The most recently published work(s) of fiction you've read that you would put on your Favorite List.

[Mike 03]

Seeing such passionate discussion of fiction here on DU, in other threads, really lifts my spirits.

I was just curious:

What is the last or latest novel (or novels) you've read that you consider great enough to (perhaps provisionally) place on your Favorite Novels List? (Say over the last decade or so).

And that is "recently published," please note. That means if you just read "The Sun Also Rises" by Hemingway last month, that doesn't count. It has to be a modern work by a modern author.

And I'm not limiting to your "top 10" list or anything like that. This just has to be a work of fiction that you would keep on your bookshelf and loathe to discard for any reason.

To be honest, I have not been reading much fiction lately. But over the past ten or so years, 'd consider putting these on my list.

1. Underworld by Don Delillo (although that is not so new anymore)
2. Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa (absolute masterpiece by my favorite author, translated into English approximately in 2001)
3. 2666 by Robert Bolano, a Chilean author who barely finished this novel before he died of liver failure when he was fifty years old. A stupendous, inventive novel. Just was translated into English and published in the U.S. in late 2008.

[BlueIris]

1. Valerie Martin's "Property" rocketed into my Top 5 favorite novels list in '06.

It was published in '03. That is soooo excellent, like most of her works.

[LWolf]

2. I'll try,

although I'll probably have to rush off to check copyright dates. ;)

In no particular order of preference:

1. Lavinia-Ursula Le Guin
2. Sight Hound-Pam Houston
3. Widdershins-Charles de Lint
4. Weaver-Ekiwah Adler-Belendez (this one probably doesn't count; it's a collection of poetry)
5. "Wake" and "Fade," 2 YA novels by a DUer.

[BlueIris]

5. Oh, is "Widdershinz" good?

I have a copy of that I got for free at a book sale I was at three years ago. Haven't gotten around to reading it yet, though.

[LWolf]

6. If you like de Lint, (and I DO), it's great.

It's kind of a culmination in years' worth of short stories and novels involving the main character. I'd read some other stuff first if you haven't read him before.

[blueraven95]

15. If you haven't read him before,

I would try "Someplace to Be Flying" or "Trader" first.

"Widdershins" has characters that are in other earlier books - they show up in the periphery of the books I mentioned...but Widdershins is in the middle of their stories.

[CBR]

3. Kite Runner nt

[yellowdogintexas]

8. me too. That was the first thing that came to mind.

I read voraciously and have many favorite authors who write in series format, but Kite Runner is in a class by itself.

[FloridaJudy]

23. Amen.

And hard as it is to believe, I thought A Thousand Splendid Suns was even better. I can't wait for his third novel.

[CBR]

27. I have a leftover gift card to Barnes and Noble...

I think I will use it on A Thousand Splendid Suns!

[rrneck]

4. A Life of Pi

and The Road

I don't read much fiction either though.

[applegrove]

20. I have the Road sitting on my bedstand. I also loved life of Pi. What a ride that was.

[rrneck]

24. The Road

kicked me straight in the guts. Can't wait for the movie.

Pi was suggested to me since I read so little fiction I never know what to get. It seemed to do what all great art does best. It gives you lots of places to go no matter your starting point. Sometimes it's hard for me to achieve the suspension of disbelief when I read fiction, but that one swallowed me.

[applegrove]

25. Yes it was amazing.

[ghostsofgiants]

7. Don't read much fiction, but "House of Leaves" is brilliant.

[Rabrrrrrr]

9. It was some sciene fiction by Alistair Reynolds. New guy, but totally like the old good guys,

except with newer material.

Fantastic writer, and great books.

I can't remember the names of them, though.

I grabbed one of his books by random once before going off on a trip (need something to read when you're in the air for 16 hours...), and was absolutely smitten. Went and ordered his entire output (which is maybe 8 books, I think).

Guy's fantastic.

Good, hard science-fiction.

[Arugula Latte]

10. I finally read "The Poisonwood Bible" -- Wow.

Incredible book. I am a huge Barbara Kingsolver fan now. Such insight into Africa. So moving. So well written.

on edit: The book was published in '98, so probably doesn't fit the criteria here, but ... Wow. It's good.

