Scooter & Hum's Top Five Books Of The Year 2025

Needing the gift of escapism even more than ever, I set a goal of 37 books in 2025, with the idea being to focus on longer, deeper books. However, I ended up reading 41 in all, to the tune of 15,937 pages (more than 1,200 pages more than the previous year), with the shortest book checking in at 128 pages and the longest at 1,318. 

As always, I went back and forth a bit on my top five, and as a general note, I was fortunate enough to find a number of tremendous non-fiction books this year.

Without further ado ...

1. "The End of the Myth," by Greg Grandin

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

Grandin does meticulous research in outlining the chronology of the nation's founding. By documenting our country's long reliance on myths and brutality, the author unequivocally decimates the entire concept of American exceptionalism.

Passages to Remember: 

“It’s America’s new myth, a monument to the final closing of the frontier. It is a symbol of a nation that used to believe that it had escaped history, or at least strode atop history, but now finds itself trapped by history, and of a people who used to think they were captains of the future, but now are prisoners of the past.”

“There’s nothing united about these States anymore, except Standard Oil and discontent. We’re no longer a small people living and dying for a great idea; we’re a big people living and dying for money.”

~Owen Wister

“Increasingly politicized elites began to invest vast sums in any intellectual, lawyer, economist, or philosopher willing to tell them they were the new pioneers, that the individual was the sole source of virtue, the only creator of value, that the world was divided between makers and takers, that market solutions were the only effective solutions, and that new economic frontiers were always open to conquest.”

2. "The Largesse of the Sea Maiden," by Denis Johnson

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

One of my favorite authors, Johnson created this profound, absorbing short-story collection for a posthumous publication. The work captures a true American treasure’s brilliance just after his death.

Passages to Remember: 

“Before long, we wandered into a discussion of the difference between repentance and regret. You repent the things you’ve done, and regret the chances you let get away.”

~“The Largesse of the Sea Maiden”

“That’s what we gotta do is get down to just one story, the true person we are, and live it all the way out.” 

~“The Starlight of Idaho”

“Have I loved my wife? We’ve gotten along. We’ve never felt like congratulating ourselves.”

~“The Largesse of the Sea Maiden”

3. "A Day in the Life of Abed Salama," by Nathan Thrall

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

Thrall has built a devastating tale of what's required to eke out a life amidst fraught Palestinian-Jewish interactions. Out of respect for the subject matter, his prose is straightforward and succinct, but his work should be required reading within the current geopolitical climate.

Passages to Remember: 

“We do not see our hand in what happens, so we call certain events melancholy accidents when they are the inevitabilities of our projects, and we call other events necessities merely because we will not change our minds.”

~Stanley Cavell

“‘You’ve turned our autonomy into a prison for us,’ the lead Palestinian negotiator, Abu Ala, said.”

4. "Looking for Alaska," by John Green

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

Green evokes an absorbing sentimentality through is depiction of an Alabama boarding school that serves as the setting for coming-of-age misfits dealing with grief and love. Yes, this is technically a YA book, but I make absolutely zero apologies for ranking it here.

Passages to Remember: 

“She didn’t leave me enough to discover her, but she left me enough to rediscover the Great Perhaps.”

“‘Oh, they suck,’ replied the Colonel. ‘But we always beat the shit out of the deaf-and-blind school.’”

“She taught me everything I knew about crawfish and kissing and pink wine and poetry. She made me different.”

“So I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bottom bunk, thinking that if people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane.”

“He was gone, and I did not have time to tell him what I had just now realized: that I forgave him, and that she forgave us, and that we had to forgive to survive in the labyrinth. There were so many of us who would have to live with things done and things left undone that day. Things that did not go right, things that seemed okay at the time because we could not see the future. If only we could see the endless string of consequences that result from our smallest actions. But we can’t know better until knowing better is useless.”

5. "The Place of Tides," by James Rebanks

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

Stunning Norway is the setting for Rebanks's non-fiction depiction of a dying tradition being upheld by a force of nature. The author weaves his personal challenges into the experience, making for a rich and emotional read.

Passages to Remember: 

“I couldn’t stop thinking about the old woman on the rocks … It was like someone had shown me a few lines of a truly great book and then closed the covers tight shut.”

“She had built herself out of the old stories, as had each generation before her, and now those who told them were dying out. Sometimes, in the days that followed, if Anna told me a story and I didn’t scribble it down she would look at me like maybe I hadn’t understood its importance, and would glance at the paper as if I ought to record it.”

