Thought-provoking tales prove to be year's best
GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn (Crown, $25)
DEFENDING JACOB by William Landay (Delacorte Press, $26)
THE DOVEKEEPERS by Alice Hoffman (Simon and Schuster, $27.99)
THE AGE OF MIRACLES by Karen Thompson Walker (Random House, $26)
THE SANDCASTLE GIRLS By Chris Bohjalian (Doubleday Books, $25.95)
DEFENDING JACOB by William Landay (Delacorte Press, $26)
GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn (Crown, $25)
THE AGE OF MIRACLES by Karen Thompson Walker (Random House, $26)
THE SANDCASTLE GIRLS by Chris Bohjalian (Doubleday Books, $25.95)The end of the year always brings about lists of the top things — from music to products to books, there is probably a list for anything you can imagine.
Here is my list of what I considered the top five new books of the year.
"The Dovekeepers," by Alice Hoffman, is the story of four strong, individual women who came to the ancient city of Masada after their homes and towns were destroyed, each arriving a completely different woman than who she had been before the invasion. The four women meet when they are assigned to care for the doves of the encampment and their lives become intricately interwoven.
Hoffman has a unique way of capturing women's emotions in her storytelling, and the writing in this powerful and richly detailed novel is absorbing and mesmerizing. She has expertly woven a tale of hope and tragedy, and by combining the history of the events surrounding this intriguing tale, has created a haunting yet compelling novel of the power and strength of women when faced by adversity.
In "Defending Jacob," author William Landay has created not only a legal thriller, but also a heart-wrenching novel that delves deeply into the makeup of a family in crisis. Written from the perspective of a father as he is being questioned at the murder trial of his 14-year-old son, and his recollections of the events that had occurred, it feels as if the reader is given an inside view of everything that is happening. Creating a continually revolving sense of tension with this tale, Landay grabs his readers' attention with his skillful storytelling and keeps it tightly wound through various twists and turns until the very unexpected ending. In light of recent events, this novel is particularly heart-wrenching to read.
If there was one book that captured everyone's literary attention last summer, it was Gillian Flynn's "Gone Girl." Part mystery, part romance, part thriller, this novel is one of the most original and definitely one of the creepiest stories I have had the pleasure and chills to read in a long time.
"Gone Girl" is brilliantly written, with characters that are at once appalling and intriguing, a plot line that is a roller-coaster ride of chills and thrills, and an outcome that no one will see coming. Flynn has created the ultimate twisted, Hitchcockian drama that definitely leaves an impact on the reader long after the final page is turned.
With "The Age of Miracles," author Karen Thompson Walker has included some remarkable thought-provoking views about what would happen if the earth where to actually slow down — and it feels frighteningly realistic.
Julia, the narrator of the story, is almost a teenager. Introverted and thoughtful, she is a normal girl with a crush on a cute local boy. She is on the brink of personal changes, as her world is changing too. She has no idea what her future will be as she navigates the many obstacles that a young girl does at this precarious age. Only she has the added realization that her life may be nonexistent soon.
Even though speculative in nature, the book feels well-grounded in science and sociological fact. While not presented as science fiction, "The Age of Miracles" is an intriguing, captivating story that will appeal to readers of well-written fiction as well as fans of science-influenced tales.
In Chris Bohjalian's latest novel, "The Sandcastle Girls," the fate of the Armenian people in the early 1900s is the subject of an emotionally charged tale that has its background in history.
I was completely mesmerized by "The Sandcastle Girls." Bohjalian pulls his readers into this fictional yet historical story by educating, entertaining and enthralling them with his beautiful written prose.
I didn't know much about the genocide of the Armenian people, but through Bohjalian's gentle yet insightful story, I learned much about the time period in which this tragic, horrifying event occurred. This is not a blood and guts story at all, though. Bohjalian also weaves a beautiful love story throughout the tale that is truly enchanting.
2012 was a great year for books, and 2013 looks to be just as promising. I foresee the continuing explosion of e-books and e-readers, but I think physical books will also continue to be popular. Whichever way you find your literary choices, here's hoping you find something wonderful books to enjoy in the year to come.
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