I read/listened to 73 books last year. Here are my ten favorites:

NOVELS
A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD by Jennifer Egan
In these linked short stories, Egan brilliantly uses a huge variety of settings, time periods, and techniques. The stories are character-driven and thoughtful, yet fast-paced too. My favorite book of recent years.

THE LINCOLN LAWYER by Michael Connelly
Engrossing and incredibly well-researched legal thriller about an L.A. defense attorney. I couldn’t put it down.

AN OFFER YOU CAN’T REFUSE by Jill Mansell
Funny, sweet, and romantic beach read with a British female protagonist. Like Sophie Kinsella’s best work, and I love Kinsella.

THE UNDERSTUDY by David Nicholls
Funny, sweet, and romantic beach read with a British male protagonist. Like Nick Hornby’s best work, and I love Hornby.

BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray
Funny, intelligent young adult novel about a planeful of beauty pageant contestants stranded on an island.

AU REVOIR, CRAZY EUROPEAN CHICK by Joe Schreiber
Very fun young adult novel about a guy whose prom date turns out to be an assassin.

NONFICTION
TECHNIQUES OF THE SELLING WRITER by Dwight V. Swain
A how-to book on the craft of writing, first published in 1965. I learned a lot about writing effective scenes.

THIS TIME TOGETHER by Carol Burnett
Charming memoir with fun anecdotes from a mega talented, classy woman.

NO BIKING IN THE HOUSE WITHOUT A HELMET by Melissa Fay Greene
Fascinating memoir about raising five internationally adopted children in addition to four birth children.

THIN IS THE NEW HAPPY by Valerie Frankel
Inspiring memoir about a woman’s journey toward loving her body and herself.