“Our lives are a series of choices – about what we do, and don’t do. Over time we decide what to let go of, what must die, and what we will fight to keep alive. Sometimes these are big, deliberate decisions, other times change happens in a thousand thoughtless little moments.”

“Anna reminded me that the first rule of living is to live. To see, hear, smell, touch, and taste the world. The more I tuned in, the closer Anna and I were growing as friends. I was beginning a journey back to the person I had once been – and needed to be again.”

“Anna’s example was simple: if we are to save the world, we have to start somewhere. We just have to do one damn thing after another. Hers was a small kind of heroism, but it was the most powerful kind. The kind that saves us. We all have to go to work in our own communities, in our own landscapes. We have to show up day in, day out, for years and years, doing the work. There will be no brass band, no parade. And we have to accept and keep the faith in each other, and somehow work together. It is the only way we can make our own tiny deeds add up to become the change we all need.”

Narrow Misses (in 15 words or less):

"Vera, or Faith," by Gary Shteyngart: Hysterical, gut-wrenching look at contemporary politics and how technology compromises what passes for culture.

"Barbarian Days," by William Finnegan: Melodic, mystic autobiography details the author’s quixotic search for the perfect, unexplored wave–and peace.

"Montpelier Parade," by Karl Geary: Stark, oppressive look at two sides of same Dublin, through the eyes of futureless Sonny.

"Foster," by Claire Keegan: Tale of the bond between neglected niece and caregivers in rural Ireland is devastatingly emotional.

"The Intuitionist," by Colson Whitehead: Memorable debut of generation-defining novelist is a many-genred racial allegory with compelling characters.

"Down and Out in Paris and London," by George Orwell: Seedy underbelly of two of world's most renowned cities revealed in tragic, stark, hysterical memoir.

"Master and Margarita," by Andrei Bulgakov: Subversive, posthumous work uses a satanic presence to offer satirical takedown of Moscow, Russian society.

"Isola," by Allegra Goodman: Privileged orphan suffers abuse, imprisonment, and abandonment, finding her spiritual center in a harsh environment.

"An Oral History of Atlantis," by Ed Park: Short-story collection feels like fever dream shot through with social commentary, ennui, and hilarity.

"Stranger in a Strange Land," by Robert A. Heinlein: Dense, intriguing sci-fi adventure loses steam as it devolves into commentary on religion, sexuality.

Honorable Mention (in 10 words or less):

"A Really Strange and Wonderful Time," by Tom Maxwell: Triangle takes center stage in meticulously researched indie-music memoir.

"Tentacle," by Rita Indiana: Queer politics, other social issues clash in short, challenging book.

"Rogues," by Patrick Radden Keefe: Meticulous researcher displays investigative gifts in collection of finest work.

"The Freaks Came Out to Write," by Tricia Romano: Dizzying number of interviews document definitive counterculture institution Village Voice.

"The Hum," by Helen Phillips: Poignant tale of budding AI terror diminished by slow pacing.

"The Boys of Riverside," by Thomas Fuller: Dedicated group of deaf boys embrace challenges, win state title.

"1Q84," by Haruki Murakami: Sprawling tale crosses worlds, but undercut by repetition, distracting fetishizing.

"The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2024," edited by S.A. Cosby: Memorable collection of short stories boasts unique formats, styles, themes.

"Rebel Hearts: Journey Within the IRA's Soul," by Kevin Toolis: Painstaking research into history of the Troubles, impact of violence.

"The End of the World As We Know it: New Tales of Stephen King's The Stand," edited by Christopher Golden and Brian Keene: Ambitious tales set in Stephen King's world. to varying effectiveness.

"Lazarus Man," by Richard Price: NYC takes the fore in tale of atonement, hope, community.

Notable (in 7 words or less):

"On Air," by Steve Oney: NPR's origin story is dense and invaluable.

"Everybody Knows," by Jordan Harper: Hollywood noir showcases underdogs toppling fixed game.

"On the Hippie Trail," by Rick Steves: Global trek as coming-of-age story.

"Brothers," by Alex Van Halen: Emotional tale of brotherhood overcomes sudden ending.

"Where the Line Bleeds," by Jesmyn Ward: Barren Gulf Coast features twins finding identity.

"CivilWarLand in Bad Decline," by George Saunders: Depressing, confusing short stories reveal future satirist.

"Never Flinch," by Stephen King: Holly Gibney, killer, stalker converge in Ohio.

"The Geek Way," by Andrew McAfee: Can speed, science, openness foster change, culture?

