I have been a part of a book club for the past few years and it has inspired me to read more and different kinds of books. Below I outline a few books I’ve read and the awards I would give them if anyone cared about my opinion. Enjoy!
The No She Dinnit! Award
My Brilliant Friend (Book 1 of a series of 4) - Now an HBO Show!
Eleanor Ferrante
So this book is wonderful. My friend has been trying to get me to read it for 5 years, and it finally worked. It’s a really beautiful story about two girls growing up in 1950’s-60’s Naples, Italy. I’ve read the second book in the series, too, and not only is it beautifully written, but it has the twists and turns of a telenovela. Highly recommended - the reason for the award is that the last paragraph literally made my jaw drop. Best cliffhanger/payoff I’ve read.. Maybe ever for a genre like this. (I know that’s cruel to do “just wait til you get to the last page!” but I had to - sorry/not sorry.)
Better Laughs than Charlie the Unicorn Videos Award (tie)
Fox 8
George Saunders
&
Calypso
David Sedaris
I’m like not a real-life LOL guy with books, but both these had me really guffawing. If you haven’t read Sedaris, just do it. He’s hilarious and weird and is not afraid to admit it. In one of his shorts he talks about gay dating and the bias against short people and I had to put the book down because I got the giggles on the train.
Fox 8 is so delightful; I don’t even know where to start. In this story/kind of kids’ short, he looks at a new strip mall through the eyes of a fox. Some of the fox’s observations about human biases on other animals had me dying. I’m glad it’s finally confirmed that chickens don’t wear glasses.
The Train Wreck Award
Meddling Kids
Edgar Cantero
So this book is BAD. But it’s so bad, you might want to read it. It’s starts out with promise but then quickly devolves into one of the most bizarre, disjointed, and unbelievable sci-fi books I’ve ever read. Does a dog talk? Yes. Does a mountain come alive? You betcha. Is there a weird, problematic lesbian relationship? Yuppers. If you’ve ever taken a writing or film class, you may have heard the phrase “raise the stakes.” It just means gradually ratchet up tension so people keep following the narrative thread. Well, this author puts his stakes in a cannon and fires them to the moon. It’s just… nuts.
Should I Pretend To Like This? Award
Less
Andrew Sean Greer
I read this for my book club and we all agreed it was fine. Then it won a Pulitzer. Reviews call it “stirring”, “hysterical”, and “nuanced” - but I thought it was full of cliches and had 1 or 2 chuckle-worthy moments. Do I not understand literature? Did someone in the establishment give this book a grant and that’s why it won? I have no idea. Would literally love anyone to explain to me why this better than good. Please don’t think I hated it or anything, I just don’t get why people loved it. If you really want to laugh at an aging gay man, pick up Calypso.
The Hallmark Movie Award
A Man Called Ove
Fredrik Backman
My mom recommended this. I knew it would be good but worried it would be full of cliches. Just by looking at the cover you’re like “Oh, a grumpy old man learns to be nice!” But, it’s so great. The supporting cast of characters makes this beautifully memorable, and there are moments that are truly cathartic and truly funny. Everyone I’ve recommended this one to has really enjoyed it, despite the pretty typical framework that it operates in.
I Have Been Seen Award
Call Me By Your Name
André Aciman
The movie version of this book was beautifully shot. It didn’t change my life, so I wasn’t too interested in the book. But, like, wow. The writing is gorgeous and the last ⅓ of the book (that doesn’t make it to the movie) takes the love story to a totally different level. Aciman (you know this review is serious because I use the author’s last name) really captures the energy and beauty (and weirdness) of first love and tracks it to how that love matures and grows up. Jumped onto my list of all-time faves.