...because I think they tend to be the last refuge of lazy journalists about to go on vacation. I'm especially not a big fan of year-end book lists because I think of books as more of a long-term thing. It kind of makes sense to have a top ten singles list for popular music, because music is very often rooted in place and time. But a good book should be just as good, if not better, as time goes by. Also, now that most papers have their entire content online, these reminder pieces are less important than ever.

That said, if you're into literary fiction, this L.A. Times list of favorite fiction and poetry is a pretty good one. Knockemstiff, Ms. Hempel Chronicles, Unaccustomed Earth, and The Flying Troutmans were all great books, and many of the others on the list are really fine, too. I noticed they left out some great small press books, like Couch and The Dart League King, but if you're looking for a wrap-up of this year's fiction, this is as good a list as you're likely to find.