Kay and Jared: for when you want a gift that says, "Hey, look, I went to the mall and got you something you're supposed to love, gold 'n' diamonds, instead of something suited to your tastes. I didn't even wrap it, just put a bow on the box, which displays the tacky shopping-mall store name when you open it."

I'm a fan of Simmons' writing, so it's nice to hear that he's a good guy. Most of the criticisms I have about his work have to do with editing. Much as I loved "Summer of Night," for example, it (and many of his other books, like "Winter Haunting") has continuity and typographical errors that I found irksome, and…

"worthy"

Wow, you're absolutely right about "American Gods." Slipped my mind, and very worth of list-inclusion.

After reading "The Terror," I sought out "Frozen In Time" to learn even more about the Franklin expedition. I can understand how some people might roll their eyes at the "Eskimo feminism" hocus-pocus at the end of Simmons' book, but I loved it.

You're right, I should have read more carefully. In that case, I'd recommend just about anything by Judy Sierra. I bought a copy of "Beastly Rhymes" for myself.

I didn't like the Johnny Truant framing story in "House of Leaves" either. The stuff about the house stretched reality in a subtle, unnerving way, but I just found the L.A. sections silly. I think I've said so in other comments here, but it was like Johnny was being stalked by a cartoon puma.

I thought the monster, and some of the attacks, should have been depicted less directly, with more "Jaws"-like peripheral action. That first attack on Thomas Blanky, for instance, when he climbs the mainmast and gets flung around the rigging for pages and pages, is about as realistic and scary as a kid making a G.I.…

Glad to see this on the list, and I agree about the greatness of "Pop Art." That story alone is enough to establish Hill's legitimacy.

"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie definitely deserves to be on the list.

I liked "The Raw Shark Texts" as well, at least as much as "House of Leaves."

Yeah, I agree with everything you said. I'm not a Franzen fan.

"Platform" was pretty amazing. Good call.

If not Roth's "Plot Against America," "The Human Stain" should have made the list.

I'm Jew-ish, and I liked both books. However, I think their success really went to Chabon's head. I found his narcissistic afterword in "Gentlemen of the Road" so insufferable, it'll take a lot to get me to pick up another one of his books. He was on Fresh Air recently, promoting "Manhood for Amateurs," and I think…

Thanks to my friend and erstwhile AV Club commenter, Singing and Reading Both, I'm reading the novel "Bear v. Shark" by Chris Bachelder, and I'd put it on a best-of-the-decade list before any of DeLillo's work.

Reading the middle passage of "The Terror" was about as enjoyable as living through the Middle Passage. It was such a drag, I put it aside for almost a year. I thought the book redeemed itself, though, and I wound up really liking it. I was surprised to see it on this list, but I don't disagree with that assessment.

I think "The Tommyknockers" is underrated. It's King at his cokiest, and parts of it made me laugh out loud — on purpose.

How did he own me? He never even answered my stupid questions.

I hope ZMF waited for an after-Halloween sale to buy that skull mask. It's now only $8.49 from Spirit.