I love keeping track of the books I’m reading, which I do on a regular basis on an area of my site I call “pithy reviews.” I’ve been keeping track since 2011. I started that section of my site because when people asked me for book recommendations I could never remember what I had recently read. Perhaps that’s cause for concern?
I’m on book #25 so far for 2017, but my top five are listed below. My friend Lindsey Mead also keeps tracks of what she’s reading, and I believe she reads even more than I do. Her favorites of the year so far are up on her site, too.
MY TOP FIVE READS SO FAR OF 2017
Textbook by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
A strange and wonderful memoir by a unique, wonderful writer who sadly died on March 13th, 2017 at the age of 51. This is one you can read in 40 minutes. You have to appreciate Rosenthal’s different approach to writing, which I 100% do. My full review is at Great New Books.
Thrill Me: Essays on Fiction
by Benjamin Percy
I loved Benjamin Percy’s writing advice and the voice with which he told it. I mean the voice on the page, but his voice in person is also incredible. I saw him during a Literary Death Match in Minneapolis a few years ago. Google him and look for any audio of him reading his work. Incredible!
The Widow of Wall Street: A Novel by Randy Susan Meyers
I read this one quickly and really loved the storytelling. Now I feel compelled to go back and poke around the Madoff story again (which this novel is based on). My full review is the new recommendation at Great New Books this week.
Theft by Finding: Diaries (1977-2002)
by David Sedaris
I did this one on audio because HELLO it’s Sedaris reading his own work, which is how Sedaris is best appreciated. It’s a bit slow at first, but I quickly grew to love it as much as his regular essays. It’s very cool to observe his voice forming over the years into what we super-fans know so well now. I do think you have to already be a Sedaris fan to want to hear his diary entries.
The Handmaid’s Tale
by Margaret Atwood
I first read The Handmaid’s Tale while battling food poisoning in a gross hotel in Bolivia in 1998. I’m obsessed with the Hulu version and after the ten episodes I was missing June and wanted to reread the original. Praise be, it was just as good as I remember. (If you’re a Handmaid’s Tale fan, you get that wording!) I might have even liked the show version better, which is rarely the case.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP READS SO FAR THIS YEAR?
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11 Responses
I need to re-read the Handmaid’s Tale. And the Widow of Wall Street just jumped to the top of my list! xox
I love your book reviews, Nina. Putting Widow of Wall Street on my list too. Thanks!
I’m reading “Thrill Me” now and it is terrific. (recommended by a DC writing workshop teacher.)
But the best book of my year has been “Waking Giants” by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen. Beautifully written, in a genre of its own – mystery/family/thriller/moral dilemma set in Israel. Highly recommend!
I do want to read Textbook, and I read your review of Widow of Wall Street. Sounds good! I’m going to add on a “favorites so far” to my next book review post. It’s smart to look back now while I remember many books; by December I’ve forgotten too many!
I need to get on the Handmaid’s Tale bandwagon, STAT. I think I’ll start with the show though. I’ve already have too many books going at the moment! But happy to see I’ve read two of your 5 here, and totally agree (Thrill Me and Textbook).
I want to read Textbook, but I’m scared. I’ve been anxious lately and Amy’s story is so sad. My recent favorite read was a historical fiction, Victoria by Daisy Goodwin.
You’re a trendsetter (at least in my mind!) I read Text Book per your rec (LOVED!). Same thing with Widow of Wall St. I’m currently listening to Theft by Finding. I just started it.
Meanwhile, lately, I’ve also LOVED All the Ugly, Wonderful Things and Ellen Foster
I love seeing the books you enjoy. Your recommendation may drive me back to try Sedaris again–umm. Parts of Jodi Picot’s Small Great Things angered me; others made me cringe in shame, but I’m I’m recommending it to everyone. Other good reads: No Man’s Land (Tolkien)-an excellent story where multi-faceted characters drive the plot; Mourner’s Bench (Sanderia Faye); and for spy-thrilling reads try Jason Matthews’s Red Sparrow and Palace of Treason.
I know not everyone loved the diaries. Normally I toss a book soon after the first 20 pages if I’m not into it, I just felt it had to get better and it did. Helped that I did the audio. Thanks for the other recs!
I loved the Handmaid’s Tale — a book club choice a few years ago. I think the screen version looks very addictive!
My favorite books so far: The Women in the Castle, Mischling, The Sport of Kings.
I’m sort of antsy until season two of Handmaid’s Tale arrives.