Books: The best of 2007

Somebody loves you.

Somebody got you gift certificates from your local, favorite bookstore and you don’t know what to get. Considering that there were hundreds of thousands of books printed last year and there’s a whole new literary year ahead of us, the possibilities are nearly infinite. But how about a few suggestions: Here, in no particular order, are my top picks for 2007:

 

Top five fiction books:

Do you love creepy stories, a la Stephen King? You can’t go wrong with “Heart-Shaped Box” by King’s son, Joe Hill. This is the story of a man who collects eerie things. When he buys a ghost, he lives to regret his purchase — but just barely.

“The Last Street Novel” by Omar Tyree surprised and pleased me. This is the story of a man who says he’s going to do something and, even though some pretty powerful people try to dissuade him, he sticks to his guns. I liked the way this book twists and turns and the ending will make you want more Tyree.

Did you get bookmarks for Christmas? Throw them away. You won’t need them when you read “The Hearts of Horses” by Molly Glass. When a young girl decides to set out to make a life for herself during World War I, she lands in a small valley in Oregon where she finally learns to trust people and herself. This is a wonderful book for horse lovers, Western fans, and anybody who wants a book that will suck them in for good.

 

Mystery fans didn’t get ignored this year. One of the finest whodunits I read was “Blonde Faith” by Walter Mosley. If you’re a Mosley fan, the big question is “Is Easy Rawlins Dead?” If you’re not a fan, pick up this book and see what you think.

I loved, loved, loved “Sleeping with Strangers” by Eric Jerome Dickey in audio. This slam-dunk book started out with a brain-slapping opening line and never stopped ’til the unbelievable cliff-hanging end. The last track of the last CD made me scream, and I could barely wait ’til the sequel, four months later. Alas, as incredible as this novel is, the sequel was as imminently forgettable. Listen to this one; forget the second part. You won’t miss a thing.

 

Top five non-fiction books:

How timely is this? The credit industry, the housing industry, mortgages, all in a mess. And along comes author James Scurlock with “Maxed Out,” an expose about all of the above. This book is chilling and will make you think twice before you pay with plastic.

If you’re starting the New Year out by yourself, you’ll want to read “Singled Out” by Bella De Paulo. The author of this book goes off on a few rants now and then, but her research and her findings are incredible, particularly if you’re going to spend this New Year single, divorced, or widowed.

I like biographies, but “Mr. Untouchable” by Leroy “Nicky” Barnes stunned me. Back some 30 years ago, Barnes was a drug czar who moved thousands of pounds of cocaine around the world. This book is his story – remorseless, misogynistic, and unapologetic, but very, very fascinating.

Here’s another stunner: “A Visiting Life” by Bridget Kinsella. When Kinsella first read the manuscript by a man in jail for murder, she knew she wanted to meet him. She never figured she’d fall in love. This book is un-put-down-able for its will-she-won’t-she ending.

 

I absolutely, positively couldn’t put down “A World Without Us” by Alan Weisman. This book is a hypothetical look at what would happen if we all – POOF! – disappeared from the face of the earth. It’s a thought-provoker for anybody who loves the earth and anyone who likes to play the “what if …?” game.

Yes, I can count, but I couldn’t leave “Aftermath, Inc.” by Gil Reavill off my list. This book is about the people who clean up the scenes of crime after the police are finished gathering evidence. It’s fascinating for cop-show aficionados or anyone who loves true crime books.

 

Top three children’s books:

For 2-to-7-year-olds I loved “Goodnight, Sweet Pig” by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Josée Masse. This is a book about a gentle little pig that is visited by a whole host of pests, but she’s too nice and polite to send them packing. I loved this rhyming story, and the illustrations are dear.

Kids who love adventure will love “Cave of the Dark Wind” by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, performed by Jim Dale. Peter Pan is gone from Neverland, and he leaves James in charge – which means trouble again. I listened to this book in audio, and it’s perfect entertainment for those on-the-way-to-school trips for kids 8 and up.

 

I also loved “Skulduggery Pleasant” by Derek Landy, performed by Rupert Degas in audio. Great for adults as well as kids, this gentle mystery with a magic skeleton detective was fun and it made me laugh. What more could a kid (of any size) want?

So there you have it. Fourteen great suggestions to get your reading jump-started in 2008. Happy New (Book) Year!