It's been a year since we last talked about books. Looking back on the 5 books I had to look forward to reading at that time I can say I wish I could read 4 of them all over again. I guess I could read them all over again but it wouldn't be the same because, ya know, I've already read them.
In the past year I've read some good and some not so good books (as is often the case with books). The 5 I'm going to tell you about today are at a minimum "really good" with one that I'd say is absolutely GREAT.
The Woefield Poultry Collective isn't a book that everyone would think is really good but if you read this blog of mine, chances are you will. The book is well written, funny, and revolves around Prudence Burns a twenty-something New Yorker who inherits her Uncle's derelict farm and pledges to bring it back to life without an "iota of related skills or experience". It's an easy, enjoyable, fast read. Plus of course, there are chickens in it, so .....
Sous Chef I loved. It was written by New York City Sous Chef Michael Gibney and outlines a typical 24 hours inside a restaurant kitchen in real time. I have no idea how this would read for someone who isn't a food or restaurant lover, but for someone who is ... it's a really good read. Gibney takes you through his day and life working in an upscale New York restaurant kitchen, laying out what every person in the kitchen is responsible for, how they do what they do and what kind of personalities the business attracts. What makes it exceptional is that Michael Gibney isn't just a good writer for a chef, he's a good writer period. Named one of the 10 best non-fiction books of the year by Time.
Funny Girl by Nick Hornby was recommended to me by someone I trade reading recommendations with all the time. We pretty much trust each other's judgement. I say "pretty much" because she once made me read Swamplandia which I hated and I once made her read Middlesex which I don't think she ever even got through. I had given up on Nick Hornby around 3 novels ago but my friend convinced me to give Funny Girl a try. I like Nick Hornby again. I don't About a Boy or High Fidelity like him again, but I do like him again. In Funny Girl, Hornby introduces us to Sophie Straw. A small town girl who becomes a sitcom star in 1960's London.
Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt is the absolutely great book on this list. And it's the one I recommended to my friend in exchange for Funny Girl. The book brings us into the life of a young girl whose uncle has died. Here's the Amazon description.
"1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart."
Tell the Wolves I'm Home is charming and touching and funny and sad.
City of Thieves was the book I read immediately after Tell the Wolves I'm Home, so it was doomed from the very beginning. I have no idea how I heard of it or came across this book but I loved it. Sometimes that's the way isn't it? When you have low expectations of a movie, show, song or book and then really like it .... well the good parts seem maybe even better than they really are. I don't think that's what happened with City of Thieves. I think it really is a great book that I would have loved regardless of how low my expectations of it were. The book is a fictional account based on the real life stories of the author's grandfather who lived through World War II in Russia. I haven't done the synopsis justice so read the Amazon version. I think charming is what I'd describe this book as. And likeable. And thought provoking. Had I known when I picked it up that it was written by the executive producer, writer and show runner for Game of Thrones I never would have read it. Which would have been stupid.
With those 5 books under my belt, I can now look to the growing stack on my dresser and bedside table. Which I LOVE having. For someone who loves reading, having a stack of books you're looking forward to is like a candy addict having a dresser drawer full of Snickers.
Happy Hens & Fresh Eggs is a cookbook, chicken book, garden book, story book all rolled into one. Written by chef Signe Langford (who gave me her lemon curd recipe a couple of months ago for my mother's birthday cake) and photographed by Donna Griffith (who has photographed my house many times for magazines). The book also features quotes and tips from guest chefs and chicken owners including Lisa from Fresh Eggs Daily and ... me! And yes. The lemon curd recipe is in the book.
All the Light We Cannot See is one of those books I'm so looking forward to reading that ... I don't read it. It's been on my bedside table for a good 6 months now because I know I'm going to love it. I haven't met a Pulitzer Prize winning book yet that I haven't loved. For me the Pulitzer Prize is a way better indication of quality than an Oscar is for a movie. Shakespeare in Love over Saving Private Ryan. Really??? All the Light We Cannot See fits into one of my favourite book categories, books about WWII. And that's pretty much all I need to know about it to be excited to read it. 1. Pulitizer Prize winner 2. Based on WWII.
Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling is the book I want to read but always choose a "book-book" instead. But I've made it a point that right after the heaviness of All the Light We Cannot See, I'm going to read Mindy's book. Because I love Mindy. And then I'm sure I'll order and read her latest book.
The Illegal by Lawrence Hill is the latest from the author of one of my favourite books. The Book of Negroes, or Someone Knows My Name as it was titled in America for some bizarre reason, is a MUST read for everyone. The Illegal, focuses on a runner from a (fictionalized) corrupt African country that is discovered as an illegal refugee. I've managed to make what I'm sure is an incredible book sound fantastically boring but I'm sure it will be anything but.
