Hold on a second. I absolutely cannot relax in unnatural fibres. Hold on.
long pauseeeeeeeeeeeeee
O.K. I just changed my sweater. Holy crap, I haven't worn acrylic since 1982. I think it's quite possible the sun is made entirely out of acrylic. If I'm hot I can't relax, and if I can't relax I can't write. Writing's not unlike pooping. Any little thing can throw you right off. And today, I'm writing about reading, so if I were hot I might get irritated and confused and read about writing which would leave you folks with a blank post. Although after rereading my first few sentences here, reading a couple of chapters on how to write might not do me any harm.
My mother tells me I could read by the age of 4. I've been reading everything that's got in my way ever since. (except chicken banning by-laws) There are very few things in life that give me as much pleasure as a night table filled with a stack of books waiting to be read. Conversely, nothing gets me more anxious and agitated than nearing the end of a book with no remaining stack in sight. (except maybe an acrylic sweater)
The way some of you are always in a fit over what to have for dinner, I'm always in a fit over what to read. So ... I figured you too might be in need of some book inspiration. So I have for you today a list of my 5 favourite books from the past year and 5 books I'm looking forward to reading this year.
I've included synopses from either the Chapters or Amazon online site so you get a basic idea of what the book is about. Plagiarism in a post about reading and writing, is my gift to you.
Last Year
Table of Contents
Blood, Bones and Butter (non-fiction)
The Inadvertant Education of a Reluctant Chef
Before Gabrielle Hamilton opened her acclaimed New York restaurant Prune, she spent twenty hard-living years trying to find purpose and meaning in her life. Blood, Bones & Butter follows an unconventional journey through the many kitchens Hamilton has inhabited through the years: the rural kitchen of her childhood, where her adored mother stood over the six-burner with an oily wooden spoon in hand; the kitchens of France, Greece, and Turkey, where she was often fed by complete strangers and learned the essence of hospitality; Hamilton’s own kitchen at Prune, with its many unexpected challenges; and the kitchen of her Italian mother-in-law, who serves as the link between Hamilton’s idyllic past and her own future family—the result of a prickly marriage that nonetheless yields lasting dividends. By turns epic and intimate, Gabrielle Hamilton’s story is told with uncommon honesty, grit, humor, and passion.
synopsis from chapters.ca
The Help
by Kathryn Stockett
Aibileen is a black maid in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, who''s always taken orders quietly, but lately she''s unable to hold her bitterness back. Her friend Minny has never held her tongue but now must somehow keep secrets about her employer that leave her speechless. White socialite Skeeter just graduated college. She''s full of ambition, but without a husband, she''s considered a failure. Together, these seemingly different women join together to write a tell-all book about work as a black maid in the South, that could forever alter their destinies and the life of a small town...
synopsis from chapters.ca
Boy's Life
by Robert McCammon
Robert McCammon delivers "a tour de force of storytelling" (BookPage) in his award-winning masterpiece, a novel of Southern boyhood, growing up in the 1960s, that reaches far beyond that evocative landscape to touch readers universally.
Boy's Life is a richly imagined, spellbinding portrait of the magical worldview of the young -- and of innocence lost.
Zephyr, Alabama, is an idyllic hometown for eleven-year-old Cory Mackenson -- a place where monsters swim the river deep and friends are forever. Then, one cold spring morning, Cory and his father witness a car plunge into a lake -- and a desperate rescue attempt brings his father face-to-face with a terrible, haunting vision of death. As Cory struggles to understand his father's pain, his eyes are slowly opened to the forces of good and evil that surround him. From an ancient mystic who can hear the dead and bewitch the living, to a violent clan of moonshiners, Cory must confront the secrets that hide in the shadows of his hometown -- for his father's sanity and his own life hang in the balance....
synopsis from amazon.com
The Lacuna
by Barbra Kingsolver
In her most accomplished novel, Barbara Kingsolver takes us on an epic journey from the Mexico City of artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo to the America of Pearl Harbor, FDR, and J. Edgar Hoover. The Lacuna is a poignant story of a man pulled between two nations as they invent their modern identities.
Born in the United States, reared in a series of provisional households in Mexico—from a coastal island jungle to 1930s Mexico City—Harrison Shepherd finds precarious shelter but no sense of home on his thrilling odyssey. Life is whatever he learns from housekeepers who put him to work in the kitchen, errands he runs in the streets, and one fateful day, by mixing plaster for famed Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. He discovers a passion for Aztec history and meets the exotic, imperious artist Frida Kahlo, who will become his lifelong friend. When he goes to work for Lev Trotsky, an exiled political leader fighting for his life, Shepherd inadvertently casts his lot with art and revolution, newspaper headlines and howling gossip, and a risk of terrible violence.
