Book reviews: Notes from Neil

Thursday, Dec. 11 — Happy Holidays, fellow readers! You know the end of the year is nearly upon us when I start in on my favorite reads roundup. I'm taking a slightly different approach this time, I've come up with seven categories of books I read the most, and picked my favorite three titles of 2014 in each. Not "the best" titles - that's way too subjective. Just the three in each genre that gave me the greatest pleasure to read and stayed with me the longest after I finished. Starting with four categories this week, I'll finish with three more next week. And as always, I cheated a bit by throwing in some deserving Honorable Mentions. Here's what we're reading:

FICTION

FOURTH OF JULY CREEK - Smith Henderson
A debut novel so good the word "debut" becomes irrelevant. A struggling social worker, a near-feral teenage boy and his anti-government father meet in the wilds of Montana in a stunning, emotional collision.

THE REMEDY FOR LOVE - Bill Roorbach
Quite simply, the most romantic book I've read in some time. It's a way out of the ordinary, oil and water kind of romance, but in its own oddball way, sweet and hopeful.

WE ARE NOT OURSELVES - Matthew Thomas
A quiet, dignified multi-generational American saga that takes a hard look at what we want, what we need and how we love and accept what (and who) we have. Sensitive and moving.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Andrew's Brain by E.L. Doctorow, Lovers at the Chameleon Club by Francine Prose and 2 a.m. at the Cat's Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino

SCI-FI / FANTASY

THE MAGICIAN'S LAND - Lev Grossman
A grand payoff to a trilogy as surprising and powerful as I could have hoped. One of those rare cases where the final installment of a series exceeds all expectations.

BATHING THE LION - Jonathan Carroll
Always disorienting, highly literate and flat-out weird, Mr. Carroll remains the premier thinking-person's fantasy writer.

THE MARTIAN - Andrew Weir
I wasn't prepared for the visceral realism of this wonderful piece of sci-fi. It's so well plotted and exciting it's easy to forget the sci part.

HONORABLE MENTION: Area X: The Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff Vandermeer

HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY

FIERCE PATRIOT - Robert L. O'Connell

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy by Karen Abbott and Supreme City by Donald Miller

SPORTS

FOOTBALL: GREAT WRITING ABOUT THE NATIONAL SPORT - ed. by John Schulian
A true embarrassment of riches for any sports fan. The quality of writing collected between these covers would be celebrated in any genre.

THE 34-TON BAT - Steve Rushin
Baseball seems to be a subject to inspire many writers to do excellent work. The joy of Mr. Rushin's book is how perfectly he captures the feelings of passion and innocence in the love of the sport. Reading his book is to be reminded what it felt like to be a fan as a youngster.

SEASON OF SATURDAYS - Michael Weinreb
Following the publication of this compelling and honest assessment of the current state of major college football, Mr. Weinreb was suddenly everywhere. I saw him or his writing anytime expert commentary on the state of the game was required. There's nobody better suited for that role at the moment.

HONORABLE MENTION: Collision Low Crossers by Nicholas Dawidoff

Next week, the remaining categories of Science, Food & Cooking and Misc. In the meantime, I'd love to hear which books would be on your Best-of-2014 list.

Until next week,

Neil

NeilNeil Rajala is Currently Director of Community & Business Services for Schuler Books, Neil's decade with the company has included the wearing of many different hats - and lots and lots of reading.