When I wrote about my personal goals for 2103 I listed that I wanted to read six books by the end of the year. I received comments and emails asking me to share what they were going to be, so here is my list. I will write about each book as I finish them and if you have read them would love you to join in the conversation when I post about them.
I have listed only five books as I thought I would crowd source one of them. If you have books you think are must reads, please let me know in the comments below (you need to click through to the blog to leave a comment) and I will then update this post with my last selection.
I am very prone to only reading non fiction, so am making myself read half and half this year. The order listed below is the order I intend to read them:
- How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber – I have actually bought the kindle version and am reading it via the kindle app on the Samsung Note II.
- The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future by Chris Guillebeau – I am insanely lucky enough to be going to Chris’ World Domination Summit in July this year, courtesy of Darren Rowse and the work I do for him on the Problogger Event. I loved hearing Chris talk last year at the Problogger event and appreciate the outlook he has on life.
- The Blessing of a B Minus by Wendy Mogel – I have read the first two chapters of this book over a year ago and never finished it. I know it will really help my interactions with my teenager, so am going to start it again and finish it.
- The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler – Anne Tyler is one of my favourite authors (Dinner at Homesick Restaurant my fave novel of hers), so I thought a novel by Tyler would be a good way to get me back into fiction.
- Freedom: A Novel Jonathan Franzen – I bought this book ages ago and it has just sat on the book shelf and mocked me. It will not be mocking me by the end of the year!
So that leaves on fiction book to add to the list – what would you recommend? It doesn’t have to be recent either.
Looking forward to reading your suggestions.
9 comments...read them below or add one
Firstly, I must say that I love your blog but has never written a comment ,not sure why!
My recommendation is ‘Jasper Jones” by Craig Silvery. Its a brilliant novel, easy to read and a page tuner. A must for your book list if you have not already read this one.
Haven’t heard of it, but will look it up for sure. Appreciate your kind words and taking time to leave a comment too Kamala!
Having run a bookclub for a number of years I’ve found people’s tastes in novels can vary widely.. but having said that, we have had a few selections that have been universally loved by our members. Three that spring to mind are;
- The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
- Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
- Before I go to sleep by SJ Watson
Hope that helps
This will be a huge help, thanks for the sharing your wisdom Sam!
The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman is brilliant!
Look forward to checking it out – thanks Felicity.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson is like drinking a glass of champagne before dinner. A perfect novel to get you back into fiction!
Don’t envy you the Franzen. I couldn’t give my copy away.
The best novels I read last year were ‘Wolf Hall’ and ‘Bring Up The Bodies’ by Hilary Mantel, both Booker prize winners. Absolutely marvellous. Best non-fiction was ‘Tell Me The Truth- Conversations About Life And Death With my Patients’ by oncologist DR Ranjana Srivastava, who’s a wonderful writer as well as a compassionate doctor.
I prefer non-fiction, like you, but a couple of novels that have really stuck with me are “The Kite Runner” (it’s part memoir/historical, and relevant given Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan) and “Atonement”. I also second “The Book Thief”, gives an unusual perspective on Germany during WWII. I hear “Freedom” is a toughie – I might join you on the others.