"The Emergency," by George Packer: Satirical parable worthy read for current moment.

"King of Ashes," by S.A. Cosby: Formulaic Southern noir gives what it promises.

"Black Woods Blue Sky," by Eowyn Ivey: Girl's connection to a mysterious Alaskan creature.

The Rest (in 5 words or less):

"Creation Lake," by Rachel Kushner: Weak protagonist sinks promising premise.

"Talent," by Tyler Cowen and Daniel Gross: Iffy role models undercut theme. 

"Kill Joy," by Holly Jackson: Fun prequel set in Scotland.

"The Reappearance of Rachel Price," by Holly Jackson: Coincidence, formula deter YA tale.

Day 2,143, Quasi-Quarantine: Ambitious "The End Of The World As We Know It" Sets Tales In The World Of Stephen King's "The Stand"

 

“I wanted to tell him that blood had always and would always lubricate the grinding gears of the universe.”

~“The Story I Tell is the Story of Some of Us” by Paul Tremblay

In many quarters, Stephen King's "The Stand" is the most iconic post-apocalyptic novel of all time. The sprawling story has inspired a legion of fans and creators, and "The End Of The World As We Know It" encapsulates its beloved status among established and aspiring writers.

“I wanted to curl up and cry for days–to just expel everything and then fade into the soil, to be recycled and fed into the earth so I could be of use to something again.” 

~“La Mala Hora,” Alex Segura

Edited by Christopher Golden and Brian Keene, this collection of 34 tales set in the world -- or the aftermath -- of "The Stand" represents nearly every geography and perspective one might imagine. There are stories set in outer space and Pakistan, and from the perspective of children, animals, and the living dead.

“You did not understand that we were the new. God’s rejects were the change. We will remake the world into a thing you do not recognize. We will remake the world into a thing that works.”

~“The Devil’s Children,” by Sarah Langan

At nearly 800 pages, "The End of the World As We Know It" can be something of a slog, and the quality of the short stories can vary. Many were better in concept in execution, and novellas may have been a better format than short stories for some as well.

“He looked like the hero of a Springsteen song, but in every way he bled darker.”

~“Keep the Devil Down,” by Rio Youers

However, a number of these works were worthy of the (Stephen) King, including "In a Pig's Eye," by Joe R. Lansdale; "La Mala Hora," by Alex Segura; "Kovach's Last Case," by Michael Koryta; "Keep the Devil Down," by Rio Youers; "Grand Junction," by Chuck Wendig; and "The Unfortunate Convalescence of the SuperLawyer," by Nat Cassidy.

“A utility worker starfished along the roadside with a throat so black and swollen you felt you could float down the river on it with a cooler of beer and some George Strait on the boom box.”

~“Lenora,” by Jonathan Janz

These stories -- among a handful of others -- made the effort more than worthwhile ... and a worthy complement to the King canon.

“‘There are no police anymore,’ she whispered. ‘And there are no doctors. There are only survivors and dreamers, and there are two kinds of dreamers. Only one of them is going to write the story from here. Which one will it be, Detective Kovach?’”

~“Kovach’s Last Case,” by Michael Koryta

Limerick Friday #644: The Halloween When Grier And The 'Fins Finally Turned Into A Pumpkin -- Day 2,050

Ineptitude year after year

With no vision or plan clear

Had pictures of Ross with a goat

So no one had a firing vote

Yet the 'Fins finally shitcanned Grier

State can't get a loan

From the poorhouse zone

Not rich enough to compete

Or football expectations to meet

Might need to run the wishbone

A pilot's never been more scary

Some secrets Stephen King can't bury

A massive plot twist

That everyone missed

High hopes for "Welcome to Derry"

Signs of life

Amid struggle and strife

Bitched the ATL

Though we're still in cap hell

And McDaniel lives under a knife

Accountability a concept foreign

Prepare the boos to keep pourin'

Determined to make this end badly

As Pack fans watch on sadly

Mediocrity, thy name is Doeren

Last time ...

Day 1,993, Quasi-Quarantine: "Never Flinch" Marks Yet Another Return Of Holly Gibney, The Character Stephen King Can't Quit

 

“She understands that extreme horror is, in its own way, merciful. It doesn’t allow you to look ahead to the end.”

Detective Holly Gibney is back yet again in Stephen King's "Never Flinch," as are the coincidences and cloud of trouble that perpetually surround her.