[applegrove]

21. I liked that too.

[kimmerspixelated]

29. That's how I felt when I read it as well.

Oddly the first thing I read by her was a collection of essays about nature. Then I realized she had created so much more, so I jumped into Poisonwood, and was extremely blown away. I don't understand why they can't make it into a movie. I see Meryl Streep as the Mother, don't you? Distantly staring off to Africa, after tending to her newly created garden, something no one could take from her. Oh, I'm getting misty all over again!

[Arugula Latte]

32. In the version I read, which I believe was published in 2005 or 2006,

there were some essays at the end and Barbara Kingsolver wrote about the incredible worldwide reaction to the book and she also mentioned that she was working on a screenplay for a multi-part series based on Poisonwood. She also wrote that she'd turned down offers to make it into a regular film because she felt a two-hour movie would be too confining for such a sweeping story. However, I don't know whatever happened to that miniseries, or if it is still in the works.

Meryl Streep would be a great choice for the mother!

[kimmerspixelated]

33. Wow, thanks for the update!

[Sheltiemama]

31. It was a history lesson as well as a fantastic novel.

[KG]

11. 'Ilium' and Olympos' - Dan Simmons

not sure this guy knows how to write a bad book.

[redqueen]

12. At Swim, Two Boys by Jamie O'Neill

Seven years ago might be pushing it though...

[blueraven95]

13. "Chalice" by Robin McKinley

It's sort of young adult fiction, but the writing is so beautiful...gave me the shivers.


also "Nation" by Terry Pratchett - I'm treasuring every single one of his stories right now, especially because it's hit home that he may not be able to write for much longer.


Both books now have places on my bookshelves.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

14. Middlesex is the best book that's come out this century, IMHO

So, that one would definitely be on there.

I'd also include Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (also maybe Ghostwritten or Number 9 Dream also by Mitchell.)

I'm about 200 pages from the end of 2666; it's been pretty fantastic so far so it'll be on there assuming the ending isn't a complete wreck.

I'd also include Thomas Pynchon's Against the Day.

Those are my standouts of the 21st Century so far.

[bikebloke]

16. The Outlander by Gil Adamson

In the early 1900's, a woman flees her two brothers--in-law after into the wild, after killing her husband.

[av8rdave]

17. "The Reader"

I haven't seen the movie yet, but the book is outstanding.

[jobycom]

18. The Life of Pi, and The Virgin Blue were probably my favorites.

The Life of Pi is easily the better of the two. Decent writing and an intriguing psychological tale with a theological and philosophical debate to play chase in your brain long after the story is over. One of the classics.

The Virgin Blue probably won't be on any "Greatest of the Century" lists, but it was intelligent and clever and a memorable book, and I can't shake the ending. Most of Tracy Chevalier's works are like that, but that's my favorite.

[kimmerspixelated]

30. Life of Pi is another one of those beautiful books

that is so original and memorable! I also don't understand the holdup on a movie script. They could be so imaginative!!!

[nomorenomore08]

19. 'Iodine' by Haven Kimmel, published just last year.

A completely unique and enthralling book, and one that really messes with your head. For one thing it involves major characters who may be dead, or may not have existed at all.

[applegrove]

22. A Fine Balance has to be one of my favourite books from the last decade. By Rohinton

Mistry.

[PassingFair]

26. Books I have liked lately: 1) Atonement 2)The Book Thief 3)Youth in Revolt

Youth In Revolt was definitely the FUNNIEST book
I've read in 10 years.

Middlesex is right up there, too.

On edit:

Also enjoyed...."The Hours"

[kimmerspixelated]

28. I'm still reading, The Moment I First Believed

by Wally Lamb. It's really good so far. I tend to have several books going at the same time(mostly nonfiction), but I took a break to read THE ALCHEMIST by Paul Coelho. And I must say I was impressed with the fable like story. It has some very poignant spiritual lessons. The book has two other stories attached and I am looking forward to reading them.