The books in my life appear everywhere: on the shelves of my office, nightstand and purse. I travel with books since the privilege and opportunity to read welcomes me in the most unexpected moments. Here is what is currently on my bookshelf and a few books that I’ve read this past month:
After This: When Life is Over, Where Do We go? by Claire Bidwell Smith
Everything You Ever Wanted: by Jillian Lauren
The Road to Character by David Brooks
Recipes for a Beautiful Life: A Memoir in Stories by Rebecca Barry
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
What are you reading this month? I’d love to hear your recommendations.
Image: book collection by chronon6.97 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.
“The privilege to read…” Yes!
Love hearing what my favorite writers are reading! Thank you for sharing Rudri.
I’m looking very forward to Kate Atkinson’s latest, A God in Ruins.
Thanks for your recommendation, Nicki. I need to supplement my memoir reading with a good fiction read.
The Signature of All Things is one of my favorite novels ever. It’s sprawling and beautiful and compelling and gorgeous. I look forward to hearing what you think. Just this morning I finished Everything You Ever Wanted and really liked it a lot. Next up is Maggie Nelson’s The Argonauts. xox
I finished The Signature of All Things and loved the discussion with my book group. Alma is such a memorable character and the setting kept me entranced. When Elizabeth Gilbert visited AZ, she mentioned PBS is producing a series based on the book. I always love your recommendations and can’t wait to check out The Argonauts.
I’ve been meaning to get The Signature of All Things and just haven’t. How did you like it? I’m assuming, since it’s on your list here, that you enjoyed it. Good to see Lindsey’s praise of it, too. Moving that up on my TBR list. Thanks for sharing. Hope you’re well.
I believe you will enjoy this read, Sarah. Steeped in a historical context, the reader feels a particular kinship to the protagonist. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book.
What am I reading??? I am always reading. Just reread “A Man Called Ove” by Frederick Backman; The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy (companion to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry) and a better read. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin (The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry) and reread (on vacation) All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, and reread The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. Going to buy Kent Haruf’s last book: Our Souls At Night; I recommend all his books.
Thanks for all these recommendations, Linda. I read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. How did the The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy compare? I’ve heard several good things about All The Light We Cannot See. Miss you! xo
Great list. I’ve wanted to read Signature of All Things, but I cannot get into it. Very excited for her next nonfiction book to arrive. Looks like a great topic!
I can’t wait for her new book. She’s such an incredible speaker too. Try to catch her on tour if you can.
I have “The Girl on the Train” but I’m still finishing “The Children’s Crusade” which is strange and it is really slow in some places. I guess I feel like I need to finish it!
I need to check out The Children’s Crusade. The Girl on the Train is compelling in parts – I won’t spoil it for you. Would love to hear your thoughts after you finish, Tamara.
Right now I’m in the middle of The Girl on the Train. I’m enjoying it. It’s suspenseful while developing the characters to the point where I care about what happens to them. A great combination! I look forward to getting your thoughts once you’ve read it.
I finished The Girl on the Train this past week. I found the characters compelling in parts, but had mixed feelings about the ending. Let me know what you think once you finish, Jackie. I am eager to hear your thoughts.