In this installment, the journeys of a serial killer and a stalker converge in Ohio, and Holly and her cast of familiars are squarely in the crosshairs. King makes use of contemporary storylines, his customary sublime character-building, and his trademark frantic pacing to make up for some required suspension of disbelief.

“Most days I’m like a one-legged woman in an ass-kicking contest.”

The Finders Keepers universe is at its best when Holly and her surrogate family -- Jerome, Barbara, and Pete -- align to solve otherworldly mysteries, but this one lacks the fantastical and the foursome spend most of their time on their own paths. The result is a fun read that lacks the depth and existential questions of previous efforts.

“He stepped over the line, and guess what? The other side of the line is no different. The idea is both terrible and comforting.”

Day 1,827, Quasi-Quarantine: "Kill Joy" Is A Fun Prequel To Murder-Mystery Trilogy

 

Serving as a prequel to Holly Jackson's "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" trilogy ("A Good Girl's Guide to Murder," "Good Girl, Bad Blood," and "As Good as Dead"), "Kill Joy" offers a clever way to sketch some of Pippa Fitz-Amobi's character and provide context for the future choices she'll make.

“Cara shuddered. ‘Urgh, I hate the word moist.’”

Attending a murder-mystery birthday party, Pip and her friends are taken to 1920s Scotland. As the game escalates, she delves deeper into her assigned character and methodically plots out clues and suspicions.

Jackson's novella is an absorbing, short read -- complete with a reference to Stephen King's "It." While not essential to the ensuing trilogy, it does an admirable job of helping to set the scene.

Scooter & Hum's Top Five Books Of The Year 2024

 

After reading 41 books and some 14,638 pages in 2024, here was the top five I read this year (ask me tomorrow and it'll be different). I probably say this every year, but nailing down a top five was near impossible. And on a side note, I've made a mental note to re-evaluate how often I'm using the word "stunning" in my reviews (a good problem to have).

Without further ado ...

1: "Prophet Song," by Paul Lynch

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

Stunning tale of dystopian Ireland is immersive, terrifying, and exhausting, featuring almost overwhelming grief, tragedy.

Passages to Remember: 

“I wish you would listen to me, Aine says, history is a silent record of people who did not know when to leave.”

“I should have known this would happen, he says, I should have known but I shut my eyes, I loved her once you know, I really did love her, I still do love her, oh– tell me, where did the love go, tell me that, I can’t remember where things go anymore, where does all our love go when once we held it beating in our hand?”

“Watching them all now with this feeling of the moment vanishing, knowing she will remember them like this, her children seated around the table, sensing the wheel of disorder coming loose into spin.”

“Sooner or later pain becomes too great for fear and when the people’s fear has gone the regime will have to go.”

2. "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay," by Michael Chabon

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

Beautiful novel captures the pursuit of love, identity, and belonging in 1940s New York City.

Passages to Remember: 

“Joe, on the floor, was aware for a moment that he was lying on a sour-smelling oval braided rug, in an apartment recently vacated by a girl who had impressed him, in the few instants of their acquaintance, as the most beautiful he had ever seen in his life, in a building whose face he had scaled so that he could begin to produce comic books for a company that sold farting pillows, in Manhattan, New York, where he had come by way of Lithuania, Siberia, and Japan.”

“The sound of their raised voices carries up through the complicated antique ductwork of the grand old theater, rising and echoing through the pipes until it emerges through a grate in the sidewalk, where it can be heard clearly by a couple of young men who are walking past, their collars raised against the cold October night, dreaming their elaborate dream,wishing their wish, teasing their golem into life.”

“It was marvelous that in this big town he had managed to rediscover, a year later, the girl with the miraculous behind.”

“The newspaper articles that Joe had read about the upcoming Senate investigation into comic books always cited ‘escapism’ among the litany of injurious consequences of their reading, and dwelled on the pernicious effects on young minds, of satisfying the desire to escape. As if there could be any more noble or necessary service in life.”

3. "James," by Percival Everett

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

Inspired reimagining of "Huckleberry Finn" sets emotions aswirl like the water of the Mississippi River.

Passages to Remember: 

“I don’t see no profit in askin’ for stuff just so I don’t get it and learn a lesson ‘bout not gettin’ what I asked fer. What kinda sense does that make? Might as well pray to that board there.”

“‘To fight in a war,’ he said. ‘Can you imagine?’

‘Would that mean facing death every day and doing what other people tell you to do?’ I asked.

‘I reckon.’

‘Yes, Huck, I can imagine.’”

