Book Love

It’s been a while since I wrote about books that moved me or made me think (or both). Given my tendencies to read voraciously (sometimes to the detriment of getting other stuff done) and to immediately forget details, it takes a rare book to break through and leave its imprint on me. Here are the most recent ones to do so.

 My Friends, by Frederik Backman. I love the author’s trademark quirky characters, and this book did not disappoint. A fun, poignant examination of the power of friendship, its lasting imprint on a life, and its ability to inspire others. Weaving in gorgeous landscapes and the transformative power of art, this story left my heart singing.

A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy, by Tia Levings. I picked up this book as part of my effort to understand what is happening to our country. For me, it ended up being much more than an eye-opener about Christian Nationalism and its place in our current swerve toward fascism. Despite being from a completely different background and experiencing much less violent circumstances, I strongly identified with the author (because coercive control, however it’s manifested, has the same roots). Her bravery in breaking away and becoming a voice to encourage and educate others is stunning.

The River is Waiting, by Wally Lamb. There are a few authors whose latest book I’ll grab without knowing anything about it, and Wally Lamb is one. He is a master at telling difficult stories touching on current events and issues in a way that is ultimately uplifting, and his latest is no exception. Here he weaves heartbreak, redemption, and deep compassion for humanity into a story that is difficult to forget.

The Humans, by Matt Haig. I’m not generally big on science fiction or fantasy, but I’d recently read and really liked some of the author’s non-fiction offerings so decided to give it a try. You don’t have to be a fan of either to enjoy this tale of an alien sent to earth to inhabit the body of a mathematics professor in order to thwart a groundbreaking discovery. It’s an extremely entertaining mix of perfectly skewering our human foibles while eventually acknowledging what makes us worth saving. Who doesn’t need that right now?

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know, by Adam Grant. This former bestseller appeared at the exact moment I needed it. For some time, I’ve been wanting to look at things differently, to try to understand other points of view. And there it was at the airport newsstand before a long flight back to the madness. In a straightforward and entertaining way, the author discusses how we can rethink things individually, interpersonally, and collectively. I was especially taken by his concept of “confident humility”: being aware of how much you don’t know before you form (and share) your opinions.

All the Colors of the Dark, by Chris Whitaker. Synopses of this book all mention themes of trauma and resilience, which are key, but there’s so much more. Fabulously developed characters. A mystery that becomes secondary to the human drama that unfolds over decades. Masterful use of language and voice. This is one of those rare books that I lived in while I read it--I was in Missouri, I knew these people, I felt their pain and their yearning—and that it took me days to return from.

While we’re talking about books, I’ll renew my plug for The StoryGraph (The StoryGraph | Because life's too short for a book you're not in the mood for) for those of you who like to keep track of what you’ve read and get recommendations. I made the switch from Goodreads (owned by Amazon) about a year ago, when my distaste for Amazon’s monopoly and my disgust at Bezos’s craven bootlicking of the Mango Moron began my boycotts. Here are some reasons to love StoryGraph (if the fact that it’s independently owned by an engineer who is a woman of color is not enough): all of your information from Goodreads (years, and thousands of books, in my case) can easily be imported; books can be rated with fractions of stars instead of only whole numbers; recommendations are personalized. You can get all sorts of stats, including an evaluation of your reading habits. Here’s mine:

“Mainly reads fiction books that are reflective, emotional, and mysterious. Typically chooses medium-paced books that are 300-499 pages long.”

It seems the main complaint people have about StoryGraph is that it has less of an emphasis on social interactions than Goodreads. As a newly published author I probably shouldn’t say this, but for me, that’s a feature rather than a bug.

***

Thanks for reading. Please share your favorites.

GOOD THINGS

Inspiration. A lunch date with a dear friend to celebrate her 90^th birthday. She is one of the most positive, open-minded, vital people I know, and I strive to have a fraction of her fabulousness. Catching up over good Italian food was a bonus.

All clear. For both the CWP and I on a variety of medical tests.