
- The Windup Girl
- Worse Than Myself
Reviews
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16 comments:
Although in my personal list "The Shadow of the Wind" is on top, not only for this year but for the past 10 years, you remind me that I should pick "The Resurrectionist".
Very nice list :)
I second that Mihai, I will be buying a copy of "The Resurrectionist", if it's better than TAGD then it must be some book.
Look forward to your reviews in 2009 Ben.
Mihai: It's funny you say that because I struggled the most with where to place "The Shadow of the Wind." In an earlier draft of that post, it was as high as number 2. It really is an amazing book. Frankly, I think all five of these books are great (obviously) and any one of them could have wound up on top. Are you going to put up a top 5/10/20 list?
Colin: I hope you enjoy "The Ressurrectionist." As I said somewhere in the review of the book (I think I did anyway), it's not for everyone but I hope you like it. Also, I struggled with whether or not to have it or TAGD in the number one spot. So many tough decisions! How about you? Have you got a top 5/10/20 list on the horizon?
I hope you both have happy holidays and thanks for your thoughts!
By the way, I have reason to believe that there may soon be a copy of the Subterranean Press edition of "The Shadow of the Wind" under our Christmas tree, courtesy of my lovely fiancee...I hope I'm right about that!
For next year, can I suggest the book: G.E.N.I. Genetically Enhanced Natural Intelligence.?
http://www.eloquentbooks.com/G.E.N.I.html
litlflame: thanks for the suggestion.
The Shadow of the Wind is on my top 5 of all time. I just ADORED this book.
I have been hearing great things about The Resurrectionist and the Name of the Wind as well. Will look into them.
I suspect that the Shadow of the Wind will remain one of my favorites for a long time too!
I hope you enjoy The Name of the Wind and The Resurrectionist!
Ben, I don't know exactly if I'll make a list. Like you said it is very hard to make one. Anyway if I decide to make it I'll post it around the end of the year, because I think I am having 2 or 3 reads until then :)
And the first place is already decided: "The Shadow of the Wind" ;)
I look forward to seeing what you come up with (if you choose to do a list)!
Seems like we have fairly similar tastes. I'm going to add the 3 novels I haven't read on your list to my "To Read" pile.
I absolutely loved "The Name of the Wind", great debut novel.
Also Pump Six was an outstanding collection. If you get any news about Paolo Bacigalupi novels make sure to post them because I'd love to pick them up when there published.
I hope you like the remaining three, Harrison. Obviously, I think they're all great :)
I'll be sure to follow up about Bacigalupi novels when they're released.
Thanks for stopping by!
Really good blog!
Please take a look at mine and tell me what you think, it's also on fiction books:
http://www.pizzasbookdiscussion.blogspot.com/
I like your taste in books mate ;)
thrinidir
RoSF
Thanks Thrin! I do too :)
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