“I hated the world that wouldn’t let me apply justice without the certain retaliation of injustice.”

“My name is James. I’m going to get my family. You can come with me or you can stay here. You can come and try freedom or you can stay here. You can die with me trying to find freedom or you can stay here and be dead anyway. My name is James.” 

4. "Clear," by Carys Davies

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

Remote Scottish island provides moody backdrop for beautiful tale of cloistered loneliness and unexpected hope.

Passages to Remember: 

“How is it, she thought, we never see the big things coming?”

“He remembered the strange hand movements his visitor had made in the beginning, and how he’d ignored them, not wanting to know why he was here because that would involve thinking about how long he would stay and when he would leave, and from the moment John Ferguson had looked him squarely in the face and the wave of emotion had crashed over him and almost drowned him, he’d never wanted to think about him not being here anymore.”

“‘Forgive me,’ he whispered, hardly knowing who he was talking to, only knowing that he was guilty.”

5. "The Passenger," by Cormac McCarthy

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

Sophisticated meditation on grief spans Gulf Coast and an unforgettable cast of characters -- and mysteries.

Passages to Remember: 

“Grief is the stuff of life. A life without grief is no life at all. But regret is a prison. Some part of you which you deeply value lies forever impaled at a crossroads you can no longer find and never forget.”

“Something on the road. Something coming. Some sweatsoaked beast, some hooded and wheezing abhorrence trundle upon the footpath. Just the faintest movement of the air like a gradient of ill come unshelved and drifting toward her lonely outpost.”

“You want to know when was the last time I saw anybody. I could ask you when was the last time you didnt see anybody. When was the last time you just sat by yourself. Watched it get dark. Watched it get light. Thought about your life. Where you’d been and where you were goin. Was there a reason for any of it.”

“The problem is that what drives the tale will not survive the tale. As the room dims and the sound of voices fades you understand that the world and all in it will soon cease to be. You believe that it will begin again. You point to other lives. But their world was never yours.”

Narrow Misses (in 15 words or less):

"Rules of Civility," by Amor Towles: Beautiful imagery, rhythmic pacing mark tale of coming of age in late-1930s New York. 

"Among the Thugs," by Bill Buford: Stunning depiction of football hooliganism explores disenfranchisement, mob mentality, and what propels disturbing lad culture.

"The Bee Sting," by Paul Murray: Cloistered Ireland backdrops wide-ranging tale of hidden identities, stagnant lives, looming regrets, misunderstood loves.

"You Like It Darker," by Stephen King: Extrasensory perception, visions, Covid battle for top billing in one more King short-story masterpiece.

"Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop," by Hwang Bo-Reum: Big heart drives feel-good read about the ripple effects of Seoul bookshop with soul.

"The Barn," by Wright Thompson: Native Mississippian digs deep to unearth the historical inevitability of Emmett Till's murder and whitewashing.

"Trespasses," by Louise Kennedy: Hypocrisy, religion, and violence backdrop an illicit love affair set against backdrop of the Troubles.

"Shadow Divers," by Robert Kurson: Intensity, conflict, danger, mystery, and history collide at 230 feet deep in mesmerizing true story.

"Table for Two," by Amor Towles: Absorbing, touching collection of short stories and a novelette span a number of genres, eras.

Honorable Mention (in 10 words or less):

"The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store," by James McBride: Culture clash in 1930s Pennsylvania spurs unlikely alliances, needed hope.

"Our Share of Night," by Mariana Enriquez: Haunting tale of dark magic captivates while documenting sprawling vision.

"Chain-Gang All Stars," by Nana Kwame Adjlei-Brenyah: "Gladiator" meets reality TV for coerced prisoners in provocative read.

"Berry Pickers," by Amanda Peters: Atmospheric Northeast backdrops story of loss, redemption for indigenous family.

"Loudermilk," by Lucy Ives: Midwest writer workshop reveals memorable characters and questions of authenticity.

"Just Kids," by Patti Smith: Tale of 1970s NYC culture is gritty, melancholy, and celebratory.

"Zone One," by Colson Whitehead: Surprising take on zombie apocalypse shows a master at work.

"Stella Maris," by Cormac McCarthy: Esoteric contemplations of math, philosophy, science, morality in McCarthy's coda.

"Arrowsmith," by Sinclair Lewis: Social climbing conflicts with scientific rigor in Roaring Twenties America.

"All the Sinners Bleed," by S.A. Cosby: Southern noir tackles racism, grief, religion in serial killer form.

