Tuesday, June 5, 2012

ArmChair BEA: Best of 2012 So Far- And What's Coming Up Soon

Today's topic for ArmChair BEA is "Best of 2012 Releases" including upcoming books that we hope will be our favorites.

I have to say so far 2012 has been a really good reading year for me. I'm behind on writing reviews, so I haven't told you about all the books I've loved but there have been quite a few.

My favorite release of 2012 so far is without a doubt (and as I said yesterday) Patrick Flanery's Absolution. This is a guy to watch; Absolution is only his debut novel and it's as good or better than what many established writers have done. Flanery is American by birth but there's been talk that his U.K. citizenship might make him eligible for a Booker nomination. I hope so!

Varamo, which I reviewed last week, is another favorite from this year. A world away from the intensity and violence of Absolution, Varamo is a comic delight about a government clerk and the night that changed his life.

Glaciers, by Alexis M. Smith, is a slim, arty novel also about a day in the life, set in the hipster heartland of Portland, Oregon.

Second Person Singular, by Sayed Kashua, is a wonderful novel about identity and authenticity and the lives and lies we build for ourselves and others.

The Testament of Jessie Lamb, by Jane Rogers, is a deeply disturbing and thought-provoking dystopia about righteousness and survival.

Divorce Islamic Style, by Amara Lakhous, is a great dark comedy about contemporary Italy.

Coming up later in 2012 I'm looking forward to

The Twelve, by Justin Cronin, the sequel to his smash hit The Passage (October),

Sweet Tooth, by Ian McEwan, about which I know nothing except that it's by Ian McEwan- and really, what more do I need to know? (Fall)


In the Shadow of the Banyan, by Vaddey Ratner, a novel based on her experiences escaping from the Khmer Rouge (August), and

the rerelease by NYRB Classics of Kingsley Amis's Booker Prize winner The Old Devils (September).

I'm also looking forward to dipping into the crime novels of Andrea Camilleri, new international crime from Melville House, lots of new things from Europa Editions, reading more older books and lots more great adventures in reading.

Go to ArmChair BEA Central for more favorites!

22 comments:

Mystica said...

Thank you for the links. You've made life so much easier for the rest of us

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

These all look tempting...and I'm definitely adding Sweet Tooth...Ian McEwan totally grabs me when I'm reading his pages.

I'm also checking out Absolution.

Thanks for sharing...and here's MY ARMCHAIR BEA POST

Jae said...

You've got some pretty awesome books listed there! After reading this post, your blog seems exactly like my cup of tea! Thanks for sharing!

Aarti said...

I've had a wonderful reading year, too, so far. I really only noticed it when looking back over the books from this year and couldn't choose my favorites.

Marce said...

Second Person Singular looks and sounds interesting.

Julie@My5monkeys said...

I haven't heard of these books but they sound interesting.

Karin Perry said...

Thanks for posting as part of Armchair BEA. I haven't read any of the books you listed since I read primarily Young Adult, but that's what's great about events like this. We get to learn about things outside our comfort zone.

Karin Perry said...

I don't know where my other comment went. It said it was published, but I don't see it. Anyway, thanks for posting your favs of 2012.

Jess (The Cozy Reader) said...

All three of those have amazing covers! So pretty!

Thanks for stopping by my post!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm also looking forward to the new Justin Cronin. I loved The Passage although I;m not at all a vampire type of woman. I didn't know there was a new McEwan on the way. Nie!

Suey said...

I am also really looking forward to The Twelve as I loved The Passage! Yay! :)

DevouredShannon said...

I am so excited to find your blog! We read some pretty different books and I am excited to see what I can discover from you! I am always trying to read a little bit of everything! I did actually read The Passage though and I am for sure looking forward to The Twelve!!

Bellezza said...

I'm looking forward to In the Shadow of The Banyan Tree, too, which I feel fortunate to have from NetGalley. What a topic of grief, though...

Chrisbookarama said...

I love NYRB classics! I can't wait to see what you think of The Old Devils if you get it.

Jenna said...

I'm really interested in reading Second Person Singular- gotta check it out.

Thanks for visiting my blog & suggesting The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt- I had noy heard of it and looked it up. It has officially been added to my TBR wish list :)

Anonymous said...

2012 has been an amazing year for me reading-wise as well! Read so many fabulous books this year and so many to look forward to as well.

elena said...

I haven't heard of Absolution but I love the cover! Just judging from the title, Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan sounds so intriguing. Thanks for sharing and stopping by. :)

Anonymous said...

Divorce Islamic Style is on my to-read list. I'm way behind on my Europa reading.

Annette Mills said...

Thanks for visiting.I hope you enjoy ABEA!

Devan @ Book Strings said...

There are so many books this year with the word Shadow in it. I always have to take a second look to make sure I'm typing the right one out!

Unknown said...

Such a perfect summation of The Testament of Jesse Lamb.

I went and read your review of Absolution which I was unfamiliar with until I read your raves about it. It sounds rich, thoughtful and powerful. Reading your review, I felt the tingle inside of me I feel when I know there's a great book waiting for me to purchase and sit down with...I will during the humid, sticky days of summer which I'll not notice because of this book. Thank you for this recommendation.

I am also looking forward to Sweet Tooth and The Old Devils. Varamo sounds like a good book, too especially because it's humorous.

Booksnyc said...

I am looking forward to In the Shadow of the Banyan too. Thanks for including a great selection of books!