I read a lot this year. A good book was my go-to for comfort, for entertainment, for knowledge. And, if I didn’t like it – well, I gave it a good go, and then left it. My heart knew what it needed whether the format was memoir, fiction, dharma, or non-fiction science and analysis. That’s a variety! But they all had hope and kindness – and usually the unexpected – in common, which fed and sustained me, sometimes reading curled up under a blanket to all hours of the night! I keep track of my readings with a star-ranking and a one or two line review (so I can remember!). And best thing is, these are ALL available through our local library! Here’s my favorites, four-stars list….
NONFICTION
The Dream of the Earth by Thomas Berry. Should be required reading on how to save our world. Everything is there, and it was written in the late 80s. It shares a paradigm shift. A dense read. Brilliant. Hopeful and discouraging.
Syllabus: Notes from an Accidental Professor by Lynda Barry. Incredible creativity, out of the box thinking, detail and juicy delight in prep, assignments, teaching. Inspiring and useful.
The Future We Choose: The Stubborn Optimists Guide to the Climate Crisis by Christina Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carane. Another “should be required reading” for the world. The actionable section especially helpful.
The Art of Voice: Poetic Principles and Practices by Tony Hoagland with Kay Cosgrove. Published posthumously, it is a rare approach to have a very readable and engaging writing and comparative literature guide. I love Hoagland’s poems, did not know him as a teacher. Lots of exercises to work with. Plus, a fabulous selection of poems as examples.
Alive Until You’re Dead: Notes on the Home Stretch by Susan Moon. Helpful and relatable essays on the aging and death journey from a Soto Zen practitioner.
FICTION
The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín. Gripping, strong and unexpected with beautifully simple writing. A character study in common pain and reality. A twist on the traditional telling.
How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz. Wonderful pop fiction richly depicts New York City’s Little Dominican Republic neighborhood. Heart-warming and very real, with a (spoiler alert) satisfyingly happy ending.
A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke. Station Eleven meets A Gentleman in Moscow meets Wizard of Oz meets Arabian Nights. A fable of discovery with a plucky heroine and unexpected twists and turns. Couldn’t put it down.
The Stockholm Octavo by Karen Englemann. Excellent writing in a complicated tale of historical fiction (1791 Sweden) including suspense, political intrigue and manners of the day, plus the rare use of illustration to good effect.
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason. The perfect pop fiction comfort read – depth, family relationships, mental illness – and humor. I loved it, read it straight through, pretty much.
Caption: My scribbly lists… I really enjoy keeping track…