This year I have two books lists to tell you about!
#1. My Top Ten*
#2. My Book Club’s Favorites
MY TOP TEN
I keep track of everything I read on this page and usually offer a few sentences with my thoughts on the book. I read 50 books this year and may even squeeze in one more before December 31st. People often ask how I have time to read. I have three answers for you: 1. No TV in the bedroom. 2. No iPhone or laptop in the bedroom. 3. I stay up too late.
Here they are! (In no order)
When It Happens to You: A Novel in Stories by Molly Ringwald
This collection was really good. I loved that the stories were linked, making them come together somewhat like a novel. I’m not going to tell you that this is the most uplifting group of stories, but I appreciated Ringwald’s depth of observation about the way people interact and what goes into the choices people make. It was just a really good read.
This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett
Patchett is definitely a writer’s writer. I love this book of essays, and I was someone in my book club picked it for our group. I have a feeling that the rest of the group could be less excited about it as the first few essays focus on Patchett’s writing career. The other essays delve more into relationships, however, and I think that many would relate. I’ve always loved her clean, spare writing with just enough detail to bring you into the scene or her thought-process without boring me at all.
The Kitchen House: A Novel by Kathleen Grissom (audio)
I loved everything about this book, and it made me an audio fan.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Really loved this young adult novel. Full review is at Great New Books. Quick review: sweet, heartbreaking, funny, and uplifting. Totally fun 80s references.
Table in the Darkness: A Healing Journey Through an Eating Disorder by Lee Wolfe Blum
Powerful, raw memoir from Minneapolis writer, Lee Wolfe Blum, about her recovery from an eating disorder that almost killed her in her 20s. This is a survival story.
Orphan Train: A Novel by Christina Baker Kline (audio)
I loved this story so much that I would consider reading it even though I already heard the entire audio version.
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen (audio and read it)
Loved every word. I listened to it, too. I’m now obsessed with Anna Quindlen. Yes, I realize I’m quite late to the game.
The Rosie Project by Gramae Simsion
I really loved this one! From the book description: “The art of love is never a science: Meet Don Tillman, a brilliant yet socially inept professor of genetics, who’s decided it’s time he found a wife. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which Don approaches all things, he designs the Wife Project to find his perfect partner: a sixteen-page, scientifically valid survey to filter out the drinkers, the smokers, the late arrivers. ”
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Cannot say enough good things. I can’t even describe the plot because so much happens and it sounds like this major action book, and yet it’s not. It’s deep and winding and so well done. There are several characters to follow in this story after a terrible flu wipes out 99% of the world’s population. In so many “post-civilization” type novels the landscape of the world is wiped out, too. But in this case, all the buildings are standing and all the structures are in place, but there are few people and no governments to keep things like gas lines pumping or even TV stations running. How the bands of survivors make their way to a new life is fascinating to watch (read).
Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace by Anne Lamott
Lamott fans will be happy with the typical wisdom and candor in this one.
MY BOOK CLUB’S FAVORITE READS
The members of my book clubs are of all different ages and backgrounds, and we don’t all like the same types of books. The following list represents the books we each brought up as favorites during our holiday party. (Note the photo above with the fabulous table of treats our newest member Stacy provided as our party hostess.)
The books our my book club’s list do not necessarily represent the books we read in 2014 as a group, though next year I will keep track of that because it would fun to see it all on one list at the end of the year.
– Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
– Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
– Longbourn by Jo Baker
– Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford
– Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
– All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
– Headmaster’s Wife by Thomas Christopher Greene
– Us: a Novel by David Nicholls
– An Innocent Abroad: Life-Changing Trips from 35 Great Writers by John Berendt (and others)
– Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson
– The Circle by David Eggers
– Driftless by David Rhodes
– The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
– The Book of Unknown Americans by Christina Henriquez
– Mambo in Chinatown by Jean Kwok
– Delicious by Ruth Reichl
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE!
*Links lead to Amazon, for which I am an affiliate. It means that for every person who orders a book I recommend I may earn something like 5 cents. Thanks! 😉
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25 Responses
Thanks for sharing your list. I read THE ROSIE EFFECT recently. It comes out on the 30th. 🙂
I can’t wait! I hope it’s as good.
It’s a fun story. Some great laugh-out-loud moments. Stay tuned for a giveaway from Chick Lit Central in early January. 🙂
Melissa A recently posted..What’s NOT to love?!?
I’m reading “All the Light We Cannot See.” I’d recommend it for a book club read. Beautifully written.
