You read a lot of books this year (or maybe you didn’t, which is also fine…), but only one can hold the title of your favorite of the last 365 days. A single book stood apart from the others as the one that touched you, made you think a little harder, had you tearing up or doubled over with laughter, was so great that you had to read it twice. And we’re here to tell you — in an decidedly unserious, unscientific way — what that favorite book might tell you about yourself.
S. by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst
You have an entire closet filled with toys all in the original packaging; you write Lost fan fiction; you have Hurley’s face tattooed somewhere on your body.
The Unwinding by George Packer
“Thanks, Dad. No, I didn’t watch George Packer on Bill Maher. Yes, I’m sure he had really intelligent things to say. I know your birthday is coming up. Yes, I know you really want to read The Unwinding, I get it.”
Autobiography by Morrissey
You wrote poetry in high school that you hope never surfaces.
Americanah Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Pre-Beyoncé: You have really good taste, and you knew this book would be wonderful enough to show up on our Best Novels of 2013 list.
Post-Beyoncé: You heard the Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie sample, remembered that you’d been meaning to read her book, and spent the past weekend devouring it.
The Circle by Dave Eggers
You once had an internship at a tech company and thought Eggers nailed the experience.
The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman
You recognized at least a few of the real bookish Brooklynites Waldman fictionalized, and had a glimmer of hope that you served as inspiration for one of the characters.
Tenth of December by George Saunders
You really like short story collections because they give you a few minutes to pause between each tale and wonder how you’re going to pay for your MFA.
Norman Mailer: A Double Life by J. Michael Lennon
You enjoyed this massive biography because you long for a time when men were men, writers were writers, books were books, blah blah blah blah…
The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner
“You have really good glasses. Did you get them at Warby Parker by any chance?”
The Kraus Project by Jonathan Franzen
You are Jonathan Franzen.