National Book Award Nominations 2011- My Hopefuls!

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The twenty Finalists for the 62nd National Book Awards will be announced on Oregon Public Broadcasting’s morning radio program, Think Out Loud, in front of a live audience at the new Literary Arts Center in Portland, Oregon from 9:06 to 9:59 a.m. PST on Wednesday, October 12. What do I think SHOULD be nominated? I usually pick for the Fiction and Young Adult categories only (with marginal success).

My hopefuls for fiction:

The Illumination by Kevin Brockmeier (my favorite of 2011 so far)

We The Animals by Justin Torres

The Great Night by Chris Adrian

What You See in the Dark by Manuel Munoz

To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal

My hopefuls for Young Adult:

Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne

Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

 

What Not To Read: September 2011

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September always feels like the beginning of book season to me. Seems that between September and January publishing houses switch into high gear and release their best books (and hope that translates into holiday sales). Don’t believe me? Watch for new books from Colson Whitehead, Joan Didion, Alan Hollinghurst, Chris Van Allsburg, Charles Frazier, Alan Bradley and Stef Penny over the next couple of months (and hopefully on the What to Read list too).

WHAT TO READ

1. We the Animals by Justin Torres
At only 125 pages, this short first novel packs an emotional and literary knockout. Three brothers in upstate New York experience their coming of age in unusual and surprising ways while maintaining their fierce connection to each other and their parents. I read this book in one sitting and may read it again soon. You should read it at least once. 
2. Bed by David Whitehouse
I originally picked this book up because 1) I liked the cover and 2) the many comparisons to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. I learned quickly this book had much more to offer than I anticipated. Mal Ede is an international celebrity. Unfortunately he’s famous for refusing to leave his childhood bed for over 20 years and growing to over 1,000 pounds. Mal’s younger brother narrates the family’s story that is both sad, funny, and contemplative. The writing is like a bed with freshly washed sheets; absolutely delightful. 
3. Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne
Another classic from the author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Noah runs away from home through a magical forest and meets an unusual toy maker. The elderly toy maker crafts a story that poignantly lifts the shrouded curtain and slowly reveals Noah’s reasons for leaving home. Not thinking about things doesn’t make them go away, but facing the inevitable with grace and courage can help. Have a tissue (or two) ready. 

4. Wildwood by Colin Meloy
First in the Wildwood Chronicles by The Decemberists frontman (apparently this is a big deal). Set in Portland, Oregon, Prue’s baby brother is kidnapped by a murder of crows and is taken to theImpassable Forest. Prue and a friend head to the forest to find her brother, only what they find is beyond anything anyone expected. Talking animals, wise owls, bandits and a queen out for revenge take Prue by surprise. Great for middle readers. 
5. The Submission by Amy Waldman
Timely first novel focusing on the aftermath of the selection of the World Trade Center Memorial. After the design is selected, it’s revealed the architect is Arab-American.  Waldman diplomatically highlights America at its absolute worst, yet provides hope for our collective future. The Submission is a politically and socially charged story written in a clean and clear (and sometimes disturbing) voice. 

WHAT NOT TO READ (HIGHLY PRAISED AND HIGHLY DISAPPOINTING)

1. The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai
A book about books and a librarian, I should love it, huh? Well, parts I did love, but there are many moments that tarnish the overall cohesiveness of the story. Hence, it leads the highly disappointing list. The writing is fresh and original, but the story is uneven and the story borders on unbelievable (which is fine if the author MAKES the reader believe it). Lucy inadvertently kidnaps a young patron, Ian Drake which leads to trouble and reflection. I wish it were better. 
2. The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan
I thought I had found a literary werewolf novel and I could finally (albeit quite late) get into the craze. The problem is I wasn’t crazy about this book. Jake’s story is lackluster, overly descriptive and intensive. Maybe I should have known better. I do think that the cover (and blood-red end pages) are quite lovely. 
3. Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson
I try to branch out every once in a while sometimes it pays off (How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe) and sometimes it doesn’t. In this case, it doesn’t. Feels like a story where zombies just happen to be replaced by robots. The chapters chronicling the robot war are uneven and don’t read like very much like a novel. I abandoned this book about 100 pages in. Maybe it gets better? Anyone?
4. The Art of Fielding by Chad Barbach
HUGE HYPE. It just didn’t hit me. Baseball novel that doesn’t feature all that much baseball. I felt awkward reading this, so I stopped and started Bed by David Whitehouse instead.
5.  The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
Rapture gone wrong. After Christians, Muslims, Jews among others disappear in a “rapture-like” event, the world  of the leftovers wonders what really happened and what’s next. I’m a fan of Tom Perrotta, however this novel was boring and lacked his usual pizzazz. It’s like eating cold leftover pizza for breakfast- it’s the remnants of something glorious.