Best of 2011: Novels

I bought a lot of books this year and thanks to my iRewards card from Chapters, managed to save a whopping $104.45!!! I still haven't managed to read them all though. D'oh! So here's a quick glance at some books that have moved me this year. They weren't necessarily published this year, I just read the book this year.

Blood Red Road - Moira Young

I am a big fan of dystopian novels. I like the idea of a distant future where humans have regressed into barbarism and animal instincts. Blood Red Road by Canadian author Moira Young explores the world around Saba; a desert dweller obsessed with her twin brother Lugh. One day, a sand storm springs out of nowhere and with it comes men on horses. They say they want Lugh.

What happens next is a journey seen through the eyes of a desperate Saba, who will stop at nothing to find her brother. You will have trouble putting this book down if you like both action and compelling writing. There is no quotation marks in this book to distinguish the dialogue between characters. They talk in rough slang, staying true to the desolate future. A must read!

Rumour has it Ridley Scott has bought the rights to the books. Hopefully a movie is in the works soon!



One Second After - William R. Forstchen

According to the preface by Newt Gingrich or whatever his name is, this book was discussed in front of some government people or whatever. It's all very constitutional and super PRO-AMERICAN. I'm not a USA hater, but I can't stand how patriotic their books are. If you can put that aside, like I did, you will enjoy this book for what it is. A compelling piece about the threat of silence. And I mean utter fucking silence.

A small American town is suddenly sent into a blackout and find themselves forcing to band togheter to survive in a world without modern technology. Everything we take for granted like medicine, food, fuel, communications, and shelter is stripped away and all they have left is each other: "We're still Americans, goddammit!"

There is alot of conflict in this book. Diabetes, neighbouring towns, convictions. What works for one, doesn't necessarily work for the other. This book explains what would happen to humanity one second after.

A Red Herring Without Mustard - Alan Bradley

This is the third entry in the Flavia De Luce Mysteries by Canadian author Alan Bradley. I bought the first book without knowing anything about it. The title and cover had captivated me. Two years later, out came A Red Herring Without Mustard, or as I like to call it: Flavia All Grown Up.

The third book continues the tale of Flavia, a passionate chemist with a flare for mystery. She can solve a crime with only the help of her notebook and Gladys, her trusty bicycle. It all sounds childish but it's anything but. A charming novel that will sweep you off your feet and whisk you into a world of poison, jack snipes, 1950's countrysides, and gypsies.

Other notable novels:

• Tiger's Curse - Colleen Houck
• 11/22/63 - Stephen King
• SWAMPLANDIA! - Karen Russell

What novel had you wanting more?

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink