Doing it differently this year with some creative categories, instead of the boring genres - hope you enjoy this LAST blog of Laurie’s Lit Picks. If you want to continue getting my reviews, feel free to follow me on Instagram @bookaddictpnw and/or to message me if you want a curate list of books to read or gift. Thank you all so much for being part of my book odyssey these last nine years!
Grittiest Book of the Year: Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby - a story of a friendship between a Black man and a white man, a story of regret and loss, and a whole lot of criminal activity to keep you turning pages.
Most Enraging Book of the Year: The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear by Kate Moore - a true story of a woman in 19th century America who fought for her freedom, and earned a place in history.
Most Perfect Book: We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker - a family drama, a mystery, a character tour de force, this book was simply the BEST book I read all year.
Most Heart Happy: The Guncle by Steven Rowley - a story of a single gay man (GUP, Gay Uncle Pat), who has his niece and nephew dumped on his doorstep when their dad goes to rehab and their mother has died. It is heartfelt, pee-you-pants funny, and one of my favorite books of the year.
Most Mysterious: When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McClain - a story of a kidnapping and a badass female detective who is authentic and gritty and smart and flawed.
Most Beautiful Writing: The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles - the story of a road trip, a pair of brothers, and some questionable friends, I savored every word, every sentence, every page.
Most Evocative Family: The Northern Reach by W.S. Winslow - the threads of this family, as told through a collection of stories that take us into the lives of a family in Maine, it is gorgeously written and unforgettable.
Best Mix of Pathos and Humor: Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood - a breathtaking story of a young Pakistan-American man and an Iraqi young girl, this story made me both laugh and cry, and learn so much.
Most Searing Historical Fiction: The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr. - the closest book I have seen to Toni Morrison’s writing, this story of two young slaves who fall in love with each other on an American plantation is brilliant.
Wittiest Satire: It’s a tie between The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris and Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour; both these books put a spotlight on race relations in the American workplace in a creative, painful, humorous, enlightening fashion that is unforgettable.
Tear Worthy Book: Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Kline - a story of what death might actually be like (‘cause really, who knows for sure?!), this book made my heart grow three times its size.
Most Unsettling Book: Bewilderment by Richard Powers - the story of a father and his autistic son, trying to find a new home for both themselves and humanity through scientific experimentation with memory. I still think about this one.
Most Visceral Look at Race in America: Hell of a Book by Jason Mott - a story of a Black author traveling the country to promote his book, it is searing in its insightful ness and profound in what it says about being a Black boy or man in America today.
Most Badass Women: Arctic Fury by Greer McAllister - a story of a 19th century female-only expedition to the Arctic, these women define the word ‘badass.’
Most Necessary Book for Teens to Read: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Saenz - best coming of age stories I have ever read.
Favorite Author Who Never Disappoints: Elizabeth Sprout - her latest book, Oh William, the finale of her Amgash series, is just simply breaktaking in its simplicity.
Best Audio Books: American Wolf by Nate Blakeslee, The Brilliantn Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons, Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King, Finley Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano, Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keene, There is Nothing for You Here by Fiona Hill
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