by Michael Hainey. “I really enjoyed this intriguing memoir
about GQ Deputy Editor Michael Hainey. When Michael was six, his thirty-five
year old journalist father was found dead on a Chicago street, apparently of a
heart attack. The story his family told never made sense to Michael. Now an
adult, Michael used his journalism skills to research the death and surrounding
events that happened decades earlier. The memoir covers the path he took to
solve the mystery and tells the honest and surprising story of his family. The Art of Betrayal: The Secret History of MI6: Life and Death in the British Secret Service
by Gordon Corera. "One of the more riveting spy histories I've read in a while. It actually lives up to the cliche about being a true story so exciting it reads like fiction."
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity
by Katherine Boo. This was a top pick in 2012, and it continues
to get nominations. “This is a
nonfiction book about the slums of Mumbai. It reads like fiction though since she follows
several families for a period of time and relays the stories of their lives.
This books make you want to go straight to Mumbai and do whatever you can to
give these people the chance for a better life.”
by Katherine Boo. This was a top pick in 2012, and it continues
to get nominations. “This is a
nonfiction book about the slums of Mumbai. It reads like fiction though since she follows
several families for a period of time and relays the stories of their lives.
This books make you want to go straight to Mumbai and do whatever you can to
give these people the chance for a better life.”
Bombshell: Explosive Medical Secrets That Will Redefine Aging
by Suzanne Sommers. “Loved ‘Bombshell.’ Suzanne
has gone from a complete TV ditz to an alternative health guru. Her book is informative and on the cutting edge of all things
natural medicine.”
by Suzanne Sommers. “Loved ‘Bombshell.’ Suzanne
has gone from a complete TV ditz to an alternative health guru. Her book is informative and on the cutting edge of all things
natural medicine.”
The Brave Escape of Edith Wharton
by Connie Nordhielm (One of
many selections from a contributor who shared her Barnard College
alum book list). “Edith Wharton, author of Ethan Frome, The House of Mirth, and
other acclaimed novels, was born into a wealthy family. Beginning in childhood,
Edith found ways to escape from society’s and her family’s expectations and
follow an unconventional, creative path. Unhappily married and eventually
divorced, she surrounded herself with male friends. She spent much of her life
in Paris and was recognized by the French government for her generosity and
hard work during World War I. Her literary and personal life, her witty and
incisive correspondence, her fondness for automobiles and small dogs—all are
detailed in this warm and sparkling account of a woman well ahead of her time.”
by Connie Nordhielm (One of
many selections from a contributor who shared her Barnard College
alum book list). “Edith Wharton, author of Ethan Frome, The House of Mirth, and
other acclaimed novels, was born into a wealthy family. Beginning in childhood,
Edith found ways to escape from society’s and her family’s expectations and
follow an unconventional, creative path. Unhappily married and eventually
divorced, she surrounded herself with male friends. She spent much of her life
in Paris and was recognized by the French government for her generosity and
hard work during World War I. Her literary and personal life, her witty and
incisive correspondence, her fondness for automobiles and small dogs—all are
detailed in this warm and sparkling account of a woman well ahead of her time.”
Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour
by Lynn Olson. “The behind-the-scenes story of
how the United States forged its wartime alliance with Britain, told from the
perspective of three key American players in London: Edward R. Murrow, the
handsome, chain-smoking head of CBS News in Europe; Averell Harriman, the
hard-driving millionaire who ran FDR’s Lend-Lease program in London; and John
Gilbert Winant, the shy, idealistic U.S. ambassador to Britain. Each man formed
close ties with Winston Churchill—so much so that all became romantically
involved with members of the prime minister’s family. Drawing from a variety of
primary sources, Lynne Olson skillfully depicts the dramatic personal journeys
of these men who, determined to save Britain from Hitler, helped convince a
cautious Franklin Roosevelt and reluctant American public to back the British
at a critical time.”
by Lynn Olson. “The behind-the-scenes story of
how the United States forged its wartime alliance with Britain, told from the
perspective of three key American players in London: Edward R. Murrow, the
handsome, chain-smoking head of CBS News in Europe; Averell Harriman, the
hard-driving millionaire who ran FDR’s Lend-Lease program in London; and John
Gilbert Winant, the shy, idealistic U.S. ambassador to Britain. Each man formed
close ties with Winston Churchill—so much so that all became romantically
involved with members of the prime minister’s family. Drawing from a variety of
primary sources, Lynne Olson skillfully depicts the dramatic personal journeys
of these men who, determined to save Britain from Hitler, helped convince a
cautious Franklin Roosevelt and reluctant American public to back the British
at a critical time.”
