Books to Read (and Listen to) Now
I'll get this out of the way; we had another weird year. I still managed to read 100 books, and out of those 100, I had a few 5-star reads I'd like to share. Here are some books that have stuck with me long after closing them. You should give them a shot if you are in the market.
Fiction
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriek Barery
If you are an artist, thinker, a lover of well-crafted books, you will love this one. One of the main characters is a 12-year-old with suicidal thoughts, which somehow makes it humorous.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaimen
This is the first Neil Gaimen book I've read, and I struggle to describe it. It's magical, transporting, nostalgic, and dreamy (also references suicide).
Passing by Nella Larsen
Published in 1929, it's the story of two black women who were childhood friends. One is light-skinned enough to pass as white. Like The Vanishing Half, it confronts the complications of hiding your real identity made worse because the passing woman is married to a racist. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty
I was so surprised by this book! It's a novel based on the life of Louise Brooks and the woman tasked to chaperone her while she attended dance school in New York City. The character evolution was fascinating. It sent me down a Louise Brooks rabbit hole.
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa
I was reluctant to read a book about a math professor and the housekeeper who cared for him. I am not keen on numbers. There are long explanations about how beautiful numbers are, and it completely changed my thinks about math people.
The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray
They aren't kidding when they say this is an epic saga. Three stories occur in three different time periods that all center around Chateau Lafayette. The author did a superb job moving the story through time without being confusing or challenging to get reoriented.
Non-Fiction
Rude: Stop Being Nice and Start Being Bold by Rebecca Reid
I'm from the generation of women who were told that being nice was the most important thing. It can also be crippling. For anyone tired of accepting what people are willing to give us (bad haircuts, bad food, poor pay, etc.) and want to finally get what you ask for and what you deserve, this book is for you.
Home Cooking: A Writer in the Kitchen by Laurie Colwin
I love any book that has to do with food and how people navigate nourishing the people around them. I'm always kind of jealous about how they always seem to have a full table of friends. Awe, those pre-pandemic days.
Who's in Your Room: The Secret to Creating Your Best Life by Ivan R. Misner, Stewart Emery, Rick Sapio
This book was life-changing and an excellent companion to the Rude book above. The people you let into your life, your room, can never leave. Their effect on you is permanent, so be very careful who you let into your room.
The Best Audio Books
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré
The story is fantastic, but the narration by Adjoa Andoh deserves an Oscar. Download it and get ready to cheer.
Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, and Advice for Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong
Ali Wong is hilarious and raunchy, but the best bit is the afterword by her husband. You'll need tissues.
Our Time is Now: Power. Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America by Stacy Abrams
If you are as worried about the survival of democracy as I am, you need to listen to this. If you aren't that worried, you will be. Stacy Abrams is a clear, urgent voice and leaves us with actionable items and some hope.
What did you read last year that stood out?
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