True reading, as the late Jorge Luis Borges once observed, is actually re-reading. This is a crucial part of the criteria I use when considering my list of favorite readings from the past year: not only how much I enjoyed reading it the first time, but more importantly, if it is among those select titles that I look forward to reading again. With that in mind, in no particular order:
THE CUT by George Pelecanos — This introduced a new series character and recalled the vigor missed in some recent stand-alone works.
HEADSTONE by Ken Bruen — To date, this is the darkest of the Jack Taylor series, just when you thought they couldn’t get any darker.
FUN & GAMES / HELL & GONE by Duane Swierczynski — I’m cheating a bit here with two titles in a single entry, but these two-thirds of Swierczynski’s madcap, relentlessly paced Charlie Hardie trilogy were undeniable delights.
A LITTLE TOO MUCH by John Shannon — Jack Liffey may be getting older, but his professional and private life shows no signs of easing up — nor does this excellent series by this unforgivably overlooked author.
THE OUTLAW ALBUM by Daniel Woodrell — Various criminal activities and the weight of family highlight this first collection of short fiction by the renowned novelist of WINTER’S BONE.
THE GENTLEMAN’S HOUR by Don Winslow — The combination of dark and light elements displayed so expertly in his standout SAVAGES actually has its basis in this DAWN PATROL sequel, finally published in the U.S. this past year.
A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF by Lawrence Block — This maestro of crime fiction can still move us as he proves in this recalling of Matt Scudder’s early years of hard-fought sobriety.
THE END OF EVERYTHING by Megan Abbott — Proves conclusively that Abbott, along with Laura Lippman, is one of the few crime-fiction authors bound for acclaim by mainstream literature critics and readers.
THE URBAN FANTASY ANTHOLOGY edited by Peter S. Beagle and Joe R. Lansdale — Perhaps the oddest editorial paring results in a collection of stories that is as surprisingly illustrative as it is entertaining in this highly misunderstood, but potent subgenre.
COWBOYS by Gary Phillips and Brian Hurtt — Demonstrates how a graphic novel can effectively and memorably present a complex and involving story when using the talents of one of crime fiction’s finest and most underrated authors, along with an artist who knows the cinematic potential of the medium. —Alan Cranis
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I know my column has been dormant for a while. You can post all the blame on all the great reissues that have come out this past year. Once again, it’s time to pick out books and other items for the holiday season — not for friends and family, but you, for all the gift cards and money you got as presents. 
