I’ve consumed about fifteen or sixteen books so far this year. Sometimes one a week, sometimes two or three a week (thanks, Travaasa!), and sometimes one every three weeks or so. (Typically, it depends on my interest in the text—or lack thereof.)

So what’s the best of what I’ve read so far?

Well, none meet the “all-time favorites” list. In fact, so far in 2013 I haven’t read anything that’s even come close. In review, I struggled to determine what would even rank as highly recommendable.

But if I lower my criteria to simply “recommendable,” I do have a few:

• Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, by Ben Fountain: I referenced this book in my post about hollow patriotism. Fountain writes lightly and wittily, yet he compellingly addresses serious issues in current American culture, politics, and policy.

• The Devil in Silver, by Victor LaValle: LaValle had to stretch believability just a little too far in a few places to make the plot coalesce. Nonetheless, The Devil in Silver makes for a fun read with a creative and thought-provoking plot.

• Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain: Cain’s book suffers from slight disjointedness, but she provides invaluable insight and advocacy for the introverts among us (including me). I’ve reviewed the book in a previous post.

• Wolf Hall: A Novel, by Hilary Mantel: Mantel’s writing style disorients a bit, yet her approach to the subject matter and the time period compels you forward.

What are the best books you’ve read so far in 2013?