I listened to that one and really liked it. It would be in my two 20, but not not 10. I think I would have liked it better as a regular book, not audio. There was only one narrator and it was hard to keep track of the changes in voice. I know it was on everyone else’s top 10 list though!
I enjoyed reading your top 10 list, Nina. Ann Patchett made my list too. I purchased The Rosie Project two days ago and cannot wait to dive in. Thanks for the recs!
Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri recently posted..On Wonder and Holidays
Can’t wait to hear what you think! Merry Christmas, Rudri! So glad we connected this year.
You’ve definitely got me interested in reading Station Eleven, even though dystopian novels usually keep me awake at night. 🙂 This one looks like it will be worth the sleepless night.
I recently listened to a history podcast about the real orphan trains. Something I’d had no prior knowledge about. The podcast only scratched the surface though and now I’d like to read more.
Jackie Cangro recently posted..The One With the Circle of Compassion
I don’t want to be the cause of you staying up too late, but I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the book!
What a great list! I am in awe of your reading capability but I realize what is hindering me, and it’s not a TV since I don’t have one in my bedroom, but my phone and computer. Some nights I write, but then there’s the whole getting lost online thing. As a former avid reader (former meaning before kids, sigh) I am making a resolution to read more this year, much much more and luckily I have a jumpstart on my list thanks to yours and the Great New Books blog 🙂
I love that you enjoyed Molly Ringwald’s stories, I think she’s such an intriguing person (I’ve read interviews) and I’m pleased to hear her writing doesn’t disappoint.
Dana recently posted..Recipe: Chocolate Mint Pretzel Bark and a Contest
I used to be a late night writer until my husband got (rightfully) tired of me ignoring him every night and me being a zombie all day. In 2014 I started getting up at 5AM five days a week. It was a HUGE adjustment but totally worth it. Now I’m completely itchy when (like in weeks like this one) I can’t get up and work because we’re away and off our regular schedule. It was the best change I ever made. I still stay up too late reading, but now “too late” is like 11PM as opposed to 2AM. 🙂
I am checking my Goodreads now to make sure I have added the Ringwald book to my “To Read” list.. definitely adding the eating disorder one. I’ve always loved stories of immigration, addiction, and eating disorders (and I’m not sure if all those belong in the same sentence but in my mind, they go together- maybe b/c they share a similar hero’s journey?). I loved Lots of Candles Plenty of Cake… My husband was reading me The Rosie Project during the end of my pregnancy when I was too uncomfortable to even find a way to read in bed and that was so much fun, especially because he’s a little socially inept himself (which is definitely something I would and have said to his face, so I’m not talking behind his back), and we laughed so hard. I am sad because our Nook died before we finished it. I also loved Big Little Lies. Mambo in Chinatown… I gave it two or three chapters but I couldn’t continue. I felt like the characters lacked any depth, I couldn’t understand their motivations and I just wasn’t interested. I’m definitely adding Station Eleven to my list, everyone is talking about it.
Pam recently posted..The Smoothie Hack That Will Change Your Life
Your husband is officially the best husband EVER. And such an interesting combination of themes that you like. I think they are somewhat related. Cool that you picked that up!
I really enjoyed Ann Patchett’s book, it was my first by her. Like you with Anna, I feel I’m late to the party. I also adored Eleanor and Park
Oh my gosh you MUST read Bel Canto!
We read may of the same books! I loved the Rosie Project and would literally laugh out loud. I read the Kitchen House but couldn’t say I enjoyed it though. Eleanor and Park’s 80s references were awesome (and I even found a playlist!: http://foreveryoungadult.com/2013/08/30/eleanor-park-mixtape/ )
Nina recently posted..Can’t Remember the Last Time You Read a Book? Start with These 26 Recommendations
Thanks for the playlist! I listened to Kitchen House. I think that was the way to go. There were two narrators. It was so well done!
wow, I just got Orphan Train for Christmas! Now I’m so excited to start it!
Tamara recently posted..I Just Can’t Quit You.
Hope you like it!
Thanks for this great list Nina! I’m also a big Anna Quindlen fan and loved Orphan Train! Looking forward to checking out some of your other suggestions in the new year!
Can you believe I really just discovered Quindlen this year? I knew about her, but had never read more than an article or two.
I adore end of year book lists, and these two have MANY I haven’t ever heard of, let alone read, which is great! So many to choose from. I still haven’t read Station Eleven, but must in 2015!
Yes! Please read it so we can discuss it!
I mostly liked the Circle by Dave Eggers, though it really did hit a little close to home re: social media. Did you read that one?
Rivki Silver recently posted..You Asked, I Answer
I haven’t read it, but I know many liked it or at least felt it gave lots of food for thought.