Meanwhile, to the north, the United States will soon be caught up in the internationalist goodwill of World War II. There in the land of his birth, Shepherd believes he might remake himself in America's hopeful image and claim a voice of his own. He finds support from an unlikely kindred soul, his stenographer, Mrs. Brown, who will be far more valuable to her employer than he could ever know. Through darkening years, political winds continue to toss him between north and south in a plot that turns many times on the unspeakable breach—the lacuna—between truth and public presumption.
With deeply compelling characters, a vivid sense of place, and a clear grasp of how history and public opinion can shape a life, Barbara Kingsolver has created an unforgettable portrait of the artist—and of art itself. The Lacuna is a rich and daring work of literature, establishing its author as one of the most provocative and important of her time.
New York
by Edward Rutherfurd
Edward Rutherfurd celebrates America’s greatest city in a rich, engrossing saga, weaving together tales of families rich and poor, native-born and immigrant—a cast of fictional and true characters whose fates rise and fall and rise again with the city’s fortunes. From this intimate perspective we see New York’s humble beginnings as a tiny Indian fishing village, the arrival of Dutch and British merchants, the Revolutionary War, the emergence of the city as a great trading and financial center, the convulsions of the Civil War, the excesses of the Gilded Age, the explosion of immigration in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the trials of World War II, the near demise of New York in the 1970s and its roaring rebirth in the 1990s, and the attack on the World Trade Center. A stirring mix of battle, romance, family struggles, and personal triumphs, New York: The Novel gloriously captures the search for freedom and opportunity at the heart of our nation’s history.
Synopsis from amazon.com
This Year
Steve Jobs Bio
by Walter Isaacson
Based on more than forty interviews with Jobs conducted over two years—as well as interviews with more than a hundred family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues—Walter Isaacson has written a riveting story of the roller-coaster life and searingly intense personality of a creative entrepreneur whose passion for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing.
At a time when America is seeking ways to sustain its innovative edge, and when societies around the world are trying to build digital-age economies, Jobs stands as the ultimate icon of inventiveness and applied imagination. He knew that the best way to create value in the twenty-first century was to connect creativity with technology. He built a company where leaps of the imagination were combined with remarkable feats of engineering.
Although Jobs cooperated with this book, he asked for no control over what was written nor even the right to read it before it was published. He put nothing off-limits. He encouraged the people he knew to speak honestly. And Jobs speaks candidly, sometimes brutally so, about the people he worked with and competed against. His friends, foes, and colleagues provide an unvarnished view of the passions, perfectionism, obsessions, artistry, devilry, and compulsion for control that shaped his approach to business and the innovative products that resulted.
Driven by demons, Jobs could drive those around him to fury and despair. But his personality and products were interrelated, just as Apple’s hardware and software tended to be, as if part of an integrated system. His tale is instructive and cautionary, filled with lessons about innovation, character, leadership, and values.
synopsis by amazon.com
The Book Thief
by Marcus Zusak
It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .
Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.
This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.
synopsis from amazon.com
Little House on the Prairie collection
by ... seriously? Well O.k. ... if you really don't know ... Laura Ingalls Wilder
Set during the pioneer days of the late 1800s and early 1900s, Laura Ingalls Wilder's books chronicle her life growing up on the Western frontier. For the first time in the history of the Little House books, these new editions feature Garth Williams' interior art in vibrant, full color. Come along for the adventure with this collector's set of the first fiveLittle House books.
synopsis from amazon.com
The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.
synopsis from amazon.com
The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern
In this mesmerizing debut, a competition between two magicians becomes a star-crossed love story.
The circus arrives at night, without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within nocturnal black and white striped tents awaits a unique experience, a feast for the senses, where one can get lost in a maze of clouds, meander through a lush garden made of ice, stand awestruck as a tattooed contortionist folds herself into a small glass box, and gaze in wonderment at an illusionist performing impossible feats of magic.
