Book Review 2005

Last year, the best book I read was "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger.

This year, the decision was tough. I've read more books than I can remember. Books I enjoyed this year include:
1) The Count of Monte Cristo (By Dumas)
2) The Three Musketeers (Dumas)
3) 20 Years Later (Dumas)
4) Viscount de Bragelonne (Dumas)
5) The Kite Runner (can't remember the name of the author)
6) A Home at the End of the World (Cunningham)
7) Life of Pi (Martel)
8) Memoirs of a Geisha (Golden)
9) A Million Little Pieces (Frey)

After much personal deliberation, I have narrowed it down to two books. I cannot decide which is better, because they were both so wonderful for diffferent reasons.

And the winners are...

"The Count of Monte Cristo" and "A Million Little Pieces."

I read "The Count of Monte Cristo" in February, and until 20 minutes ago, it was the best book I read this year. The story line is wonderful, full of betrayal, revenge, duals, loyalty, love, hate, perseverance and adventure. I was immensely disappointed when I finished it, and despite the size I think it only took me a week to read. I didn't read it, I consumed it.

"A Million Little Pieces" is the book I just finished 20 minutes ago. It's so hard to call it a wonderful book, because it's an addict's memoirs of his time in rehab. It's raw, brutal, painful, honest and sad. How can one call such a sad experience wonderful? Frey's writing style was a little difficult to grasp, because it's written in almost a stream of consciousness instead of regular prose format, but since he's battling demons in his own personal hell, it worked well. The rawness and honesty is what made it so wonderful. He keeps nothing hidden (so it seems) and while some of it is painful to read, I couldn't put it down. Some of it hit close to home, and if you know anyone who has suffered from any kind of addiction whatsoever, it will definitely move you.

If I could recommend one book for 2005, I think it would be "A Million Little Pieces." "The Count of Monte Cristo" is a book that I enjoyed so much I'll probably read it again, but "A Million Little Pieces" strikes hard and stirs emotions more.

I look forward to reading more in 2006. I hope to read "Teacher Man" by Frank McCourt, "The Hours" by Michael Cunningham, "Wicked," and I plan on finishing "War and Peace."