I made a goal in 2018 to read 20 books. I had gotten
off track in reading because I got wrapped up in Eden’s night routine and then
fell asleep with her. We found our rhythm with me reading all books on the
kindle when we got in bed. We snuggled and I read (she does best when somewhat
ignored). I wound up reading 30 books and thought I would share my favorites since
I always get asked for recommendations.
I’ve tried to challenge myself to read some books from
authors I’m not sure I jive with so I get new perspectives. I also try to
balance non-fiction and fiction, including memoirs of those that who lives are
caught in the middle of political debates. Under all the back and forth of
politics, no issue is “that simple” and there are LIVES affected. Hearing their
stories is important to me.
Being in the book club also helps my repertoire
because I’m challenged to read books I never would have known about or would
never choose for myself.
Here are some of my favorites and some comments if I feel
the urge:
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
I’ll admit it. I was not an Obama fan from the beginning.
I have come to love this family. I miss the gentle nature and careful words by
President Obama. I love Michelle Obama’s spunk. Whether or not you liked her
husband or the Democrats, she is a great role model.
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Just a great book – the beginning is a little rough
because of the circumstances of the main character but it gets easier. What a
great ending!
- Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
I liked it. I keep seeing the “Christian-y” articles
bashing her because she “didn’t talk Jesus enough.” Come on. I can’t get on
board with that. When I first saw the book, I assumed it was another Hollywood
woman who got by with her connections and yada yada yada. I loved her
transparency in the book. She has some street creds in life. She has been
through some really hard things. I respect her cheerleading for women instead
of the opposite. I love that her husband is on board and is supporting her
dreams. It gave me enough “hoorah!” to change a few things for myself so if
that saved me a mental health copay, then fantastic.
- A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea: One Refugee’s Incredible Story of Love, Loss and Survival by Melissa Fleming
I still have reading flashbacks to this book. Some of
the details will haunt me for the rest of my life. I have a soft spot for
refugees after learning about them, diving into the process to see what it’s
really like and spending time with refugees or the American citizens born of
refugees in this country. If we were put in their situations going in the other
direction, I just don’t know how many of us would make it. This book
illustrates one woman’s story of coming on a boat, saving two children, and
rebuilding her life elsewhere. She describes her desire to stay in her country but
the need to leave. The details from the journey are graphic and sobering. I
think everyone should read a book like this.
- Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
One of the best books I’ve ever read in my life. Enough
said.
- Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
Another wow! I love a memoir. I think we can all glean
something from someone else’s story. What a resilient person. I highly
recommend this book.
- The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
I thought of the characters of this book for a long
time after the book ended. It was easy to read. A good book for a long flight.
- The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton
For those who support the death penalty or think there
are no issues with our judicial system, this is a must read. This stirred up
quite the discussions in book club as we were scattered across the board in
opinions about the death penalty. This man was able to keep his goodness and
come out on the other side positive. That wouldn’t be me.
- The Good Soldiers by David Finkel
This book tells the stories of the Rangers in Iraq and
follows one team in particular. It’s not for the faint of heart. The book details injuries and deaths from
IEDs and mentions some of the aftercare for the soldiers sent home.
- The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantu
This book is written by a border patrol agent. I wanted
to read the perspective after so much controversy with the current situations
at the border. I wanted to hear from someone who “sees” it after hearing of
abuse of children by border patrol agents. It's not the best written book, that's for sure.
- Red Notice by Bill Browder
Not my usual cup of tea but I stuck with it and am
glad I did. It got such good ratings so I usually trust a certain number of
stars across thousands of people.
Parts were hard to digest in regard to crimes
against humanity.
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
This has been on my “to read” list for so long. What a
beautiful letter to his son about being Black in the United States.
- I Was Told to Come Alone by Souad Mekhennet
I saw this author interviewed on TV and became
curious. Woah. She uncovers the identity of the ISIS executioner “Jihadi John”
and meets with inner circles of Al Qaeda, Taliban, ISIS. She never knows where
she is going and she has to come alone with no phone, recorder, ID, etc. She
passes on first-hand information including why groups do not like the United
States.
- The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
Why do we never hear about these things at school? I feel
like I missed so much history between this and some other books that have been
published recently, especially about women and their contributions.
The other books I read that didn’t make it into the
“fave” category are here. Many of them I liked or enjoyed but when it was over,
it was over.
- Norwegian by Night by Derek B. Miller
- Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life by Jen Hatmaker
- We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union
- Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell (easy, entertaining, suspenseful read)
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
- Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris (suspenseful, a “pool read”)
- The Storyteller’s Secret by Sejal Badani
- If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey
- The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
- Hallelujah Anyway by Anne Lamott
- A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenberg
- The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin
- Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
- Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
- Goodbye Things: The New Japanese Minimalism by Fumio Sasaki
- The More of Less by Joshua Becker
I hope you find something here to read or something
that inspires you. I also encourage you to choose a title that may make you
uncomfortable or challenge your perspective.
I also have book recommendation on this page as well (needs to be updated with the above books).
Happy reading!
Danielle