Conquering Gotham: Building Penn Station and Its Tunnels
by Jill
Jonnes. “Modern Manhattan is a miracle in many ways,
but all of its imports, commuters included, must traverse at least one river to
get there. In 1900, the New York Central, owned by the Vanderbilts, already
gave Manhattan a northern connection over the narrow Harlem River. A southern
connection over the mile-wide Hudson would be a whole different story.
Alexander Cassatt, president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, was the visionary on
the project. But how to do it? A bridge plan fell through due to expense; a
tunnel would lack the oxygen needed for steam engines. The breakthrough lay in
the cutting-edge electrified locomotives developed in Paris. This is a vivid
story of hardball Tammany Hall maneuvering and mind-boggling engineering. Once
construction began, the two-track narrative settles on the daunting
construction of the tunnels and Charles McKim's much-admired design of the
terminus at Pennsylvania Station, prized by New Yorkers only after its ill-considered
demise in 1963.” (Barnard Book Club)
by Jill
Jonnes. “Modern Manhattan is a miracle in many ways,
but all of its imports, commuters included, must traverse at least one river to
get there. In 1900, the New York Central, owned by the Vanderbilts, already
gave Manhattan a northern connection over the narrow Harlem River. A southern
connection over the mile-wide Hudson would be a whole different story.
Alexander Cassatt, president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, was the visionary on
the project. But how to do it? A bridge plan fell through due to expense; a
tunnel would lack the oxygen needed for steam engines. The breakthrough lay in
the cutting-edge electrified locomotives developed in Paris. This is a vivid
story of hardball Tammany Hall maneuvering and mind-boggling engineering. Once
construction began, the two-track narrative settles on the daunting
construction of the tunnels and Charles McKim's much-admired design of the
terminus at Pennsylvania Station, prized by New Yorkers only after its ill-considered
demise in 1963.” (Barnard Book Club) Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
by Brene Brown. “What I love about Brene Brown is her sense of humor. No,
I love her insight. Wait, maybe what I love is how she tells a story. Gah! I
guess I love all of it! In this book, Brown uses her research into
vulnerability and shame to help people move beyond fear toward authentic and
purposeful action. It’s inspiring, and hopeful yet eminently doable. A great
book." Another contributor writes: “I belong to the holy church of all
things Brene. Her books should be required for all parents, teachers and
employers. Only Brene could make shame research riveting. Trust me, read this
book. I pass it out like potato chips.”The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland
by Jim DeFede. On 9/11,
when the United States shut down its airspace, many planes were forced to land
in Canada, including in Gander. The town
is tiny – only about 10,000 people – but the airport is massive, a vestige of WWII when it was a refueling site for transatlantic
flights. The story of the hospitality the
quirky people of Gander showed their nearly 7,000 displaced visitors makes for
wonderful, heartwarming reading. Because
the book is a series of stories about various passengers, it is also evocative
of the reactions on that horrible day.Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child
by Bob Spitz.
"A very different and much richer Julia Child biography than the Julie and Julia Project of several years ago. Dearie presents Julia as the complex, intelligent, energetic woman she was but also delves into the relationships and personal challenges that strongly influenced her choices throughout her life. In addition, it is an interesting case study of an incredibly successful business born out of a passion, but striking all the right notes in skill, luck and timing."Drop Dead Healthy: One Man's Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection
by AJ Jacobs. "If you've read any of AJ Jacobs' books, this follows the same formula: pick a topic and live it to the letter for a year. The difference is that the health topic seems more universally appealing. Drop Dead Healthy is, if nothing else, amusing. It is also quite certainly a reminder that it's easy to get carried away with so many different and conflicting health messages, but in the end (as perhaps mom always said), 'balance is the key to life.'"
Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity
by Andrew Solomon. “What can I
say? This is a masterpiece on compassion. This author is brilliant and one of
the best and most thorough researchers around. Don't let the massive size of
the book discourage you. There is far too much to learn from this masterpiece.”
by Andrew Solomon. “What can I
say? This is a masterpiece on compassion. This author is brilliant and one of
the best and most thorough researchers around. Don't let the massive size of
the book discourage you. There is far too much to learn from this masterpiece.”