Welcome to Le Cirque des Rêves. Beyond the smoke and mirrors, however, a fierce competition is underway - a contest between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood to compete in "a game," in which each must use their powers of illusion to best the other. Unbeknownst to them, this game is a duel to the death, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will.
synopsis from chapters.ca
If I'm being totally honest with you, 2011 wasn't a good year for me and books. I started a few I couldn't finish. Books I thought I'd love, but clearly didn't. Books by Ian McEwan, Jonathan Franzen, and old favourites like John Irving. I'll try them again later. Except maybe the Jonathan Franzen. I always give a book a second chance. Except maybe Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. Years ago, I tried to read Lonesome Dove. A few times. I hated that book. I hated it the first 5 or 6 times I picked it up. I always got to the same point in Chapter 1 and gave up. This went on for years. Then one day ... I was in the right mood. The right frame of mind for that particular book. That book, that struggle of a book, became my favourite book of all time.
O.K. folks. Your turn. What's your favourite book from last year? You can lie to me if you want and just say your favourite book in general 'cause there's no way I'll ever know that you didn't read it last year. If I ever find out though, I'll forever think of you as a liar and banish you to the depths of hell. Wrapped in acrylic. While reading Freedom by Jonathan Franzen.
Michelle in Htown
Last year I reread "To Kill a Mockingbird." A great story and just so darned well-written.
I am on book 2 of the "Hunger Games" trilogy and could.not.put.down the first one. It was like a drug!
Please read: "The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival." It is a small book, a quick read and an absolutely hilarious look at rural Louisiana. I can almost promise, based on your blog's voice, that you will love it.
Cheers from Houston, where' it's 78 degrees today. What's that about? (Rhetorically spoken)
Karen
Michelle in Htown - 78?? Really?? I'll make a note of the rabbit book! Thx! ~ karen
Jeannine
There are sooooo many listed here that are great reads, and I love that so many categories are represented. I'd like to put in a mention for "The Coral Thief" by Rebecca Stott. This is a beautifully written novel that takes you to 1815 Paris where the world is on the cusp of change in so many ways. Napoleon has just been sent to his final exile and on the fringes of science and art and politics a panoply of mysterious characters draw you into a fascinating plot. And now I must go to Amazon....
Karen
Jeannine - I had to look up panoply. It means an impressive array. ~ karen
Laura Bee
And I now have a panoply of books to hunt down & devour one by one. Thanks Karen, great post!
Heather
Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson. I reread it every few years.
julie
"Half-Broke Horses" was great. I'm totally with you-- I HATED 'Freedom,' and regret that I took the time to finish it! Life is short; put down books that suck!
Caroline
Karen, try The Glass Castle, A Memoir by Jeanette Walls. Very good.
Karen
Caroline - I read it when it first came out! Great book. ~ karen
REBECCA
RE THAT BOOK WAS AWESOME.
Bev
Am loving all these lists of great books! I have signed on for a number of book challenges for this year and looking forward to lots of reading this year.
My favourites were:
The Thirteenth Tale
The Gamache series - I read "Bury Your Dead" first as it was the One Book One Community" book last year for Waterloo. So enjoyed it that I had to read her next one - "A Trick of the Light". Loved it. Then found out she had 5 other books in the series! Now I am catching up.
Still Alice
Potato Peel/Literary Society - absolutely loved it!
I've already read "Sarah's Key" this year (stunning - couldn't put it down)and another by her "Secret Kept" and "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks".
I need to finish "The Help" and want to read Steve Jobs' bio. next.
Sandy
I read a ton too, but two of my all-time favorites are "Stones From the River" by Urula Hege and "A Thousand Splendid Suns". Both are outstanding!!!
Love, love, love your blog!!! I'm always calling my sister at work and reading your posts to her.
Karen
Sandy - Thanks! Tell your sister to read the site herself for the love of God. And yup. Read both those books. Loved em. ~ karen
Sandy
I DO tell her to read it herself, everytime I read it TO her. But she really is a Little House on the Prairie type. As in, she doesn't "go on the internet" at home cuz she's busy canning or gardening or making wine, etc.
Also, forgot to say before. I trudged through "Freedom" and hated every minute of it. It's the first book I've ever considered throwing in the trash!
Karen
Sandy - Happy to know I'm not the only one! I have a feeling a lot more people hated it than us ... they're just too afraid to say so out loud, LOL. ~ karen
Pat
Yes, I agree about your comment about the foot binding. Why is it something so horrific can be so fascinating. I think because it is so beyond our scope of experience. I just read a book called "The Binding Chair" that has a heart wrenching description of the initial binding experience. The rest of the book is okay, including descriptions of the purpose served by those feet (yikes).... but not a high recommendation.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is another great Lisa See book and not as sad as Peony In Love. I am not a short story lover but just read some wonderful short stories by Johanna Skibsrud, This Will Be Difficult to Explain. I think Diane Schomperlen's forms of devotion, short stories would appeal to you because the stories are quite quirky and a bit bizarre.....right up your alley. My neighbour thought they were weird!
