My tastes in fiction are possibly even more eclectic than nonfiction. What I probably enjoy most is good fantasy, but that's not easy to find, especially such that meets my standards. I also read most of the Harry Potter series with my kids. It reminded me that prose doesn't have to be perfect to draw the reader in, or in this case even millions of readers. There are great lessons for aspiring writers in that series. Then there is some guilty pleasure reading, or as I now try to think of it, pleasure reading, which this year for me was the Sookie Stackhouse books. I never would have picked them up if I hadn't heard an interview with Charlaine Harris on a writers' podcast. I don't even remember what she said, but it was enough to pick up the first one. Then I continued to read them in between more literary reads. They're terrible, but they're fun and I feel no shame in saying so.
But here is the short list I would recommend to almost anyone even with no parameters:
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - This is fantasy with masterful setting and dialogue and no fantasy tropes. Pulls you in right away and the story builds until you're in the middle of a magical world, and you want the answers, but you don't want it to end. It is one of those books you finish and you feel satiated with magic, but also sad because you can never again read it for the first time.
The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson - I have now read most of what she wrote, mostly in the form of audiobooks narrated by the author, so I feel a kind of familiarity that is almost like a peculiar way of knowing someone. A common theme for her books are southern culture, strong female characters, a niche occupation that plays a part in character development that is researched to painstaking depth, and a big question that you want answered badly, but is still not the only reason you keep reading. Joshilyn Jackson has such a unique voice that I believe I would recognize a page of her writing easily in a blind test. It's intelligent and witty in a candid and unassuming way. I have summarized her writing before as "entertainment with depth". A pleasure read that invites no guilt. This book is just the perfect paragon of everything I love about J.J. Content Warning for assault.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi - I love that books can help me (almost) experience the lives of people in different times, places and cultures than my own. This is certainly one such book. The review I wrote right after I read it said "This is the closest thing to a perfect book I have read in a really long time". Each chapter is about a different character in the same family tree. I would come to love the character enough to be sad the chapter is over, but then immediately get invested in the next one. Only a great writer can do that. It's really hard to read at times. Content warning: includes depictions of assault, abuse and slavery.
The Overstory by Richard Powers - This book is immense. Like the previous one, there are many different characters, but the story is even bigger. I did stall with my reading maybe a third of the way in and read some other things before I went back to it. I would never call it perfect, but it's just so astonishingly ambitious in scope, I have to admire that. And if you come to me after you start this and you say: Really? Are you sure about this one? Yes, yes I am. Keep reading, and then let me know when you are ready to talk about how amazing trees are and how evil capitalism is and what we're going to do about it. Side effects include suddenly no longer feeling bad about slacking off on yard work. I know this sounds a bit strange, but it'll all make sense after you read it. Content warning for suicide.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - Hey! It's Neil Gaiman! The thing about him and me is that it wasn't always smooth sailing (ha!). The first book of his I read was American Gods and it went something like: Whoa, cool! Then: That's brilliant! Then: Wait, what? Then: Wow, I wish I had thought of that. Then: Who the hell does this guy think he is? If you've read him before, you know what I mean. There's genius, there's skillful writing, there's absolutely ridiculous plot points no one could possibly get away with, and it all somehow works. Gotta love and hate that guy. But after reading this one, it's mostly love and appreciation with moments of: Of course he just did that. This story has perfect storytelling, magic, whimsy and a hearty side of weird. That's Neil Gaiman in a nutshell. Or a bucket. You'll get it when you read it. Then you'll see what I did there. As a bonus, there's a great personal story that I now always think of when I think about impostor syndrome.
Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book. Accessibility text: I'm going to tell you something important. Grown-ups don't look like grown-ups on the inside either. Outside, they're big and thoughtless and they always know what they're doing. Inside, they look just like they always have. Like they did when they were your age. The truth is, there aren't any grown-ups. Not one, in the whole wide world.
If you've read these, I would love your thoughts, and also any recommendations as I am building my 2020 reading list. Much love and a Happy New Year!
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