Thank you to my friend, Lindsey Mead, for reminding me that in other years I’ve written a mid-year favorite books post. It’s hard to believe July is here, which means there’s no denying that the year is half over. Time for my favorites! HOWEVER, I’m not just focusing on favorite books for this post.
I’ve read 32 books so far this year. The few I’m highlighting today are the books I would recommend with no hesitation. I’ve liked others on my 2015 list, even liked them a lot, but these are the few I would put in your hand and say, “If you can only read a couple of books this year, then this one is worth your very very very precious reading time.”
Please let me know which books have stood out for you so far this year. You know what’s missing on my 2015 reading list? More fiction! I really do not need to read any more essay collections or memoirs this year. I’m ready to dive back into the world of the untrue. You’ll see that my 2015 list is VERY nonfiction heavy and I’m craving fiction again. (But do not send me your published novel to review. I’m way behind on that already and will say, “Thank you for asking, but I can’t. I’m sorry.”)
In the meantime, here is some nonfiction I’ve loved. I’m also recommending some great TV and movies.
BOOKS
Unabrow: Misadventures of a Late Bloomer by Una LaMarche
I absolutely loved this essay collection. I had to read it with a tissue in my hand because in many parts I would tear up from trying to hold in my laughter. (I read in bed and the laughing wakes a totally unamused Bryan.) I wrote an entire review of Unabrow for Great New Books so check that out!
I’m a huge fan of epistolary novels, and this was the first nonfiction epistolary work I’ve read that sort of came off like a novel. It was cool to have this personal glimpse into the lives of these two friends keeping in touch while one was in Kenya in the Peace Corps and one was making her way in a new apartment and new job in NYC. I also enjoyed that the letters were written around (I think) 1996, which made me nostalgic for that pre-Facebook, pre-‘e’ everything time.
The Unspeakable: And Other Subjects of Discussion by Meghan Daum
Excellent collection of essays. Daum has a way of writing somewhat formally but also with a familiar, friendly tone. It’s hard to explain, but what I mean is that she is a professional writer with a serious, solid voice, but she is also humorous and witty without slipping into the ridiculous.
TV
I did not watch or adore much TV during the school year other than Scandal and Parenthood. (I love both even though the plot on this season’s Scandal was a tad too ridiculous and not as sexy as seasons past.) This summer, however, has been TV gold.
YOUNGER: The new show Younger is based on Pam Redmond Satran’s novel and it can be 
seen, surprisingly, on TVland. I saw “surprisingly” because I didn’t know that channel existed. I watched the entire 12-episode first season via On Demand. Here’s the premise, which I’m lifting from the show’s site.
TV Land’s Newest original “Younger,” stars Tony(R) Award winner Sutton Foster (“Bunheads”) Hilary Duff (“Lizzie McGuire”), Debi Mazar (“Entourage”) and Miriam Shor (“GCB”). The single-camera project, which is written, executive produced and directed by Darren Star (“Sex and the City”), is based on the novel “Younger” by Pamela Redmond Satran. Patricia Field, who worked with Star on “Sex and the City,” will be a costume consultant on the production.
“Younger” follows 40-year-old Liza (Foster), a suddenly single mother who tries to get back into the working world, only to find out it’s nearly impossible to start at the bottom at her age. When a chance encounter with a 20-something guy at a bar convinces her she looks younger than she is, Liza tries to pass herself off as 26 — with the help of a makeover, courtesy of her best friend Maggie (Mazar). Armed with new confidence, she lands a job as an assistant to the temperamental Diana (Shor) and teams up with her new co-worker and fellow 20-something Kelsey (Duff) to make it in the career of her dreams.
ODD MOM OUT: Although I’m very very very tired of NYC as the setting in books, TV shows,
and movie, I do find the writing and everything else on Odd Mom Out, about a woman who feels out of place on the Upper East Side, refreshing, fun, and clever. This one is on Bravo and I caught up via On Demand. It’s scripted comedy, not reality TV. (I don’t do reality TV!) I especially loved the scene in this week’s episode when Jill, who does not always feel at home on the Upper East Side, realizes that Brooklyn would not be quite right either.
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK (Season 3): Yes, I’m already done. Yes, it’s wonderfully written and acted. Yes, I loved the Jewish plot line. Some people in reviewland haven’t liked this season. I thought it was nice to see Piper become more of a central side character rather than the protagonist.
MOVIE
INSIDE OUT: I never get to the movies anymore, but I did see Inside Out. It’s so good and worth every rave it has received. I also saw Cinderella, but I’m not sure it was in 2015, and I’m too lazy to Google it.
WHAT ARE YOU ENJOYING THESE DAYS IN THE WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT?
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18 Responses
As a primarily fiction addict, I need lists like yours. Unibrow looks fantastic and is now on my list. I actually read Dear Exile when it first came out (!) while working at a small book review website, the best job of my life (though being young and stupid I didn’t realize it until I had quit) and reviewed it because I absolutely loved it. I was just thinking about it recently, randomly, so funny that you mentioned it!
As far as TV I don’t watch much (alas not enough time to write, read and sleep) but I adored Broadchurch and Kimmy Schmidt and more recently, Frankie and Grace.
Top fiction of 2015 so far: The Constellation of Vital Phenomenon, Station 11, All My Puny Sorrows, the new Judy Blume In The Unlikely Event, and I just finished and loved Dept. of Speculation, but that is a very specific flavor kind of book that I happened to enjoy.