"Wrong Way," by Joanne McNeill: Meandering examination of automation and its impact on worker dignity.

Notable (in 7 words or less):

"Last Best Hope," by George Packer: Attempt to explain America meanders into silence.

"The Guest," by Emma Cline: Serial thief/sex worker explores value concept.

"Think Again," by Adam Grant: Power of rethinking reinforced by visual cues.

"The Best American Short Stories of 2019," curated by Anthony Doerr: Diverse adolescent struggles dominate notable short stories.

"Godwin," by Joseph O'Neill: Midlife crisis drives quest for football prodigy.

"A Good Girl's Guide to Murder," by Holly Jackson: School project becomes fast-paced murder investigation.

"Yellowface," by R.F. Kuang: Culture exploration marred by one-dimensional characters.

"The Last Song: Words for Frightened Rabbit," edited by Aaron Kent and Maria Sledmere: Moving tribute to iconic band Frightened Rabbit.

"Steal Like an Artist," by Austin Kleon: Image-intensive book becomes lengthy motivational poster.

The Rest (in 5 words or less):

"Entitlement," by Rumaan Alam: Skin-deep NYC-dreams exploration.

"It. Goes. So. Fast," by Mary Louise Kelly: Bittersweet memoir of fleeting parenthood.

"Great Expectations," by Vinson Cunningham: Unfocused coming-of-age tale.

"As Good as Dead," by Holly Jackson: Trilogy finale adapts darker tone.

"Good Girl, Bad Blood," by Holly Jackson: Sequel features true-crime podcasting.

"The Cruel Prince," by Holly Black: Modern-medieval mix tackles identity.

"World Made By Hand," by James Howard Kunstler: Dystopian MAGA fantasy world depiction.

Day 1,625, Quasi-Quarantine: Extrasensory Perception, Visions, Covid Combine To Propel "You Like It Darker" Into Another King Short-Story Masterpiece

 

“Well, I tell myself, we call it a gift and we call ourselves gifted, but gifts are never really earned, are they? Only given. Talent is grace made visible.” 

~ “Two Talented Bastids”

Bookended by the strong opener "Two Talented Bastids" and the emotional "The Answer Man," "You Like It Darker" is Stephen King summoning his fastball in yet another short-story collection. Filled with Easter eggs from his entire oeuvre, this book balances quick burns ("The Fifth Step," "Willie the Weirdo," "On Slide Inn Road," "Red Screen") with novellete-length stunners like "Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream," "Rattlesnakes," and "The Answer Man."

“The stars we see at night are just eternity’s first inch.”

~ “The Dreamers”

"You Like It Darker" balances an emphasis on dreams and visions with insights on mortality and toxic masculinity. The specter of Covid overhangs much of the work, lending an air of isolation and paranoia to the festivities.

“He wonders if he could change his name, ditch his family, and get a job at some little bank in an Australian town. Learn to call people mate and say g’day.” 

~ “On Slide Inn Road”

The author manages to pay tribute to Flannery O'Connor ("On Slide Inn Road") and H.P. Lovecraft ("The Dreamers"), while hat-tipping his own works like "The Shining" and "Doctor Sleep" ("Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream"), "Duma Key" ("Rattlesnakes"), and "Tommyknockers" ("Two Talented Bastids").

“What had Jim the bridge keeper said? Dusk, you know. Real things seem thinner then.”

~ “Rattlesnakes”

Along the way, he combines interesting concepts ("Finn"), potentially misplaced entries ("Judge Judy"), and familiar republications ("Laurie"), maintaining the ability to hit you hard in just eight pages ("The Fifth Step") or drag you along at high intensity for 151 ("Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream").

King varies his locations from his trademark Northeast, roaming to the Midwest, Ireland, New York City, and Florida. His customary stellar character-building is ever-present, giving fans of this format yet more evidence that better short-story writers would be difficult to find.

“You like it darker? Fine. So do I, and that makes me your soul brother.”

Scooter & Hum's Top Five Books Of The Year 2023

Matching last year's total of 46 books took a herculean holiday effort, landing me in the top 25% of all readers on Goodreads. I managed to cover 15,226 pages across those books, with the average read running to 331 pages.

The shortest work I read was 116 pages (Denis Johnson's incredible "Train Dreams"), while the longest was 896 pages (Stephen Markley's "The Deluge").

I'm setting my goals lower this year to avoid an end-of-year scramble, but also to give myself license to pursue some longer, tougher reads along the way.

Without further ado ...

