This year resulted in an amazing library of books. I was able to read approximately 35 titles this year and they did not disappoint! Authors like Margaret Atwood, Hernan Diaz, Hemingway, and Shirley Jackson to name a few… Here is my top 5 for the year and some honorable mentions in their respected genres (Fiction, Collections, Nonfiction, and poetry) Let me know what books you read this year!

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1. “In the Distance” by Hernan Diaz

This Historical Fiction (19th century) follows a young Swedish boy- Håkan Söderström – and his older brother, Linus. Sent to New York by their parents (in hopes of a better life) they separate and Håkan ends up on a schooner headed for San Francisco. What follows is the story of Håkan’s journey of traveling to New York to find his brother. Dreadfully isolating and emotionally charged, this book is a must read. It is clear why it was a finalist for the Pulitzer. A book review on this novel can be found under my ‘Book Reviews’ tab above!

2. “Serotonin” by Michel Houellebecq

One of literatures most infamous and criticized writers today, French author Michel Houellebecq gives us a beautiful yet twisted story. It follows a hedonistic agricultural scientist living in modern day Paris as he deals with relationships, grief, alienation, and mental health. At times it is extremely grotesque. Other times, surprisingly vulnerable and moving. This story is not for everyone… and comes with a long list of trigger warnings. If you enjoy philosophical fiction it may be for you.

3. “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath

The classic novel from the amazing poet and writer, Sylvia Plath. For those who have not read this book, go out and buy it today… A rather intense story about the pressures of patriarchal society and the journey toward unique identity. Esther is an amazing character that bursts from the pages. Plath is a literary genius… plain and simple.

4. “Hunger” by Knut Hamsun

This psychological novel follows an artist/journalist in late 19th century Oslo as he attempts to find work and subsequently, food and shelter. As he slowly begins to starve, reality around him slides closer to delirium and his shift becomes inevitable. Dark, bare, and disturbing… This novel is a beautiful example of disorienting prose, and Hamsun gives us a masterclass on unreliability… A great read!

5. “Monsieur Pain” by Roberto Bolaño

This novella, by late Chilean author Roberto Bolaño, is amazing. Another splendid example of disorienting prose. The story follows a mesmerist through the streets of Paris as he attempts to save a Peruvian poet’s life. Political threats, bribes, drunkenness, and lust push the protagonist over the edge as he wanders the streets of Paris in the dead of night. Hallucinatory and dark… it’s the perfect book to round out the top 5. A book review on this novel can be found under my ‘Book Reviews’ tab above!

Honorable Mentions

Fiction:

• “Steppenwolf” by Herman Hesse
• “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway
• “Balcony in the Forest” by Julien Gracq
• “The Penelopiad” by Margaret Atwood
• “Outer Dark” by Cormac McCarthy

Short Story Collections:

• “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
• “The Glassy, Burning Floor of Hell” by Brian Evenson
• “The Book of Disquiet” by Fernando Pessoa
• “Song for the Unraveling of the World” by Brian Evenson

Nonfiction:

• “How to Read and Why” by Harold Bloom
• “Heart Berries” by Terese Marie Mailhot
• “Darkness Visible” by William Styron
• “Deep” by James Nestor

Poetry:

• “Love by Night” by S.K. Williams
• “The Carrying” by Ada Limón
• “Dialogues with Rising Tides” by Kelli Russell Agodon
• “Punching the Air” by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam