Prashant, I consider GIVE ME YOUR HAND Megan Abbott’s best book so far. BAD BLOOD is chilling…and true! I can’t wait to see Jennifer Laurence in the movie version!
My favorite books from this year were two story collections, “You Think It, I’ll Say It” by Curtis Sittenfeld and “The Largesse of the Sea Maiden” by the late, great Denis Johnson. The novel I enjoyed most was a pulp novel from 1960 by Richard Deming called “Kiss and Kill”. This came to my attention from a write-up in James Reasoner’s blog Rough Edges. The book is an absolute killer. I’d read a couple of things by Deming years ago that gave no indication that he had a book like this in him.
I need to go back and pull out my favorites of the year. I did read Megan’s book, and also the Denis Johnson collection. Some of my favorites were non-fiction.
Jeff, I thought BAD BLOOD was terrific! The same with Megan’s novel. Loved CIRCE! THE SHAKESPEARE REQUIREMENT was the funniest book I read in 2018. Wonderful artwork abounds in THE LIFE & LEGEND OF WALLACE WOOD, VOLUME 2. And I’m about to read the sequel to THE STRANGE CASE OF THE ALCHEMIST’S DAUGHTER.
Not in any particular order. Limited myself to books published in 2018.
Give Me Your Hand by Megan Abbott
November Road by Lou Berney
Robicheaux by James Lee Burke
Green Sun by Kurt Anderson
The Wife by Alafair Burke
Greeks Bearing Gifts by Philip Kerr
The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
Bearskin by James McLaughlin
Middleman by Olen Steinhauer
The Line That Holds Up by David Joy
Informal History of the Hugos by Jo Walton
The Man Who Came Uptown by George Pelecanos
Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly
Nighttown by Timothy Hallinan
Steve, that’s an impressive list! I really liked Jo Walton’s INFORMAL HISTORY OF THE HUGOs and almost included it on my list. I have Philip Kerr’s GREEKS BEARIN GIFTS on my READ REAL SOON stack right on top of Michael Connelly’s DARK SACRED NIGHT. So many books, so little time…
George, I haven’t read any of these books. Megan Abbott’s fiction is on my list for 2019. I also hope to read BAD BLOOD.
Prashant, I consider GIVE ME YOUR HAND Megan Abbott’s best book so far. BAD BLOOD is chilling…and true! I can’t wait to see Jennifer Laurence in the movie version!
My favorite books from this year were two story collections, “You Think It, I’ll Say It” by Curtis Sittenfeld and “The Largesse of the Sea Maiden” by the late, great Denis Johnson. The novel I enjoyed most was a pulp novel from 1960 by Richard Deming called “Kiss and Kill”. This came to my attention from a write-up in James Reasoner’s blog Rough Edges. The book is an absolute killer. I’d read a couple of things by Deming years ago that gave no indication that he had a book like this in him.
Michael, I have a copy of KISS AND KILL around here somewhere. With your strong recommendation, I need to find it and read it pronto!
I need to go back and pull out my favorites of the year. I did read Megan’s book, and also the Denis Johnson collection. Some of my favorites were non-fiction.
Jeff, I thought BAD BLOOD was terrific! The same with Megan’s novel. Loved CIRCE! THE SHAKESPEARE REQUIREMENT was the funniest book I read in 2018. Wonderful artwork abounds in THE LIFE & LEGEND OF WALLACE WOOD, VOLUME 2. And I’m about to read the sequel to THE STRANGE CASE OF THE ALCHEMIST’S DAUGHTER.
Not in any particular order. Limited myself to books published in 2018.
Give Me Your Hand by Megan Abbott
November Road by Lou Berney
Robicheaux by James Lee Burke
Green Sun by Kurt Anderson
The Wife by Alafair Burke
Greeks Bearing Gifts by Philip Kerr
The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
Bearskin by James McLaughlin
Middleman by Olen Steinhauer
The Line That Holds Up by David Joy
Informal History of the Hugos by Jo Walton
The Man Who Came Uptown by George Pelecanos
Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly
Nighttown by Timothy Hallinan
Steve, that’s an impressive list! I really liked Jo Walton’s INFORMAL HISTORY OF THE HUGOs and almost included it on my list. I have Philip Kerr’s GREEKS BEARIN GIFTS on my READ REAL SOON stack right on top of Michael Connelly’s DARK SACRED NIGHT. So many books, so little time…
The Walton and Connelly are on my list.
I have been meaning to read CIRCE especially.
Patti, I’m guessing you would really enjoy CIRCE. Excellent novel!
I have a couple of Megan Abbott’s books on the list for 2019.
Elgin, Megan Abbott’s novels are all well worth reading!