“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ― Charles William Eliot
If I have to name a single obsession, it is my need to be around books. I always carry a book with me. Stacks of to-read works cover my nightstand and the floor of my office. When I have a few minutes or an entire evening, I try to carve out some time to read. Here is what is currently on my bookshelf:
Crash Course: Essays From Where Writing and Life Collide by Robin Black
Outline by Rachel Cusk
The Abundance:Narrative Essays Old and New by Annie Dillard
This Side of Providence by Rachel M. Harper
What is Not Yours is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi
What’s on your bookshelf? Would love to hear your recommendations.
Image: Book by Lorenzo Scheda 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.
I am so happy to see your list. I am feeling totally stuck right now. Just started The Nightingale to see if a nice plot driven story will get my reading groove back. I keep starting and not finishing books which is not my thing at all!
Hope you find something that resonates in my list!
I LOVE Robin Black and just picked up that one. I just finished a book called The Fates Will Have Their Way. I’m now reading H is for Hawk and The Rules of Inheritance.
Looking for a great novel if anyone has recently read one! I’m intrigued by the one by Oyeyemi.
Love these posts.
Alisa,
You should definitely read This Side of Providence by Harper. Great novel, characters and prose – I just finished it and her work has stayed with me. Can’t recommend it enough.
Also, I had the pleasure of meeting Helen Mcdonald recently at a book event. She’s just as lovely and charming in person.
I didn’t know Robin Black had a nonfiction book out. Thank you!
I love it so far. Such insight in a short collection of essays. I’d like to hear what you think after you’ve read it.
I am a bit stuck now so it’s nice to see what other writers are reading. I do have a new Judy Blume on my bookshelf, along with Rare Bird.
I have those periods where I am searching for my next read and love when I come across another list featuring unfamiliar titles. Word of mouth is the best way to find hidden reading gems.
I just finished THE NEST. Great read! Next on my list is The Year of Yes by Sondra Rhimes.
I’ve heard several recommendations for The Nest. I’ve already bought it and cannot wait to dive in. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it.
I read Life Drawing last year by Robin Black and really enjoyed it. I didn’t realize she had a book of essays out.
I need to be surrounded by books too. I also just bought a carton full of books from my son’s annual school book sale so now I am drowning in books 😉 Like you I have several that I’m reading simultaneously, but like Stacey I am stuck at the moment not being able to finish anything I’ve started. Among the books I’m reading are White Tiger, Raising Cain (about raising boys), Fortune Smiles, and Bad Feminist. I hope I can finish a couple of books this month…it’s been a long slump!
Cecilia,
Her essays are fabulous. Do check it out if you get chance.
I love White Tiger and Bad Feminist. Good luck on finishing! If you start with these two books, I think you will be able to meet your goal. I’ve had those slumps too and it takes one good book to get me back into the game.