... by this I mean, not necessarily the best books PUBLISHED in 2006, but the best ones you read in 2006. For me, off the top of my head: Non-fiction: Charles Mann: 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus Fiction: Katherine Weber: Triangle (haven't read a lot of fiction this year). Poetry: Japanese Death Poems, compiled and introduced by Yoel Hoffman. Though I haven't read the National Book award winner by Nathaniel Mackey yet (entitled Splay Anthem, though I dig the last two books he wrote.
I read Yann Martel's Life of Pi thanks to the BS book club and loved it. It helped me regain an interest in contemporary literature. Q
I'm glad you liked it. I was really surprised how much I enjoyed it as well. I think that one gets my vote as well.
I started reading Life of Pi but just could not get into it. perhaps I'll try again. My favorite book of the year was christopher Moore's new one, a Dirty Job. I also enjoyed the Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde and 1776 by that guy who wrote it.
definately one of those books that i did not want to put down after i got into it. takes a little to get it going, but finishes with a bang.
William Bennett's America: The Last Best Hope Makes history readable and was very hard to put down. I gave it out as Christmas presents this year.