Stealing from Deb at Debbishdotcom when I saw her list of her favourite books so far in 2019, I thought I'd do mine. I've struggled a bit reading books this year, pretty much since our holidays in Jan, so the majority are audio books, as I spend way too much time in the car and in the kitchen.In no particular order:
Educated by Tara Westover.
While I thought it wouldn't be my sort of thing, I quickly devoured it. Really interesting memoir.
Blue Nights by Joan Didion.
Not my favourite book of hers but still streets ahead of most of my other reads. She's such a remarkable writer.
Any of the MANY books by Jon Ronson (on Audible, he reads them).
I love them so much. I'm down to his last one now (Men who stare at goats) and am so sad that I'll now have to wait for something new!! Butterfly Effect should be mandatory listening for all parents, to start those porn conversations, as it's not just nudie magazines anymore and there's so much to cover. As should So you've been publicly shamed online.If you liked Serial, Last Days of August is as addictive. I loved both Lost at Sea and Them.Love, etc. by Julian Barnes. Wicked people being nasty. It's not his best book and the ending was a bit weak but I really enjoyed it. If you love Barnes, you'll love it. I've also just started Nothing to be frightened of by him, on audio, and it's read by him and I'm loving it!
Notable mentions, which I enjoyed but not so sure about recommending them to others:
Daisy Jones and the Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid
How Proust can change your life - Alain De Botton (I loved this and have only read Swann's Way, so I don't think it matters that much if you haven't read Proust, but you will enjoy it more if you have.)
Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race - Reni Eddo-Lodge
One Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (I enjoyed it but not entirely sure why it's considered great literature - that could be a reflection on me).
Lucky Child: A Daughter of Cambodia Reunites with the Sister She Left Behind -Loung Ung. (This is the second book in the series, and I would definitely read First they Killed my Father first. I liked this book but it's not as good as the first, and I think knowing her history made me like the book more than the book itself.)
One thing that is interesting to note, I would describe myself as someone who reads fiction over non fiction, but other than a few book club books (not listed & Daisy Jones) and Love etc and Ivan Denisovich, nearly every thing I've read this year has been non fiction! How strange!
That's all I can remember. Planning my holiday reads, which is dependant on the new Hermann Koch turning up in time...curse you English translations!
Any top tips from you?
Linking with #BWBR
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I tend not to read any non-fiction so really only read fiction. I've not heard of any of your choices other than Daisy Jones etc which I missed when it came out. I love your point about writing... and as I compiled my list I was reminded of which books I liked cos of characters vs writing vs plot etc.
ReplyDeleteI would have said I only read fiction, but apparently that's not true. Tho I suspect it's the influence of Audible and BorrowBox. I tend to listen to books that I think will be 'too hard' for me. All the fiction I read in paper form (and also the Lucky Child) but almost all the non fiction I listened too...
DeleteIt takes me so loing to read a book as I only read very late at night. I like the sound of Blue Nights #Twinklytuesday
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any Solzhenitsyn for ages! Thanks for this great list.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite book so far this year is This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay. I found it captivating and astonishing all at the same time. Highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in gaining an insight into the NHS, particularly obstetrics. Best Wishes, Shelley #TwinklyTuesday
ReplyDeleteSuch an eclectic mix. I read mostly fiction, although am reading some foodie sciencey stuff at the moment. Also, I've never listened to an audio book. I really must correct that state of affairs.
ReplyDeleteI love the variety in this list. I am inspired to read beyond my comfort zone. My current passion is crime fiction.
ReplyDeleteSSG xxx
What an interesting list. I'm constantly in awe of people who make the time to read. Always on my list but hard to get too. There's a couple of really intriguing ones there.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good variety of books. I've heard great things about Educated. Must get my hands on it soon
ReplyDeleteThis year I use the public library proposed reading categories for their reading challenge and they really expand my reading. #lovin'lifelinky
ReplyDeleteGood to read this. I am Audible first - car and sometimes sitting doing some mindless activities. I tend to try an Audible book for a while then if it has no appeal I exchange it. The narrator's voice is a BIG deal for me. I started Educated but couldn't continue. In many ways It's the US voice at the moment. Loved Boy Swallows Universe (as I have told everyone) so much so I have listened 3 times. I am much more memoir person but loved the few fiction I have tried. Right now, reading an actual book: the late Chris O'Brien's memoir. Read it years ago, and last year but now in the spirit of connecting with the man who trained my Head and Neck surgical team and had the vision for Lifehouse, I am delving into the man and his story with greater appreciation. Dx
ReplyDeleteThat sounds a real mix, I shall definitely be checking them out. Thanks for linking up! #twinklytuesday
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of most of these so will explore the titles and authors: thanks for the recommendations and linking up with #stayclassymama
ReplyDeleteSome great books here, thank you for joining up with #BWBR, hope to see you next month!
ReplyDeleteKatrina x