David Gutowski is creator of LargeheartedBoy.com, a books and music blog.
David's top 10:
Follow these links to David Gutowski's lists of top graphic novels, novels, nonfiction and story collections.
1. "Building Stories" by Chris Ware
2. "Arcadia" by Lauren Groff
3. "The Devil in Silver" by Victor LaValle
4. "Battleborn" by Claire Vaye Watkins
5. "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed
6. "Birds of a Lesser Paradise" by Megan Mayhew Bergman
7. "Gods Without Men" by Hari Kunzru
8. "Girlchild" by Tupelo Hassman
9. "Malarky" by Anakana Schofield
10. "The People of Forever Are Not Afraid" by Shani Boianjiu
1. Explain why your No. 1 book was your favorite title of the year: Chris Ware's "Building Stories." Its boldness and audacious nonlinear narrative spread over several volumes shows the strength of storytelling via graphic novel.
2. What was the strongest debut book of 2012? Tupelo Hassman's "Girlchild."
3. What book sits outside your list, but has either been overlooked or deserves more attention? Louise Erdrich's "The Round House."
4. Was there one book, either on your list or off your list, fiction or nonfiction, that seems to best encapsulate America in 2012? A.M. Homes' "May We Be Forgiven."
5. What was the single most memorable character from a 2012 book? "Girlchild's" Rory Hendrix.
6. What is the book from 2012, either from your list or not, fiction or nonfiction, that is most likely to join the canon, or still be discussed 20 years from now? Junot Diaz's linked short story collection "This Is How You Lose Her."
Shares