The editors at The Mark News asked me to compile a list of my favourite 10 books from the past decade. A challenging task -- after all, I think that there were easily hundreds of books published in the past ten years worthy of a truckload of praise and attention -- but I did spend a great deal of time mulling over the many books I read in the previous ten years (as well as realizing ALL of the great books that I didn't read)
The article is accompanied by a 9 minute audio interview in which editor Chris Mitchell interviews me about books as well as the future of reading.
I tried to focus, for this list, not just on 10 books that left a powerful impression on me, but also books that I felt would be great jumping-off points for readers to perhaps discover an author or style of book worthy of checking out if they weren't already familiar with them.
And though I didn't purposely select books that you likely would not see on any major "Oprah" or "Globe & Mail" or "Heather's Picks" type list, for the most part, I selected my own personal favourites, most of which are slightly off the beaten path.
Yes, I'm sure most readers have heard of Stephen King, Malcolm Gladwell, J.K. Rowling and Michael Connelly, but I'm willing to bet the other books and authors I have featured are going to be "new" to a lot of folks -- and therein lies the joy of sharing the love of books -- helping a reader discover a new read and a new author.
I mean, honestly, should I have focused on spewing out the same old same old highly touted literary triumphs that everyone else is listing? Or should I, instead, have focused on titles that have a meaningful personal impact on me?
What do you think? And what would YOU pick?
2 comments:
Wow, Mark, you have outdone yourself. I'm honoured to be on your list. Thanks so much.
Ter
No, Terry, thank YOU for following your dream, defying the odds and getting this book out there for us to enjoy.
I can't wait to read the one you're working on now. :)
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