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December 12, 2016
Favorite Novels of 2016
These are the 11 novels I have most recommended to friends, family, and anyone else who has crossed my path this year (my personal metric for "favorite").
All links go to the authors' contributions to the Book Notes series, where applicable, and I have reposted my original short review.
What was your favorite novel of 2016?
13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl by Mona Awad
Mona Awad's debut 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl is a magnificent novel-in-stories about women and their bodies.
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
Imbolo Mbue's compelling and empathetic novel Behold the Dreamers is one of the year's finest debuts.
Joni Murphy's Double Teenage is a stunning debut, one of the finest novels I have read this year.
Grief Is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter
Winner of the 2016 International Dylan Thomas Prize, Grief Is the Thing with Feathers is an exceptional debut, a book that is as much prose poem as novella.
Affinity Konar's masterfully told and lyrical novel Mischling may be the year's most poignant book.
The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth Mckenzie
Elizabeth Mckenzie's wildly entertaining novel The Portable Veblen is as wonderfully weird as it is thought-provoking.
Jade Sharma's Problems is one of the year's strongest debut novels, a powerful book that deals with addiction and gender politics through the eyes of its unforgettable and vividly drawn protagonist.
Sudden Death by Álvaro Enrigue
Playful, smart, and original, Álvaro Enrigue's Sudden Death is one of the most engrossing novels I have read in years.
Belinda McKeon's Tender is a magnificent novel of unrequited love and obsession.
What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell
Garth Greenwell's novel What Belongs to You is a brilliant debut, lyrical, evocative, and precise in its language. My favorite book of the year.
White Nights in Split Town City by Annie DeWitt
Annie DeWitt's debut White Nights in Split Town City is one of the year's finest novels.
also at Largehearted Boy:
list of online "best of 2016" book lists
Largehearted Boy favorite nonfiction of 2016
Largehearted Boy favorite short story collections of 2016
Largehearted Boy favorite novels of 2015
Largehearted Boy favorite novels of 2014
Largehearted Boy favorite novels of 2013
Largehearted Boy favorite novels of 2012
Largehearted Boy favorite novels of 2011
Largehearted Boy favorite novels of 2010
Largehearted Boy favorite novels of 2009
Largehearted Boy favorite novels of 2008
Largehearted Boy favorite novels of 2007
other lists at Largehearted Boy
Antiheroines (interviews with up and coming female comics artists)
Book Notes (authors create playlists for their book)
Note Books (musicians discuss literature)
guest book reviews
musician/author interviews
