Best Reads of 2008

Posted by Martin R on February 18, 2009
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Looking for a good book? Here are my best reads in English of 2008.

  • Will in the World. How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare. Stephen Greenblatt 2004. The great man in his historical context.

  • Casino Royale. Ian Fleming 1953. Finely written about the greatest secret agent of them all.
  • The Enquiries of Doctor Eszterhazy. Avram Davidson 1975. Riveting supernatural detective stories in alternate-history Balkans.
  • The Yiddish Policemen’s Union. Michael Chabon 2007. Yiddish noir detective novel in an alternate-history Alaska.
  • The Spook’s Apprentice. Joseph Delaney 2004. Young-adult rural fantasy.
  • Electric Universe. David Bodanis 2005. Richly embroidered non-fic.
  • Under the Black Flag. David Cordingly 1995. Arr, me hearties!
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Comments

  1. #1 Larry Ayers
    February 22, 2009

    Several books are listed here which I haven’t read! I really enjoy seeing other people’s lists. I’ve read some Avram Davidson, but not the novel you mention. And Ian Fleming… I furtively read the Bond novels when I was a youth (my parents thought them too racy for me) and I really should re-read them.

    I’m very fond of Michael Chabon’s novels, including the one you mention. Have you read “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay”? It’s wonderful, but then I grew up reading Marvel comics and I thought the novel captured well the mysteries and allure of the comics world.

  2. #2 Martin R
    February 22, 2009

    I haven’t read any other Chabon than Yiddish Policemen yet. Will check out K&C!