, The Elegance of the Hedgehog
, Olive Kitteridge
, and the The Twilight Saga Collection
. Other older fiction and favorites from previous years are:After Many a Summer Dies the Swan
by Aldous Huxley. One of you lists this as an all-time-favorite.American Wife: A Novel (New York Times Notable Books)
by Curtis Sittenfield. “Now waiting for Tipper's wife story.The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel
by Garth Stein. "The favorite book I have read in a very long time. After reading all the vampire books last summer this book just totally erased the Cullens (thankfully) from my mind. I fell in love with Enzo and think you will too! Just a wonderful, lovely story told from an unlikely narrator."Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith
and other titles by Annie Lammot. “I am not as big of a fan of her fiction. Her non fiction is simply brilliant/life changing. Tender Mercies and Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith are must-reads.”Cowboys Are My Weakness: Stories
by Pam Houston. “Houston is a frequent contributor to O magazine. Ok, this is OLD, and this is not classic in any way but it is one of my FAVORite books! it's a collection of short stories written by a 20 something year old woman, about 20 something year old women who are doing their darndest to make their ways in the world... they are falling in love with the wrong men, trying out the wrong jobs, but always hanging on to their sisters and, thankfully, their own true grits. This book makes me reminiscent for my past-- and, even better-- thankful for my present. Short stories. chick focused. Easy breezy, clever read (but not dumb).”Crossing to Safety (Modern Library Classics)
by Wallace Stegner. “A charming, stroll through friendship, marriage and family. This book is like taking a bite off of a bitter sweet apple.” (Ed: One of my favorite books of all time).Cry, The Beloved Country (Paperback)
by Alan Paton. “I read and loved this before my South Africa trip. It is beautifully written and incredibly heartbreaking.” It was first published in 1948 apartheid South Africa.A Little History of the World
by E.H. Gombrich. “Keep this on there. We started reading it about one chapter per night."The Lords of Discipline: A Novel
by Pat Conroy. "I LOVED this book and read it so fast at the beach that I had to force myself to put it down to make it last longer. It's about the Citadel military life and insight into that world is fascinating. But there is also a lot of story and character about fathers and friendships and families."Love Medicine: Newly Revised Edition (P.S.)
by Louise Erdrich. “Beautifully written, enchanting stories that all intertwine into a messy, gripping, epic tale about one crazy and lovable family... An older book that my book club just read this year and really loved.”The Middle Place
by Kelly Corrigan “A wonderful, heart-warming memoir about Corrigan’s breast cancer treatment and her relationship with her incredible family." "It's a beautiful book, made me cry so hard."People of the Book: A Novel
by Geraldine Brooks. This is a great summer read that several of you have mentioned, this year and in previous years. It was a top pick a couple of years ago.The Piano Teacher: A Novel
by Janice Y.K. Lee. “Part love story, part war story (yea, I know, been there, done that) but set in Hong Kong during Japanese occupation. Some different characters, even though I certainly didn’t like all of them, weave their lives and their loves through this amazing time.”The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde. “Almost 30 years since I last read this book and it was well worth the re-read. The classic quotes alone, such as "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." (Ch. 1, Lord Henry, to Basil.), make this re-read fun.” (This book, and many others from pre-copyright days, are free on the Kindle, one of the many reasons I love the device. If you are ready to take the leap, click here: Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, U.S. Wireless)
Sarah's Key
by Tatiana de Rosnay. A lot of you have read, or are asking about this book. It appeared on last year’s list. I read it in a day and understand why it's so popular but would suggest reading it with managed expectations. It's about a horrifying bit of French history. Sarah's story was incredibly poignant and evocative and sad. That said, it is not a very elegantly written book, and I had little sympathy for Julia (doormat!). It also ultimately devolved into a rather silly romance. With all that, I still think it's a good read.The Suspect (Karl Alberg Mysteries, No. 1)
by L.R. Wright. “Winner of an Edgar Award, this book was written in the 80’s but I just found it. It is a murder mystery set on the coast of British Columbia and the entire story revolves around three characters whose lives become entwined. What makes this murder mystery a bit different is you learn who the killer is on page one. It is a quietly written book – no gory details, violence or sexual assaults – which was a nice departure. The author carefully describes bits and pieces of each character which are all pieces to the puzzle and eventually answer the question of why there was a murder. I was hooked from page one … It’s a perfect beach book!”The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4
by Sue Townsend. One of you said (succinctly), “Funny.” Satirical cult classic from 1982 – there is a whole series of them to enjoy.Tender is the Night
by F. Scott Fitzgerald. "My favorite of all Fitzgerald novels because of the mix of light entertainment of a summer on the beach in France in the 1920s with beautiful people and parties and elegance along with the intense emotional fallout from a failing marriage and the pain of loss friendship and innocence. I've read this book countless times for 20 years and each time I love it just as much and see a new angle into the character's motivations."Tepper Isn't Going Out: A Novel
by Calvin Trillin. "Another short and witty novel about parking spaces in NYC."