The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows, co-author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, takes place in my second favourite book setting ... the small town. I wasn't completely in love with The Guernsey Literary book, but I liked it enough to give this other small town tale of the author's a shot.
As always feel free to leave your own book choices in the comment section and by the end of the day we'll have enough book recommendations to get most of us through the next year of reading and gift buying. Speaking of gift buying, according to The Christmas Pledge today you're supposed to make a list of everyone you have to buy for. If you want to get even further ahead you can put the name of one of these books by their name, order it and have your gift buying underway.
Or don't. But remember. You could end up like Julie.
Sabina
11/22/63 by Stephen King, you'll sink your teeth in and be glued for two weeks straight.
Karen
I just looked at it Sabina and the Kindle edition comes with a 13 minute long film written and narrated by Stephen King! I didn't even know that was a thing, lol! Did Kindle editions often come with movies??! ~ karen!
Wendy
Any & all of Lousie Penny's books. You have to read them in sequence, but if you have a tablet, you 'll be binge reading. I'm not a big mystery/thriller fan, but as all the action happens in Quebec, the characters continue in each book (most of them), lots of small town oddities, great foodie talk, I can get through the "body" at the centre of the story. LOVED Tell the Wolves I'm Home.
Jan in Waterdown
Yes, Wendy! Louise Penny is a fave of mine too. My inside-my-head voice reads her books with a French Canadian accent . . . and with all the baguettes and cheeses, they make me hungry too! For me, it's really nice to read a great series of books with Canadian references and culture. I check her website for the next title then put it on hold on my on-line library. R
Adrienne in Atlanta
All The Light We Cannot See was beautifully written. You will indeed love it.
Karen, did you ever read The Remains Of The Day? I was young when the book was written and the movie made, so just read it a few months ago not realizing it was written relatively recently. It was a gorgeously written story. Highly recommend it.
I'm still waiting for something as sink-into-worthy as The Goldfinch to cross my path, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.
Karen
No, I didn't, but I just took another look at the synopsis and I think I'd really like it. ~ karen!
Ann
I also loved "All The Light We Can Not See". So I am betting that it will also be a winner for you. The best book I have read in years, many years, was "The World's Strongest Librarian" True story of a Mormon guy who grows up to be 6'8", 300+ lbs, really is a librarian and suffers from a bad bad case of Tourette's syndrome. It is such a touching, real, human story with every emotion you could imagine along the way. He won me over in the first few chapters as he spoke of how he learned to love reading, and learning. I think it is a must read for everyone, anywhere of any age.
I also loved A Thousand Splendid Suns. Lots of good history and still a love story for the ages.
Amykate
I'm a lazy book reader. I devour books. But none of these, except the Chicken book sound good to me. Sorry. I'm just too lazy to read anything I have to think too hard about. But thanks anyway!!
Sandra Lea
Tell The Wolves I'm Home was one of my all time favorite books. I love to see what other people are reading, you've helped me to add a few new ones to my list.
Donna
Until my retirement recently I had given up books and reading except work related reading. since retirement I've bought sewing and knitting books but the only book I've read is an oldie, The Source, by James Michener. it reminded me how much I love reading. I too love Lord of the Rings, as noted in an earlier post. My husband loves anything WWII so I now know his Xmas present thanks to you Karen. the last recommendation I got came from my sister, The Poisonwood Bible. She loved it and told me how hysterically funny it was, but I found it rather sad, really sad actually. I've written down these titles so I can start reading again. I gave it up because once I start, I can NOT stop until finished. I will read all night. I hate taking breaks even to got to the bathroom because I'm just sure I'll miss something. My husband reminds me that it's a book, not a movie or tv show. Oh, wait, I did read another book last year and liked it in a morbid way. Can't remember the title but it was a nonfiction account of the death of Michael Rockefeller at the hands of Cannibals. An alternate theory of his death actually. Wish I could remember the name of the book. Alas, the aging brain......
Karen
Your sister thought The Poisonwood Bible was funny? That's really, really weird. Like ... really weird, lol. It's a great book, I'd actually love to reread it now that you mention it. ~ karen!
Donna
I'm so glad you think it's weird, cuz I thought she was really weird after I read it. I cried so much getting through that book. Never heard of bean trees though. nOw I confess my sister has an odd sense of humor and has led an unusual life for her 65 years. Book wise and moviwise we have little in common. I love British comedy. She won't watch anything with a "comedy" label on it.
Karen
Maybe she has some kind of disease where she can't recognize funny. Cause saying The Poisonwood Bible is funny is like saying the Old Yeller was funny. It ... it just isn't. ~ karen!
Kylee Baumle
"The Poisonwood Bible." YES. Funny??? No, not at all. It's not a feel-good kind of book, but gosh I loved it. I thought it should have gotten a Pulitzer.
