For me it has to be Jane Austen. Not only her books but all of the art and culture that has been created as a result - the movies, TV adaptations, retellings, regency romance novels, etc. It's hard to underestimate the impact she has had on culture even 250 years on. Everything Austen has brought so much joy to my life.
I'm thankful for books that send or extend a journey on learning something. "Gone with the Wind", was a great read but also maybe the centerpiece of the "Lost Cause" theme during reconstruction. It sent me down a rabbit hole reading Dr. Gates and several biographs on the south. Leading me to an different understanding of the subject than I previously had. "Band of Brothers" scraped the Hollywood version of WWII and gave me a glimpse of what my father lived through. He would not tell us stories of the war. "Salt Fat Acid Heat" changed the way I look at cooking. I now cook the family dinner for 12 almost every Sunday. " Hamilton", which I was reading during the Jan 6th riot showed me a perspective of political history. It gave me the theme there has always been division of political thought in this country. There has always been media sources espousing their conflicting version of events, strong disagreements and misinformation about ones opponent. The good news is we shoot words not bullets, mostly, and every two years each side gets a chance to be in charge. Currently, "From Beirut to Jerusalem" is freshest in my mind. From Oct 7th 23 I and my Saturday morning coffee group have tried to understand history of the Middle East situation. Each of the group read different books, myself 6 different ones and 3 online courses of development of the religions of Abraham. This book explained the complexity of the different cultures involved and how difficult a situation it is to find peace. Finally two books I read every 5 or six years, "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "Dune". Just because I need to escape.
Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall series is a favorite. I’ve read each twice plus listened to the audiobooks. Lonesome Dove and No Country for Old Men are on repeat every few years.
I am so thankful for When Breath Becomes Air too. I am also thankful for Emily St John Mandel for writing Station Eleven. I had so many reflections on that book.
James McBride - especially his memoir and The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. His own story, and the stories he tells, are real, heart touching, life changing, a gift to readers and history.
I’m thankful for Infinite Jest. I read the hard copy once and probably listened to the audiobook four times. I like it for the nuggets of great wisdom it offers and don’t get bogged down in “plot”. Not to be blasphemous, but it is like the Bible to me.
Beyond his incredible world building, languages, history, "textual ruins", he got the metaphysics right. His fantasy world is believable in a way many are not as a result. I credit his devout Catholicism for that.
An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott. It’s a nice short story that can be read in one evening. I read it aloud to my kids. I’ll definitely add it to our seasonal traditions
Non- Fiction for this year: read,re-read, shared, given, learned so much: Tim Synder: On Freedom. On Tyranny. Heather Cox-Richardson Democracy Awakening.
Fiction: Escape and re-read all series: Agatha Christie;Alexander McCall Smith; Amy Stewart; Jacquline Winspear; John Grisham.
A book that made its way into my orbit as a teen and has remained a regular go-to read is 84 Charing Cross Road. It’s a great “in-between” big book hangover cure, or when the season is busy and reading is difficult. It’s short, light, upbeat, and puts my world right every time.
I'm thankful for One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It's one of my favorites and started my love of the genre of magical realism. If I were ever to write a novel, this would be my inspiration.
I was just getting ready to mention this book! I was gifted it while on a backpacking trip through Europe. I still have it. I’ve loved so many books over the years and must mention Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Dickens of course, Thomas Hardy and Nancy Drew.
Mick Herron and Louise Penny. Their books let me delve into other lives and worlds I know little about. Although he’s dead, Le Carre’s books of espionage do the same.
Oh gosh there are so many. The first that pop into mind are LOTR and the Outlander series. And now as I see others comments…Lonesome Dove…I could go on and on.
Finally got around to reading some Fredrik Backman and understand the appreciation of him. Adam Sternbergh has written some great works. I’m particularly fond of “The Eden Test.”
Grateful this year to pick up the latest from Rufi Thorpe and Alison Espach.
Both are very good reads. Always appreciate S.A. Cosby and Rebecca Makkai, too.
For me it has to be Jane Austen. Not only her books but all of the art and culture that has been created as a result - the movies, TV adaptations, retellings, regency romance novels, etc. It's hard to underestimate the impact she has had on culture even 250 years on. Everything Austen has brought so much joy to my life.
I have her complete works on my shelf, but have only read one of 'em. Definitely more next year!
