Fiction Favorites of 2010

For fans of Atonement, this is your book. The beauty and vivid scenery of this book are stunning and palpable. Humphrey is one of the most talented writers I’ve read. It’s the story of the bombing of Coventry, England in World War II, and I cannot not recommend this book enough; a magnificent accomplishment that speaks to the powers of language and love. –SMC

Split between the narratives of Will Bird and his niece Annie, this story sifts through their sordid and unhappy pasts trying to decipher the roots of their family's pain and extract the hope for their future. Boyden's beautifully poetic prose, vivid descriptions of the Canadian north, and the intimate portrayal of hardships of First Nations people face make this an excellent novel. –Nici

The second part of the gripping story begun in Blackout, the historians trapped in WWII dodge bombs with half-remembered lectures, while trying to find a way home without destroying the time/space continuum, or accidentally winning the war for Hitler. A book with moments both ridiculous and heart breaking, perfect for any fan of sci-fi, history, or chaos theory. -JS

18 yr old Sydney Stringfellow arrives at the 1936 Olympics to swim for the Americans, but politics intervene and she is dropped from the team. She falls in love with a handsome German, but again politics intervene to keep them apart. It’s a love story told against the background of war. I must admit I’m a sucker for a good love story, and this is one of the best I’ve ever read. –Clytia

A fable for the 21st century, For the Win emphasizes that the “real” world and the online can no longer be separated. The premise of a sweatshop of “gold farmers” trying to unionize may seem strange, but this story is an empowering adventure. Cory Doctorow has a message and a mission, and uses an awesome story to get the point across. -JS

An imaginative and reflective retelling of various parts of Homer’s The Odyssey and The Iliad. Mason uses his haunting prose to twist certain stories of the classic tale, giving insight into the inner dialogue and emotions of the poems chief characters. A quick read to be savored and re-read, I highly recommend this for anyone familiar with Homer’s work. -Eric

In this cerebral finale to Larsson’s Millennium trilogy, most of the action is in the courtroom and back offices, although shots are fired, to be sure. Blomqvist works tirelessly in Lisbeth Salander’s defense, and together they unravel the truth. Containing one of the best court scenes of all time, this is a satisfying conclusion to trilogy by an author whose work was cut short too soon. -FF

This is one of my favorite short story collections ever. For those of you who prefer novels, please take a chance on this book. Robin Black’s voice is stunning and true. A father and daughter journey to pick up a seeing-eye dog before she leaves for college. A friend tries to make sense of her roommate’s death by starting a relationship with a grieving mother. Robin Black has captured life. -SMC

In Shades of Grey we are introduced to a 1984-esque world where people are judged by their ability to perceive color. Enter Eddie Russet, a Red by birth. An assignment leads Eddie on an adventure while chasing the love of a lower class Gray, Jane G-23. A brilliantly comedic blend of many things, including love, prejudice, revolution, and the occasional carnivorous tree. -Kimberly

This is one of those gorgeous novels about a difficult subject that you just can’t put down. The central character is Jack, a precocious boy who was born in a reinforced garden shed, where he lives with his imprisoned mother. It is Jack’s voice that saves the story from complete darkness, even in the most harrowing passages. Surprisingly funny and warm, and one of my favorites this year. -Kat

Rose is just about to turn nine when she discovers a startling new power: she can taste people’s emotions in the food they make. How she deals with this discovery is the driving force of this colorful novel, which charts her adolescence and young adulthood. It’s a story about what happens to a family who knows way more about each other than they should. -Kat

Doyle resurrects the infamous Henry Smart in his brilliant Last Roundup trilogy. This is the tale of an ex-IRA assassin and his journey from killer to depression era family man. After losing his family in America, Henry wanders into the desert to die, and is dis-covered by movie tycoon John Ford. This conclusion will keep tears of both laughter and sadness falling into your pint glass. –Eric