Dana recently posted..Highlights Return Trip (with a Podcast Playlist)
I’ve read a few books this year that I enjoyed- one being All the Light We Can not See. I just started watching Odd Mom Out as wel, and found it quite funny!
Jennifer recently posted..This Is What A School Lock Down Feels Like, Part Two
I LOVE Odd Mom Out. OMG love. And “epistolary” is one of my fave words! Oh we are so kindred. Here’s to more fiction for both of us. xoxo
I have had a tough fiction year too. Although I just finished Luckiest Girl Alive and NEED to talk about it with someone! As far as TV, I can’t wait to start watching Odd Mom Out. I have heard about it from so many people. My favorite tv of the year by far was Bloodlines, a Netflix original about a family in the Florida Keys. Loved it!
Stacey recently posted..Judy Blume
I did a blog campaign for Odd Mom Out, but I honestly really loved it. I watched it again on my own, when the campaign ended. It was very funny and my friends in NYC say it’s actually like that in real life! Seriously?
I’m excited about Younger – I had no idea! I loved Bunheads so anything with Sutton Foster appeals to me.
Tamara recently posted..And You Can Tell Everybody This is Your Love Post.
I am in need of fiction recommendations too. Will definitely check out your non-fiction recommendations. I love Scandal as well and I am so glad you had a chance to see Inside Out. The TV series you mentioned (Odd Mom Out and Younger) are new to me and I can’t wait to add a few shows to my queue. Thanks, Nina!
Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri recently posted..Sacred Space
I loved your review of Unabrow on Great New Books. When I’m ready to pick up a collection of essays, this will be at the top of my list.
As for fiction, I recently finished The Girl on the Train, which I liked. It was a fast read, suspenseful, the characters were well developed. Have you read The Vacationers yet? I really enjoyed it and the story is set in Spain. (A bit slow to get started, but once they get to Spain, marvelous!) I think you’d like it.
Jackie Cangro recently posted..The One With the Bard
I just watched Younger (on your recommendation) and loved it. I can’t wait to check out your other picks. 🙂
Justine recently posted..Full Hands
I already finished Orange is the New Black, too (a couple of weeks ago!) and enjoyed it, as always. And I’ve been looking for some new summer series to get into so THANKS!
Nonfiction has been my genre of choice lately, too (mostly food related books). I’m ready to sink my teeth into a good novel.
Saw Inside Out this weekend. Much sobbing ensued! (Though I believe we were set up with the ‘volcano looking for love’ short beforehand. Anyway, it was so good, I think I will have to see it again soon, and I’m glad I saw it in the theater.
I watched the Younger series as well and really liked it. I half want to write about it, as I don’t think she at all seemed 24(?), not because she didn’t look good, but b/c there was a wisdom about her, especially when she was in mom mode, and I think there’s something to that. But it was girly fun, for sure, and loved the book publishing focus.
I saw your tweet about reading fiction again. Would be curious to read about your fiction vs. nonfiction and why. But on the fiction note: Go Set a Watchman is right around the corner. I’m nervous but To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite book, so I think I have to read it, though I *may* wait. Have started Lauren Van Den Berg’s Find Me and am absolutely captivated.
One more thing: Good to hear you liked Orange. We started the first episode and it just didn’t grab me so I haven’t gone back to it. I’ll have to give it another try.
Diann recently posted..Mindful Month: Day 5 Mini Meditation on Interdependence
TV-wise I’m catching up on The Office on Netflix. Finally on season 7 of 9! Book-wise, I’m loving “No-Drama Discipline” by Tina Payne Bryson and Dan Siegel. If you’re looking for good fiction books, one that had me turning pages was “The Thirteenth Tale.”
Nina recently posted..Summer Safety Tips All Moms Need to Read
As always, you’ve brought to light some books I did not have on my radar – adding them to my to-read list!
Halfway through OITNB – agree that it’s great that Piper is not central this season.
Alison recently posted..Strawberry Flatbread with Balsamic Onions and Goat Cheese
Unfortunately I haven’t seen any movies or TV this summer. I will have to catch up on all that in August. I’ve read a lot, though. LOVED The Royal Wee, The Precious Ones and Happily Ali After (very funny).
Oh, the unibrow book looks hilarious. You’re smart to read essays since you write them! At the moment I’m writing a children’s story told from the perspective of the dog so I read (and loved!) Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain. I also read Kate Atkinson’s When Will There Be Good News? Terrific writer (and also featured a dog…) I’m watching one episode of The Good Wife almost every night (no dogs); I love having a show to look forward to after a long day.
I read and enjoyed Unspeakable – either on your recommendation or whoever reviewed it on Great New Books. Unabrow is my next nonfiction book, I think.
I’m only on episode four of OITNB – it’s hard to read and watch TV, and I’ve been binge watching too many things!
Dana recently posted..Some body to love
Thanks for these recommendations. I’m constantly trying to find books for my 82-year-old mother, who is a poet and former English major with extremely high standards for books. But at the same time, it is getting more difficult for her to read longer books. UNABROW sounds like a great fit for her. I’ll go to Great New Books and check out your review right now.
Well, on second thought, after reading your review, I’ll probably get the book for myself (although I’m a tad older than the age range you give), instead of for my Mom. She does have a very “smart” sense of humor, but her humor is more along the lines of those old British comedy type found in afternoon reruns on PBS:)
Julie Jo Severson recently posted..Up North And A Minnesota Goodbye