The Gift of Books: All the Prizes...

They say gifts often reveal more about the giver than the recipient, and the following books, the biggest and best of 2014, will inevitably show the world your impeccable taste.

Lila by Marilynne Robinson -- Probably best in combination with the first two volumes of Robinson's  Midwestern trilogy, this has been a major prize-winner from a Pulitzer Prize veteran.

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell -- If your friends or family are already David Mitchell fans, they've undoubtedly already read this, but if they aren't yet, they soon will be. His novels are ambitious and he nails it every time. This was a finalist for the Man Booker Prize this year.

An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alamedinne -- An NPR Staff Pick for 2014, this novel follows a reclusive woman in Beirut as she reflects her memories on the Lebanese War.

Bark by Lorrie Moore -- A collection of short stories by an American master, and a NYT Notable Book of 2014.

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacquline Woodson -- Yes, it's technically YA, but it's also a National Book Award winner for young adults, and was recently purchased by the Obama girls. A ringing endorsement, if ever there was one.

What I'm Reading: 'Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?' by Lorrie Moore

Here is a pearl of reading wisdom for you: when trying to get into a new author, read their shortest book first. This will often give you an idea of whether or not you enjoy their work in the most efficient way possible. This method saved me probably months of struggle with Thomas Pynchon, because I had the wisdom to read The Crying of Lot 49 (maybe 100 pages total), instead of one of his doorstop books. I realized I hated Thomas Pynchon, and had only wasted an hour of my life.

This principle guided my decision to read Who Will Run the Frog Hospital, although in all honesty I very much expect to enjoy Lorrie Moore and read more of her books. There is something very satisfying though, about discovering and experiencing a new writer in the course of an afternoon. She is another author on my #ReadWomen2014 list, someone whose work I hoped to become familiar with over the course of the year, so it's also helpful to have a very slim novel to read in these final weeks of 2014.

This Week in Books: Possible Screen Adaptations of 'The Flamethrowers' and 'Wolf Hall' Series

In adaptation news, Jame Campion is currently working on a deal to adapt Rachel Kushner's The Flamethrowers, one of 2013 biggest novels, and one I really enjoyed last summer. I can't really think of a better director to take the helm on this project, especially after I gulped down Campion's 'Top of the Lake' in a matter of days.  The Flamethrowers was unique in that I kept thinking as I read it, "I cannot wait for the movie of this to come out." Now they need to announce the casting of Elizabeth Moss as the protagonist, and all will be right in the world.

Another adaptation I am greatly anticipating is the BBC production of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall series. The cast was recently announced, and includes 'Homeland' star Damian Lewis as famous ginger Henry VIII. Mark Rylance will play Thomas Cromwell, and seems well-suited in that he has already played Hamlet, Richard II, Thomas Boleyn, and Henry V.

This week novelist Adele Waldman appeared on HuffPost Live to discuss her debut novel The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P (which I will admit I haven't gotten around to yet). I haven't decided yet if this interview makes me want to read it more or less, but it has been one of the most widely recommended books of the past year.

In promotion of her most recent short story collection Bark, Lorrie Moore visited  Los Angeles Public Library's ALOUD to do a reading and answer some questions. There is a nice write-up by Los Angeles Magazine, and ALOUD will be making a podcast available soon.

You love Zadie Smith, don't you? Who doesn't. And you've probably seen a bit of Roxane Gay lately, as she's everywhere promoting her new book An Untamed State (I need this book). How about Roxane Gay's thoughts on Smith's NW? Enjoy!

Editor's Note: This Week In Books is a weekly roundup of the goings on about the world of literary fiction.