So, I think most of us can agree that 2016 has been a pretty
awful year for the world. On the bright side, I’ve read some good books over
the past twelve months. Here are a few of them, in no particular order.
Best of 2016
Age of Myth by
Michael J. Sullivan
I knew from the moment I read it that Michael J. Sullivan’s Age of Myth would be right up there on this
list. Though technically a prequel to his other works, Sullivan ensures that
the book is understandable and entertaining for all. Case in point, I’ve never
read any of the author’s work before, and I absolutely loved it. The book is
perfect for fans of fantasy and adventure, Tolkien, or anyone who enjoyed Game of Thrones but was confused by all
the characters.
Not Alone by Craig
A. Falconer
This is one of the best “first contact” stories I’ve
encountered. The book starts off a little cartoonish, but quickly becomes a
very realistic depiction of how the world might react to such a scenario. With
an endearing cast of characters and a realistic and unpredictable plot, this sci-fi is definitely worth checking out. If you’re a fan of audiobooks,
I’d strongly recommend the audiobook narrated by James Patrick Cronin.
The View From the Cheap
Seats by Neil Gaiman
In The View From the
Cheap Seats, fantasy’s most perceptive author regales us with his opinions
on everything from books and comics to current events. At times, part memoir,
at times part journalism, and at others somewhere in between, this collection
of essays is a must read for any fans of the genre, and indeed anyone looking
for a perceptive lens through which to view the world. Gaiman’s greatest
strength as a writer has always been his empathy, and that shines through here.
This collection of essays illustrates why his fiction is so effective, and how exactly
he articulates ideas we all sense even if we don’t understand them. If you’re
interested, check out my full
review here.
The Bands of Mourning
by Brandon Sanderson
There isn’t much I can say about Brandon Sanderson that hasn’t
been said already. This book is the third in the Wax and Wayne segment of the
Mistborn saga, itself only a portion of the larger Cosmere
sequence. If these words confuse you, don’t worry. I’ve read most of
Sanderson’s books and still don’t entirely understand what’s going on. If you
want to read Bands of Mourning, I’d recommend
catching up with the rest of the Mistborn books first. If you’ve already done
so and you’ve read Bands of Mourning…
HOLY SH!T ENDING??!?!?! Something Sanderson does incredibly well is addressing
the macro (the grand happenings of the universe he has created) without
forgetting the micro (character interactions and the realistic problems faced
by individuals). For anyone who’s a fan original and innovative fantasy, I’d
really recommend
giving Brandon Sanderson a read.
Other books I read in
2016 (not published this year)
Another fantasy entry on this list, Katherine Addison’s The Goblin Emperor is detail-heavy. The
amount of world-building the author managed to place into a relatively short
volume is quite impressive. The plot isn’t always the most exciting, but it’s a
slow and meticulous study of a fantasy society that questions the nature of
power, race, and the class system. Think Game
of Thrones with a few less heads being crushed.
I stumbled upon Peter Clines a year or so ago while browsing
through Audible, and I’m very happy I did. The second of his books I’ve read, 14 introduces an interesting shared universe
that mirrors our own. The books each contain their own cast of characters and
are loosely connected by interspersed cameos and a growing threat in the
background (remember how Marvel slowly introduced us to its Cinematic Universe?).
By combining likeable characters with an interesting mystery, 14 is an easy read with something more
for those who care to look.
Between the World and
Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
An incredibly timely book given the problems plaguing the United
States right now (as though there was a time when race wasn’t an issue in the US). National correspondent for The Atlantic Ta-Nehisi Coates examines
the question of a black man’s place in the world in light of recent high
profile events. Framing the work as a letter to his son, Coates’ prose has a
poetic imperfection that lends to the work’s aching poignancy. Coates’ love for
his son lives on the page. The pain he feels at the deaths of so many others,
and the fear for his own son’s life, is like a punch to the gut. Between the World and Me is not a fun
book to read, but it is an important one.
Half of a Yellow Sun
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Set in Nigeria during the 1960s, Half of a Yellow Sun follows three major characters as they attempt
to deal with the onset of the Biafran War. Steeped in historical details and
based on the firsthand accounts of the author’s relatives, the book is a
heartbreaking portrayal of the costs of war and the legacies of colonialism.
The book provides an intriguing examination of how intellectual ideals and
harsh realities often clash. This is a great book for fans of the works of
Khaled Hossieni.
The Sculptor by
Scott McCloud
This graphic novel is quite unlike anything I’ve ever read. Scott
McCloud manages to tap into something all creators, writers, and artists inevitably
feel but cannot always articulate. Over a few hundred pages of beautiful and
slightly impressionistic artwork, McCloud tells a beautiful story of love,
life, and the struggles faced by all those who create. The last hundred pages
is quite possibly one of the most powerful things I have ever read. At two in
the morning, this story’s conclusion left me in tears yet ultimately hopeful.
A Life With Words
by Richard B. Wright
Similar to The Sculptor,
Richard B. Wright’s memoir provides us some beautiful insight into the life of
a writer. Chronicling his young life and the struggles he faced – both internal
and external – while breaking into the Canadian literary scene, A Life With Words speaks to the
insecurities felt by all those who think deeply about the world around them.
This is a unique memoir in that the author refers to himself in the third
person. Some might call this pretentious, but I found this detail spoke to the
distance we often feel from the world, something most writers struggle with at
some time or another.
For a full list of books I’ve read over the past few years,
many of which I’ve reviewed and commented on, check out my Goodreads profile.
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