While it’s been a difficult year for so many, one saving grace has definitely been our ability to read and to let our minds wander and explore. We may not have been able to travel to far flung places (or even to nearby ones) but books have taken us away to those unreachable locations.
I’ve included my 2021 comprehensive Goodreads list below both so that others can see what I’ve been reading and because it’s just so pretty to see all of these colorful and lovely book titles in one place! I’m going to discuss just a few books that stuck with me this year. I’d love to hear what moved you, as well. Here is to a MUCH better 2022 filled with family, health, travel and, of course, books.
Call Your Daughter Home by Deb Spera: This beautifully written book is set in South Carolina in 1924 and follows three women as they navigate their post-slavery lives. The writing is breathtaking and the character development magnificent and heartbreaking.
The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris: Another heart-stopping story about two freedmen. This story takes place in Georgia soon after the end of the Civil War and leaves the reader with a great deal to consider in the age of Reconstruction.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah: This masterpiece focuses on farmers during the Great Depression and what life was like for those who went to California for a better life. You’ll feel the sand and grit in your eyes long after the novel is finished.
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali: I was surprised by how taken in I was by a story set in Tehran in 1953. The character development completely drew me in as did the themes of love, family and loss.
An Unusual Boy by Fiona Higgins: As a parent (or a teacher, therapist, etc.) this is the type of book that could keep you up at night. How do we parent or teach children who see the world in a different way? How do we keep children safe? Where are some of the quiet dangers to our children? The book addresses incredibly timely and important issues that we all face in today’s technologically driven, ever-changing world.
I said that I was only going to discuss five books, but now I’m going to cheat a bit. As I wrote not long ago in another blog post about books, I highly recommend reading Beartown by Fredrik Backman if you haven’t already. I also think all of our teenagers and young adults should read it. I also recommend The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab and The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue. For really fun, light reading that touches the heart, I recommend Katherine Center’s books. They are all delicious, and she has a lovely presence on Facebook for anyone who wants to follow a fun author.
That’s a wrap for 2021. It’s always a joy to share book ideas with you and I look forward to continuing to do so in 2022!
I look forward to your insightful analysis every year. While I have read some of your recommendations, I have a long way to go. Reading is such a treat and allows me to “see the world” or look into the soul of others here at home. Thanks for your advice.