2013 is coming up, and you haven’t read a single book all year. We know — sometimes life
gets in the way and it’s hard to find time to just unplug and read for a few minutes a
night. It’s especially hard when there’s a Duck Dynasty marathon on every night.
So to help you knock one or two books off your list over the winter holidays,
we’ve compiled our favorite books from 2012. Happy reading!FICTION
This is How You Lose Her by Junot
DiazYes, it’s mostly about love and heartbreak, but even the most
unsentimental of guys will dig the latest from Junot Diaz, who won the Pulitzer for his
novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, in 2008. The book truly
focuses on a guy’s perspective, so don’t worry, bro — it won’t make you less of a
man. Check it out.
Telegraph Avenue by Michael
ChabonSure, it’s funny and set in a record store, but that’s about
where the similarities to High Fidelity end. Telegraph
Avenue is about more than music; it’s about race, as well as fatherhood, in
modern-day America.Check it out.
Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan
Full of espionage and
seduction, Sweet Tooth tells us the story of a 1970s spy who falls for
the man she is supposed to be gathering intel on. Ian McEwan’s best since
Atonement. Check it out.
A Wanted Man by Lee Child
You’re
gearing up for the Tom Cruise-starring Jack Reacher film this Christmas, but why
not check out the latest in the 17-book series beforehand? Check it out.
A Hologram For The King by Dave
Eggers
The author of Urban Outfitters staple A Heartbreaking
Work of Staggering Genius, Dave Eggers, brings us his
latest novel, about America’s role in business today.Check it out.
Farther Away by Jonathan
FranzenWhile you may be familiar with Franzen’s fiction, you may not
be so familiar with his essay work, which is arguably some of his best material. A great
option for some quick holiday reading.Check it out.
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers
Iraqi war veteran Kevin Powers tells the emotional story
of two soldiers trying to make it out of the Iraq War. Check it out.
NON-FICTION
How Music Works by David Byrne
Who better to take us through
the history and ontology of music than The Talking Heads’ David Byrne? His book covers
everything from recording to the business to the physics of music and how it’s
made. Check it out.
My Heart Is An Idiot by Davy Rothbart
In one of
the funniest essay collections of the year, Davy Rothbart takes us through his hopelessly
romantic mishaps and schemes. Check
it out.
Triumphs of Experience: The Men of the Harvard
Grant Study by George E. VaillantBack in the ’30s, researchers
at Harvard gathered over 200 men and followed them through their adult lives to understand
men and what makes them tick. This research takes us all the way up to the men in their
90s. A fascinating look at how men live their lives.Check it out.
A Free Man: A True Story of Life and
Death in Delhi by Aman Sethi Journalist Aman Sethi followed
a group of laborers in Delhi for five years and reports on what life is like for these
invisible men in India’s second most populous city. Check it out.
Both Flesh by David Foster
Wallace
David Foster Wallace is
fast becoming the literary world’s Tupac — although he has left us, his work lives on and
new pieces keep popping up. Here, 15 of his best works are collected in one book. Check it out.
Pakistan Chronicles: An Insane Road
Trip Through A Dangerous Country by Adam Hodge
Adam Hodge decided to take a vacation to Pakistan. That’s right, Pakistan. In
his new e-book, he takes a road trip through the country, even exploring the
Taliban-controlled regions, where few Westerners have dared travel in recent years. You’ve
read travel guides to the usual suspects before; now take a look at what it’s like to
experience Pakistan as a humble tourist.
AskMen’s new line of e-books cover all aspects of the male experience and are
grounded in the belief that, no matter where you are in life, there’s always room
for improvement.