THE HEDGEHOG BLOG

Can't believe it's been a week since i wrote anything - sorry!

I couldn’t manage to get reviews done (or in some cases reworked for Linda at January, but did a quick annotated list for Stacy at Bookbitch.com of my “best books of 2005”. She’ll be posting stuff next week. Normally I keep a list only for mystery – and that’s so that I can remember what was published and nominate it for awards, but this year, since I reviewed a bunch of stuff in the “other” category, I added it. Here’s my rather eclectic list of the best books I read in 2005.

MYSTERY

LOCKED ROOMS, Laurie R. King
Before I ever read BEEKEEPER’S APPRENTICE, If you’d told me that I’d be a big fan of a series featuring the wife of Sherlock Holmes, well… the series continues to be one of the best.

CITIZEN VINCE, Jess Walter
Why doesn’t this guy have more books out?

TO THE POWER OF THREE, Laura Lippman
Lippman’s EVERY SECRET THING was a tour de force. This stand-alone continues to showcase this author’s talent and her ability to make you think.

DRIVE, Jim Sallis
Sallis is simply one of our most under-rated authors. His skill with language is unmatched and while DRIVE is a “merely” a novella, it belongs on a “must read” list. it is a beautifully written work by a supremely gifted writer.

DATING IS MURDER, Harley Jane Kozak
I don’t like chick-lit. I don’t like funny. I like Kozak’s books. Go figure.

THE POET’S FUNERAL John Daniel
How to describe this wonderful novel? It’s goofy, sarcastic and fun.

FLESHMARKET ALLEY, Ian Rankin
While Rebus tends to be a little dark and hard to take at times, there’s no denying Rankin’s skill as an author.

MISSING PERSONS, Stephen White
White continues to provide incredibly well-crafted, thought-provoking books.

THIRTY-THREE TEETH, Colin Cotterill
The best find of 2005; a wonderfully talented writer offering us a glimpse into a place we don’t know (Laos) with skillfully realized characters and a touch of weird.

Best first –

FORCING AMARYLLIS, Louise Ure
A really strong debut featuring a jury consultant in Tucson. Strong setting, interesting story, characters I want to continue to get to know.

EIGHT OF SWORDS, David Skibbins
Set a book on the streets of Berkeley, and you’ve got my attention. But it takes more than that and Skibbins’ Warren Ritter is fascinating. Already looking forward to his next one.

“MAINSTREAM” FICTION

THE HA-HA, Dave King
Awfully well-told story from a unique perspective. King avoids pathos and gets into the heart and soul of an intriguing character and tells his story well.

A THREAD OF GRACE, Mary Doria Russell
Beautifully realized story of Jews in Italy in the late days of World War II. Read this book.

SF/FANTASY

SOMEONE COMES TO TOWN, SOMEONE LEAVES TOWN, Cory Doctorow
Wonderful, weird wildly creative story about a guy whose father is a mountain and whose mother is a washing machine. It’s just terrific.

Reviews available:
Lippman, Skibbins, Kozak on Bookreporter
Doctorow and Russell on January
ILAM – Sallis (no archive so I can email you the reviews of Locked Rooms and Missing Persons)
Reviewing the Evidence – Daniel and Rankin
Dave King on Bookbitch

Also rans aka close to the “best of 2005” I’d include at the very least
Mystery –
Grave Sight, Charlaine Harris
Tin City, David Housewright
The Big Over Easy, Jasper Fforde
Gasa-Gasa Girl – Naomi Hirahara

