Best of ... Contemporary Fiction 2011

Next on my list of best reads for 2011 will be contemporary fiction.  I use the "contemporary fiction" label loosely to cover a wide range of modern fiction that doesn't fall neatly into the thriller/sci-fi/fantasy/horror/mystery/historical fiction categories.

Some of these titles may kind of cross-over into other genres or may have certain elements of other genres.  Not all were published in 2011; these are just books I read and loved in 2011, with my review link (if any) included.  Clicking on a cover will take you to the Goodreads page for that title.

 American Dervish by Ayad Akhtar

Full Review

January, 2012 Indie Next List

This look at growing up Muslim in America is more than a coming-of-age novel.  I enjoyed the many parallels I saw in how a young person comes to their spiritual beliefs in any culture, but was even more moved by the tale of Mina, an intelligent and beautiful woman whose light is dimmed by the culture she is brought up in.

Review snippet:

There are injustices here, and adultery, and women whose potential is quashed.  It is sad in places, hopeful in others, but very real and impactful.

I highly recommend it.

 The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

Full Review

This is NOT a story about baseball; it's a story about a young man who plays baseball.  He plays so well, in fact, that he catches the eye of an opposing teammate who fights to get him admitted to Westish College, an admittedly VERY different atmosphere than that of his small community

Review snippet:

Even in the pathos that is sometimes engendered in its pages, this is a novel that will leave most lovers of character-driven fiction breathing that long sigh that comes at the end of a great, satisfying read - the sigh that says, "I'm sorry it's over, but what a wonderful trip that was."  The writing is superb, the characters are so sympathetic, the story is so real - definitely a must-read.  

 The Upright Piano Player by David Abbott

Full Review

A June 2011 Indie Next selection

This one is not for those who only read light, happy books, but it left a deep impression on me.

Review snippet:

Set in England, this tale of a man who tries his best in life (with some successes as well as failures) is at times a tale of tragedy and heartbreak.  Forced into early retirement, beset by a psychotic stalker-type, alone and estranged from his ex-wife and son, Henry attempts to re-forge his family ties, and, in doing so, the reader is pulled in to the struggle of a man coming to terms with what his life means.

The Sweetness of Tears by Nafisa Haji

Full Review

A woman born in to an Evangelical Christian dynasty finds herself drawn in to the Muslim culture through her work and familial relationships.

Review snippet:

Jo's search for identity leads her on a road of redemption through mistakes and tears, but I closed the book with a warm glow.  Ms. Haji reveals a true gift for writing through her lovely prose.  There were so many shining examples of almost poetic clarity that I had a hard time picking just a few to include here. 

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin

In paperback as The Secret Lives of the Four Wives

Longlisted for 2010 Orange Prize

Full Review

This is the story of Baba Segi's four wives.  Set in Nigeria, the reader is drawn into each woman's story and how she came to be part of this large household dominated by a fat and pompous husband.

Review snippet:

We see how they came to be in a polygamous marriage (never a first choice for any of them), the trickery and deceit they each use to get their way, and the resentments and jealousies of them all.  The only true good character in all of this is Bolanle, who comes into the marriage with the good intention of teaching the other wives and their children, yet is thwarted and hated at every turn.

 Long Drive Home by Will Allison

Full Review

What if you were driving along and someone's reckless driving caused you to tap their car with yours in retaliation?  What if that someone ended up dead because of it?  What if you got away with it?

Review snippet:

This narrative shows us how one wrong move can change the course of our lives from better to worse; utterly absorbing and believable, I was drawn in to the pages from beginning to end.  A most excellent read.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Full Review

This is a funny tale of falling in love through reading some else's emails :)

Review snippet:

This was such a wonderfully funny novel.  I, too, fell in love with Beth and Jennifer, with their wonderful friendship outlined in their emails to each other with their personalities sparkling through.  Lincoln is such a wonderful faulty protagonist; I just kept hoping against hope that things would work out for him, especially since he hasn't really had a girlfriend since his high-school sweetheart dumped him for someone else after they hit college together.  Some of Lincoln's actions did seem rather stalkerish, and they were ... just a little ... enough for even Lincoln to second guess himself on them. 

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

Full Review

Zoe is divorced and when she and her now-partner want to have a baby, her ex-husband fights her over the embryos that they have in storage.  Not because he wants them for himself, but because Zoe's partner is a woman and after having climbed out of the bottom of a bottle of booze, Max is now a member of a fundamentalist Christian group and Zoe is now a sinner.

Review snippet:

This book is about so much more than reproductive issues or same-sex marriage or any of that. I mean, it's in there; it's the premise of the book, but ... wow ... I was totally blown away by this one.  A book that makes you laugh AND cry? 

Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry

Christy Award for Contemporary Standalone (2011)

Full Review

One of the reasons I have such an antipathy towards boxing books into specific genres is because some of them can be overlooked based on their "genre".  Almost Heaven is boxed into the "Christian fiction" genre, which many of us find quite often is overly preachy or saccharine.  In my opinion, just because someone in a book has faith doesn't make it "Christian fiction", simply fiction about someone with faith.  

Review snippet:

Excellent writing, teamed with so many losses and trials, will keep you turning the pages.  This is an extraordinary story about an ordinary man with exceptional gifts.  I absolutely loved it.

 Night Road by Kristin Hannah

Full Review

Lexi is a foster child sent to live with her Aunt Eva.   When she becomes friends with twins Zach and Mia, she is brought in to their family circle.  Tragedy strikes, and social class comes to the foreground.

Review snippet:

Suffice it to say that Night Road is a wonderful, multi-layered, well-written, thoughtful novel that will keep you fully engaged.  Don't start it unless you're prepared to read on until the end. 

 FAVE OF THE YEAR:

This was a truly difficult choice, like apples to oranges, as these books are mainly quite different from each other.  I chose the one that made me "feel" the most.