by Calvin Trillin. "Very sweet and tender memoir written about the author's wife."
by Rick Bragg. "A memoir of growing up dirt poor in the South and rising to become a reporter at the New York Times. An honest, forthright portrayal of a time and a place and a man."
by Frances Osborne. Many of us went to the book party for this new release. From Amazon: "Osborne's lively narrative brings Lady Idina Sackville (an inspiration for Nancy Mitford's character the Bolter) boldly to life, with a black lapdog named Satan at her side and a cigarette in her hand. Osborne (Lilla's Feast) portrays a desperately lonely woman who shocked Edwardian high society with relentless affairs and drug-fueled orgies. Idina's story unfolds in an intimate tone thanks to the author, her great-granddaughter, who only accidentally discovered the kinship in her youth with the media serialization of James Fox's White Mischief."
by Dave Cullen. “Wow! This book hooks you from page one and never lets go. The Columbine massacre is a fascinating story to start with but Dave Cullen does a fantastic job of putting you in the school on that horrible day and into the minds of the killers, the victims, and the town. It would be easy to write a sensational account of such an infamous day in history but this book does not read like sleazy tabloid reporting. Cullen is thoughtful and empathetic but also painfully honest about debunking some of the myths around the killers and even the victims. I could understand why someone may not feel up to tackling a book on this subject matter but if you are remotely interested in reading a book on Columbine I would highly recommend Cullen's.”
by Dan Pink. "DC resident Dan Pink examines motivation and drive and the context for how organizations can effectively motivate and reward employees."
by Judith Orloff.
by Ariel Sabar.
by Rowan Jacobsen. "It is amazing how reliant we are on honey bees for agricultural production. This book gives a very detailled description of the complexity of honey bee colonies, what has been happening with honey bees and the consequences for the production of agricultural products that rely on pollination (seems to be almost everything in one way or another)."
by Sudhir Venkatesh. “Honest and entertaining, Columbia University professor Venkatesh vividly recounts his seven years following and befriending a Chicago crack-dealing gang in a fascinating look into the complex world of the Windy City's urban poor.” I couldn’t put this down I was so fascinated with this way of life right here in America!
by Gretchen Rubin. "This one got me through a day or two of snowmaggedon in a decent mood. Her blog is very engaging." and "Much talked about story of the author's year-long project to determine what makes people "happy." (Really can a content person become even happier by doing certain things, and how do these things change the way those around you act?). The book is interesting enough, but the reading list in the back is terrific and spurred several other great reads for me this year."
by Steve Ross. I didn't get any specific comments on this, but something made me decide not to fret about it.
by Kate Baestrup. "It may take ingenuity to interest browsers in a memoir by a middle-aged mother who, 11 years ago, was suddenly widowed, then became a Unitarian-Universalist minister, and now works as chaplain to game wardens in Maine."
