Best books of 2006: “The Year of Magical Thinking,” by Joan Didion

Editor’s note: Join us in celebrating the end of 2006 by revisiting some of our favorite books of the year—like The Year of Magical Thinking, which we originally reviewed in April.

Joan Didion is at her best in The Year of Magical Thinking, an unusual memoir in which she applies her uniquely acute observation skills to her own grief in the wake of the deaths of her husband and daughter. What makes this book different than her others is the the raw emotion that courses through her spare prose. Although her usual reserve is apparent, she invites the reader far closer to her point of view than she has ever done before.

A friend asked if she could borrow this book when I was finished, but—halfway through it—I had to admit that I wasn’t going to be able to part with my copy, even if it were only to be for a few weeks.

I believe this is an essential read for everyone’s bookshelf.