Some of my favorite evenings are spent reading. My book stacks keep growing like small ant piles on my nightstand and office. The words on the pages transport and I believe with a particular intensity that if traveling isn’t an opportunity that is available to you, reading a book offers an ability to peer into another world and gain insight into your life.
Here are the 10 books that I adored in 2014:
1. This Is The Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett: This collection of essays blend the lyrical world of fiction into memoir. Patchett examines what we deem important in the context of our relationships, as well as our work. My favorite line from this collection: “Sometimes love does not have the most honorable beginnings, and the endings, the endings will break you in half. It’s everything in between we live for.”
2. Still Writing by Dani Shapiro: There are several books that delve into the craft of writing, but Dani Shapiro’s meditations in Still Writing resonated with me in a way I cannot wholly describe. This year I had the pleasure of meeting her in person and loved that she read the following passage from her book: “The writer’s life requires courage, patience, empathy, openness. It requires the ability to be alone with oneself. Gentle with oneself. To be disciplined, and at the same time, take risks.”
3. Wonder by RJ Palacio: This year I decided to rediscover the young adult fiction world. Wonder and its characters made me think, laugh and reflect. The main character, August, stays with you long after you are finished reading. I sobbed at parts of this book, but ultimately the premise of this read ended on an uplifting note.
4. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green: When this book hit the shelves, I avoided reading it because I did not want to spend my time reading about cancer and its reach. After hearing several recommendations from writers and readers I trust, I decided to read about the lives of Hazel and Augustus and their various interactions. It is a sad and devastating read that will push you to hug your children and those you love with a fervent intensity. One of my favorite lines from this read:“Grief does not change you, Hazel. It reveals you.” Oh, how I know this to be true.
5. The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield: When I am in a lull with my writing, it causes some frustration. I will always consult Pressfield’s words on the theory of resistance and how we put off those tasks that scare us the most. Resistance is a powerful force and we underestimate its influence. The War of Art offers practical and a solid perspective on those who struggle in the creative sphere. I’ve referred to it several times this year for creative guidance.
6. Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast: I love graphic novels and Chast’s brilliant memoir on aging, death and how a child becomes a caretaker for her parents presents humbling lessons for all. Poignant and comical, her words offer comfort and insight on how an ordinary crisis offers teaching lessons.
7. The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer: Fiction must possess the ability to transport the reader into a world that is completely different from their own. In her settings and excavation of her characters, Wolitizer unravels happiness that is connected with ambition and success. My favorite line from this book: “You didn’t always need to be the dazzler, the firecracker, the one who cracked everyone up, or made everyone want to sleep with you, or be the one who wrote and starred in the play that got the standing ovation. You could cease to be obsessed with the idea of being interesting.”
8. This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper: Funny and insightful, I admire Tropper’s prose and intellect. His sentences in this book carry each scene forward. I laughed out loud in parts, reflected in others and loved how he wove several different story lines in the context of a religious ceremony to commemorate his Dad’s passing. This book illustrates perfection in several areas: prose, themes, characters and a narrative that is filled with relatable elements.
9. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes: I don’t necessarily seek out love stories to read, but Me Before You is just that, a love story that involves unlikely people falling for one another. When I finished this book, tears strolled down my face for at least 15 minutes. This read possesses the ability to evoke strong emotions and offered a real connection to the main characters in ways that might surprise the reader.
10. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay: Personal essays are one of my favorite genres to read. Gay does not disappoint. Powerful opinions are presented in prose that is intelligent and insightful. Gay presents her perspective in a way that the reader is continuously nodding his or head. Raw and poignant, these essays will not only educate you, but resonate in a way that is unforgettable.
What books made your list in 2014? Would love to hear your recommendations.
Image: “Book Club” Ella Phillips via Flickr.
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
Many of these are my favorites, too! I read “The Fault in our Stars” during my father’s terminal illness, and this line“Grief does not change you, Hazel. It reveals you.” stood out to me as well. Happy reading in 2015!
Great list — I read (and loved) some of these too! I really need to add The War of Art and Patchett’s book to my 2015 TBR list.
Oh, I love this list and how you included your favorite quote for each of your books. From your list I’ve read Wonder and The Fault in Our Stars and nearly all the others are on my TR list as well, in particular Ann Patchett’s book, Me Before You, and Bad Feminist. I love the quotes you cited and Ann Patchett’s, in particular, is something I have been thinking a lot about lately.
I didn’t have the most active reading year but my favorites were An Untamed State (Roxane Gay, about a Haitian American woman who is kidnapped), Dept. of Speculation (about a woman struggling with depression and a marital crisis), and Us (a sweet and funny account about a middle aged man who is faced with trying to keep his family together).
Thanks for sharing your list! I am planning on moving a few of your books up on my TR list. 🙂
Untamed State is also on my to-read pile, Cecilia. I hope to check out Dept. of Speculation too. Thanks for your recommendations. Looking forward to your reviews in 2015. xo
I loved Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat. Favorite book of the year. Beautiful writing.
Jennifer,
Thanks for the recommendation, Jennifer. I will add this suggestion to my list. Happy New Year!
I’ve only read #8 and #9 on your list, and both made a big impact on me. I meant to read “The Fault In Our Stars” but I somewhat chickened out. I haven’t been in the mood. “Wild” is on my list next!
Great list! I read widely this year, and like you have really enjoyed some YA reads. My top 3 novels of the year were certainly Station Eleven, Euphoria, and All the Light We Cannot See. xoxo
Your list sounds fabulous, Rudri. I remember you talking about some of them, too! You’ve reminded me that I didn’t read enough this year–and when I did I read mostly memoir. I’ve had trouble focusing on reading this year . . . .
Wonderful book list Rudri! I haven’t read any of these but I’m not an avid reader – Then again I’m mostly reading research articles so eh. Glad you’ve had so many books impact you this year! Have a great one Rudri -Iva
Great list! I love Ann Patchett and Dani Shapiro. There are a couple of books here that I will read next. Xoxo
Quite a list! I also love essays, and short stories, and poetry. I’ve mostly done work-related, marketing-related reading this year, but I do dip back into my favorite books and read when I can… often picking up anywhere in one of the Best American Short Stories anthologies – current or past.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season, Rudri!
xo
I love your list Rudri! Still Writing and The Fault in My Stars are definitely two of my favorites this year, and I really really want to read a few of the others you mention, including Ann Patchett and Roxane Gay’s new books (also want to read her novel). I will have to check out some of the others, they sound very intriguing.
Ooh… I’ve been meaning to read a few of these, others are in my TBR pile, some are new to me. Thanks so much for sharing this list! Have a beautiful holiday!
Such a great list!! I’ve read them all but one and now will have to read that one! (Can’t We Talk About Something Pleasant?)
I can see that we share a similar taste in books! I’ve read almost all of the titles on your list and would recommend them as well. I was a big fan of Wonder and This Is Where I Leave You.
I have not read Still Writing. I know! So many people have recommended it. I have to rectify that soon.
Jackie:
You will definitely enjoy Still Writing. So much wisdom from Dani Shapiro about the beginnings, middles and ends of writing.
So many of yours would be on my list! I read most of Jojo Moyes other books, and they’re all wonderful. All The Light We Cannot See would probably be on the list as well… Though I feel slightly conflicted on that one because of the ending. Love lists of books! I have been meaning to read Wonder, so thank you for the reminder!
All The Light We Cannot See is on my list too, Corrine. So many books, so little time. Happy New Year!
Some of these were my favorites too…and some are now on my list! I just finished “Counting by Sevens” which is a YA novel (which I love) and it was great’!!!