Ah, Lore! I love a reading list! Thanks for these suggestions. I’m so sad we didn’t discuss Asher Lev in person! People assume my youngest is named Asher bc of my name...but now you know the real reason ;)
I just finished Haven by Emma Donoghue and it was brilliant. I read it on recommendation so when I picked it up I thought monks! What have I gotten myself into!
But it was perfect to come into it with no prior knowledge so I was free to be carried on the story. So so many layers to it
Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle was a nonfiction I also loved.
I’m working through the Inspector Gamache series by Louse Penny and it is also rich and layered with meaning as well as a fun mystery
I love to lurk on comment sections like these and get some good recommendations. Thankful for all the people who have more time to read, because the collaborative nature of these lists help me start with a better chance at a quality book. ❤️
I read My Name is Asher Lev for the first time this year and I loved it so much. It’s definitely in my top 3 books of the year! Here’s a few of my other favourites:
I really enjoyed Everything Sad is Untrue and All My Knotted Up Life! Memoirs read by the author are the best for audiobooks. I'll check out some of the other ones you mentioned!
Yes I listened to both of those on audiobook and they were so good! 😊 It took me a couple of chapters to get used to Beth Moore’s accent but hearing her narrate her own story was special.
I’ve been checking out your list above too, I love hearing what other people have been enjoying!
Oh my I felt the exact same about Beth Moore accent but it grew on me and added such authenticity and emotion to her words. Thanks for connecting on Goodreads:)
So love a book list!! Thanks. Agree about Demon Copperhead. I closed
Out 2022 with that gem and haven’t stopped talking about it since. Changed my thinking and understanding which is what great writing and storytelling does!
LORE!! Same. Dopesick wrecked me. Felt like screaming in my living room with the frustration. And I know part of that was, as you stated, having eyes opened to so much I didn’t know.
Thanks for sharing! Always love hearing top reads. I read "Once There Were Wolves" at your recommendation earlier this year. I've read just over 150 books this year and my top reads so far are (in the order I read them):
- Entangled Life: How Fungi Make our Worlds, Change our Minds and Shape our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake (yes his real name; the illustrated version is on my Christmas list)
- On Our Best Behaviour: The Price Women Pay to Be Good by Elise Loehnen
- Uncultured: A Memoir by Danielle Mestyanek Young
- My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church by Amy Kenny
- My Body and Other Crumbling Empires by Lyndsey Medford
- Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-Perez (just finished this one and I basically tell everyone I meet about it, beware spam callers)
So apparently no fiction has made my top reads list this year so far. But if I had to choose 2, it would be probably by Horse by Geraldine Brooks or Daughters of the Deer by Danielle Daniel.
It's actually hard for me to only share those as I have another 10+ I rated 5 stars but I won't overload you! Do you track your reads on Goodreads?
I started On Our Best Behavior just last night, already hooked!
I don't really use Goodreads, but mostly because I've never taken the time to figure out how to use it well. This is such a great list, though, it makes me want to check out YOUR goodreads =)
Haha that's fair. I call it a dinosaur app, it's actually quite simple to use and a total game changer for tracking your reads (and want to reads!). Happy to support any onboarding to using it haha.
Thanks for the recommendations! On the topic of outdoor adventure: Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why; Grandma Gatewood’s Walk; Wild (of course); When You Find My Body; The Last Climb of Kate Matrisova.
That sounds right up my alley, I'll check it out! I so enjoyed Deep Survival. This year I read The Cold Vanish which would fit into that category I think.
No but looks fascinating! But also some controversy with the author and the integrity of the lengths he went to to get the story. Hmm, will have to consider further.
Oh really? I didn't know that. I found myself pretty conflicted at the end of it with some of the lengths he went to as well, but I also thought he was pretty transparent about it in the book.
I'm likely reading too much into the reviews I read but it's interesting when multiple people sort of get that ick feeling about the journalism methods. I guess Ill have to read and find out for myself! ;)
I definitely was amazed how well Demon Copperhead was having never read Kingsolver. It brought me into a world I never knew much about and made me care so deeply.
