Top 10 Novels of the 2000s

Yes! It has been a mighty long while since I’ve last updated this blog, but getting married, starting a new job, and moving across the country will do that to you. At long last (because I’m sure you’ve been on pins and needles this whole time), I give to you my list of the ten best novels published in the last decade. Enjoy! 

 

10.) Feed by M.T. Anderson (2002): "We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck." Well, if cyberpunk is what you're after, then look no further than this angst-riddled sci-fi gem by M.T. Anderson. It's an excessively intellectual novel, but one that packs an emotional punch. Set in a future where everyone talks like an idiot and bodily cysts are the latest fashion craze, "feeds," which are essentially accessible Internet browsers, are implanted into the brains of most people on the planet - linking them all together in a muddled stranglehold of constant advertisements, communication, and information. It's a dark story, drenched in cynicism and heavy on social commentary, but it's incredibly entertaining.  

9.) Bone by Jeff Smith (2004): This 1,332-page epic is the literary embodiment of pure, unbridled imagination. I could tell you the plot, but explaining the ins and outs of a graphic novel that exceeds 1,000 pages would be exhausting. Heck, even telling you the basic premise would be difficult. Therefore, I leave you with simply this - Bone is one of the most captivating graphic novels I've ever read, with terrific images, humor in abundance, and fantastic characters. If you have the time and the dedication, reading it will be an absolute joy.   

 

8.) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling (2005): While each Harry Potter entry has its own particular merit (although the 5th installment tests my patience), Half-Blood Prince is without doubt the high-note of the series. With all the frenetic action of books 4 and 5 (which feel more like endurance tests than literature), and all the promised Armageddon of book 7, its easy to dislike the quiet subtlety of this 6th chapter. But really, this is the novel where Rowling displays all the cunning, all the creativity, her writing skills have to offer. The slow unfolding of the plot is delicate and beautiful, with each storyline dropping effortlessly together in perfect synchronicity. The new characters are fascinating (notably Professor Slughorn, a frazzled figure with a terrible secret), and the old ones are more intriguing than ever (especially Dumbledore, whose charisma and heroism are practically forces of nature). This novel is the deep breath before the plunge of the series' final book. Let its calm, meditative mystery wash over you like placid waters in an untouched cave.    

 

7.) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (2003): Well, if the literature of the 2000's accomplished anything, it reinvigorated our cultural infatuation with mysteries. In this quirky novel by Mark Haddon, our narrator isn't a grizzled film noir private eye, but a teenage boy with severe autism. Our victim of fatalistic foul play isn't a bookie who owed money all over town, but the neighbor's pet poodle. Our femme fatale isn't a smoky blonde with wide hips and curious intentions, but the memory of a dead mother. This is a completely engrossing story - it will hook you with its inventive design and flawless execution.   

 

6.) The Road by Cormac McCarthy (2006): One of the most poignant, bravest books of the last decade is The Road, a succinct father-and-son tale that takes place just after the apocalypse. Its style is unique without being alienating, and its premise is cliched yet undeniably inventive. This dichotomy is the driving force of the novel, and results in a captivating experience for those reading it. It's a frightening book, but one that fails to disappoint.    

5.) Black House by Stephen King and Peter Straub (2001): By combining the abundant imagination of King's Dark Tower universe with the flowery prose of Straub, these two authors have given contemporary fiction one of its richest novels. Black House is a superb tale of fantasy and horror, one ripe with literary allusion, superb storylines, and incredibly rich characters. Set in the evergreen tangle of northern Wisconsin, the book focuses on Jack Sawyer (the main character of previous King/Straub collaboration The Talisman, which technically makes this book a sequel, but that hardly matters), a detective wunderkind who has to solve a series of grisly murders taking place in his quiet town. Don't let the simplicity of this premise fool you, though. From scenes of unimaginable horror to moments of tear-inducing laughter, with characters as real and skillfully molded as any of western literature's best, this novel will continually surprise you with its freshness and originality. For those who don't like King, this would be an excellent place to start.    

4.) That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo (2009): What separates this book from the other entries on this list is perhaps the single thing that makes it so special - its unblemished simplicity. In That Old Cape Magic, Russo has perfected the art of crafting characters, of molding storylines, with an artistry of ease and an air of confidence that is astonishingly fresh. If you like an enjoyable read, with a limited number of pages and yet an unlimited depth of heart, look no further. 




3.) Identity Crisis by Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales (2004): This whirlwind of plot twists, characters, and emotional intrigue is arguably the most satisfying graphic novel of the last decade. The book's true success is its ability to humanize such iconic DC superheroes as Superman, the Green Lantern, and Batman & Robin by placing them in a hugely tragic conundrum. What said conundrum actually is I'll not say (like any good mystery, much of the fun is getting enveloped in the unexpectedness), but it has the ability to knock these heroes off their golden pedestals, tumbling them down into a labyrinthine abyss of confusion and dejection. This deliciously post-modern yarn is exciting, heart-wrenching, and totally compelling.    

 

2.) Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (2003): How Larson managed to couple whimsy and horror so harmoniously, so blessedly perfect, I'll never understand. What I do know is that Devil in the White City is one of the most fascinating books I've ever read, and certainly my personal favorite piece of narrative non-fiction. Placed in the grimy beehive of late 19th century Chicago, the novel divides itself between architectural genius Daniel Burnham and sadistic serial killer H. H. Holmes. The novel is a beautiful study in both stark contrast and allegorical comparison, with Larson relishing the parallels between two of history's most intriguing characters. 



1.) The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen (2001): The number one slot can be occupied by no other novel than this hugely engrossing tale of grim personal failure, intellectual melancholia, and unnerving family politics. Franzen’s book is more than just a cynical skewering of Americana, though. With each character introduced and each storyline blossomed, the novel continually reinvents itself in ironic (and satisfying) ways. Its pre-9/11 publication date makes it a veritable rarity of contemporary western fiction – it unwittingly avoids the cultural paranoia, malaise, and sentimentality of a majority of popular literature that would soon follow. The Corrections is unexpectedly avant-garde; from the carefully crafted prose that harkens back to modernist days of sparkling descriptions and simple situations, to the refreshingly insightful characterization of each main character. This glimpse into the horrors and tribulations of personal collapse will stay with you long after the book itself has been returned to the shelf.