#1: "Glory," by NoViolet Bulawayo

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now: 

This powerful, brutal political satire and allegory depicts the impacts of tyranny and colonialism in Africa.

Passages to Remember: 

"We'd be laughing  one moment, then we'd recall the rigged elections when we'd dreamt of change, prayed for change, cried for change, voted for change, and where some had died for change, and weep. We'd be cheering one moment, and then we'd remember all those the regime had claimed -- the tortured, the jailed, the exiled, the disappeared, the dead, the dad, the dead, the dead -- and wail."

"The reality, Comrades, is that these animals gathered all around us aren't some weird creatures from some faraway planet. They're your very own. And you all know that your relatives are in that crowd. Your friends and neighbors are in that crowd. Your landlords. Your church members. Your children's teachers. Your nurses and doctors. All of them good, decent citizens. Every one of them knowing they can die today. All of them prepared to die today. Not directly by the Seat but by us, on its behalf. My question is, When will we learn disgust?"

"What happened next taught the children of the nation a lesson they very much regretted not learning any sooner. Which was that it is quite possible to spend a lifetime in the terror of a darkness that in actuality harbors nothing but flowers and grasshoppers and doves and toothless crocodiles."

#2: "The Orphan Master's Son," by Adam Johnson

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now:

Orphan navigates the horrors and anonymities of oppressive North Korea in a many-genred tale.

Passages to Remember: 

"There was a look on her face that Ga recognized, and it was not a happy one. It expressed an understanding that everything would be different now, that the person you'd been and the life you'd been living were over. It was a tough knowledge to suddenly gain, but it got better with tomorrows."

"There was no such thing as abandonment, there were only people in impossible positions, people who had a best hope, or maybe only a sole hope. When the graver danger awaited, it wasn't abandoning, it was saving."

"For a while, she would have rules. But eventually, our genitals would intercourse in a way that was correct and satisfying."

#3: "A Gentleman in Moscow," by Amor Towles

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now:

Delightful, intricate depiction of an aristocratic Russian subversive turning house arrest into a beautiful gift.

Passages to Remember: 

"That sense of loss is exactly what we must anticipate, prepare for, and cherish to the last of our days; for it is only our heartbreak that finally refutes all that is ephemeral in love."

"In the light, the Count could see that she had an almost severe beauty about her -- like one for whom there would be no half measures in matters of the heart."

"He had said that our lives are steered by uncertainties, many of which are disruptive or even daunting; but that if we persevere and remain generous of heart, we may be granted a moment of supreme lucidity -- a moment in which all that has happened to us suddenly comes into focus as a necessary course of events, even as we find ourselves on the threshold of a bold new life that we had been meant to lead all along."

#4: "Small Things Like These," by Claire Keegan

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now:

Exquisite writing reveals church-sanctioned cruelty -- and its concentric circles -- in harsh, insular, rural Ireland.

Passages to Remember: 

"Crossing the river, his eyes again fell on the stout-black water flowing darkly along -- and a part of him envied the Barrow's knowledge of her course, how easily the water followed its incorrigible way, so freely to the open sea."

"The worst was yet to come, he knew. Already he could feel a world of trouble waiting for him behind the next door, but the worst that could have happened was already behind him; the thing not done, which could have been -- which he would have had to live with for the rest of his life."

#5: "Shuggie Bain," by Douglas Stuart

What I Wrote Then

What I Say Now:

The slow descent of Agnes Bain in gritty 1980s Scotland is experienced by unforgettable Shuggie.

Passages to Remember: 

"He let her cry, he let her talk, and he didn't contradict her when she made him promises he knew she would be unable to keep."

"The front door opened again, and Shuggie came out on to the top step. Without addressing the women he turned to his mother and put his hands on his hips; he thrust a foot forward and said as clear as Agnes had ever heard him speak, 'We need to talk. I really do not think I can live here. It smells like cabbages and batteries. It's simply unpossible.'"

"Shuggie eventually grew bored with the brutality."

Narrow Misses (in 15 words or less):

"The Quiet American," by Graham Greene: Stunning first-person work documents Vietnam War and love triangle from the ground in Saigon.

"Let Us Descend," by Jesmyn Ward: Hope, prescience lift up a heartbreaking and challenging tale of the cruel loneliness of slavery.

"The Refugees," by Viet Thanh Nguyen: Themes of identity, displacement, and legacy dominate powerful short stories of post-Vietnam refugee experience.

"Train Dreams," by Denis Johnson: Sparse prose ascribes poignancy to a tale of grief and hope in relentless American West.