Karen
Maybe The Bean Trees is getting confused with The Poisonwood Bible somewhere along the line? ~ karen!
Kylee Baumle
I also loved "Flight Behavior" by the same author, but I'm a monarch maniac too, so there's that.
ET
The Poisonwood Bible is a great read, but it is a long way from funny. I found it poignant and a great character study. I'm crazy about Barbara Kingsolver, and her Prodigal Summer is one of my favorites.
Ann
I loved all Barbara Kingsolver. My Fav is actually Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Her only work of non-fiction
LuAnn Agustin
As always, I recommend "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon. My absolute favorite book, series, author, cable tv show, etc.
I've read the whole series up to eight times, as I MUST reread it over again each time a new book in the series is released.
My love affair with Diana's "Outlander" began over 25 years (and hundreds of books)ago and I hope it will continue for 25 more.
Jenny W
I second that! My 4 sisters read the books years ago and kept recommending them to me. I don't like to read historical fiction, or romances so I kept saying no thanks. Finally picked one up when I was desperate for a book to read and instantly fell in love! I have read the first 5 books several times over, and I never reread a book! I'm really enjoying the TV series too. Like watching the pages come to life :) Jaime, sigh....
Ev Wilcox
I am on book four of the Outlander series. Have been reading "for half an hour" for weeks, going to sleep well after 1am. Makes me want to go to Scotland!
Lynn Johannson
Outlander, I'm totally with you on that one. Re-read and re-read! Right now reading all of the Dresden series by Jim Butcher. Dresden is a wizard, even has an ad in the phone book, working in present day Chicago.
Really enjoying them. Started book 9 this morning..... Falling down the rabbit hole of a good book. One of the true joys in life!
Karen Too!
Oh yeah, The Book Thief. Please read that one. It'll become part of your soul.
Stephanie
YES!! one of my all time favorites!!!
Su
Really?? I just couldn't get into the Book Thief..... I tried... I even started over thinking I missed something.... but for me?? eh...
Sue (yep, another one)
You're not the only one! I couldn't get into it either.
Ann
Agree Su.....I disliked the Book Thief very much
Karen
Yup. Great book. ~ karen!
Karen Too!
I would call City of Thieves absolutely devastating and a fantastic unforgettable read. Interesting connection w. Game of Thrones and not surprising now I know that. Sous Chef and All the Light I Cannot See sound really intriguing. I would suggest reading anything by neurologist Oliver Sacks who very recently passed away incl. his two autobiographies. Try out When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams for its high quality of writing and anything by Kazuo Ishiguro particularly The Remains of the Day. For reading about food, may I suggest Hungry for Paris by Alexander Lobrano. It'll make you want to hop a plane immediately. Fabulous descriptions of restaurants, food, and France. Just starting a book The Hare With The Amber Eyes... Happy reading!
Meg
oh I wish for so much more time in the day. I would read so many more books.
Although when I find a good one sometimes I read it twice. :) Last year I discovered "Dragonflight" and promptly re-read it about 6 months later. And I think I've read "Lonesome Dove" twice, and well actually I probably would be much more well-read by now if I stopped reading things twice...
Meg
And the complete Lord of the Rings... yeah I am thinking about my response now and I am realizing this is a ridiculous pattern.
Su
I would read the complete Lord of the Rings every summer when I was in High School.... I loved it that much! I couldn't watch the movies because I had the characters so firmly in my mind and didn't want to be disappointed....
Jo-Anne
Oh Sue, that is how I feel about Narnia and Anne of Green Gables. I am sure I couldn't watch Jane of Lantern Hill if it were a movie as well. I just realised that the Chronicles of Prydain (Lloyd Alexander) and the Time Quintet (Madeleine L'Engle) also fall under that category as well.
Ann Brookens
Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey? If you continue reading everything she wrote, that will keep you busy for a bit, then read her co-writers Elizabeth Moon and Mercedes Lackey. All three are among my favorite authors. I LOVE fantasy and science fiction!
Karen
Lonesome Dove is my all time favourite book. It is at the top of the list. ~ karen!
ET
Meg, I'm with you on Lonesome Dove - I've read the book at least twice and watch the series on TV whenever it pops up again. I feel I personally know every one of the characters.
Muff Hackett
I hope you enjoy All the Light We Cannot See as much as I did - it was one of those "I'll just read a bit more . . . what do you mean 2 hours have passed?" sort of books.
Lots of great suggestions coming in - I'll have to make notes as I can never remember the suggestions when the moment comes to pick up a new book (mostly when I'm in the tub, and have just finished a book - the power one feels when one can buy a new book on one's e-reader right there in the bubbles!)