An Exclusive Love: A Memoir
by Johanna Adorjan, translated by Anthea Bell. "This book tells the story of
Vera and Istvan, Hungarian Jews who survived the Holocaust, fled during the
1956 uprising in Budapest to Denmark, and in 1991 in Copenhagen took their own
lives. They were found in their bed, hand in hand. It is the story of an
unusual love. The story of my grandparents." (Barnard Book Club)
by Johanna Adorjan, translated by Anthea Bell. "This book tells the story of
Vera and Istvan, Hungarian Jews who survived the Holocaust, fled during the
1956 uprising in Budapest to Denmark, and in 1991 in Copenhagen took their own
lives. They were found in their bed, hand in hand. It is the story of an
unusual love. The story of my grandparents." (Barnard Book Club) Fierce Attachments: A Memoir
by Vivian Gornick. "In this deeply etched and haunting memoir, Gornick tells the story
of her lifelong battle with her mother for independence. There have been
numerous books about mothers and daughters, but none has dealt with this
closest of filial relationships as directly or as ruthlessly." (Barnard Book Club).
Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself
by Rich Roll. About to turn forty,
Rich Roll was fifty pounds overweight and unable to climb the stairs without
stopping. So he made a vow to himself
and his family. He changed to a plant-based
diet and worked himself up to ultraman triathlons, which are three-day endurance
events. (FTR, Roll is a graduate of
Landon School).
by Rich Roll. About to turn forty,
Rich Roll was fifty pounds overweight and unable to climb the stairs without
stopping. So he made a vow to himself
and his family. He changed to a plant-based
diet and worked himself up to ultraman triathlons, which are three-day endurance
events. (FTR, Roll is a graduate of
Landon School).
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin
by Erik Larson. “Tells the story of the unlikely American Ambassador to Germany in 1933. William Dodd is a political outsider when Roosevelt chooses him for the post and it haunts him throughout his tenure in Berlin. We see the rise of Hitler and the spread of the Nazi mindset through the eyes of Dodd and his daughter Martha. Martha is very taken with the Nazis at first, enjoying many relationships with Nazis and communists in positions of power. I enjoyed the sense of being in Germany at this pivotal time. Larson immerses you in the setting, the atmosphere, the tension of prewar Germany."
Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers
by Anne Lamott. “It's Anne Lamott,'nuf said! Also, the title
says it all.”
by Erik Larson. “Tells the story of the unlikely American Ambassador to Germany in 1933. William Dodd is a political outsider when Roosevelt chooses him for the post and it haunts him throughout his tenure in Berlin. We see the rise of Hitler and the spread of the Nazi mindset through the eyes of Dodd and his daughter Martha. Martha is very taken with the Nazis at first, enjoying many relationships with Nazis and communists in positions of power. I enjoyed the sense of being in Germany at this pivotal time. Larson immerses you in the setting, the atmosphere, the tension of prewar Germany." Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers
by Anne Lamott. “It's Anne Lamott,'nuf said! Also, the title
says it all.”
The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work
by Shawn Achor. "This
books turns upside down commonly held notions -- that hard work,
success, losing weight or getting another promotion will make us happy. Turns out happiness causes success,
not vice versa."
by Shawn Achor. "This
books turns upside down commonly held notions -- that hard work,
success, losing weight or getting another promotion will make us happy. Turns out happiness causes success,
not vice versa."
The Heart and the Fist: The Education of a Humanitarian, the Making of a Navy SEAL
by Eric
Greitens. “Eric Greitens may be one of
the most amazing and inspirational people on earth. While in college at Duke, he took his first
overseas trip, which started a love of visiting war-torn areas as a
photographer and humanitarian. He then
won a Rhodes scholarship researching these areas, and came to the conclusion
that much tragedy and genocide could be avoided by the use of, or threat of,
military force. From this privileged
background and opportunities, he joined the NAVY seals program, joining in
peacetime of early 2001 and ending with full knowledge that he would go to
war. Just reading about the unbelievable
training of our SEALS makes it worth the read, but his attitude on the world
turns it into a must-read. A true
American hero.”
by Eric
Greitens. “Eric Greitens may be one of
the most amazing and inspirational people on earth. While in college at Duke, he took his first
overseas trip, which started a love of visiting war-torn areas as a
photographer and humanitarian. He then
won a Rhodes scholarship researching these areas, and came to the conclusion
that much tragedy and genocide could be avoided by the use of, or threat of,
military force. From this privileged
background and opportunities, he joined the NAVY seals program, joining in
peacetime of early 2001 and ending with full knowledge that he would go to
war. Just reading about the unbelievable
training of our SEALS makes it worth the read, but his attitude on the world
turns it into a must-read. A true
American hero.”
