Best of the Bests

It's that wonderful time of year when we get in all of different books in the "Best American" series for 2009. This is what we've got for you: The Best American Short Stories 2009, edited by Alice Sebold;, The Best American Essays 2009, edited by Mary Oliver; The Best American Travel Writing 2009, edited by Simon Winchester; The Best American Science & Nature Writing 2009, edited by Elizabeth Kolbert; The Best American Mystery Stories 2009, edited by Jeffery Deaver; The Best American Sports Writing 2009, edited by Leigh Montville; The Best American Crime Reporting 2009, edited by Jeffrey Toobin; The Best American Comics 2009, edited by Charles Burns; and The Best American Nonrequired Reading, edited by Dave Eggers. We also have The Best New Stories from the South 2009, edited by Madison Smartt Bell, and The Best American Poetry 2009, edited by David Wagoner.

I haven't had a chance to look closely at each of them yet, but I did notice that Oregon is well represented in this year's essay collection, with essays by both Brian Doyle and Barry Lopez -- wahoo!! These books usually go fast, so come on down while the picking is good.