It’s been quite awhile since I’ve written a blog about books – but never fear – I’ve been reading as much as always. Here are my top 10 of 2022 so far. I’d love to hear about yours as well!
Books that make you smile (and cry)
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt: This is my favorite type of book; the story of a downtrodden individual who forms an unusual connection and has their life transformed. In this case, the connection is with an octopus. Well worth the read.
The Guncle by Steven Rowley: A lonely man takes in his niece and nephew after their mother dies, and the experience transforms them all. It’s beautiful.
Toffee by Sarah Crossan: When this book first arrived and I glanced through it, my first reaction was “What in the world is this?” I wasn’t sure I was going to like the format at all or be able to deal with it. The entire book is written in poetry form; as I started to read, I realized that each page, and each poem, is more gorgeous than the last. It has a very compelling story of the relationship between a young girl and an older woman with Alzheimer’s and it is beautifully composed.
Books that keep you on the edge of your seat
The Blind Tiger by Sandra Brown: This is a fabulously fun and entertaining read about prohibition in Texas with characters who are compelling and a storyline that keeps you highly engaged to the very end.
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn: Who doesn’t love a story about the code breaking that many women (and men) secretly engaged in during World War II? This was a fun read about a topic I knew very little.
A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw: I had no idea what to expect from this book when I checked it out randomly from the library. Halfway through, I still had no idea what to expect or what was really happening. And that was just how Ernshaw wanted it. This was a great mystery and a fun ride.
Books that expand your horizons and deal with difficult topics
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb: I know very little about the classical music world, and even less about how that world feels if you’re a minority. What a searing, eye-opening and compelling look at this world through the eyes of a fantastically original main character.
The Rent Collector by Camron Wright: Imagine setting a book in the largest garbage dump in Cambodia – and focusing on the people who make their home in this dump. This book is actually based on real people and true events – and it’s a tragic and thoughtful look at abject poverty.
Abundance by Jakob Guanzon: Not for the faint of heart, Abundance offers a difficult look at poverty in America today, and at addiction, redemption and marriage. I loved how the title of each chapter represented the amount of money that they had in their pockets at that time.
Four Treasures of the Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang: It’s hard to describe the experience of reading about the horrors of prostitution, xenophobia, poverty and hatred with prose that are so lyrical, so mesmerizing that you are swept away with each line.