Non-fiction -
Before the Fallout, Diana Preston

SF/Fantasy
A Rumor of Gems, Ellen Steiber
Live from Planet Earth, Effinger

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2005-12-08 5:11 PM Best Books of 2005 Previous Entry :: Next Entry Mood: apologetic Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook	Can't believe it's been a week since i wrote anything - sorry! I couldn’t manage to get reviews done (or in some cases reworked for Linda at January, but did a quick annotated list for Stacy at Bookbitch.com of my “best books of 2005”. She’ll be posting stuff next week. Normally I keep a list only for mystery – and that’s so that I can remember what was published and nominate it for awards, but this year, since I reviewed a bunch of stuff in the “other” category, I added it. Here’s my rather eclectic list of the best books I read in 2005. MYSTERY LOCKED ROOMS, Laurie R. King Before I ever read BEEKEEPER’S APPRENTICE, If you’d told me that I’d be a big fan of a series featuring the wife of Sherlock Holmes, well… the series continues to be one of the best. CITIZEN VINCE, Jess Walter Why doesn’t this guy have more books out? TO THE POWER OF THREE, Laura Lippman Lippman’s EVERY SECRET THING was a tour de force. This stand-alone continues to showcase this author’s talent and her ability to make you think. DRIVE, Jim Sallis Sallis is simply one of our most under-rated authors. His skill with language is unmatched and while DRIVE is a “merely” a novella, it belongs on a “must read” list. it is a beautifully written work by a supremely gifted writer. DATING IS MURDER, Harley Jane Kozak I don’t like chick-lit. I don’t like funny. I like Kozak’s books. Go figure. THE POET’S FUNERAL John Daniel How to describe this wonderful novel? It’s goofy, sarcastic and fun. FLESHMARKET ALLEY, Ian Rankin While Rebus tends to be a little dark and hard to take at times, there’s no denying Rankin’s skill as an author. MISSING PERSONS, Stephen White White continues to provide incredibly well-crafted, thought-provoking books. THIRTY-THREE TEETH, Colin Cotterill The best find of 2005; a wonderfully talented writer offering us a glimpse into a place we don’t know (Laos) with skillfully realized characters and a touch of weird. Best first – FORCING AMARYLLIS, Louise Ure A really strong debut featuring a jury consultant in Tucson. Strong setting, interesting story, characters I want to continue to get to know. EIGHT OF SWORDS, David Skibbins Set a book on the streets of Berkeley, and you’ve got my attention. But it takes more than that and Skibbins’ Warren Ritter is fascinating. Already looking forward to his next one. “MAINSTREAM” FICTION THE HA-HA, Dave King Awfully well-told story from a unique perspective. King avoids pathos and gets into the heart and soul of an intriguing character and tells his story well. A THREAD OF GRACE, Mary Doria Russell Beautifully realized story of Jews in Italy in the late days of World War II. Read this book. SF/FANTASY SOMEONE COMES TO TOWN, SOMEONE LEAVES TOWN, Cory Doctorow Wonderful, weird wildly creative story about a guy whose father is a mountain and whose mother is a washing machine. It’s just terrific. Reviews available: Lippman, Skibbins, Kozak on Bookreporter Doctorow and Russell on January ILAM – Sallis (no archive so I can email you the reviews of Locked Rooms and Missing Persons) Reviewing the Evidence – Daniel and Rankin Dave King on Bookbitch Also rans aka close to the “best of 2005” I’d include at the very least Mystery – Grave Sight, Charlaine Harris Tin City, David Housewright The Big Over Easy, Jasper Fforde Gasa-Gasa Girl – Naomi Hirahara Non-fiction - Before the Fallout, Diana Preston SF/Fantasy A Rumor of Gems, Ellen Steiber Live from Planet Earth, Effinger Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top
:: HOME :: GET EMAIL UPDATES :: International Rescue Committee :: Brady Campaign to END GUN VIOLENCE :: Americans for Responsible Solutions :: David Zinn, artist :: Wendy Goldberg :: Kiva - microlending :: SQUISHIES!!!! :: Sluggo! Ann Arbor's Foremost two dimensional resident :: Mr. Monkey! :: Give Free books! :: Flying Spaghetti Monster! :: Matthew Shepard Foundation :: THE BLUE CARD :: Kickstarter :: EMAIL ::