New York Times Top Ten

Here it is, the influential Times' Top Ten for 2006.

And while we're at it,
Washington Post Top Ten
Christian Science Monitor's Best Fiction 2006
Boston.com's Best Fiction 2006

doing our own thing (2003)

Doing Our Own Thing: The Degradation of Language and Music and Why We Should, Like, Care (John McWhorter)

It was all the rage a few years ago to read books about why the current state of written (and any other) English sucked so bad. Well, three years later, I've read a few of these books and my English still sucks. But hey, at least now I know why it sucks. I blame poor schooling personally. Overall, the book tends to read like a history/trivia-lite book more than anything that is actually applicable or revelationary. Having said all that, I love books like this. "Did you know..."

why big fierce animals are rare (1979)

Why Big Fierce Animals Are Rare: An Ecologist's Perspective (Paul Colinvaux)

i love this book. as soon as you read one chapter (any chapter will do), you'll love it too -- if you have any interest in the world of nature around you. it provides some easy to understand ideas about basic ecology and how nature interacts. the title is simply thrilling by itself isn't it? i learned so much about plants, animals, and really, the world. ridiculous book.

the historian (2005)

The Historian (Elizabeth Kostova)

i'd be pissed if i were kostova. working ten years on my debut novel and then to have the da vinci code explode right before my tour-de-force was to be released. while kostova still made millions, her book seems like a (much longer) knock-off of dan brown's epic. i found myself flipping through this giant tome just because the set-up was so similar, and despite the subject matter being interesting (the "dracula code"), it was just too much -- or, i guess, not enough.

no plot? no problem! (2004)

No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days (Chris Baty)

chris baty is the creator of nanowrimo (national novel writing month), which happens to be november. i thought at first i would attempt to write a novel this month, but alas, i didn't. but i read the book! it's got some helpful tips and some good ideas to get you started on your 50,000 word journey, but it's best to just start writing!

the japanese mind (1984)

The Japanese Mind (Robert Christopher)

remember when japan was kicking our ass and we had no clue why (not "our" ass since i wasn't a citizen yet)? well, this book strives to explain to dumb americans why the japanese are (were) so good at what they do. fascinating look into japanese society and how it compares to the united states. of course, the book is a bit dated, so i have to go find a book now about why the japanese economy collapsed -- maybe this one -- but it's good to know how they got near the top first right?

the virgin suicides (1994)

The Virgin Suicides (Jeffrey Eugenides)

i recall the movie as not being very engaging or interesting. however, reading the book makes me want to re-visit the film. the book is clearly more developed and it seems like eugenides' pulitzer (for middlesex) is well deserved. the story about a group of sisters who eventually all commit suicide is told from the perspective of the boys who admire and are enraptured by them. the book sucks you in from the beginning and eugenides' writing style is a pleasure to experience.

seven tattoos (1997)

Seven Tattoos: A Memoir in the Flesh (Peter Trachenburg)

the reason i picked up this book was because the author and i had the same number of tattoos. of course, his tattoos carry more significance, a bookful more in fact. trachenburg's book is more of a memoir and uses his tattoos to explore his life history and to muse on various related subjects. the writing is quite excellent and the book very absorbing. recommended for the tattooed and untattooed alike.

l.a. confidential (1990)

L.A. Confidential (James Ellroy)

i keep telling people to read the book -- which is a hundred times different than the movie -- but nobody listens to me. it's a pretty good movie but a great book. after you read it, you'll really gain an appreciation for the work that went into making the screenplay (oscar for "best adapted screenplay" in 1997). i hope to read all of ellroy's "l.a. quartet" and now's the time, what with black dahlia hitting movie screens.

contact (1997)

Contact (Carl Sagan)

i like to re-read "contact" periodically because it's filled with so many great ideas. it touches on technology, human nature, religion, science, personal relationships, everything. carl sagan was an amazing man (i've read his non-fiction stuff too and loved it, cosmos for example) and his writing ability would have been astonishing by itself, nevermind the expertise in the sciences. a top five book for me, i think.

curious incident of the dog... (2004)

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Mark Haddon)

i'd avoided this book out of habit as it was always featured prominently in bookstores. but many people i know enjoyed it and i got a free copy so i finally read it. it took me a two fifteen-minute work breaks and a lunch to get through about 3/4ths of it. it's a light, breezy, easy read and is charming in its observations and perspective (the story is told from the viewpoint of an autistic boy). well, until he solves the mystery and starts on his "adventure." then it gets boggged down in its charms and perspective. too bad, it all started out so good.

i think i enjoyed helen dewitt's "the last samurai" better, which is similar to this book, and more engaging overall.

opening the xbox (2002)

Opening the Xbox: Inside Microsoft's Plan to Unleash an Entertainment Revolution (Dean Takahashi)

another niche book that may provide interest only to those in a certain industry. since i have a love (and a professional experience) with video games, i found this xbox book to be very interesting. however, george read it and didn't like it much. so i guess it depends on if you're a gamer eh? the author has a follow up book too, about the xbox 360.

here's an interesting complementary article about how sony is losing "the war" to xbox.

tales to astonish (2004)