Also, I loved Maggie's memoir. It was honest and I love the intentionality in writing it! Definitely have to check out more of these books.
Kingsolver is one of my favorite novelists. She creates worlds beautifully. The Bean Trees is one of her older ones but it was my introduction to her work and I've never turned back. Her non-fiction is gorgeous too.
Cloud Cuckoo Land is an incredible journey worth taking, not without its quirks. Anthony Doerr has to be one of my favorite for his interesting characters (especially children!) and his big heart for good in the world. I think you would appreciate it, Lore!
Just finished Breaking Through: My Life in Science by Katalin Karikó (she won the Nobel Prize in Medicine this year for her foundational work on mRNA vaccines including the COVID vaccine). A very inspirational story of perseverance. She was a voice in the wilderness for mRNA even back in the 80s. Nobody listened to her. She was ignored, didn't get grants or funding, couldn't get her papers published. Finally was kicked out of her very small lab space. Threatened with deportation at one point.
Lore, somewhere recently you posted a list of suggested Christmas gifts, among which was a particular pen you like. May I ask what that pen is?
Ah, Lore! I love a reading list! Thanks for these suggestions. I’m so sad we didn’t discuss Asher Lev in person! People assume my youngest is named Asher bc of my name...but now you know the real reason ;)
Oh wow, thanks for his exciting list!
It's also massive for me that you read this much this year alone. I'd love to read this much too or atleast 50.
How do I even start?
I just finished Haven by Emma Donoghue and it was brilliant. I read it on recommendation so when I picked it up I thought monks! What have I gotten myself into!
But it was perfect to come into it with no prior knowledge so I was free to be carried on the story. So so many layers to it
Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle was a nonfiction I also loved.
I’m working through the Inspector Gamache series by Louse Penny and it is also rich and layered with meaning as well as a fun mystery
Oh and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Another fiction filled with hope and surprising friendships
I love to lurk on comment sections like these and get some good recommendations. Thankful for all the people who have more time to read, because the collaborative nature of these lists help me start with a better chance at a quality book. ❤️
Since you liked Asher Lev (one of my favorites), I recommend The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen. For me it was a mash-up of two great authors: Chaim Potok and Gary Schmidt. One of my very favorite reads from last year. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-life-and-crimes-of-hoodie-rosen-isaac-blum/1140781630
I read My Name is Asher Lev for the first time this year and I loved it so much. It’s definitely in my top 3 books of the year! Here’s a few of my other favourites:
All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
Lila by Marilynne Robinson
Summer by Edith Wharton
Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor
All My Knotted up Life by Beth Moore
I really enjoyed Everything Sad is Untrue and All My Knotted Up Life! Memoirs read by the author are the best for audiobooks. I'll check out some of the other ones you mentioned!
Yes I listened to both of those on audiobook and they were so good! 😊 It took me a couple of chapters to get used to Beth Moore’s accent but hearing her narrate her own story was special.
I’ve been checking out your list above too, I love hearing what other people have been enjoying!
Oh my I felt the exact same about Beth Moore accent but it grew on me and added such authenticity and emotion to her words. Thanks for connecting on Goodreads:)
Asher Lev! And the silence. BK! Demon Copperhead awaits--but not for much longer. LOVE BK. Thank you for your wonderful list!
Put a whole bunch of these on hold at the library so thank you!
Me too!
I love to hear it! The library has been my best friend this year.
So love a book list!! Thanks. Agree about Demon Copperhead. I closed
Out 2022 with that gem and haven’t stopped talking about it since. Changed my thinking and understanding which is what great writing and storytelling does!
Right? I read it around the same time Nate and I watched Dopesick and it was an aching pairing, but woke me up to so much I didn't know.
LORE!! Same. Dopesick wrecked me. Felt like screaming in my living room with the frustration. And I know part of that was, as you stated, having eyes opened to so much I didn’t know.
