Well, it’s officially the last day of 2018. There’s no better time than now to recap some of our favorite parts of the year that was. In this post, I’ll share my five favorite books of the year. Maybe you’ll like them, too! (If you’d like to read 2017’s post, click here.)
Without further ado, let’s see 2018’s picks.
Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
Source: Goodreads
Watchmen is considered by many to be the greatest graphic novel of all time. Now I understand why.
Full disclosure: I don’t read many graphic novels. Therefore, I might not be qualified to call this one the best. Then again, you need not watch every NBA player to know Jordan is the greatest.
Whatever. Ranking concerns aside, Watchmen is a masterwork.
Watchmen is set in an alternate universe wherein superheroes exist. These aren’t like Thor or Superman though. Rather, the heroes of Watchmen begin as vigilantes during the 1940s and continue to operate into the 80s. They’re imperfect, dark, often bitter. Each has a personal agenda but no superpowers. When one of their own is murdered, a band of retired heroes must find the truth.
I saw the 2009 film version of way back when it came out (actually, it was the first R-rated film I ever saw in theaters). Whether or not you liked the film, I promise you’ll like the graphic novel even more. It’s packed with deep characters, nuanced philosophical ideas, and a compelling plot. Plus, the graphic novel contains added worldbuilding depth, such as an excerpt from the autobiography of one hero and a magazine interview with another. Oh, and the visual design for each character is brilliant.
If you love graphic novels, you’ve probably already read this one. If you’ve never read one, start here.
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Source: Amazon
People still can’t agree on whether this is a collection of interconnected short stories or a novel. Whatever you call it, it’s an outstanding work of art.
Jennifer Egan’s A Visit from the Goon Squad is a book about music, connection, and the ways in which our lives interlock. Each chapter tells a different story though they’re all connected by the theme of time. Also, many characters reappear as older or younger versions of themselves, or as acquaintances of others. For example, record producer Bennie Salazar recalls discovering a band featuring a guitarist named Bosco, an event which kicked off his record producing career. Later, we encounter an older version of Bosco, who’s trying to reignite his career. And later, we meet a younger version of Bosco while he’s just on the rise.
My favorite part of this book is the penultimate chapter entitled “Great Rock and Roll Pauses by Alison Blake.” It’s a story told entirely through PowerPoint slides. I know, it kind of sounds like a gimmick. It’s not. This chapter is innovative, smart, and above all, an excellent bit of storytelling. You’ll have to read it to understand why.
M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman
Source: Goodreads
Neil Gaiman is my favorite author, so it’s probably no surprise to anyone that one of his books made my list.
This short story collection features his signature wit and creativity. For example, in “The Case of Four and Twenty Blackbirds,” (one of the best this collection has to offer), Gaiman turns the story of Humpty Dumpty into a hard-boiled detective yarn. There’s also “Chivalry,” a story about a geriatric British woman who purchases the Holy Grail at her town’s antique shop. Also “The Witch’s Headstone,” one part of his outstanding children’s novel The Graveyard Book. And also “How to Talk to Girls at Parties,” a bizarre story about two guys who accidentally crash a party with girls from another planet.
Oddly, this collection is marketed as stories for children. These are not stories for children. Sexual content and creepiness aside, the reading level just doesn’t feel right for kids (with the exception of “The Witch’s Headstone,” I’d say). Anyway, read it. You’ll like it (whether or not you’re a kid).
Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell
Source: Goodreads
The first nonfiction book of the bunch, James Scott Bell’s Plot and Structure contains a myriad of practical tips for fiction writers.
I like the way Bell presents his opinions on the subjects in this book. Rather than saying something to the effect of, This is the way to do it, his approach is similar to Stephen King’s in On Writing. It’s more of this: These techniques have worked for me, so maybe they’ll work for you, too. For example, he lays out the structure of most commercially successful stories and recommends starting there. He acknowledges that no, not every popular story fits into that structure. But if you want to be commercially viable, it’s a good place to start.
In addition to the titular subjects, Bell also hits topics such as dialogue, character, and series arc. If you like writing and you want to get better at it, I recommend this book.
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
Source: Goodreads
This short story collection is unified by themes of femininity, sex, and introversion. Plus, it features some really cool speculative elements, including supernatural Law & Order: SVU plots and a list of sexual encounters with the world’s end happening in the background.
The SVU story is my favorite in the collection. It’s entitled “Especially Heinous,” and it’s pure brilliance. It’s a story told with the characters from the long-running TV series, except the episodes feature supernatural (and oftentimes creepy elements) such as doppelgangers, ghosts with bells for eyes, and cults. I love when writers push the boundaries of their craft. That’s what Machado does with this story—and the entire collection.
Until Next Year…
Can’t wait to read even more outstanding book in the new year. Have a fantastic 2019, readers!
Kyle A. Massa is a speculative fiction author living somewhere in upstate New York with his wife and their two cats. His stories have appeared in numerous online magazines, including Allegory, Chantwood, and Dark Fire Fiction. His debut novel, Gerald Barkley Rocks, is available now on Amazon Kindle.