Karen
Hi Muff! I'm actually going through all the comments right now, highlighting the names of the books people recommend so when you're scanning the comments they jump out. Also ... I'm linking them Amazon to make it easy to buy. Plus I'm doing it through my Amazon affiliation so by buying a book you might even make me 50 cents or so! ~ karen!
Jo Hill
All the Light We Cannot See is a must read. I actually think I learnt many things of the time.
Jennifer
All the Light We Cannot See is the best book I've read all year, and I do not say that lightly. I kept it over my 3 week allotment from the library & had to pay a fine, but it was so worth it.
Jen
Agreed! I don't often enjoy books that are "heartfelt" but this author hit all the right notes with character development, plot, and heartfeltedness!
Jodie
I just finished Station 11. I love a good apocalypse book, and this one was pretty darn good. It involves a travelling symphony/ theatre group after the fall of civilization. I am looking forward to everyone's suggestions cause prior to the book I mentioned its been a dry year for good books for me. Thanks friends!
Liz M
I was actually going to recommend Station Eleven as well. I loved that book! I had never heard of the author (Emily St. John Mandel) before someone recommended that book to me, so after I finished Station Eleven, I requested her other books from my library. Out of those, "The Singer's Gun" was probably my favorite, although I really enjoyed "The Lola Quartet" too.
Valerie
I particularly loved All the Light We Cannot See, exciting and heartfelt. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - an encouragement to us to assume or possibly resume adventures of any type as we amble through our lives. Am currently reading a translated Swedish writer by the name of Kerstin Ekman entitled Blackwater; fascinating. Translated Scany writers I admire include Hakan Nesser, Ake Edwardson and Jo Nesbo. A saddened moment for the memory of Henning Mankell who passed a few weeks ago.
My recommendation for Karen's Readalong is by Julie Schumacher entitled Dear Committee Members (2014.) It would be available at most libraries....a wildly amusing, occasionally laugh out loud series of recommendation letters regarding students and allied personnel from a head of an English Department at a university.......it is a pick up, put down type of book - great for 10 minute or so moments of time.
Sharon B.
I just read a book I enjoyed very much called Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart. Interesting historical fiction that gives an idea of how life was in the early 1900's for women and the working poor and about a woman who overcame those obstacles. The description of the book is as follows: From the New York Times best-selling author of The Drunken Botanist comes an enthralling novel based on the forgotten true story of one of the nation's first female deputy sheriffs. Constance Kopp doesn't quite fit the mold. She towers over most men, has no interest in marriage or domestic affairs, and has been isolated from the world since a family secret sent her and her sisters into hiding fifteen years ago. One day a belligerent and powerful silk factory owner runs down their buggy, and a dispute over damages turns into a war of bricks, bullets, and threats as he unleashes his gang on their family farm. When the sheriff enlists her help in convicting the men, Constance is forced to confront her past and defend her family -- and she does it in a way that few women of 1914 would have dared.
Safetydog
I have that book waiting for me at home. My husband got it from the library for me. I don't even really know what it's about. Now I'm intrigued. Thanks!
Dagmar
Some of the books you mentioned sound intriguing to me. I love books where I can place myself in the character's spot: live being them, hear inside their mind, get taken away. Having said that, if anyone knows any autobiographies or biographies, I would love some suggestions.
Thanks everyone, especially Karen :-)
Kim
Hi Dagmar,
I recently read GHOST BOY, about a boy who was trapped inside his body but couldnt move or speak for approx 8 yrs until someone finally discovered he was in there the whole time and was completely mentally alert. It was great
Also, UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand, Angelina Jolie directed the movie based on the book recently. The book was way better.
Hope you enjoy
Madeleine Whitfield
Have you read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry? That made me want to start walking across Canada. I haven't started yet, though.
Cynthia Jones
So, did Betty take the photo... or some mystery man you are too scared to tell us about......or did you put the camera on timer, run to the couch clutching the cat to your belly and get into position......or is there a cord running from the camera under the table where the books are and somehow hidden in your hand...I know, you Photoshopped the cord ???
Nah! There must have been a mystery man there or a sister. The cat doesn't have traumatised eyes.
Oh, life, where is the mystery ?
Tina W.
Check out The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker. It's a quiet, fantastic, fantastical story of a giant woman living her life in a small town - doesn't sound good but I loved it. http://amzn.to/1My5y9U
Jody
I read that book too and quite enjoyed it.
Sera
I got in bed early to read and instead I'm trolling the Internet. Funny you should say you hated Swamplandia - I'm reading Karen Russell's book of short stories Vampires In the Lemon Grove. I lived the first two stories and was meh about the third. It took me three days to get through the 20 pages. And look. Now the baby is crying so. Reading. What's reading?
Karen
I bet the baby would love to hear one of Karen Russell's short stories. 2 birds, one stone. ~ karen!