A paucity of good books this year

[flexagon]

Sadly, Christmas shopping has made me realize I didn't read enough great books in 2011. When 2010 was over I did a best books of the year post that had categories. This year? There's one book that a couple of you will get for Christmas, yes, but I've got nothing like my usual pool of great new stuff to draw on.

The books I was most anticipating, that came out this year from many favorite authors -- Embassytown, Reamde, Vortex, The Wise Man's Fear, Children of the Sky -- were either sequels or else not the author's best. And maybe I just haven't been reading enough... there's at least one book I was promised is really good that's sitting on my shelf waiting for me to finish slogging through A Dance With Dragons. At any rate, it's too late in the year for me to buy books for myself... so, cook_ting, although I took notes, those books you recommended me on Saturday are fair game for the holidays. I'm just saying. ;-)

Seeking both recommendations and Christmas presents.
(And on that latter note, Kindle editions are welcome.)

Comments

[dr-alycat.livejournal.com]

ooh, I am interested to hear how your Valente reading goes whenever you pick it up again. I'm stalled out on her right now, but I intend to pick her back up again at some point.

At the risk of ruining a surprise/gift idea, have you read The Windup Girl by Bacigalupi?

[flexagon]

Yes, it's too late to surprise me with Bacigalupi's existence and older books... in fact, Pump Six was one of the books I gave several times last Christmas. :-)

I don't have the new one though, The Alchemist.