Best of 2006
November 29th, 2006 Katharine - Sequoya
So it is that time of year when the “best of” lists come out,
everyone from VH1 to Amazon compile their favorites of the past year. This year I joined the ranks of readers who keep track of what they have read, kind of cheesy, but very helpful for when someone asks what you would recommend (besides tellling them to check out MADreads.) So what is my favorite of 2006 you ask? It turns out my sleeper hit of the year is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Sara Gruen is a somewhat local author (northern Illinois) who has two other works of fiction published, this third one is a charmer.
Water for Elephants introduces us to Jacob Jankowski, a young veternarian who ends up working with a circus during the Great Depression. The book’s chapters alternate with Jacob reflecting on his life from a nursing home wheelchair and the crazy days of his 1930’s youth. With an eccentric cast of characters that includes an elephant named Rosie, this was one of those books you just didn’t want to put down. Gruen did an excellent job of researching her novel, the descriptions of the circus world and depression era society really brought this story to life.
There’s my pick for 2006, what’s yours? Any must reads for 2007?
Entry Filed under: Literary Fiction
4 Comments Add your own
1. Crystal | November 29th, 2006 at 9:32 am
My favorite was The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant. I guess I don’t know if it came out this year or not, so I’m not sure if it qualifies for the 2006 list. But it sticks out as something I really enjoyed.
2. Molly | November 29th, 2006 at 11:21 am
My favorite picks for 2006 titles were On Agate Hill by Lee Smith and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. If there are any Velveteen Rabbit fans out there, this book is for you. This book would also make a fantastic holiday gift for independent readers (mostly girls, but some boys, too - who doesn’t love a hobo with a heart of gold?) and for reading aloud to smaller children.
3. Sarah | November 30th, 2006 at 8:34 am
Thanks for the review of this book! Wouldn’t normally be for me but you’ve made me want to read it. As far as 2006 favorites go, I’d say “Between the Bridge and the River” by Craig Ferguson for fiction and “Mom’s Cancer,” a nonfiction graphic novel by Brian Fies.
4. Keith | January 29th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Since I read about 20 books of fiction this year, most of which were recommended by the creator of the website overbooked.org, I think I have good taste in fiction.
Its hard to rank the books from best to worst, so, instead, I will name the books I thought were good books overlooked by the NYT Book review:
The Amalgamation Polka
The Beautiful Dreamer
Prosperos Daugher
In the Company of the Courtesan
You can’t go wrong by reading any one of these books. If anyone reading this would read any of the abovenamed, I would like you to get back with me and let me know what you thought of my recommendations.
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