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle
"Written by the current (8th) Countess of Carnarvon, about the 5th who married into the house (aka Downton Abbey) in
1898. Almina was the illegitimate but loved and spoiled daughter of Alfred
Rothschild, and came to the house with endless supplies of money for parties
and renovations. She was a humanitarian,
and turned the house into a state of the art hospital during WWI and personally
paid for the best doctors and care for all the patients. Her husband was the co-discoverer and
complete funder of the search for King Tut, and she joined him on most of his
trips to Egypt, throwing lavish parties there.
Many details from the show were lifted from her life and the house. A great read for an Downton fans."
"Written by the current (8th) Countess of Carnarvon, about the 5th who married into the house (aka Downton Abbey) in
1898. Almina was the illegitimate but loved and spoiled daughter of Alfred
Rothschild, and came to the house with endless supplies of money for parties
and renovations. She was a humanitarian,
and turned the house into a state of the art hospital during WWI and personally
paid for the best doctors and care for all the patients. Her husband was the co-discoverer and
complete funder of the search for King Tut, and she joined him on most of his
trips to Egypt, throwing lavish parties there.
Many details from the show were lifted from her life and the house. A great read for an Downton fans."
Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture
by Andy Cohen. “Andy Cohen is my favorite
tv talk show host. This book is a back stage pass to all
things Andy. Both his show and his book are must see/read
entertainment. He is pop culture incarnate.”
by Andy Cohen. “Andy Cohen is my favorite
tv talk show host. This book is a back stage pass to all
things Andy. Both his show and his book are must see/read
entertainment. He is pop culture incarnate.”
My Turn to Make the Tea
by Monica Dickens. “Monica Dickens (Charles' great-grand daughter) spent a few years post WWII as a reporter for a English small town local paper. When she wasn't making tea (which of course she had to do as the "girl" in the office!) she was reporting the various petty small town dramas, vying for a spot at the paper's only typewriter and making a life for herself at the boarding house where she rented a room. Semi-autobiographical, the story doesn't really have a plot but describes the quaint old fashioned life of a journalist in the 50's and is wholly entertaining when describing the antics of the boarding house clan. Every chapter is some new escapade and seen through Monica's eyes there is a bit of golden nostalgia about the shared bath, the suspected haunted room and the suspected communist neighbor making me wish that I could have rented the front room and spent nights drinking with the girls while we washed our nylons in the sink.”
Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time
by Rick Hanson.
"Neurological research is fascinating, and in this book Rick Hanson gives one
daily practice you can institute to achieve a healthier brain and a
less-stressed you."
by Monica Dickens. “Monica Dickens (Charles' great-grand daughter) spent a few years post WWII as a reporter for a English small town local paper. When she wasn't making tea (which of course she had to do as the "girl" in the office!) she was reporting the various petty small town dramas, vying for a spot at the paper's only typewriter and making a life for herself at the boarding house where she rented a room. Semi-autobiographical, the story doesn't really have a plot but describes the quaint old fashioned life of a journalist in the 50's and is wholly entertaining when describing the antics of the boarding house clan. Every chapter is some new escapade and seen through Monica's eyes there is a bit of golden nostalgia about the shared bath, the suspected haunted room and the suspected communist neighbor making me wish that I could have rented the front room and spent nights drinking with the girls while we washed our nylons in the sink.”Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time
by Rick Hanson.
"Neurological research is fascinating, and in this book Rick Hanson gives one
daily practice you can institute to achieve a healthier brain and a
less-stressed you."
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
by Barbara
Demick. “Award-winning journalist Barbara Demick follows the lives of six North
Korean citizens over fifteen years—a chaotic period that saw the death of Kim
Il-sung, the rise to power of his son Kim Jong-il, and a devastating famine
that killed one-fifth of the population. Demick brings to life what it means to
be living under the most repressive totalitarian regime today—an Orwellian
world that is by choice not connected to the Internet, where displays of affection
are punished, informants are rewarded, and an offhand remark can send a person
to the gulag for life. Demick takes us deep inside the country, beyond the
reach of government censors, and through meticulous and sensitive reporting we
see her subjects fall in love, raise families, nurture ambitions, and struggle
for survival. One by one, we witness their profound, life-altering
disillusionment with the government and their realization that, rather than
providing them with lives of abundance, their country has betrayed them. This
is nonfiction that reads like fiction. Fascinating read ...and depressing.”
