Favorite Books
The Bible
Reading The Bible is a part of my (almost) daily rhythms. It is one of a few books I have read more than once (been reading annually since 2009). I have read The Message, NIV, and ESV. I have read with my eyes and my ears, used apps and paper trackers, and used various reading plans. This year I am enjoying the NIV Cultural Studies Bible - fascinating. Every time I open The Bible I learn more about God, truth, literature, and history. Although the point of The Bible isn’t self-help, I find myself helped by the experience, making this my favorite book (or 66 number of books of The Bible).
Personal History
In Personal History, an autobiography by Katharine Graham, you get it all. Graham shares her life with candor and vulnerability. She tells of her insecurities as a daughter and wife. She shares her challenges in a way that you feel empathy and connection. Then when she steps into herself with courage, running the Post with integrity and strength, it is beautiful. I loved this book for its honesty and behind the scenes stories. I wish I was more of a re-reader because this would top the list.
A Gentleman in Moscow
This ranks as one of my all time favorite books because of the relationships within its pages. Count Rostov is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. What he discovers about himself through his reduced circumstances is compelling. Wisdom and rich language combined with fascinating characters captured my heart from the beginning. I recommend A Gentleman in Moscow regularly to friends who love character stories. Amor Towles is a master storyteller and writer and I can’t wait for his next novel.
Hamnet
This imaginative telling of Hamnet Shakespeare’s short life, unexpected death, and impact on the family captivated my attention. In Hamnet, William Shakespeare is never mentioned by name. Yet we get to know him through the lens of Agnes and the children. Ordinary life is depicted with specificity, realistic and universal, never boring. Maggie O’Farrell’s brilliant execution, perfect detail, vivid descriptions, and secondary players made it feel like a narrative of a period play, real page turner.
East of Eden
I recently re-read East of Eden and love it as much as I did the first time I read it as a teen. John Steinbeck gives us two families - the Trasks and the Hamiltons - whose destinies are intertwined. The people “helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel”. The plot advances, the story mesmerizes, and the family saga captivates - making this a classic favorite.
Boundaries
I know exactly where (on treadmill) I was while I was reading Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. Highlighting all of the sections that resonated was difficult while walking. I managed. The wisdom in this book is affirming while inspiring and practical. Years later, I still credit this book for helping me to have personal and relational boundaries. My relationships continue to get better as I transform and communicate in new ways, thanks in part to principles from this fantastic book.
My Life with Bob
Pamela Paul writes a brilliant tribute to books and the relationships between reader and books . I loved this book so much. I enjoyed seeing the connection between her life and her reading choices. The impact books had on her hopes and ideas was powerful too. My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues inspired me to start my own book of books, now one of my most precious treasures. If you identify as a book lover, read Paul’s story and consider keeping your own book and reading journal.
Born a Crime
Powerful, moving, and hilarious, Born a Crime is a must read (audio to hear Trevor Noah narrate his story). You will think he made up the details for dramatic effect. Of course, his honesty and vulnerability shine through in this fascinating memoir - all true and incredible. Noah describes his early life and his struggle to find himself. He tells of his relationship with his mother and her determination to save her son from the threats around them. Fantastic story of overcoming.
Lab Girl
Hope Jahren had me at trees. Trees have a special place in my heart and Jahren studies trees (and flowers, seeds, and soil) as a scientist. This memoir is about so much more than trees. Jahren shares openly about work, love, and persistence. Her story-telling is beautiful as is her relationship with her best friend and lab partner Bill. Spend some time with Jahren on her adventures in Lab Girl for a great reading experience.
Bad Blood
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup stole all of my attention from page one to the end. I regularly read sections aloud to my husband and every friend (including my little 3 year old friend Elijah) knew I was reading this book, as I talked about it constantly. The choices, actions, and implicit motivations of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos was shocking. The responses and reactions of well known business and political leaders was unfathomable. John Carreyrou’s journalistic talents and style created narrative drive and wrangled a huge cast of characters and events. Great read!
Cutting for Stone
Sweeping and emotionally riveting are words used to describe Cutting for Stone. So true! I’ve read it twice and it was even better the second time. Marion and Shiva Stone are twin brothers born of a secret union. The novel traces their journeys. This is truly an epic story about power, intimacy, and the work of healing others. You will cry and never regret reading Abraham Verghese’s debut novel.
Stay with Me
I read this in one setting and cried almost the entire time. That may not sound like fun to you. For me it explains how emotionally connected I was to the characters in Ayobami Adebayo’s novel Stay with Me. The marriage between Yejide and Akin, their fertility struggles, and their choices have far reaching consequences. Loss and sacrifice are significant themes. Set in Nigeria, the cultural significance is powerful and themes universal. This novel will stay with me - on my shelf and in my heart - forever.
On Writing
This book was even better the second time (audio), which I wouldn’t have thought possible. I loved every chapter, every story, every tip of On Writing. Stephen King tells of his accident and recovery. Listening to his voices, inflections, and passion adds another level of quality to his words. King’s love and honor for his wife Tabitha rang loud and strong. Beautiful memoir and craft piece. Read if you have writing aspirations and even if you don’t.
Crossing to Safety
Crossing to Safety is one of the best books I have ever read. This book evokes emotion, thought, and underlining. Wallace Stegner is a master at writing and use of language. I read with a pen in my hand marking phrases and full passages. The story is one you could read numerous times and still see hidden gems inside. I have only read it once so far, but that will change.
Parenting
One of my primary life goals is to be the best mom for my daughter. Not an unusual goal, but impossible for me without growing faith and grace. Paul David Tripp outlines 14 gospel principles in Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family. I have listened to the audio book and read a hard copy. This is a book to read slowly, again and again, until the pages are tattered. The best parenting we can do is to bring our transformed selves to our relationships with our kids. This is a great companion to that effort.
The Heart’s Invisible Furies
Who is Cyril Avery? Unsure of his parentage and adrift in the world, he spends a lifetime coming to know himself and where he came from. Going along with him on this journey brought me to tears and laughter, sometimes simultaneously. John Boyne reminds us of “the redemptive power of the human spirit” in The Heart’s Invisible Furies. I look forward to reading more John Boyne.
Klara and the Sun
Kazuo Ishiguro has done it again with Klara and the Sun. Ishiguro is a must buy author for me and this novel is perfect. In his latest book, Ishiguro gives us Klara, an artificial friend purchased to care for and entertain a young teen named Josie. As the novel progresses and Josie ages and eventually goes to college, we fall in love with Klara and her heart (yes an AF with a heart). We get a wonderful story about loneliness and sacrificial love with some deep themes about what it means to parent and how our choices affect others, and underlying cautionary themes left for the reader to discover and explore.
The Overstory
“First there was nothing. Then there was everything.” The interactions between trees and people are woven by Richard Powers in The Overstory in a fictional account based on factual scientific research and real life. The beautiful truths about trees and the human experiences and relationships with one other and with nature are complex and compelling. Bible, literature, psychology - all disciplines really - in Power’s hands provide major commentary on humanity, values, stewardship, life and death. Will we learn? People and trees need help and need each other. Anne Bogel recommended this to me when I was on her podcast What Should I Read Next Episode 236.