Saturday, November 14, 2009

Oh, you women and your little trifles!

You might have heard shouts of indignation emanating from your computer last week over the decidedly penis-heavy Publisher's Weekly Best Books of 2009 list. I'll admit I haven't read the majority of books they chose. I love John Cheever and should probably pick up his biography. I'm sure the rest of those dudes are full of awesome. The last thing I want to do is diminish another author's work. I'm in no way saying they are undeserving.

But friend of the blog Moonrat posed a challenge for her readers: post your own list of 2009 favorites by female authors. As a reader and writer of women's fiction (no, not chick lit, you turkeys) how could I not participate?

Here are my picks:

PICKING BONES FROM ASH by Marie Mutsuki Mockett

SHANGHAI GIRLS by Lisa See

THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett

THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG by Muriel Barbery

REAL LIFE AND LIARS by Kristina Riggle

Okay, so THE HELP and HEDGEHOG were actually published at the end of 2008. But I haven't had the chance to read some of newly-published books like WOLF HALL and THE CHILDREN'S BOOK, and Alice Munro's new collection isn't even out yet, so I decided to make my sample Fall '08 - Fall '09. Cheating? Perhaps. But there you have it.

ETA: Check out this thought-provoking post on women and writing by Marie Mutsuki Mockett.

How about you? Any favorites from the ladyfolk (any genre will do)?

19 comments:

Jennifer Walkup said...

Alice Munro has a new collection coming out? I didn't know. I'm so excited.:) I love her.

moonrat said...

thanks for the list, Wendy!!

i've got a copy of SHANGHAI GIRLS, just haven't gotten around to reading it yet. but i LOVE everything else she's done, and i've heard this is just as good (at least).

i've wondered about THE HELP--i've almost picked it up a couple times, but then thought it was too long and put it back down. but you're telling me it's worth the read, eh?

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

The Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch!!

WendyCinNYC said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
WendyCinNYC said...

(Argh, typos!)

Jennifer--Yes, I stumbled across it searching for another book. Love Alice Munro!

Moonrat--THE HELP was the best book I've read in a long time--truly. Read it!

Debra--I've been meaning to pick that one up. I'm stopping by the bookstore today (to buy another 20 pounds of books for my kids) and will look for it.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Kate Jacobs, seconding Schube noms, and adding Kat Magendie's Tender Graces, among others. :)

ChristaCarol Jones said...

I've been all about YA lately. I loved Cindy Pon's SILVER PHOENIX and then there's the whole CTACHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins. I also liked the second in Maria V. Snyder's Glass series, SEA GLASS. And I can't forget, Alsyon Noel. Her second in series came out too, BLUE MOON, which is still on my TBR list after reading EVERMORE (released this Feb).

MarieM said...

Wendy! Wow, thanks so much for recommending my novel. This week I am going to try to speak up for girl writers to try to pay back some of the love my novel has received. Thank you!

WendyCinNYC said...

Christa and Angie--Thanks for the recos! Good picks.

Marie MM--Thanks for stopping by! I'm reading your novel right now and am a few pages from the end. Your prose is gorgeous. There are so many passages I went back and read more than once.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I haven't read anything new, but I love Alison Winn Scotch and Audrey Niffenegger.

GREAT idea!

Kristina said...

Oh, I'm so honored to be included! Thank you.

Some terrific novels were already mentioned, but I'll throw in 31 HOURS by Masha Hamilton which I still can't get out of my head; it's disturbing and beautiful. I, of course, am partial to the other Debutante Ball books as well, (POSED FOR MURDER, FIRST COMES LOVE THEN COMES MALARIA, LITTLE GIANT OF ABERDEEN COUNTY and if they included YA on the list, BAD GIRLS DON'T DIE).

Haven't read them yet, but based on general talent I'm surprised THE CHILDREN'S BOOK by A.S. Byatt wouldn't make the cut. Or, TROUBLE by Kate Christensen.

WendyCinNYC said...

Melanie--Have you read HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY? I keep walking by it in the bookstore, unsure if I should pick it up.

Kristina--I read your book over the summer and I catch myself thinking about it still. I loved your characters.

CKHB said...

And I've got 4 more books by women to recommend here.

Kristina said...

Ooooh! And THE EMBERS by Hyatt Bass! Marvelous.

globalgal said...

I just read THE LAST WILL OF MOIRA LEAHY by Therese Walsh and really loved it.

Allie said...

I really loved The Guernsey Literary Society. I read a lot of great books this year and most of them were by women writers, but most of them didn't come out this year.

ac said...

OT

I saw Memphis on Broadway this past weekend. OMG! The show was fantastic. After every song the audience clapped. The cast gives so much of themselves for the benefit of the story.

Just passing this info along in case you are looking for another show to see.

Here's a link to my favorite song in the musical

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbr3MOEDWOE

WendyCinNYC said...

CKHB--Thanks for linking us to your list!

globalgal--I've been meaning to get that one, too. She has a great cover.

Allie--I read that one last year as well. Great characters.

AC--I'll have to check that out. We've been on a Broadway kick for some reason.

colbymarshall said...

Loved Jodi Picoult's Handle with Care.