Ahhh, Winter Break. I’ve been waiting for you. I occasionally run myself ragged during the year, as I’m sure many of you do as well. I have one speed, and it’s busy. I like to pack my days, have endless projects and sometimes, in doing so, forget to slow down. That’s why I so look forward to winter break. It’s like I give myself permission to take a break as well when my kids get out for the holiday.
I’ll still have a small list of things to get done around the house, but I also compile other lists, like what movies The Girl and I will binge watch, or what books I’ll curl up beside the fireplace to read. I know 5 books seems like a lofty goal, and I’m certain I won’t get through all of them. But here are the top 5 books on my list this year:
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doer: I keep hearing so much talk about this book. I think the last 3 people I’ve asked for book recommendations have spouted this off first thing. And for goodness sake, it won a Pulitzer Prize. You know it’s gotta be good. The story focuses on a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. I’ve also been told I should stock up on Kleenex before reading. Reading about World War II often makes me teary, so that makes sense.
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee: This one I think is pretty much a given. I mean, is there a book more famous than To Kill a Mockingbird? And the fact that we all thought she’d never written another book only to discover all these years later she had been sitting on this gem for years. I’m almost giddy to read it, but then also apprehensive because how to you top Mockingbird? Am I going to be let down? Those are some pretty big literary shoes to fill!
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown: I’ve been told this is the latest version along the lines of Miracle. It’s about a group of American rowers that pursued gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. Even the description made me feel all warm and fuzzy: Out of the depths of the Depression comes an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times— the improbable, intimate account of how nine working-class boys from the American West showed the world what true grit really meant.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins: A Hitchcock-style psychological thriller that’s supposed to be a page-turner. All the reviews said the readers literally couldn’t put the book down. It follows the lives of three women – Rachel, Anna, and Megan – and the events surrounding Megan’s murder, ultimately bringing the lives of the three women together. I’m not normally one for super suspense, but I think I’ll make an exception for this one.
The Story of Alice by Robert Douglas-Fairhurst: I’m super curious about this book. I read a review online about it and it piqued my interest. It’s all about the controversial friendship between Oxford mathematician Charles Dodgson {aka. Lewis Carroll} and Alice Liddell, the child he wrote Alice in Wonderland about. The book also explores how and why Alice in Wonderland and its sequel, Through the Looking Glass, have had such lasting cultural impact.
What books are you reading this year? Have you read anything amazing lately I just have to put on my list?
Sandra says
I have read both All the Light We Cannot See and Boys in the Boat. They are excellent reads. Of the two, Boys in the Boat was the most engaging book to me. Perhaps it is because it starts out in the same time and place where my dad grew up.
It is interesting that both books are set in the same era, but the contrast between the war years in Europe and the United States is striking. I think you will enjoy both books.
Ashley says
I loved All The Light You Cannot See and The Girl On the Train. I have the Boys in the Boat on my library list, I’ll have to add your other suggestions! On the same lines (sorta) as All the Light, I also liked The Book Thief and The Nightingale. If you like Girl on the Train, you might like the books by Gillian Flynn (she wrote Gone Girl). I’ve read a couple books by Lisa Genova (Still Alice). They tend to follow a similar format, but I really liked them.
I used to live to read, but then I had 3 kids and didn’t get so much as a potty break in peace. Lately I find myself reading from 11pm-1am and then remembering that my youngest is still a crappy sleeper and then spending a chunk of the rest of the night with him. I’m tired, but it’s so worth being able to sit in peace with a book! Can’t wait to read everyone’s suggestions!
Winni says
Yes, The Book Thief and The Nightingale were amazing reads’
Jeqnie says
I read The Girl on the Train and liked it a lot. I thought it was a bit predictable. I have All the Light in my stack. It’s size is daunting unless I set aside the time to do it justice. I just read Orchard House and really enjoyed it. Don’t know who it is by as it was a library book and I have returned it.
Lauralli says
I second The Nightingale–put that next on your list after these! Another WWII book, but oh so good! I even liked it better than All the Light. But, this time of year, all I can manage to read is about 15 minutes before falling asleep. So, Reader’s Digest it is! Cook, clean, wrap, cook, clean, host, cook, clean…..you get the idea! I know I will miss the busyness of this season in my later years, but WOW–I’m tired right now!
MarinaRose says
The “Boys in the Boat” is an awesome book! Another good WWII book that is a good read is “Unbroken”. Thanks Mavis for the book suggestions!
Andrea says
Wow. I’m going to have to add more books to my list. I alternative between fiction and non-fiction, but I usually pick whatever catches my eye at the library. Right now I’m reading Good Grief: The Story of Charles M. Schulz. One goal for 2016 is to try to read a book a week – mostly during my lunch break at work. We nixed out cable a couple of years ago and got Netflix for the kids. So I have a little extra time on my hands.
Emily B. says
Listening on Audible now to Boys in the Boats. Love it!
Jeannie says
I loved Ghost Soldiers….gut wrenching true story of rescued pow soldiers. So much history and hope.
Peggy Gibbs says
I’ve read “The Girl on a Train” and is is riveting. It’s one of those hard to put down books.
Thanks,
Peggy
Winni says
I would strongly advise against reading “Go Set A Watchman”, it was terrible and it has been difficult for me to maintain my love of TKAM and Atticus Finch after reading it. If you do decide to read it; I suggest going into it realizing that it was a first draft of To Kill a Mockingbird and it is not a sequel or altogether separate book. I sincerely wish I hadn’t read it.
All the other books on your list are great, I’ve listened to them and really liked them. I suggest “Big Magic”, I’m loving that one right now.
Mary Neathway says
I read Go Set A Watchman (and admit I”ve not read To Kill A Mockingbird) and… I thought it was the most boring thing ever, poorly written, and not something I would recommend. My favourite of all times, except for Anne of Green Gables which will always top the list, is “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”…. set on the isle of Guernsey during the German occupation of WWII…. When I finished reading it, I thought, “I want to go there and meet those people”, and then realized they were fictional. It is that good
Tara says
I agree with the other comments made about Go Set A Watchmen. It was such a disappointment. It honestly feels like someone else wrote it. The writing is so different from To Kill A Mockingbird…which has always been my favorite book.
Gay says
I loved All The Light we Cannot See. Asked my library to get it when it first came out. Great idea.
Have to wait a little but well worth it. So interesting to imagine life as a blind person, let alone during war time.
Angie says
I have to ask where that photo of you was taken… we go to a bookstore on the Oregon coast that resembles that- books stacked high everywhere. I love it. 🙂
Looking forward to reading some great books in 2016. I’ve read The Girl on the Train, and it is a page turner. Glad to hear warnings about Go Set a Watchman.
Mavis Butterfield says
A used book store in Portland, Oregon. I think. Or it could be the used book store we stumbled upon in Victoria B.C.
ann in E. oregon says
Mavis, I hope you will enjoy The Boys in The Boat as much as I did. I love to read, have all my life, and I have to say that is one of the top 10 books I’ve read. I highly recommend it! 🙂
Connie says
All The Light You Cannot See was wonderful.
I did not like The Girl on The Train because there was not one redeeming character in the book IMHO. Most book club members agreed. I’ll be interested to hear your take on it.
libby says
I just finished reading The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. It was excellent – thought provoking and very, very funny. The Night of the Cocktail is hilarious.