A decade of books

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December normally invites all kinds of ‘year in review’ type lists, and this year we have the added excitement of the end of a decade to contend with.

This being the case, we have decide to start listing the lists:

The Washington Post kicks off with a very comprehensive list of books for 2009, dividing and sub-dividing them into every possible genre, until one wonders if they simply haven’t included every books published in the last 12 months. Plus there’s an interesting discussion from their editors about the last 10 years in books.

Wolf Hall: Hilary Mantel
Wolf Hall: Hilary Mantel

The Guardian gives the Washington Post a run for its money in the thoroughness stakes. They’ve worked their way through each year since 2000, and there’s a nice piece on the books that defined the decade.

Colm Tóibín
Colm Tóibín

A little closer to home, Readings staff, plus a group of Australian authors, publishers and editors have compiled a list of their favorite books for 2009. And they should know.

The London Times has come up with a list of the 100 best books of the decade, but have balanced it with their five worst books of the decade.