Top 5 Reads 2013

It’s almost the end of the year, and so I thought I’d post my five favourite reads of 2013.

1/ We Have Always Lived in the Castle – Shirley Jackson
I’ve long been a fan of Jackson, but this novel put her in the upper ranks of favourite writers. A stunning book, darkly comic and filled with memorable characters. A look at small-town America through Jackson’s truly unique eyes.

2/ Ham on Rye – Charles Bukowski
This has now replaced Post Office as my favourite Bukowski novel. Funny as hell, yet with a bittersweet honesty.

3/ Women – Charles Bukowski
I went on a Buk kick early in the year, reading (and in some cases re-reading) almost all of Buk’s novels. While not quite as concise and punchy as Ham on Rye or Post Office, I found Women to be one of Buk’s funniest and in some ways, his most quintessential. Full of hard-drinking and even harder women.

4/ Basal Ganglia – Matthew Revert
A stunning leap forward for the talented writer/publisher/designer. For me, it’s Revert’s most mature and fascinating work. A unique tale about a pillow fort, a wool baby and identity. Marvelous.

5/ Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier
The Hitchcock film has been a long-time favourite of mine. I’ve been meaning to read the novel for many years. This year, I finally got around to it. Excellent gothic romance, as good as I had imagined it would be.