I'm thankful for books that send or extend a journey on learning something. "Gone with the Wind", was a great read but also maybe the centerpiece of the "Lost Cause" theme during reconstruction. It sent me down a rabbit hole reading Dr. Gates and several biographs on the south. Leading me to an different understanding of the subject than I previously had. "Band of Brothers" scraped the Hollywood version of WWII and gave me a glimpse of what my father lived through. He would not tell us stories of the war. "Salt Fat Acid Heat" changed the way I look at cooking. I now cook the family dinner for 12 almost every Sunday. " Hamilton", which I was reading during the Jan 6th riot showed me a perspective of political history. It gave me the theme there has always been division of political thought in this country. There has always been media sources espousing their conflicting version of events, strong disagreements and misinformation about ones opponent. The good news is we shoot words not bullets, mostly, and every two years each side gets a chance to be in charge. Currently, "From Beirut to Jerusalem" is freshest in my mind. From Oct 7th 23 I and my Saturday morning coffee group have tried to understand history of the Middle East situation. Each of the group read different books, myself 6 different ones and 3 online courses of development of the religions of Abraham. This book explained the complexity of the different cultures involved and how difficult a situation it is to find peace. Finally two books I read every 5 or six years, "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "Dune". Just because I need to escape.
This is just wonderful, thanks for sharing Kevin. I agree that the most memorable experiences are those that set us off on a new journey of discovery.
Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall series is a favorite. I’ve read each twice plus listened to the audiobooks. Lonesome Dove and No Country for Old Men are on repeat every few years.
Hilary Mantel is high on my list.
And I agree that Lonesome Dove and No Country are worthy of re-reads! Amazing books.
I am so thankful for When Breath Becomes Air too. I am also thankful for Emily St John Mandel for writing Station Eleven. I had so many reflections on that book.
I could probably do with a re-read of Station Eleven.. been a long time.
I second When breath becomes air.
James McBride - especially his memoir and The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. His own story, and the stories he tells, are real, heart touching, life changing, a gift to readers and history.
I’m thankful for Infinite Jest. I read the hard copy once and probably listened to the audiobook four times. I like it for the nuggets of great wisdom it offers and don’t get bogged down in “plot”. Not to be blasphemous, but it is like the Bible to me.
Always Jane Austen - I reread Pride and Prejudice (my favorite book) alongside my fiance's first pass at the book and it was such a special time.
Tolkien. His works were a balm during the stress of the pandemic and have been instrumental in leading me into a correct understanding of reality.
Amazing how that works given the fantasy setting, isn't it?
Beyond his incredible world building, languages, history, "textual ruins", he got the metaphysics right. His fantasy world is believable in a way many are not as a result. I credit his devout Catholicism for that.
An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott. It’s a nice short story that can be read in one evening. I read it aloud to my kids. I’ll definitely add it to our seasonal traditions
Oh fun, I've read some Alcott but haven't heard of that one. Thanks for sharing!
Non- Fiction for this year: read,re-read, shared, given, learned so much: Tim Synder: On Freedom. On Tyranny. Heather Cox-Richardson Democracy Awakening.
Fiction: Escape and re-read all series: Agatha Christie;Alexander McCall Smith; Amy Stewart; Jacquline Winspear; John Grisham.
Snyder is high on my list for next year! Love your fiction recs too. I haven't read the Maisie Dobbs series, but I've been intrigued.
A book that made its way into my orbit as a teen and has remained a regular go-to read is 84 Charing Cross Road. It’s a great “in-between” big book hangover cure, or when the season is busy and reading is difficult. It’s short, light, upbeat, and puts my world right every time.
I've not heard of it! Thanks for sharing. :)
I'm thankful for One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It's one of my favorites and started my love of the genre of magical realism. If I were ever to write a novel, this would be my inspiration.
It's on my shelf waiting for me!
I was just getting ready to mention this book! I was gifted it while on a backpacking trip through Europe. I still have it. I’ve loved so many books over the years and must mention Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Dickens of course, Thomas Hardy and Nancy Drew.
Mick Herron and Louise Penny. Their books let me delve into other lives and worlds I know little about. Although he’s dead, Le Carre’s books of espionage do the same.
Authors that have gotten me through or helped me feel connected and understood:
Barbara Kingsolver
Sarah Bird
Herman Melville
Oh, there are lots more, but gotta get ready for Thanksgiving!
Oh gosh there are so many. The first that pop into mind are LOTR and the Outlander series. And now as I see others comments…Lonesome Dove…I could go on and on.
BIG books. :) Love it.
Finally got around to reading some Fredrik Backman and understand the appreciation of him. Adam Sternbergh has written some great works. I’m particularly fond of “The Eden Test.”
Grateful this year to pick up the latest from Rufi Thorpe and Alison Espach.
Both are very good reads. Always appreciate S.A. Cosby and Rebecca Makkai, too.
Backman is great, isn't he? Especially this time of year. And I 100% agree about Cosby and Makkai.
My son is attending Lake Forest College, where Makkai teaches.
I’m trying to get him to sign up for a class. But he’s a science major
Oh what a treat that would be!