Best of the best

It's nice to see that the NY Times 10 best books of 2009 list includes four women out of five for fiction, and two out five for non-fiction. On other prominent best of 2009 lists, there has been a notable lack of women, as for instance, on the Publisher's Weekly list: ten out of ten men. And then the National Book Awards: four white guys. Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against white guys. Some of my best friends are white guys. But come on, seriously.

Mysterious Ways

So I wandered into a nice bookshop I often pass by but only enter occasionally (The Mysterious Bookshop), and picked up a couple books (The Best American Mystery Stories of 2009, The Best American Crime Reporting, and The Zero by Jess Walter). A bearded gentleman who seemed to work there approached me to point out that crime reporting book was true crime. I said I knew, and couldn't wait to read it. He then said something about the books being "his," and when I appeared puzzled, he said he was Otto Penzler, pointing to the name on the books. Otto Penzler! Often have I seen the name; little did I know he was the mild-mannered owner of The Mysterious Bookshop.

We proceeded to have a chat about last year's Best American Mystery Stories, which is where I first read Elizabeth Strout, author of Olive Kitteredge. I also expressed my extreme eagerness to read the third Stieg Larsson book; apparently it won't be out until next spring in the US. However, there is an English translation available in the UK. As chance would have it, a certain husband is going to London next week--I must give him a special mission!

And then I came across Otto's name recently in the news. I'll look forward to seeing what he publishes in the future. Until then, I'll be stopping by 58 Warren St. for my mystery needs.