Tales To Astonish: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, and the American Comic Book Revolution (Ronin Ro)

if you're into comics -- especially marvel ones -- you'll find this book fascinating. while there are probably many books focusing on the origin of (marvel) comics, this is the first one i've read on the topic and i found it to be very informative. however, the style of the book isn't exactly engaging; especially for anyone who isn't a comic book reader and already a fan of the topics discussed.

collapse (2004)

Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed (Jared Diamond)

if you've read diamond's popular "guns, germs, and steel," you're ready for more of the same. with a gripping writing style and anecdotes and examples aplently, jared diamond is academic yet accessible -- and a few notches more scientific and educational than fare like "the tipping point" and "freakonomics." if you're unintimidated by the length of the book, read on and enjoy. for those of you not inclined to read so many words, here's the take home message: "we're (humans) fucking shit up."

friendship: an expose (2006)

Friendship: An Expose (Joseph Epstein)

i was already a big fan of epstein's "snobbery" so when i heard that he was turning his attentions to the topic of friendship, i was delighted. the book is not an exacting tome on friendship as much as it is a retrospective of epstein's friendships and subsequent personal observations. it makes for interesting reading and epstein throws in enough thought curveballs that everyone should gain something (or re-evalulate, re-categorize your friends) from reading this book.

moon tiger (1987)

Moon Tiger (Penelope Lively)

there's not much else to say about this book aside from the fact that it's amazing. the story is somewhat "english patient-ish" but the writing is spectacular. engrossing and extremely captivating, this is one of the best books i've read recently. looks like that booker prize was well deserved.

self made-man (2006)

Self-Made Man : One Woman's Journey into Manhood and Back (Norah Vincent)

sure to provide fodder for any conversation , norah vincent's foray into the world of men is an easy read that (most of the time) transcends the gimmick of it all. despite vincent targeting what seems like very one-dimensional men, she does unveil some interesting tidbits about the difference between males and females. definitely worth the read and even better if you can discuss afterwards too.

the big love (2004)

The Big Love (Sarah Dunn)

everyone needs to read a few chick lit books in their lifetime right? well, now it's my chance to catch up on the ones i've missed. the big love is about....ah, who cares what it's about. it's chick lit. there are boys, girls, revelations, loves, likes, crushes, whatever. there are many interesting ideas in the book but overall, this is just above-average chick lit. of course, it's not like i could put it down.

i've decided i may not be able to fake it and write chick lit. why? i'm not nearly neurotic enough.

never drank the kool-aid (2006)

Never Drank the Kool-Aid (Touré)

i found this gem of a book just browsing around in the bookstore. i currently lack the funds to buy any books but the cover and subject matter just drew me in. a collection of re-printed essays (mainly on hip hop personalities), touré was an unknown writer to me but his work appears in rolling stone, the village voice, vibe, etc. i'm a huge fan now of writing style and have definitely jumped (perhaps belatedly) on his band-wagon.

the april game (1973)

The April Game: Secrets of an Internal Revenue Agent (Diogenes)

taking his pseudonym from the cynic philosopher, diogenes reveals to us the inner workings of the IRS. seeing as this is tax season, this book served not only as a reason to wait until the last possible moment to file, but also provides an easy to read, conversational history of taxation.

the answer is never (2002)

The Answer Is Never: A Skateboarder's History of the World (Jocko Weyland)

i can't pretend to be a skater or know anything about the skating mentality. however, this book makes me wish that i was cool enough then to be cool enough now. jocko weyland is an amazing writer and he really brings skateboarding's history and thrills to life. if anything, the book is almost too detailed, but that's hardly a knock on this definitive work.

what should i do with my life? (2002)

What Should I Do With My Life? The True Story of People Who Answered the Ultimate Question (Po Bronson)

reading this book, you'll encounter scores of people who suffered quarter, middle, and late life crises. the uplifting part of the story is that many of these people succeed in finding an occupation that satisfies them. while i might have once mocked this book, now i understand it's true value as inspiration to disenchanted millions and a source of my pure jealousy for mr bronson.

and now bronson blogs too.

lies my teacher told me (1995)

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong (James Loewen)

this was one of our better non-fiction book club books. similar in style to "guns, germs, and steel," this is really a must read for anyone who went through a history course in the united states. makes you think, makes you question, and ultimately, it's incredibly interesting all the way through. hey, howard zinn liked it.

bobby fischer goes to war (2005)

Bobby Fischer Goes to War: How the Soviets Lost the Most Extraordinary Chess Match of All Time (David Edmonds, John Eidinow)

for you chess fanatics out there, yes, all three of you, this is a must-read. along with fred waitzkin's two books (searching for bobby fischer and mortal games) of course. similar to waitzkin's book, bobby fischer goes to war is just a story told through the prism of chess and not an instructional manual. in fact, even those who couldn't identify a rook versus a bishop should get sucked into the drama.

poplorica (2004)

Poplorica : A Popular History of the Fads, Mavericks, Inventions, and Lore that Shaped Modern America (Martin J Smith, Patrick J Kiger)

twenty or so short chapters about how things like nylon stockings, air conditioners, tv dinners, dr j's dunk, and the betty ford clinic started and have influenced our lives. incredibly interesting but in the end, not exactly a book you'd re-read or have reason to own.