Thank you to my friend Lindsey Mead for reminding me it’s time for my midyear favorite books post. (My possession of a calendar did not seem to do the trick.) So far my 2016 reading list has been heavy on the nonfiction picks, which means this midyear favorites post has more nonfiction than usual. I’m focusing more on fiction for the last half of 2016 by the way, including rereading some old favorites like Eleanor & Park, a 2014 favorite.
Let’s talk about this year’s favorite books now and get to the podcasts later.
THE BOOKS I’VE ENJOYED MOST THIS YEAR (In the order I read them)
The Hired Girl
by Laura Amy Schlitz
I loved the setting of 1911 Baltimore. There were things about the main character that made me want to scream, but she is supposed to be young and naive, so I suppose my irritation made her character all the more “real.” I adored the story and details of a Jewish family in that moment in history and of a Catholic teenager making her way in a city for the first time.
The Self-Care Solution: A Modern Mother’s Essential Guide to Health and Well-Being
by Julie Burton
Julie is my very close friend and my business partner in the Twin Cities Writing Studio. To say I loved reading her book is an understatement. When you read this book full of grounded, practical advice with a guiding, loving tone, you will wish Julie was your friend. I get to say that she is!
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
This book is deserving of every bit of praise you’ve heard everywhere this year. An incredible story about marriage, work, health, grief, and so much more. Beautifully written–every bit of it.
The Beautiful Possible: A Novel by Amy Gottlieb
I was exhausted from staying up too late reading this fantastic novel. It also happens to be kind of racy, in a literary way. I will never think of turmeric the same way. Wowzers. Interesting theory (by one of the characters) that it takes three to make a marriage work. “A man and a woman and a living spark that keeps all the desire in motion.” There were shades of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Love in the Time of Cholera as well.
Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker
A book of essays in the form of letters to various men. I’m not doing the book justice with that description. It was astute and all around excellent. I skimmed some of the letters, but the ones I savored made this whole book worthwhile.
For another fun book post, check out my ten favorite books about friendship, which includes some other great books I read in 2016.
THE PODCASTS I’M ENJOYING MOST RIGHT NOW
(If you need help figuring out HOW to listen to podcasts, follow the directions in this post.)
#AmWriting with Jess & KJ
If you’re someone who writes and submits work, this podcast is for you. I love Jess and KJ’s practical advice, their thoughts on good writing, and their general banter. They never disappoint.
Judaism Unbound
If you’re interested in a deep analysis of what is working in the Jewish community (and what is not working), then you’ll enjoy the smart conversations between Dan Libenson and Lex Rofes and their well-chosen guests.
Modern Love
The Modern Love podcast is short and so well produced. It’s a great listen for good writing and for entertaining relationship discussions.
Unorthodox
Unorthodox from Tablet Magazine is the one podcast I listen to on the day it comes out (Thursdays). I’ve heard every episode and wouldn’t dream of missing one. I love everything about it!
What Should I Read Next?
This podcast by Anne Bogel of the Modern Mrs. Darcy blog is new for me. I’ve only heard a few episodes and I like it so far.
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO AND READING THESE DAYS?
*Books links are affiliate links to Amazon, meaning I might earn a few pennies if you order a book on my recommendation.
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12 Responses
I hadn’t heard of Dear. Mr. You. I love Mary Louise Parker — can’t wait to check it out (if I ever move past page 78 of the current book I am “reading”). Thanks for the recommendations!
I love Julie’s book and Modern Love is one of my favorites – never listened to the podcast so this might have to be my new thing…
Thanks, as always, for your great recommendations!
Mary-Louise Parker? Really? I’m intrigued.
I’ve heard of Modern Love, and I really want to read Julie Burton’s book. Like yesterday!
I adore Dear Mr. You! It made my EOY list of faves, too:). Exquisite writing.
I haven’t even heard of The Beautiful Possible but it sounds like just my cup of tea! And I’d been on the fence about the Mary-Louise Parker, but you’re right, you can always pick and choose which part of an essay collection speaks to you and leave the rest – maybe I’ll check it out.
I love this post. Agreed entirely on the Kalanithi and Dr. Mr. You. I need to step up my podcast game. I’m listening to On Being when I run but otherwise don’t ever listen to things. When do you listen? When driving? xox
The Beautiful Possible looks interesting; I’m going to check that one out. Thanks for the rec!
Annie Neugebauer recently posted..Have You Been Converted to Audiobooks Yet?
I loved The Hired Girl too. I can’t stop recommending Becoming Wise – and it’s a book AND a podcast, so there you go!
I’ll have to check out the #AmWriting podcast. I haven’t listened to that one yet. I’ve been enjoying 99% Invisible. The description of the podcast in the show notes isn’t very intriguing, but the narrative storytelling format is terrific.
I don’t know how I missed this! I love reading lists like this (and love writing them, too). I’m a year-plus behind on reading – am just now getting to Judy Blume’s In the Unlikely Event and am enjoying it (as much as you can a book about plane crashes), but not as much as I did my last two reads, Eligible and Where’d You Go, Bernadette. #amwriting is my one of my favorite new podcasts, along with Keepin’ It 1600 (election horse-race talk) and The West Wing Weekly.
I read Julie’s book based on an earlier post you did and really enjoyed it. Even gave her a nice GoodReads review! 🙂 Love these recommendations.
Ooh, The Beautiful Impossible looks intriguing to me. And I’m not listening to any podcasts right now (just an audiobook) so I’m going to check out the writing one. Thanks Nina!