by Barbara
Demick. “Award-winning journalist Barbara Demick follows the lives of six North
Korean citizens over fifteen years—a chaotic period that saw the death of Kim
Il-sung, the rise to power of his son Kim Jong-il, and a devastating famine
that killed one-fifth of the population. Demick brings to life what it means to
be living under the most repressive totalitarian regime today—an Orwellian
world that is by choice not connected to the Internet, where displays of affection
are punished, informants are rewarded, and an offhand remark can send a person
to the gulag for life. Demick takes us deep inside the country, beyond the
reach of government censors, and through meticulous and sensitive reporting we
see her subjects fall in love, raise families, nurture ambitions, and struggle
for survival. One by one, we witness their profound, life-altering
disillusionment with the government and their realization that, rather than
providing them with lives of abundance, their country has betrayed them. This
is nonfiction that reads like fiction. Fascinating read ...and depressing.”
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
by Susan Cain. “A must read for everyone, introverts and
extroverts alike!”
by Susan Cain. “A must read for everyone, introverts and
extroverts alike!”
Rod: The Autobiography
“The best book I read all year. I liked Rod but was by
no means a Rod fanatic. Now I am a HUGE Rod fan. His book is cheeky and so much
fun. Rod is totally in on the joke. By not taking himself seriously, he opens
up and gives his readers a very entertaining and honest back stage pass.” (That's Rod Stewart, by the way).
“The best book I read all year. I liked Rod but was by
no means a Rod fanatic. Now I am a HUGE Rod fan. His book is cheeky and so much
fun. Rod is totally in on the joke. By not taking himself seriously, he opens
up and gives his readers a very entertaining and honest back stage pass.” (That's Rod Stewart, by the way).
Running for My Life: One Lost Boy's Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games
“Before he became an American
Olympian, Lopez Lomong was one of the 'lost boys' of Sudan. He spent years fending for himself in a
refugee camp, running 18 miles daily just so the big kids would let him play
soccer. He came to the United States
having never seen a light-switch or owning a pencil, and through grit and
determination graduated from high school and college. He has gone on to represent the United States
in multiple Olympics. His story of
rising from truly nothing is an amazing one.”
(ED: My 13 year-old read this and
was riveted, so this is a good choice for young adults, too.)
“Before he became an American
Olympian, Lopez Lomong was one of the 'lost boys' of Sudan. He spent years fending for himself in a
refugee camp, running 18 miles daily just so the big kids would let him play
soccer. He came to the United States
having never seen a light-switch or owning a pencil, and through grit and
determination graduated from high school and college. He has gone on to represent the United States
in multiple Olympics. His story of
rising from truly nothing is an amazing one.”
(ED: My 13 year-old read this and
was riveted, so this is a good choice for young adults, too.)
Shakespeare's Common Prayers: The Book of Common Prayer and the Elizabethan Age
by Daniel Swift. “Yes, I am
a Shakespeare freak (and, yes, I do have an authorship theory which I am not
going to share with you at this moment). And this book – which reads more like
a graduate level textbook than anything – chronicles the development of the
Anglican Book of Common Prayer and illuminates how Shakespeare used this volume
to add nuance and color to the plays and the sonnets. Fascinating." H/T
Michelle Woodward book list.
by Daniel Swift. “Yes, I am
a Shakespeare freak (and, yes, I do have an authorship theory which I am not
going to share with you at this moment). And this book – which reads more like
a graduate level textbook than anything – chronicles the development of the
Anglican Book of Common Prayer and illuminates how Shakespeare used this volume
to add nuance and color to the plays and the sonnets. Fascinating." H/T
Michelle Woodward book list.
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
by Cheryl Strayed. Strayed, who wrote
for the website Rumpus under the pseudonym “Dear Sugar,” is not your
grandmother’s advice columnist. Weaving
in stories from her own life (and she has lived an awful lot), she gives raw, fierce
and honest advice. The book can be read
as much as a collection of short stories as a collection of advice columns, and need not be read at one sitting.
by Cheryl Strayed. Strayed, who wrote
for the website Rumpus under the pseudonym “Dear Sugar,” is not your
grandmother’s advice columnist. Weaving
in stories from her own life (and she has lived an awful lot), she gives raw, fierce
and honest advice. The book can be read
as much as a collection of short stories as a collection of advice columns, and need not be read at one sitting. 
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