Greetings, book and treat people! Today’s Best Of list is by far the most ridiculous, by which I mean the most wonderful, abundant, and full of beauty—65 works of fiction I read and loved this year. You’ll hear from me one more time on Friday. In the meantime,
I’ve loved all three of these favourites Laura! Admire all your mood and theme categorising - so fun and fresh. Book favourites can sometimes feel repetitive, but not yours! Maximalism always 💚 I’m currently trying to figure out my favourites of the year list too! But some of my fiction ones are: Young Mungo, Black Butterflies, A Little Luck, Still Born and Demon Copperhead.
Yay maximalism! I'm so glad you've been enjoying these lists. I haven't read many of your favs but I am very excited to get to Still Born next year and I also liked Young Mungo. Happy end-of-year list making to you!
Still Born is wonderful! I’m glad you enjoyed Young Mungo, that book tore my heart out and stamped on it. I recall finishing the last page and just crying my eyes out for a long time. So well written but so horrific and heartbreaking. Thank you for end of year list making well wishes!
I wasn't quite prepared for the brutality of Young Mungo and so I went a bit numb...this sometimes happens with queer books that are especially sad/full of suffering. So in retrospect I really loved it, but while reading it I just kept checking out. I can really understand your love of it, though.
Yes it was incredibly brutal. I’ll be the first to admit I tend to read a lot of ‘brutal’ stories so I’m well versed in that tone being in my reading life, but I was incredibly taken aback by how brutal Young Mungo was. The checking out whilst reading it makes complete sense - it was a lot to take in. Mungo’s characterisation was done so very very well. Such a tender narrator which was the most enormous contrast to the things happening to him. Have you read Shuggie Bain? Similar themes and protagonists but slightly less brutal.
omg love this list. brb grabbing a notebook to write all the ones down i haven't read!
i'm partway through LAND OF MILK AND HONEY and the writing is mesmerizing in the best and most magical way.
Ohhhh, yes! It's so good! Just, such luscious writing.
Already obsessed just seeing “65 books”
😂😂😂 💙💙💙
I also loved Chlorine! Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang is on my list of favorites this year and has a very similar vibe.
That one is on my list! And this definitely makes me even more excited for it.
I’ve loved all three of these favourites Laura! Admire all your mood and theme categorising - so fun and fresh. Book favourites can sometimes feel repetitive, but not yours! Maximalism always 💚 I’m currently trying to figure out my favourites of the year list too! But some of my fiction ones are: Young Mungo, Black Butterflies, A Little Luck, Still Born and Demon Copperhead.
Yay maximalism! I'm so glad you've been enjoying these lists. I haven't read many of your favs but I am very excited to get to Still Born next year and I also liked Young Mungo. Happy end-of-year list making to you!
Still Born is wonderful! I’m glad you enjoyed Young Mungo, that book tore my heart out and stamped on it. I recall finishing the last page and just crying my eyes out for a long time. So well written but so horrific and heartbreaking. Thank you for end of year list making well wishes!
I wasn't quite prepared for the brutality of Young Mungo and so I went a bit numb...this sometimes happens with queer books that are especially sad/full of suffering. So in retrospect I really loved it, but while reading it I just kept checking out. I can really understand your love of it, though.
Yes it was incredibly brutal. I’ll be the first to admit I tend to read a lot of ‘brutal’ stories so I’m well versed in that tone being in my reading life, but I was incredibly taken aback by how brutal Young Mungo was. The checking out whilst reading it makes complete sense - it was a lot to take in. Mungo’s characterisation was done so very very well. Such a tender narrator which was the most enormous contrast to the things happening to him. Have you read Shuggie Bain? Similar themes and protagonists but slightly less brutal.
I agree about the characterization. I haven't read Shuggie Brain. I have to ration this sort of book but it's one I'm keeping in my back pocket.