It Is That Time Of Year Again--Book Talk! Here, From "The New York Times' 100 Most Notable Books List" In Fiction, Are What I Have Already Read, And What I Think Is Worth Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Actually, girls, the list of what is worth reading is smaller in years past, but that's the way the book bounces.  However, considering I have read ten books on this list--one tenth of the entire list--which is not too bad, and some of them could end up being contenders on mine--I am moving along.  Ah, but what will "The New York Times" pick?  Bet it will be SO different from my picks!  Will even one of them be on it?  We shall all find out next week.

  

                               Meanwhile, here is what I have culled from "The 100 Most Notable Books Of 2022 List"--

                                                                       

                                         1. "Checkout 19," by Claire-Louise Bennett--I actually READ this one, dolls.  It was heralded, and supposed to glorify the transitional quality reading brings to people, but it did nothing for me.

                                                                                     

                                   2.  "Case Study," by Graeme Macrae Burnet--   I READ this one too, dolls.  An interesting realistic blend of psychology and horror. A must for followers of both.

                                                                                

                                      3.  "If I Survive You," by Jonathan Escoffery--I have heard much about this.  An interesting short story collection.  It peaks my reading interest.

                                                                               

                                   4.   "Lessons In Chemistry," by Bonnie Garmus--READ--I simply loved it.  Touching and hopeful, as a Fifties grown woman evolves from a chemist wannabe into her own version of Julia Child, while learning insights and hope along the way.  Featuring one of the most adorable canine characters in recent literature.

                                                                                    

                                             5.  "After Lives," by Abduirazak Gurnah--An historical novel about German East Africans, it sounds potentially sprawling and entertaining.   Ethnic sagas are in, so I am on board!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                  

                                  6.  "Demon Copperhead," by Barbara Kingsolver--READ!  A retelling of Dickens' "David Copperfield," and as satisfying, if not romantic, a reading, as the original.  Kingsolver takes the idea and runs with it beautifully, where other writers might have screwed it up.

                                                                             

                                        7.  "Companion Piece," by Ali Smith--More strum und drang from the author of "The Seasonal Quartet."   But, hey, it's Ali Smith!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                            

                                    8.  "Joan Is Okay," by Weike Wang--No, dears, it is not Joan Didion, but the wacky craziness of this Joan makes for potentially enjoyable and interesting reading.

                                                                                 

                                         9.  "Avalon," by Nell Zink-- I know, I know, like we need another coming-of-age novel?  But it is by the author of "Doxology," so it might bear reading.

                                                                       

                                      10.  "Didn't Nobody Give A Shit What Happened To Carlotta," by James Hannaham--A very woke novel about a trans' experiences after being freed from a men's prison.  Hey. I am willing to try it.  

                                                                               

                                11.  "The Furrows," by Namwali Serpell--Another novel of sibling love and loss.  One might say "Ho, hm," but it is from the author of "The Old Drift," which I just loved, so I think this will be something different, and its own thing.

                                                                        

                                                                           

                                      13.  Another battling siblings novel, but this one occupies the superstitious spot, since the author wrote last year's thriller of the year, "The Plot."  So, I am curious to see how Korelitz will take this trope and run with it.

                                                                                

                                       14.  "Liberation Day," by George Saunders--I know, I know, it is another short story collection.  But, hey, it is by George Saunders, so I, for one, intend to read it.

                                                                                

                                      15.  "Lucy By The Sea," by Elizabeth Strout--Another novel about the novelist's signature character and stand in, Lucy Barton.  I have GOT to read this.  Now, if only someone would write a novel about the further adventures of that crazy bitch, Lucy Harbin, as portrayed by Joan Crawford, in the 1964 film "Strait-Jacket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                                            

                                     16.  "Our Missing Hearts," by Celeste Ng--Yes, I have READ it.  A heartbreaking story of a family torn apart by politics and activism.  Some folk I know were not crazy about this one, but I actually thought it better than "Little Fires Everywhere."

                                                                             

                                      17.  "The Passenger," by Cormac McCarthy--Hey, the first novel the man has written in 16 years?  You bet I READ it.  But he is going way off in different directions; if what you want is "Blood Meridian," then re-read that.    McCarthy takes a Hemingway approach to the story of "Bobby Western," a diver of junk, interspersing it with Pynchon like concepts of quantum physics, algorithms and such.    A must for McCarthy devotees, but don't expect a return to the old.   

                                                                         

                                      18,  How much do you want to bet, girls, this will make the Times' list of the five best works of fiction?  Another abstract, conceptual concoction, non-linear narration, which is just the kind of thing these agenda ridden critics go crazy over.  Me, I will read it, but I am not looking forward to it. 

                                                                             

                                 19.  "The Rabbit Hutch," by Tess Gunty--Before I READ it, I kept calling it "The Rabbit Hole."  Maybe I wanted something of Alice's adventures.  Well, this is as far from Alice as you can get, exploring residents of the wrong side of the tracks in a Podunk Indiana town.  When I first saw the cover, I thought it was a thriller; I won't say much except that, actually, it is.

                                                                               

                                                20.  "The Return Of Faraz Ali, " by Aamina Ahmad--I can't say much about this one, girls, as I have not read it, but it is waiting in my pile.  If I can squeeze it in, before early December, I will let you know.

                                                                             

                                      21.  "Sea Of Tranquility," by Emily St. John Mandel---Everyone seems to love this author, but me.  "Station Eleven" depressed me so much, I might as well have gone back to Joan Didion.  But so many people have urged me to give this one a try, that I feel compelled to, and so I will.  Just not right now.

                                                                          

                                  22.  "Tomorrow And Tomorrow And Tomorrow," by Garbrielle Zevin--I was hesitant about this one.  But I am currently reading it right now, and, with 146 pages to go, I may finish it either today, or certainly tomorrow.  But it is the surprise of the year, since it deals with video gaming, something that does  not interest me at all.  But Zevin's ability to focus on technology while not sacrificing narration or characterization is what pulled me in.  My generation, raised on board games, will easily relate to what goes on here.  Maybe not a contender, but certainly the unexpected surprise of the year.   A few hours later:  I just finished it, indeed the surprise of the year.  And Clownerina now kicks on certain days.

                                                                              

                                    23.  "Trust," by Hernan Diaz--Capitalism and Literature examined from three different viewpoints over three different periods of time.  Sounds dull?  Hons, it was one of my most satisfying reads of the year.

                                                                            

                                         24.  "The Whalebone Theatre," by Joanna Quinn--What a debut.  I not only READ it, I LOVED it!  A heartbreaking Dickensian family saga that begins with children of a Victorian like estate in Dorsetshire, and culminates with their experiences and heartbreak during World War II.  For those, like myself, who cherish narrative fiction, this is the book for you!

                                                                                   

                                  25.  "You Made A Fool Of Death With Your Beauty," by Akwaeke Emezi--The heroine of this novel, a struggling Nigerian visual artist, trying to fit herself into the fabric of America today, really does do what the title says.  Find out how by reading this surprisingly satisfying novel.

                                  So, that is my take, fiction wise, on "The New York Times 100 Most Notable Books List."  What I have read, and what I feel are worth reading.  As for what are my contenders, and theirs, I cannot wait to find out next week.  I will report on everything at that time., girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    Meanwhile, time for me to get back to the Gabrielle Zevin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!