Monday, March 28, 2022

Scooter & Hum's Top Five Books Of The Year 2021


Welp, I hammered well past my personal goal of 42 books last year, finishing at an even 50. During the effort, I read some 16,711 pages, learned more than a little cockney slang, and put myself in quite a predicament when it came to identifying the best books of the year.

In recognition of the escalating numbers, I added a new category this year: "Narrow Misses." This addition helps me further delineate so many worthy books and is absolutely not a copout in any way.

Without further ado ...


#1. "Goldfinch," by Donna Tartt


What I Say Now: 

Propelled by a staggeringly memorable cast of characters, Tartt's book seamlessly manages to blend many books into a single borderline masterpiece. While "The Goldfinch" makes you work for it with an intimidating length, chronology challenges, and an untrustworthy narrator, the effort is beyond worth it. The novel is achingly beautiful, emotionally wrenching, and purely unforgettable.

Passage to Remember: 

"Things would have turned out better if she had lived. As it was, she died when I was a kid; and though everything that's happened to me since then is thoroughly my own fault, still when I lost her I lost sight of any landmark that might have led me someplace happier, to some more populated or congenial life. Her death the dividing mark: Before and After."


#2. "Lincoln Highway," by Amor Towles


What I Say Now: 

Perhaps the best place to start is by sharing that I don't think I had more fun reading any book in 2022 than "Lincoln Highway." The novel combines elements of adventure, quest, and travel, throwing in commentary on religion and racism. With shifting narrators caught in a nine-day whirlwind, there were many moments when the book could have gone off the proverbial rails -- but Towles guided it into the station to stunning effect.

Passage to Remember: 

"But for most people, it doesn't matter where they live. When they get up in the morning, they're not looking to change the world. They want to have a cup of coffee and a piece of toast, put in their eight hours, and wrap up the day with a bottle of beer in front of the TV set. More or less, it's what they'd be doing whether they lived in Atlanta, Georgia, or Nome, Alaska. And if it doesn't matter for most people where they live, it certainly doesn't matter where they're going.

"That's what gave the Lincoln Highway its charm."


#3. "Caste," by Isabel Wilkerson


What I Say Now: 

The most painful -- yet most enlightening -- book I read all year. "Caste" is exquisitely researched and detailed while managing to leave room for individual interpretation and subtle calls to activism. Wilkerson shies away from no topic, heeding a personal call to dredge the book from deep within and meticulously drawing straight lines from past horrors to contemporary politics in all the urgent and instructive ways.

Passage to Remember: 

"Caste is insidious and therefore powerful because it is not hatred, it is not necessarily personal. It is the worn grooves of comforting routines and unthinking expectations, patterns of a social order that have been in place for so long that it looks like the natural order of things."


#4. "Last Stories," by William Trevor

What I Wrote Then:

The incomparable William Trevor is at his best here in the collection of short stories, a genre in which the author as perhaps fiction's finest practitioner. There is no one better at documenting and portraying lives of "quiet desperation," in the words of Henry David Thoreau. Make no mistake -- there are times when Trevor makes you work for it. In "Taking Mr. Ravenswood" and "Mrs. Crasthorpe," in particular, the stories are a bit confusing and disturbing. Many of the stories are obtuse, avoiding overt explanation and urging the reader toward reflection and contemplation. The highlights for me are "Griotto's Angels" and "An Idyll in Winter," but the collection is run through with memorable and devastating reads. Sorting through the British idioms can take some doing -- but as with all of Trevor's brilliance, the payoff is well worth the effort.

What I Say Now: 

Trevor is a previous winner of the Scooties, having taken home top honors in 2012 with "Selected Stories." Here, at the twilight of his remarkable career, he shows no slowdown, calling on his remarkable grasp on the human condition and individual yearnings to paint a vivid, heart-rending picture of everyday life.

Passage to Remember: 

"'How slightly we know ourselves until something happens,' Mary Bella broke a silence that had lasted. 'How blurred the edges are: what we can do, what in the end we can't. What nags, what doesn't.'"


#5. "Klara and the Sun," by Kazuo Ishiguro


What I Say Now: 

A master at work, Ishiguro peppers his novel with themes of master/servant, technology/humanity,  and light/shadow. "Klara and the Sun" blends questions of mortality, caste, and the environment, using satirical techniques to draw the most of his sparse prose. Offering more questions than answers, the book is a testament to the power of compelling a reader to fill in the other half of a book.

Passage to Remember: 

"There's nothing there. Nothing inside Josie that's beyond the Klara of this world to continue."


