Ten Books I Loved This Year

 I love reading. When our neighbourhood built a community center with a library within walking distance, I shed a tear; I probably walk there two times a week. I try to always have an audiobook, for my walks, and a paper book on my night stand. Although I have read some lighter reads over the years, I really appreciate solid writing with inspiring and informative plots. You can follow me on Goodreads; I generally only read books if they have a rating over 4/5 there. Here are ten books that I really enjoyed in the past year. That said, I do love a memoir and didn't include any on this list. The last one I read was "Here After" and it's incredibly sad about the sudden loss of a spouse, if you're in the mood for immersing yourself in learning about grief. A "must read" memoir would be Educated by Tara Westover. 

*I highly recommend getting books from your public library or buying off Marketplace but if you want to buy them, I have included the Amazon links for each one--I am an affiliate so would make a small percentage*

Me in all my book attire from socks to shirt to earrings!

Okay, ten books I enjoyed this year? Here we go:

1. The Women by Kristin Hannah. No surprise here, you've probably seen it everywhere! Please know that if you like this book (about the women who served as nurses in the Vietnam War), you would really appreciate her other books like: The Nightingale, The Four Winds and The Great Alone.

2. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. This book is set in South India and follows three generations in the 1900's who had many family members die by drowning. This author also wrote "Cutting For Stone" which is one of my Book Club's favourite of all times. 

3. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. I actually listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it that way. It wasn't "amazing" but it was unique--quirky characters and it delves into the making of video games.  PS If you like quirky characters and want a lighter read, "The Rosie Project" is great!

4. The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. Historical recreation of the life of Martha Ballard who was a midwife who fought for justice by writing in her diary and keeping records. Ariel Lawhon also wrote "Code Name: Helene" which I gave a solid 4/5.

 

5. The Memory of and Elephant by Alex Lasker. I would rank this as my favourite of the ten; I loved it because I spent some formational years in Kenya and I appreciated learning more about how elephants function (fun fact: "elephant" in Swahili is "tembo"--still remember that from 20 years ago!) It covers 1962 to 2015 and follows the journey of an African elephant and his families, both elephant and human. It is incredibly well-written and for some reason was not at my public library.

6. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. I might actually say this is a "lighter" read. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 1960's and ends up as a single mother and hosts a cooking show! I love how unique she is and it make me smile.  My friend did not appreciate that one of the main characters who narrates, is a dog. If you enjoy it, I recommend watching the series on Apple TV+.

7. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. One of the main characters is an octopus in a local aquarium and it's relationship with a widow. Octopi are brilliant, and yes, I love books about animals. This is a side note, but another author I enjoyed who wrote about animals from more of a scientific perspective  is Charlotte McConaghy in Migrations (5/5) and Once There Were Wolves (5/5).

8. Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Great Things by Adam Grant. I love some good non-fiction. Adam writes about how we can grow and succeed based on building character. As a teacher, I really appreciated this book as everyone comes to the classroom with a different mindset, approach and goals but growing in character to help realize and meet our goals is good for all.  If you don't follow Adam Grant on Instagram or listen to his podcast, "Work Life/ Adam Grant", I highly recommend it!

9. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. This is a heavy story in which Kingsolver uses Charles Dickens' "David Copperfield" as inspiration. Set in southern Appalachia, it is about a boy raised by a single mom in poverty dealing with foster care, child labour and addiction. There is one set back and struggle after another throughout the whole book. You may know Barbara Kingsolver from "The Poisonwood Bible" which I should probably read again.

10. West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. I gave this one a 5/5 because it was such a unique plot based on a true story of two giraffes in the Depression era and their wildly unique journey and adventure. I never would've chosen this book to read but it was a Book Club book--love being part of one (or two).

As I am a teacher and have some time off this summer, and have a library close by, please let me know all your book recommendations (but please not Colleen Hoover, I know, unpopular opinion, it's not a style of writing I love).

Love, 
Louise