by our own Michele Woodward (stalwart supporter and contributor of this blog, plus life coach extraordinnaire and now two-, soon to be three-time author). Michele will have another release in the fall: Career Strategy: Six Steps To A Successful Job Search. I will add that link when it's available.
by Rebecca Skloot. (The following review is lifted from Amazon or Goodreads or somewhere). "Written with the values and wisdom of a very different world than the hospital room in which the story begins but a compelling history of one woman's cancer cells. The book follows the path that the cells have taken to become the single best known research cell line and the discomfort and pain that Henrietta's family have felt due to their lack of knowledge of the project and their perceived invasion of family privacy."
by A.J. Jacobs. "In the vein of Julie & Julia, AJ Jacobs spends a year reading the Encyclopedia Brittanica from A to Z. The writing is sharp and witty as he interweaves completely random facts he learns along the way with some pretty funny stories about trying to share his new-found knowledge at every opportunity."
by Kelly Corrigan. "This is one of the books I asked for for Mother's Day and read very quickly."
by Mary Karr. “ (Entertainment Weekly). Lit follows the self-professed blackbelt sinner's descent into the inferno of alcoholism and madness--and to her astonishing resurrection.
by Roger Rosenblatt. (From Amazon) "Family tragedy is healed by domestic routine in this quiet, tender memoir. When his daughter Amy died suddenly at the age of 38 from an asymptomatic heart condition, journalist and novelist Rosen-blatt (Lapham Rising) and his wife moved into her house to help her husband care for their three young children ... Rosenblatt draws sharply etched portraits of his grandchildren; his stoic, gentle son-in-law; his wife, who feels slightly guilty that she is living her daughter's life; and Amy emerges as a smart, prickly, selfless figure whose significance the author never registered until her death."
by Carol Dweck. "This book - literally - changed my life. Dweck, a Stanford researcher, examines why some people get stuck and find limits, and why some don't. Absolutely blew my mind."
by Brett Paesel. "It may not be for everyone because of the raunchiness but if you want a chuckle, it’s worth it. Here is the part from Amazon that I feel sums up her humor: Paesel's willingness to mock herself even allows her to milk a laugh from a postpartum visit to a therapist. "I'm so unhappy," she cries. "I hate myself. I hate my life. I feel like it's never going to change." After a while, the therapist makes a suggestion. "Maybe we should think about antidepressants.'' "What?" Paesel thinks. "It's not that bad." And guess what? She eventually finds that motherhood is not that bad. In fact, she likes it, which is lucky, since Hollywood demands a happy ending. Even so, it's safe to say that if there's Jell-O around, this mommy wants not a lollipop but a vodka-infused "shooter."
by Neale S. Godfrey. "Great ideas for teaching money management to kids." (I am so getting this. My 11 year old evidently thinks iphone apps grown on trees.)
(and anything else) by Michael Pollan. "A kid's version for Omnivore's Dilemna. Pass it on to the next generation."
by Abigail Pogrebin. "Not only for twins or parents of twins, this is a very interesting look at what it means to be a 'double' and how even as singletons we can learn from the unique twin relationship."
by J R Moerhinger. “This may be an unpopular opinion, but OHMYGOD is Andre Agassi a whiny little bitch. I love JR Moerhinger's memoir (The Tender Bar), so I wanted to read this Agassi memoir to see how one of my favorite writers handled Agassi's story. The writing is only as strong as Agassi's life will allow, but it's relatively well written. I'll confess to having skimmed through some of the earlier chapters because I wanted to get to the parts about Brooke Shields (I know, I'm shallow). Worth the read whether in paperback, second-hand hardcover, or from the library.” and: “Andre opens up his life, heart and mind for inspection in a highly detailed personal account notable for its eloquence and humor. One need not be a tennis or an Agassi fan to be gripped by the experiences of a little boy whose relentless father determined that his son would one day be the best tennis player in the world.”