"Babel," by R.F. Kuang: Magical realism, alternate history mesh in sprawling tale of colonialism and speaking truth to power.

"Night Wherever We Go," by Tracey Rose Peyton: A brutal, searing depiction of Texas plantation life in the 1850s that honors its victims.

"The Deluge," by Stephen Markley: Stunning, near-overwhelming climate fiction explores impact of extreme weather on the globe and society.

"A Heart That Works," by Rob Delaney: Devastatingly emotional and vulnerable tribute to a lost son brings tears, insights, laughs, and introspection.

"The Trees," by Percival Everett: Satirical horror marks frantic pace that exposes unresolved questions about race and who we are.

"Biography of X," by Catherine Lacey: Marked by sprawing ambition, this omnigenre work is a stunning journey into consideration of perspective.

"Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture," by Douglas Coupland: Drifting, listless trio ends up in the touristy California desert, searching for family and meaning.

"Old God's Time," by Sebastian Barry: Unreliable narration dominates tale of retired detective battling tragic demons on the harsh Irish coast.

"Juno Loves Legs," by Karl Geary: Devastating tale of Dublin backstreets features pervasive bleakness punched through by moments of sublime beauty.

"A Fan's Notes," by Frederick Exley: A sardonic look at coping with alcoholism and mental illness through writing, institutionalization, and football.

"How to Be an Antiracist," by Ibram X. Kendi: Meticulously researched book blends author's personal journey with dissection of language and history of racism.

"The Backstreets: A Novel from Xinjiang," by Perhat Tursun: Eerie, haunting depiction of the existential and physical effects of stark, calculated racism in China.

"Antarctica," by Claire Keegan: Loss, terror, melancholy, and draw of the illicit mark stunning collection of Irish short stories.

Honorable Mention (in 10 words or less):

"Small Mercies," by Dennis Lehane: Gritty underbelly of fractured city revealed in tale of racism.

"Winesburg, Ohio," by Sherwood Anderson: Sleepy Midwestern town in early 20th century features hidden lives.

"Snow Crash," by Neil Stephenson: Prescient depiction of anarcho-capitalism undermined by problematic plot, stereotyping.

"Cat's Cradle," by Kurt Vonnegut: Slapstick-ish tale of world-bending invention, contrived religion, island culture.

"Bullshit Jobs," by David Graeber: Explores unhealthy dynamic between what we do, who we are.

"The Night Watchman," by Louise Erdrich: Close-knit tribe tackles exploitation in mid-1950s North Dakota.

"The Chill," by Scott Carson: Dramatic tension, pacing propel supernatural exploration of water, local memory.

"Holly," by Stephen King: Holly Gibney returns for more investigation of Midwest Covid freakiness.

"Crook Manifesto," by Colson Whitehead: Vignettes, colorful characters collide in noir depiction of 1970s Harlem.

"The Ghost Writer," by Philip Roth: Identity, possibility collide in cautionary tale of meeting your heroes.

"Walk the Blue Fields," by Claire Keegan: Sublime stories document isolation, regret, fleeting hope in harsh Ireland.

Notable (in 7 words or less):

"The Searcher," by Tana French: Chicago ex-cop tackles pastoral Irish vagaries.

"The Revivalists," by Christopher M. Hood: Epidemiological apocalypse marks book with identity confusion.

"How to Write Short," by Roy Peter Clark: Accessible, actionable writing resource uses digestible format.

"Boys and Oil," by Taylor Brorby: Identity, family struggles in unforgiving North Dakota.

"Because Our Fathers Lied," by Craig McNamara: Musings from hated Vietnam War architect's son.

"The Man Who Played with Fire," by Jan Stocklossa: Stieg Larsson tribute degenerates into bumbling investigation.

"Untangled," Lisa Damour, PhD: Resources for navigating minefield of raising daughters.

"The Interestings," by Meg Wolitzer: Art-camp friends learn about adult emotions.

"Blood-Dark Track: A Family History," by Joseph O'Neill: Exploring paranoia and tribalism in Ireland, Turkey.

"Zuckerman Unbound," by Philip Roth: Struggling with paranoia in 1960s New York.

The Rest (in 5 words or less):

"Bad Mormon," by Heather Gay: Vacuous depiction of faith abandonment.

"Novelist as a Vocation," by Haruki Murakami: Disjointed collection lacking throughline, focus.

"Scrum," by Jeff and J.J. Sutherland: Simplistic arguments undermine agile resources.