Hello there! Long time no see! I can’t even remember the last time I was here so I am jumping back in by posting the books I recommend from this year! So many have asked me in the past few weeks what book they should add to their reading list so I thought I’d post some of my favorites.
Each year, I make some goal to keep me motivated to read. I track all my books on the Goodreads app and that seems to be the easiest. Feel free to add me as a friend if you have not already. I really like to read books that challenge my perspective or help me understand people better. Some of the reading is to switch off my brain and other books are to make me a better part of humankind (for lack of better wording). I think we owe that to each other, no?
My goal this year was 2 books a month and I’ve read 32 so far! I do most all of my reading in bed at night, on my kindle, lying down next to Eden as she falls asleep. This has been the best way to have some “me time” and read. I use the Libby app and borrow/download from the library. Eden also loves the library to read. Maybe she needs her own post for favorite children's books.
I’m going to post screenshots below because that’s just easier and you can see the book covers and authors.
Currently Reading: City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Favorite books I read:
Where the Crawdads Sing- a crowd favorite! Trust me, just read it!
Becoming – I never started out as an Obama family fan but I was converted after watching how they conduct themselves (I’m not even getting into any politically here – just social observations). This book gave insight into the family and their beginnings but also to how hard it is to live in the White House.
Small Great Things- this is one of my all-time favorite books at this point. It is a great book club discussion book.
Lilac Girls- wow, the things we never learn in history! I look reading these books that seem so fictional only to find it’s based on truth. I then spend some time looking up the people or events on the internet to learn a bit more.
From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home- some of the most beautiful writing I’ve ever read. This was our book club book and we met after and one member made 2 of the recipes the author shares in the book. I cried throughout the book because of the content, and the writing made it so visceral.
The Alice Network: AGAIN, how did history class never teach us this?!
The Giver of Stars- AGAIN, AGAIN! History failed me. This is about the pack horse librarians that delivered books in rural Kentucky in the Appalachian mountains in the 1930s-1940s. I’m seeing a theme with never learning about the wonderful work that women did! The characters are lively and keep you turning the pages.
Heavier but a favorite:
Beneath a Scarlet Sky- based on a true story of a teen who helps Jews escape to freedom through the Alps. He becomes a personal driver for one of the higher German officials (General Hans Leyers) and works undercover. This is one that you can google all the people after reading.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz- another book detailing Holocaust survival and whose main character can be easily researched. He tattoos the prisoners of Auschwitz and falls in love with one of the women.
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things- a book club recommendation. This has some heavy topics. Some of us just weren't sure what we thought or felt after reading this book.
Easy reading:
Daisy Jones & the Six- fun read. It reminded me of Hollywood days, visiting the Strip but sans the drugs and rock and roll. I like how the book is laid out with perspectives.
Rent Collector- sad context but an “easier” read
Watching You- suspense and a quick page turner
The Silent Patient- SO GOOD! I never saw the end coming!
The Orphan Keeper- same author as Rent Collector so heavy contact but easy reading.
The books that challenged me the most or gave new perspective:
The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity and My Fight Against the Islamic State- Nadia Murad just received a Nobel Peace Prize for her work. Reading about the Yazidi people was heartbreaking. Click here for her website.
Everything Happens for a Reason: and Other Lies I’ve Loved- Kate Bowler is diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. She’s a young mother and challenges what we believe and teaches us how to interact with those whose future is uncertain better. She shows the inaccuracies of the prosperity gospel.
This is How It Always Is- This book challenged me a lot. I’m new to knowing personally individuals who are transgender. There is so much I just don’t understand. This book’s author has a child who identifies as transgender, but the book is not based on the child. Both parents in the book differed in outlooks which made it interesting to see how much struggle parents have in navigating new territory to do the right thing when they are both accepting and working to be supportive.
Books I did not finish:
“It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way” by Lysa TerKeurst – I tried. I just could not continue. It just read as too superficial and was not beefy enough for me. If I read Christian writers, I often find it’s too fluffy for me.
On my "to read" list:
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell
How to Raise Kind Kids by Thomas Lickona
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
All This Could Be Yours by Jami Attenberg
The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff
Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Success in Our All-About-Me World by Michele Borba
Hope you enjoy some of these recommendations. Please let me know if you read some! I'd love to know what you think!
Happy Reading!
Love,
Danielle
I really appreciate you posting your book reviews every year! This year, when it was time for my Book Club to select our books for 2020, I came directly here and picked one.
ReplyDelete