Narrow Misses (in 15 words or less):

"A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again," by David Foster Wallace: Hysterical, masterful essay collection that features gonzo journalism, searing social commentary, and incisive, poignant observations.
"Night Boat to Tangier," by Kevin Barry: Lilting, melodic account of a pair of unforgettable Irishmen, peppered with idioms, humor, and heart.
"The Committed," by Viet Thanh Nguyen: Stellar sequel to "The Sympathizer" features double meanings, satire, and irony in dissecting colonial impact.
"Less," by Andrew Sean Greer: Lovingly rendered depiction of mid-life crisis, shot through with emotion, humor, and self-awareness.
"Leave the World Behind," by Rumaan Alam: Immersive, fraught account of national disaster a master class in pacing and atmospheric character building. 
"The Heart is a Lonely Hunter," by Carson McCullers: Staggering tale features rich cast of characters who navigate the reality of loneliness and poverty.
"The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini: Unflinching look at Afghanistan's caste system, religious schisms, and the interplay of guilt and redemption. 
"Circe," by Madeline Miller: Entrancing reimagining of the tale of exiled Circe, modernized and personalized in a delightful fashion.
"Infinite Country," by Patricia Engel: Searing, challenging look at the ripple effects of immigration on vulnerable families and fraught relationships.
"Our Country Friends," by Gary Shteyngart: Global pandemic serves as another character in this memorable tale of love, classism, and culture.


Honorable Mention (in 10 words or less):

"We," by Yevgeny Zamyatin: Creepy grandfather of dystopian fiction features oppressive atmosphere, frantic pace.
"The Alchemist," by Paulo Coelho: Resonant classic full of accessible parables, useful allegories, surprising emotion.
"The Mosquito Coast," by Paul Theroux: Epic scale dominates ode to disillusionment and meaning of family.
"The Best American Short Stories," edited by Roxane Gay: Reflecting zeitgeist, dark collection run through with fatalism, foreboding, melancholy.
"Never Let Me Go," by Kazuo Ishiguro: Morality, mortality, justification carry the day for another dystopian classic.
"Lathe of Heaven," by Ursula K. Le Guin: Intense scientific bent propels emotional exploration of dream and reality.
"The Little Drummer Girl," by John Le Carre: Rhythmic tension powers lengthy tale of spydom, racism, and nationalism.
"Our Time is Now," by Stacey Abrams: Urgent voting rights blueprint from potential savior of American democracy.
"Writers & Lovers," by Lily King: Discussion of loss vs. fulfillment robbed of impact by conclusion.
"Parable of the Sower," by Octavia E. Butler: Socioeconomics, environmentalism carry the day in preachy near-apocalyptic story.
"Can't Even," by Anne Helen Petersen: Despite assumptions, an insightful, revealing look at the millennial mindset.
"A Swim in a Pond in the Rain," by George Saunders: Exploration of writer/reader dynamic in context of Russian literature.
"The Golden House," by Salman Rushdie: No heady issue avoided in breakneck observance of American dream.
"Billy Summers," by Stephen King: Tender tone marks Frankenstein effort of stitched-together short stories.
"Scoop," by Evelyn Waugh: Satirical dissertation on the role of journalism in global subjugation.
"Acid for the Children," by Flea: Poignant, revealing, enjoyable stream-of-consciousness from legendary RHCP bassist.
"Sag Harbor," by Colson Whitehead: Nostalgic, essay-like remembrance of formative summers on Long Island.
"Razorblade Tears," by S.A. Cosby: Southern noir overcomes formulaic feel to send host of messages.
"Paradise," by Abdulrazak Gurnah: Coming-of-age story steeped in colonialism and caste system.
Project Hail Mary,” by Andy Weir: Uplifting, wide-ranging sci-fi tale requires suspension of disbelief.


Notable (in 7 words or less):

"Later," by Stephen King: Litany of coincidences, frantic pace highlight noir.
"Prozac Nation," by Elizabeth Wurtzel: Memoir of unreliable narrator's struggles important, over-wrought.
"Life," by Lu Yao: Charming tale of generation gaps in Asia.
"The Destiny Thief," by Richard Russo: Overbearing essay reveals respected author in weakest format.
"Ur," by Stephen King: Small town, Dark Tower in King wheelhouse.
"Pity the Reader," by Kurt Vonnegut: Purported writing book just lengthy fan letter.
"The Ocean at the End of the Lane," by Neil Gaiman: Mystical story leaves wanting more or less.
"Black Buck," by Mateo Askaripour: Ambitious book can be exasperating and essential.
"The Witch Elm," by Tana French: Compelling read beset with dense dialogue, believability.
"Parable of the Talents," by Octavia E. Butler: Disappointing finale to dystopian saga undermines message.


The Rest (in 5 words or less):

"Star Wars Last Shot," by Daniel Jose Older: Welcome no-stress beach read.
"Mandalorian," by Joe Schreiber: Bounty hunter tale for kids.
"The Lightning Thief," by Rick Riordan: Greek myth-based fun read.
"Blindsight," by Matt Johnson and Prince Ghuman: Fascinating look at marketing, psychology.
"Ready Player Two," by Ernest Cline: Forgettable sequel pure money play.

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