Out of the 37 books I managed to read last year here are my top or favorite 15. You could argue also the best. Not all came out last year there are some from earlier but most of the picks were released more recently
TOP GRAPHIC NOVELS
1. MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN JUNKIES by Ed Brubaker, Scott Phillips
2. BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT by Sean Gordon Murphy
3. FANTE BUKOWSKI (books 1 - 3) By Noah Van Sciver
FAVORITE 16 BOOKS OF THE YEAR
16. PARTY OF ONE: A MEMOIR IN 21 SONGS by DAVE HOLMES
I will admit I was introduced to him as a VJ contestant on MTV and eventually a host and VJ on that channel and it’s Programs. Though over the years have seen him in one thing or another and have been pretty impressed by his career and longevity. As he always seems to come across as a nice and decent guy. More recently I started following him on social media and found him to be the same and witty as ever. Reading this book and him revealing he is gay. Wasn’t that shocking but reading about the heartbreak of fitting in and finding a relationship was.
It's a book that brings home that we all want to be accepted and find love and how even those who seem to have it all or a good head on their shoulders have it just as hard. It’s not all about his sexuality but as it is part of him it is included. Plus some insightful and funny opinions on music and pop culture doesn’t hurt.
15. YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE: A NOVELLA by Jonathan Ames
14. DON’T WORRY HE WON’T GET FAR IN FOOT by John Callahan
13. 90’s BITCH: THE REAL STORY OF THE WOMEN AMERICA LOVED TO HATE by Allison Yarrow
12. HOMEY DON’T PLAY THAT! THE STORY OF IN LIVING COLOR AND THE BLACK COMEDY REVOLUTION by David Peisner
11. FRIDAY BLACK by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
10. AGORAFABULOUS!: DISPATCHES FROM BY BEDROOM By Sara Benincasa
9. FIRE AND FURY: INSIDE THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE by Michael Wolff
8. THIS BOOK HAS BALLS: SPORTS RANTS FROM THE MVP OF TALKING TRASH By
Michael Rapaport
Has there ever been a more tired and true New Yorker like Rapaport. Who bring to Ming all stereotypes of the typical New Yorker, but does it honestly and hilariously. HE’a a great actor and very opinionated and often hilarious. This is really just an extension of sorts of his podcast but this is a quick and entertains read. That for me recalled some great memories of the New York of old. As well as some insight into sports.
You have to keep in mind I really liked this book and I’m not really that into sports. So even if you don’t like them either he is so funny, fascinating a charming that you still will find yourself fascinated. It seems like this book is written in the same manner one would imagine having a conversation with him only more structured. As it seems just as filled st times with some distractions and a loss of stream but comes back to the subject at hand
7. THEY CAN’T KILL US UNTIL THEY KILL US by Hanif Abdurraquib
6. HITS AND MISSES: STORIES by Simon Rich
5. JUST THE FUNNY PARTS: MY 30 YEARS ON THE HOLLYWOOD JUNGLE GYM By Nell Scolvel
I recognized the name. Loved the title and took a deep dive into this book. How could i resist. As it is definitely a subject I am interested in and want to pursue myself.
The book Which explains her experiences and drops some general knowledge about sitcom writing and gives her experience as a female in the business. Insightful and funny.
4. CRESTFALLEN by Lauren Messervey
3. JIM HENSON: A BIOGRAPHY by Brian Jay Jones
2. LOVECRAFT COUNTY by Matt Ruff
This book totally took me by surprise a supernatural science fiction mystery tale mixed with folklore and racial civil rights history. (Soon to be an hbo series)
1. WE ARE NEVER MEETING IN REAL LIFE by Samantha Irby
Hilarious and easily identifiable. The facts might be different but the experiences and feelings ring true. She lays it all out there.
THE WORST BOOK I READ ALL YEAR
TRIP: PSYCHEDELICS, ALIENATION AND CHANGE by Tao Lin
I don’t know why I do it. I have never liked the other books by him I have read, but I keep coming back. I believe it is the subject this time. As i believe Lin has talent as a writer but always makes it too much not only about himself but reading his books is like trading a vice reporters experiences.
The ultimate millennial writer. As at times he seems to write to fit in or be current. As he seems to only do things to have subjects for his books and still manages to make them too detailed and slows down the narrative, but also kind of unlikeable at times. Which these days seems brave but still doesn’t erase certain facts. The book soon gets way too clinical and feels more like either a drug journal or diary but not a very detailed one as he goes in on certain facts of drugs and the way they affect him but is very short on his actual actions or doesn’t elaborate when discussing certain details that peak interest. It’s a shame as I believe he has a good book or two in him but still await them.
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