by Andrew Young. "I read every delicious word of this insider account of John Edwards, Elizabeth Edwards, Rielle Hunter and their whole dysfunctional and ridiculous relationships to each other. Andrew Young was Edwards closest aide -- and the one who pretended to be Rielle Hunter's baby's father -- and has great detail into Edwards narcissism, Elizabeth's nastiness and Rielle's total craziness. Reading the book, you'll have to keep reminding yourself that this is all true story, and the man was running for president!"
by Robert K. Wittman and John Shiffman. John Shiffman is a Landon grad, so I can offer this testimony: If this book is as good as the parties he had in his basement circa 1983, it’s bound to be worth reading. One Amazon reviewer writes: "Priceless has just about everything you'd want in a book, with appeal to all sorts of readers. In light of the recent art heist in Paris, this is timely and fascinating. Wittman's exploits do indeed read like a crime thriller, keeping the pages turning in a breathless fashion."
by Candace Millard.
by Leon Dash. "A devastating in depth view of the underclass in DC. I read it in 2 days."
by Don Teague. "This has a compelling narrative like all the great stories in history: A hero goes on an epic mission; he faces great trials and obstacles; he finally conquers the goal; and, in the end, he learns lessons about the world and himself. In Mr. Teague's story, the beautiful lessons are that we are all united by our common humanity and that God's love, as seen through our relationships, is more powerful than divisions of race, religion or nationality. 'Saved by Her Enemy' is a true story, but it feels like a parable that teaches us once again that God is at work in this world - even in a war zone - and loving our neighbors as ourselves will result in miracles."
by Sarah Thorton. "If you really like contemporary art and always wonder how art value is determined, then you'll enjoy this very thorough examination into the art world -- from auction house to gallery to prestigious art institute. If you aren't interested in the topic, the book isn't for you."
by Mary Pipher (author of reviving Ophelia). From Amazon: "As she tells stories of families, her own and others, therapist Pipher focuses on small victories in what she calls 'the current family-hurting culture.' Distancing herself from therapies that pathologize families, Pipher claims to have experienced the power of hope that can be stimulated through carefully chosen family stories. In even the most dysfunctional families, she discerns threads of connectedness that have led to empowerment of her clients as they became more capable of handling their own lives."
by Justin Halpern. Halpern, 29 years old, moves back in with his 74 year old dad, who is, according to some, like a potty-mouthed prophet. Maybe he's just potty-mouthed, but either way, he's hilarious. Justin started tweeting things his dad says, and found himself himself with 1.4 million followers on Twitter, and now a book.
by Aviva Goldfarb. "Seriously, this cookbook has changed our lives! Simple, quick, family friendly recipes that we have all enjoyed. Organized seasonally and by week, it will save you both shopping and cooking time."
by Dan Senor & Paul Singer. "Start-Up Nation is a book on economics but much more it is a book on the mind set of an entrepreneurial country. No charts or formulas are given, rather the authors delve into why a new nation found that in order to survive it had to develop a philosophy that encompasses quick decisions and great democratization power. An economic beach read."
by Greg Mortenson. "A follow-on to Mortenson's first book, this is his account of the amazing lengths people will go to for the opportunity of an education, and describes the work of his remarkable crew."
by Daniel Coyle.
by David Sedaris. "If David Sedaris were not gay, and in a committed relationship, I would marry him. This collection of essays is funny, wry, slightly tipsy and a definite read-when-you-need-a-laugh book."
by Geneen Roth. "I have been recommended this book by many friends, and have to admit that it's not really for me, as I've not suffered from an ill relationship with food. But I know many have, and many have received comfort and direction from this book, so I'm recommending it."
by Dennis Leary. "'nuf said"
by David Romanelli. (From Amazon:) "Yahoo! blogger and co-founder of a "progressive" Phoenix, Ariz. yoga studio, shares his Zen approach to happiness in this guide to the care and feeding of a live-the-moment lifestyle: 'Everyday, if you can enjoy one delicious moment...you will soon recognize a meaningful life is no further away than a box of chocolates... your walk to work, and a little... laughter.'"