Thanks for sharing! Always love hearing top reads. I read "Once There Were Wolves" at your recommendation earlier this year. I've read just over 150 books this year and my top reads so far are (in the order I read them):
- Entangled Life: How Fungi Make our Worlds, Change our Minds and Shape our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake (yes his real name; the illustrated version is on my Christmas list)
- On Our Best Behaviour: The Price Women Pay to Be Good by Elise Loehnen
- Uncultured: A Memoir by Danielle Mestyanek Young
- My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church by Amy Kenny
- My Body and Other Crumbling Empires by Lyndsey Medford
- Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-Perez (just finished this one and I basically tell everyone I meet about it, beware spam callers)
So apparently no fiction has made my top reads list this year so far. But if I had to choose 2, it would be probably by Horse by Geraldine Brooks or Daughters of the Deer by Danielle Daniel.
It's actually hard for me to only share those as I have another 10+ I rated 5 stars but I won't overload you! Do you track your reads on Goodreads?
I started On Our Best Behavior just last night, already hooked!
I don't really use Goodreads, but mostly because I've never taken the time to figure out how to use it well. This is such a great list, though, it makes me want to check out YOUR goodreads =)
Oh no way! Hope you enjoy it :)
Haha that's fair. I call it a dinosaur app, it's actually quite simple to use and a total game changer for tracking your reads (and want to reads!). Happy to support any onboarding to using it haha.
So update I already follow you on Goodreads so maybe you don't post? Haha. If anyone wants to follow my book adventures on there: http://www.goodreads.com/friend/i?invite_token=MzQ0NzhhOWItODdmOS00MGI1LTk0ZWYtNTJjNTg2YWM3NTJk
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was absolutely stunning! One of my favorites as well
Right? What a beautiful and original tale.
Thanks for the recommendations! On the topic of outdoor adventure: Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why; Grandma Gatewood’s Walk; Wild (of course); When You Find My Body; The Last Climb of Kate Matrisova.
Oh, I don't know most of these! I'll add them to my 2024 list =)
Oh gosh, and The Indifferent Stars Above!
That sounds right up my alley, I'll check it out! I so enjoyed Deep Survival. This year I read The Cold Vanish which would fit into that category I think.
Have you guys read The Stranger in the Woods?
No but looks fascinating! But also some controversy with the author and the integrity of the lengths he went to to get the story. Hmm, will have to consider further.
Oh really? I didn't know that. I found myself pretty conflicted at the end of it with some of the lengths he went to as well, but I also thought he was pretty transparent about it in the book.
I'm likely reading too much into the reviews I read but it's interesting when multiple people sort of get that ick feeling about the journalism methods. I guess Ill have to read and find out for myself! ;)
I definitely was amazed how well Demon Copperhead was having never read Kingsolver. It brought me into a world I never knew much about and made me care so deeply.
Also, I loved Maggie's memoir. It was honest and I love the intentionality in writing it! Definitely have to check out more of these books.
Kingsolver is one of my favorite novelists. She creates worlds beautifully. The Bean Trees is one of her older ones but it was my introduction to her work and I've never turned back. Her non-fiction is gorgeous too.
Cloud Cuckoo Land is an incredible journey worth taking, not without its quirks. Anthony Doerr has to be one of my favorite for his interesting characters (especially children!) and his big heart for good in the world. I think you would appreciate it, Lore!
Oh, I love Doerr, I'll check it out!
Just finished Breaking Through: My Life in Science by Katalin Karikó (she won the Nobel Prize in Medicine this year for her foundational work on mRNA vaccines including the COVID vaccine). A very inspirational story of perseverance. She was a voice in the wilderness for mRNA even back in the 80s. Nobody listened to her. She was ignored, didn't get grants or funding, couldn't get her papers published. Finally was kicked out of her very small lab space. Threatened with deportation at one point.
Oh this looks really interesting to me. I will add it to my list.