Recently, a member of my book group called me a ‘book pusher’. I feigned disbelief – “I don’t push books onto people!” I exclaimed. But I do. I do it all the time. Once I’ve read a really good book, I want everyone around me to share the joy.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a new ‘top ten’ challenge is posted – anyone can join in. This week’s topic is Top Ten Books I Read in 2012. Or, in other words, the Top Ten Books I’ve Been Pushing on People This Year.
1. The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach – my favourite book for the year.
2. Of a Boy by Sonya Hartnett – this book will never leave me.
3. The Forrests by Emily Perkins – unusual and very special.
4. Tigers in Red Weather by Lisa Klaussman – sublime… Where’s the gin?
5. The Dinner by Herman Koch – gripping (you might even read it in one sitting).
6. One Last Thing Before I Go by Jonathan Tropper – Tropper at his best.
7. Love & Hunger by Charlotte Wood – because for me, food, writing and reading always collide.
8. Ru by Kim Thúy – unexpected, delicate, memorable.
9. Mateship With Birds by Carrie Tiffany – I’m still thinking about Little Hazel and her pony-dreams.
10. The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter – you’ll cry.
Ru is already on my list and The Dinner just got added. I suspect a few more of these will make it on my list too.
Once you’ve read The Dinner (it’s a quick read) hunt down the DVD ‘Carnage’ – similar themes about parents mediating over kids wrong-doings. Funny (if not painful!) viewing.
Great picks. I’m definitely adding some of these to my list.
Thanks for sharing.
Here’s my top 10
~Danica Page
Taking it One Page at a Time
You have a few here I’ve been meaning to check out — thanks for the reminder! I read The Feast of Love a few years ago, and just loved it. Great list!
Lisa
My TTT
Have you read any of Charles Baxter’s other books? I’ve bought a few but haven’t got to them…yet.
I have read completely none of these but I’m drooling over all the pretty covers 😉
Well I always say go ahead and judge a book by its cover!
The Art of Fielding is one of those books that I have wanted to read for too long now. I will have to check if I ever put it on my TBR. It seems like I haven’t seen it in a while. Fabulous list.
There’s good reason why I have it at no.1!
A few of these were already on my TBR – and now i’ve added several more. I’m doing the Australian Women Writers Challenge in 2013 so would like to read Of a Boy as part of that as I have heard so many great things about it. Also, my goal is to read more books in translation and The Dinner sounds extremely interesting. Thanks for the recommendations.
Here are mine: http://annabelsmith.tumblr.com/post/38192220270/best-books-2012p
I’m doing the AWW Challenge as well and guess which book is on my list? Yours!
Of a Boy one of the saddest books I’ve ever read – have the tissues handy. Another good one that has been translated is Delicacy – my review of that here – http://booksaremyfavouriteandbest.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/delicacy-by-david-foenkinos/
It’s great to hear that you’re doing the challenge – and I’m thrilled to hear you’ve included my book 🙂
I have heard Of a Boy is heartbreaking. I don’t know if i could read Delicacy – I’m bad with books about people’s husbands dying. I tried The Young Widow’s Guide to Home Improvement and just couldn’t do it.
Thanks for this list – it’s given me a few to add to my own reading list. I adored Charlotte Wood’s Love & Hunger, but her novel Animal People simply took my breath away at the end. She’s a wonderful Australian writer.
Agree – I loved Animal People as well. I haven’t read The Children yet… I’m busting to but saving the pleasure until next year. I used to discover an author and then madly read everything they’d written – now I try to exercise a little more restraint and stretch the enjoyment out over a longer time.
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I loved The Art of Fielding too!
thanks for stopping by my TTT, i have not heard of these books, but they look great. i might have to check them out. thanks! – Katie @ Inkk
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