Karen
Pat - I read Snow flower and the Secret Fan. Loved it! ~k
Kelly
What a fabulous list for all us readers. You must put on Prodigal Summer, by Barbara Kingsolver. I think it is her best, and Half Broke Horses by Wallis. Of course The Help. It is great to reflect on the good ones, but frustrating that nothing has been meeting that lately. Hopefully this list will help.
Wendy @HerBallistic Garden
Aaaah! Books! I'm actually having a problem right now even writing a blog because I'm engrossed in "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin...it's a series of 4 books that are from 700 to 1,000 pages each and I'm now on book 4. It's one of the BEST books I've ever read, better than the Hunger Games, on a par with Diana Gabaldon's series! I'm not kidding...think my hubby's getting upset...he thought my blogging made me oblivious of him...hahaha...now I'm oblivious of my blogging! But, he's reading it too on his kindle! Sorry, I know it was supposed to be a last year's book...but I think you needed to know this! xo
Nancy
Good for you!
I just completed the Hunger Games trilogy - FANTASTIC!
MY husband and two children have read them as well, so when the movie comes out in March, we're all skipping school and work to check our the flick!
Currently, I'm reading Pillars of the Earth and I can't put it down!
Laura Bee
Waiting on my bookcase are John Irving's "A Widow for One Year" & "Last Night in Twisted River". I just started "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" by Kim Edwards. Just finished "PUSH" by Sapphire & before that Roddy Doyle's "The Van" (Brilliant & my hubby wants a chip truck too, so even better! Trying to get him to read it now) & "The Cure for Death by Lightning" by Gail Angerson-Dargatz (A Recipe for Bees is very good as well)
I was on mat leave last year. In that year I read the last four Janet Evanovich's, and a lot of Dr Seuss. Ok, I still love "There's a Wocket in My Pocket" & I can't wait to pull my "Little House" books out for her when she's bigger, but I'm glad I've found the time to get back to my stack! During my pregnancy I read a half dozen Margaret Atwood's that I tried to read in my 20's. It's always good to give a book another try :)
Whitney
The Help was the last book I read last year. It took everything I had in me not to throw things at the TV when I watched the movie afterwards...
Laurie
One of my favorites was Pillars of the Earth. World Without End, the sequal,came out years later and it's great too.
Shauna
Ooh, many of these sound great. I also read The Help and loved it. Just started reading The Hunger Games with no idea going into it exactly what it was about (just recommended to me and I have to read a book before the movie comes out). Anyway, it's a total page turner. Totally disturbing and weird and great all at the same time. You'll love it!
Liz
Here are my favorites:
City of Thieves - David Benioff
East of Eden - John Steinbeck
Devil in the White City - Erik Larson
gloria
Best of all time for me, besides To Kill A Mockingbird and Lonesome Dove is the trilogy about Morris Bird III by Don Robertson: The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread, The Sum and Total of Now, The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened.
Elle
I love "The Help"! such a feel-good book! I bought copies of the book as gifts to my best friends last year.
I'm currently reading about Scandinavians (mostly) getting murdered.
Going through all of Jo Nesbo'd Harry Hole books and Henning Mankel's Inspector Wallander series. In totall there are 18 books combined in both series of which I have already read 6.
Today I ordered me some books from The Bookdepository.com (love that store!) including the latest Maisie Dobbs book by Winspear: "A lesson in secrtes".
(can you tell I mainly read detective stories?)
Dawn
I too love reading, my stand out books of last year were:
World War Z - tale of a zombie apocapalyse, written in the form of interviews with different survivors - excellent!
Snuff - any Terry Pratchett book always makes me happy.
Wuthering Heights - part of my 'catch up on the classics' series. I quite liked it despite expecting not to.
Guilty pleasure 1: the Twilight series - I know, I know, it was like regressing into teenage angst, but they were great (and it's all my best friends fault for buying me the first one and forcing me to read it ;D ).
Guilty pleasure 2: the Southern Vampire series (1-11). Also said friends fault!
I love the sound of Hunger Games, that's going on my 'want' list.
Meanwhile, the book I can never get through is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - it's utter tripe. I'll finish it one day though - I'm stubborn like that :D
gloria
Holy crow, I knew I couldn't do this from memory. Had to look at my file of books read.
Found these gems that Blew. Me. Away.
Little Bee by Cleave
Some Flower in My Heart (can't remember author)
Half-broke Horse by Wells
Anything by Donald E. Westlake for lots of laughs.