In 2018, one of my goals was to read 40 books for the year. I am halfway to that mark right now!
11. Exit West, by Mohsin Hamid (a book on Obama’s reading list) - A novel about two young people who fall in love in an unnamed country being split apart by civil war. They flee to Greece, then to England, then to the U.S It is beautiful, provocative look at what it means to be a refugee.
12. The Book of Joy, by the Delai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Abrams (a book that is like free therapy) - This book is the culmination between a week-long interview and collaboration between the Delai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. These men are from different religious traditions but have much in common about the ingredients needed for a joyful life - perspective, acceptance, compassion, forgiveness, gratitude, generosity, humility, and humor. I felt like I was getting a free therapy session! Highly recommended!
13. This Is How It Always Is, by Laurie Frankel (a book about a transgender child) - This is a novel about a family with a transgender child. I had never read anything from this perspective before - and learning more about the kinds of decisions such families have to make was very eye-opening. More than anything, though, it’s a really good novel about domestic life.
14. The Woman in the Window, by A.J. Finn (a psychological thriller) - This is a psychological thriller in the same realm as “Gone Girl” or “Girl on the Train” - tons of twists and turns, and nothing is as it seems. Really fun page turner!
15. On Living, by Kerry Egan (a book for church book group) - What a beautiful book!! Our church is doing a book study on this book this month - but I think anyone, of any faith or non-faith background, would love it. The author is a hospice chaplain and the book is a collection of essays on encounters with her patients. A fast read and really uplifting.
16. Forever..., by Judy Blume (a book due a research study) - Annika and I took part in a research study where we each have to read this book, and then come back and discuss. I read the book in one sitting tonight. It’s a YA novel about young love - and sex. Some fairly explicit descriptions of sex. I was worried that it would be uncomfortable, but our research study discussion was amazing!
17. An American Marriage, by Tayari Jones (an Oprah’s book club selection) - What a powerful book. The story focuses on a black couple who have been married about a year, when the husband is falsely accused of rape and sent to prison. The book focuses on the aftermath to him and his wife. Sad but very good.
18. Force of Nature, by Jane Harper (a mystery set in Australia) - This is a mystery novel set in Australia, and is a sequel to the novel “The Dry.” Its premise is about a group of women who go on a corporate retreat, and one woman goes missing. I thought it was well-written but a little slow and hard to get engaged with for a while. But I enjoyed reading the book.
19. Every Note Played, by Lisa Genova (a novel about ALS) - This novel is by the author of “Still Alice,” and focuses on a concert pianist in his 40s who develops ALS. The book also focuses on his relationship with his ex-wife age daughter, who are ultimately involved in his care. This book cemented that ALS is an absolutely devastating, swift, and cruel disease.
20. Lincoln in the Bardo, by George Saunders (a novel for book club) - What an odd book. I feel like I am not smart enough to fully appreciate it. The story centers around the death of Willie Lincoln (President Lincoln's beloved son) and his entrance into the "bardo," a place between life and death. I really liked the element of the novel that showed how inaccuracies and misinformation can be entered into history, but feel like I missed its larger point.
What good (or bad) books have you read recently??
