My Favorite Books of 2009

By Josh Hornbeck

The literary component of my artistic diet is always the least timely. There are just too many books out there that I want to read – classic and modern fiction, non-fiction, playscripts, poetry and comics. So my list of favorite books for 2009 includes very few titles that came out in the last year. Instead, I’m including any books that I read over the twelve months, no matter what year they were released, as potential candidates for my favorites.

The Master and Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov – This fantastical classic of Russian literature is a scathing critique of 1930’s Russia. The devil and his associates wreak havoc on the disbelieving intellectuals who do all they can to rationalize the strange occurrences plaguing their circle of friends. A very funny, very strange piece of fiction.

Maps and Legends, by Michael Chabon – This collection of essays by Pulitzer Prize winner Chabon is the author’s defense of genre literature. Through personal anecdotes and persuasive arguments, Chabon illustrates the importance of science fiction, fantasy, and mystery in our literary pursuits.

The Pharmacist’s Mate, by Amy Fusselman – Fusselman’s semi-autobiographical novel is a gripping exploration of sadness, hope, and grief. In telling the story of a woman trying to get pregnant while dealing with the death of her father, Fusselman finds a compelling and universal story – all told in less than a hundred pages.

Lady Into Fox, by David Garnett – This little fable from 1922, about a man whose wife mysteriously transforms into a fox one day, is a brilliant parody of the period’s literary realism. Like the novels of Henry James and Virginia Woolf, it is the story of a man who marries a free-spirited woman and after numerous attempts to control and tame her, decides to love her as she is. A fun read that is also surprisingly touching.

This Shape We’re In, by Jonathan Lethem – A strange and bizarre little fantasy about people living inside a vast and mysterious shape, just trudging along through their lives. It’s a world of darkness and cynicism, and yet there is still the impulse to find meaning and purpose for their lives. A very interesting little book.

Love in the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez – My first introduction to Marquez was in this beautiful, brilliant novel. A story of unrequited love, the narrative moves effortlessly through time – sometimes jumping back and forth between a period of fifty or more years. Comprised of dense, elegant prose, the novel is full of life, warmth, humor, emotion and hope. A truly compelling and wonderful experience.

McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern/The Believer – My favorite publishing company, McSweeney’s, regularly publishes a quarterly journal of new fiction (“McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern”) and a monthly magazine of literary non-fiction (“The Believer”). I eagerly devour every issue of both publications from cover to cover. “The Believer” contains some of the most interesting non-fiction I’ve ever read – discussing subjects I never thought I’d care about (competitive “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” looking at Los Angeles as a model for new nature writing, etc.). “McSweeney’s” is always packaged in new and interesting ways – from a bundle of mail to a hardcover book with fiction set in the year 2024, to a full sized newspaper complete with magazines, comics, and in-depth reporting. I look forward to each and every edition.

Billy Budd, Sailor, by Herman Melville – I think I almost overdosed on the fiction of Herman Melville this year. His descriptive prose takes some getting used to, but when he marries the beauty of his passages to a compelling narrative and engaging characters, as he does in Billy Budd, Sailor, the result is a stunning classic. I’m sure I must have read portions of this in school, but approaching the heartbreaking and tragic story as an adult, I found much more depth and resonance.

Miracleman, by Alan Moore – Out of print for far too long, comic writer Alan Moore took a second-rate British superhero and breathed new life into the character. Utilizing much of the genre’s potential, Moore created a captivating and tragic tale, taking the idea of the all-powerful superhero to its logical and disturbing conclusion.

Watchmen, by Alan Moore – When I first read Watchmen nearly ten years ago, I was so focused on the story that I neglected the artistry and subtext in this truly important work of comic book art. The juxtaposition of words and imagery is used for maximum effect, and once again Moore takes the idea of superheroes, believing that they know what is best for mankind, to frightening places.

Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair, by Pablo Neruda – Beautiful poems full of arresting imagery, hidden depths, and powerful emotions. One reading isn’t nearly enough to tease out the meanings in this truly wonderful collection.

Through a Glass Darkly, by Jeffrey Overstreet – Film critic Jeffrey Overstreet takes us on a journey through the intersection of faith and film. Always searching for the hidden (and sometimes obvious) truths in art, Overstreet invites Christians to see film as more than propaganda or assaults on our faith. He encourages us to look at the ways great art can truly transform our lives. An important book for Christians who desire to engage with the culture around us.

Y: The Last Man, by Brian K. Vaughan – An epic and thought-provoking series of comic books. Set in a world where all creatures with a Y-chromosome were suddenly killed, Y tells the story of the last man on earth and his quest to be reunited with the love of his life. It’s an amazing story, from its gut-wrenching introduction to its tragic and poignant end.

The Investigation, by Peter Weiss – A stunning piece of avant-garde theatre, the script was adapted from transcripts of the Nuremberg Trials and crafted into haunting poetry. Victims of the Nazi atrocities speak out against their persecutors and former soldiers and officials attempt to justify their actions. Brilliant, simple, and powerful, even as a script.

The Plays of Oscar Wilde – Oscar Wilde wrote some of the wittiest plays ever to grace the stage. And in reading through his collected works (An Ideal Husband, The Importance of Being Earnest, Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Woman of No Importance) you see not only his elegance and biting humor, but a decisive bent toward the need for grace and redemption.

Introduction
My Favorite Movies of 2009
My Favorite Television of 2009
My Favorite Music, Theatre, and Visual Art of 2009

(Posted 01/21/2010)