The Missing: 2009

Last year Larry posted a list of books which he managed not to read over the course of 2008 and which might otherwise have had a chance to make his Year’s Best list. I liked the idea so much that I made a similar post of my own.

Well, it’s that time of the year and lists have been popping up all over the place.

This is my list of books published in 2009 and which I just didn’t get around to reading. While I can’t say for sure whether the books on this list would end up with a slot on my Year’s Best lists, I would consider them to be notable releases that have a shot.

With just over a week left in 2009 there is a chance I might get to one or two of the below listed books, but my first priority is to finish Eclipse Three, Canticle, and Makers.


Finch, by Jeff VanderMeer: I haven’t read much of VanderMeer’s fiction, though I think he’s got a great eye as an editor. I have a copy of this staring me straight in the eye and I really hope I can get to it this year.

The Shadow Pavilion, by Liz Williams: This is the latest Detective Inspector Chen novel and there is a new one scheduled for 2010. Williams does a great job with these.

Metatropolis, by John Scalzi (editor)

The Other Lands, by David Anthony Durham: This actually makes me sad. Despite how much I enjoyed Acacia: The War with the Mein, I completely forgot about this book and flat out missed it.

Diving into the Wreck, by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

The Windup Girl, by Paolo Bacigalupi: This is arguably the premiere release of 2009.

Flood, by Stephen Baxter: I have only just discovered Stephen Baxter but I have very much liked what I’ve read and I think this could be a great one. I should really make an effort to get to Flood next year or I’ll have no chance of reading the follow up, Ark.

Under the Dome, by Stephen King

Drood, by Dan Simmons

The Magicians, by Lev Grossman: Didja know I turned down a review copy of this one earlier in the year? It didn’t seem like something I would be that interested in. Then all the praise started flooding in. I doubt I’ll get to this one next year either, but it’s one for the list.

The City & The City, by China Mieville

The Devil’s Alphabet, by Daryl Gregory: After his World Fantasy Award nominated Pandemonium, I am very interested to see what Gregory has for the reader in his second novel.