I too loved the Susanna Clarke novel. I think pop-lit novels about old magicians is now a full-fledged genre. And all three books I can think of (Kavelier and Clay, Carter Beats the Devil, and this) are terrific. I think the poster's jane Austen comment is right on. This is like a comedy of manners, except with actual magic.

The jon Stewart book is funny, but I don't think it's really a Ten Best kind of thing for some reason. I loved the Wisdom of Crowds, and the Birth of Venus was nice, too, if a little staid and at times obvious.

Sorry, but to me The Rule of Four is sub-DaVinci code crap. I'll never have the 2 hours back I spent reading the first half of this novel.

There really were a lot of great books this year, and thanks to Aaman for pointing some of them out! I hope everyone shares their own top ten list. Strange and Norrell will be on mine.

A great list, and it was a good year for books.

I would toss in "Magical Thinking" by Augusten Burroughs that I'm reading right now. He's the author of "Running With Scissors" from a couple of years back. Hilarious growing up and coming of age essays with a poignant touch...somewhat similar to David Sedaris, but as hysterically funny as Sedaris is, I would have to say Burroughs is the better writer. The picture in your mind is crystal clear when you read "Magical Thinking."

I just want to add a book I have not yet read to the list above, perhaps as a "Notable Mention" - "I Am Charlotte Simmons" by Tom Wolfe. It promises to be a fine read, from the first few pages and captures the theme well.

I'd like to add:

The Poet & the Murderer (about emily dickenson forgery and the 'mormon murderer') - by Simon Worrall

*Washington's Crossing - David Hackett Fischer


*This was also on the NY Times best of 04 list on Sunday

Thanks for these great recommendations!

Here are my top five:

1) Voices of a People's History of the United States, Edited by Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove

2) The New Media Monopoly, by Ben Bagdikian

3) Bush in Babylon: Recolonizing Iraq, by Tariq Ali

4) The Exception to the Rulers: Exposing Oily Politicians, War Profiteers and the Media that Loves Them, by Amy Goodman with David Goodman

5) The Checkbook and the Cruise Missile, Conversations with Arundhati Roy, by David Barsamian

Hi all. I am a virgin blogger so forgive me if this is a highly unconventional posting. You all seem very savvy and opinionated, so I'm going to chance it.

I am a Hollywood producer looking for under-the-radar books that you would like to see adapted for the silver screen. What fiction novel have you read that is visual and exciting and touching? I'm looking for something that nobody knows about. Thanks.

ooh, great question - reply to the woman, people

for my part I am unclear as to whether Agnes is a virgin to blogging, or is a virgin who is blogging

Sorry to disappoint you, Eric: the former.

I should also note that if you are replying to this posting, you are relinquishing any credit or monetary compensation on the project. I only want people to respond because they sincerely want the book to be made into a film, not because they want a finder's fee for the book. Hope you all understand.

Agnes,

Where can we reach you.

Thanks,

Eric Berlin
Dumpster Bust: Miracles from Mind Trash
http://dumpsterbust.blogspot.com

Agnes,

One has a variety of ideas for you.
Eric, since it would be a bad idea for Agnes to post her contact info on the public bc site - could you or the bc yahoo group act a clearinghouse? Alternatively, Agnes, please contact me/people who respond here via my email address/blog

Aaman, you should be able to get her email internally by opening her comment in MT.

Yes, I checked, it's there

Eric- I was not aware that my email address was available to the masses. Can you please remove my posting or make my email address invisible. Thanks.

In lieu of my previous posting, I created an email account especially for this endeavor. Please send any book ideas (text only, no attachments) to agnesprod@hotmail.com . Please do not send any original screenplay ideas, as they will not be considered. Thanks for your help!

Agnes, it is only visible to the author of the post and to the editors

No finder's fee, no deal!

Oh ya, best book of the year?

Born to Buy: The Commercialized Child and the New Consumer Culture by Juliet Schor.

newdream.org/kids/borntobuy.php


Pat

Sounds good, Pat - Thanks for the reference. Amazon link - worthy of review

Did anyone come up with any books for the virgin?