I’ve long had illusions that I’d write a review of every book I read, however, since I read over 70 books last year and wrote a review for one or two of them that goal seems unrealistic.
Therefore, a new feature of Blankbaby is born: the best book of the month! Hurrah!
Last month (January 2013) I read a total of 10 books, all fiction. There were a number of good books in the running, but the best book I read that month was: The Dog Stars.
The Dog Stars is set in a world ravaged by a pandemic (an out of control super flu) which killed off lots and lots of the world’s population. The story follows Hig whose wife and child died of the flu. Now he’s holed up with Bangley who seems to have waited his entire life for something like this to happen. Hig isn’t happy, but he’s making a go of it with his trusty dog at his side and frequent trips in a small airplane to scout for dangers, and other survivors.
I won’t recap the story since there are some surprising bits, but it is well written and worth your time. I will say, however, that while I thought it was a good book it is unfortunate that it contains some echoes of The Road. Why is this bad? The Road, by Cormac McCarthy, is a brilliant literary achievement next to which most books would pale in comparison. Add in similar story lines and The Dog Stars just can’t hold a candle to The Road.
That being said, The Dog Stars is good it just isn’t great.
The other nine books I read last month were:
One response to “Best Book I Read: January 2013”
Each time I read this I discover one thing I previously overlooked!