Highlights from reading in 2017.
Rank means nothing here, just my favorites from titles I read last year, though not necessarily published in 2017.
Fiction.
One.
Crow Fair by Thomas McGuane
For “Motherlode” alone.
Two.
Montana Noir – Edited by Keir Graff & James Grady
Yes, “Motherlode” is in here, too. So are a ton of other great stories.
Three.
Nutshell by Ian McEwan
Nothing else like it. Not even close.
Four.
Big Exit by David Carnoy
Characters, plot, and more plot. Boom.
Five.
Where It Hurts by Reed Farrel Coleman
Mood & attitude collide. A slow-burn. The good kind.
Six.
Rain Dogs by Adrian McKinty
A locked-room mystery. Plus, history. And Ireland.
Seven.
The Whole Art of Detection by Lyndsay Faye
No, seriously. How did she do that? Sherlock Holmes fans, check this out.
Eight.
Skies of Ash by Rachel Howzell Hall
One of the best writers going.
Nine.
Come Twilight by Tyler Dilts
So smooth, so good.
Ten.
Red Sky, Red Dragonfly by John Galligan.
Simply amazing. Rich, layered, and deep.
Eleven.
Under the Harrow by Flynn Berry
A deep, deep point of view. Pays homage to a classic book and yet is still fresh, too.
Non-Fiction
One.
The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
Fascinating from start to finish.
Two.
Field Notes From a Catastrophe by Elizabeth Kolbert
Is there really any question?
Three.
The Lost City of The Monkey Gods by Douglas Preston
Adventure, history & climate change (see two books above). A cautionary tale.
Four.
Free Ride by Brad Newsham
This was my favorite book of the year. In a bleak year, this one gave me a lift. Find it if you can!
Five.
Other People: Takes & Mistakes by David Shields
Read & think. Get smart. For the Charles Barkley essay alone, I mean please.
Six.
Four Strings, Phony Proof & 300 45’s by Sal Maida
A kid from New York tells how he got to play bass (for years) with Roxy Music. Plus, lists and lists of killer 45’s. Love it.
Don't Need A Diagram 