Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book.” It is in this sentiment that we present the North Atlantic Books staff picks of favorite reads from 2009. Enjoy!
Richard Grossinger, Publisher
*The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk
*Gone Boy by Gregory Gibson
*Stones of the New Consciousness by Robert Simmons
Lindy Hough, Publisher/Executive Editor
*The Garden Of Last Days by Andre Dubus III, one of my favorite novelists: A lush, riveting story of the last Florida night of one of the 9/11 terrorists who becomes fixated on a single-mom stripper who loses her child. Beautifully written.
*The Hunt for the Eye of Ogin by Patrick Doud — a boy journeys far into a parallel universe, proving himself ten times over as he befriends a stalwart girl trying to free a captured Queen who is the moral center of this land.
*Ruby Roth’s fearless children’s book That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals: A Book about Vegans, Vegetarians, and All Living Things —quirky surreal illustrations help the reader understand why eating meat and chicken doesn’t equate.
Allegra Harris, Sales & Marketing Manager:
*When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
Sedaris is always good for some light plane reading. This book does not disappoint.
*Outrageous Acts of Everyday Rebellions by Gloria Steinem
Steinem’s historic essay “I Was a Playboy Bunny” will make you rethink “The Girls Next Door.” It’s a great book to help us realize how far we have come, and how far there still is to go on gender rights issues.
*That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals by Ruby Roth
I have given this book as a gift to more people than I can count! Stunning art, wonderful and lovely author, and powerful message—doesn’t get any better.
Elizabeth Kennedy, Senior Editor:
*Homer & Langley by E. L. Doctorow
I have a thing for books that trace the wavering line where lunacy begins. Doctorow is a master. A deft, rich, sad, hilarious portrait of the Collyer brothers—hoarders, recluses—of Fifth Avenue fame. I wouldn’t change a word.
*Missy by Chris Hannan
This came out in paperback in ’09, so I’ll squeeze it onto this list. This book is an absolute riot. It’s written from the perspective of an indomitable protagonist, Dol McQueen, an opium-addicted prostitute of the Wild West and I guarantee it: you won’t want to put the book down.
*Sustainable Sushi by Casson Trenor
I want to do right by the planet, but I can be lazy. So this is the kind of book for me—a portable guide to eating sushi without decimating our oceans. In fact, I wish there were more books like this to make all my adventures so ethical.
Emily Boyd, Senior Editor
*The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory
A fictional take on the lives of the young Tudors—Princess Mary and her half-sister, Elizabeth I—seen through the eyes of invented main character, a young girl who has come to court. Totally captivating.
*The Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
What could be better than reading a book about a magical island while vacationing on the magical island of Maui?
*Shamanic Astrology by Lucy Harmer
A fascinating guide to the twelve spirit animals that teaches you how to figure out which animal corresponds to your birth sign, what the personalities of each of the twelve animals are, and how compatible the different animals are with one another. An informative and fun way to learn more about yourself (from your work life to your love life to your health) and others— your coworkers, friends, and family.
Drew Cavanaugh, Distribution & Marketing Lead
*Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys by David Henry Sterry and R. J. Martin Jr.: a collection of essays written by those who worked or are currently working in the sex trade. A gift from a close friend. Fascinating read.
*The Traveling Companion & Other Plays by Tennessee Williams: a wonderful collection of Tennessee Williams’ one-act plays; rekindled my love of one of a truly great playwright.
*Superfoods by David Wolfe: A thorough and inspiring guide about the benefits of among the healthiest foods on the planet, and integrating them into your diet. A great gift book.
Erin Wiegand, Editor
This was the year in which I embraced the e-book. After discovering the awesome application Stanza, I began reading books on my iPod Touch. Here are three books I read digitally in 2009:
*Perdido Street Station by China Miéville – A truly beautiful and riveting book. It’s got magic; steampunk technology; mad science; humanoid scarab beetles, nomadic bird-people, and sentient cacti; a populace on the verge of revolution; a dangerously powerful, self-aware computer; a Kafkaesque penal system; gigantic moth-like creatures that feed on dreams; forbidden love; and a multi-dimensional giant spider who’s obsessed with scissors. One of my favorite novels ever.
*Lockpick Pornography by Joey Comeau – A brilliant and subversive first novel from the writer of the webcomic “A Softer World.” It’s about four queer punks who, fed up with the pervasiveness of binary gender and heteronormative sexuality, write a gender-questioning children’s book and plant it in schools, libraries, and homes. Raises excellent questions about sex, gender, crime, terrorism, and altering the public dialogue. This book is available as a free PDF at www.lockpickbook.net.
*The Story of Crass by George Berger – Published just a few months ago by PM Press, this book chronicles the history of the anarcho-punk band Crass. Fascinating, especially when read alongside Crass co-founder Penny Rimbaud’s memoir, Shibboleth.
Kat Engh, Online Marketing & Publicity Coordinator
*Brief Interviews with Hideous Men by David Foster Wallace
*The Hunt for the Eye of Ogin by Patrick Doud
*Show Me How by Lauren Smith and Derek Fagerstrom
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What were your favorite reads of 2009?
