This time of year it seems there are many favorite lists floating around especially those having to do with books. As I preview those I am astonished at how few I have read considering how much I read. Always I am reading one book and listening to another.
Speaking of listening, it's taken me a while to get used to audio books, but they have really upped how many books I consume in a year. There are so many times during the day when I can listen which I thoroughly enjoy while cooking, getting dressed, driving or doing the million and one other things that fill my day.
I have to confess to not loving every book, but unless it's one I just can't get into I finish every one. I feel that authors who have shared their words deserve at least that.
So, in no particular order are a few books that are my favorites this year.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Set in the south of India, it follows three generations of a family that loses one member by drowning in every generation. I listened to the audio version read by the author which made this epic novel even more outstanding.
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. This is the skillfully told story of small town secrets and people who keep them.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. What can I say about this one? It made me laugh and cry and touched my heart. The Padavano family is complex and William is a flawed character thanks to having felt unloved by his family. This one I had a hard time putting down.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. The author is a gifted story teller and this book is all about family, love and growing up. Read by Meryl Street, the audio version is even better than the printed page.
All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Crosby. A good thriller is hard to beat, and this one is just that. Titus, the first black sheriff in a small Virginia town, is faced with multiple challenges in a story filled with twists and turns.
The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. I expected this book to be about the wives of presidents, but it was about the partnership and eventual friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune.
Romney by McKay Coppins. I read this book not only to learn more about Mitt Romney but hoping to gain some insight into the political mess we are experiencing. I was not disappointed!
How to Know a Person by David Brooks. This is a quick read that applies to us all in that it addresses the need for deeper connections, something that seems to be missing in society today.
The Wager by David Grann. No surprise here as it is on many lists of favorites. It is a nonfiction page turner that reads like a novel.
The Red Hotel by Alan Philips. Talk about a book that addresses something about which I knew nothing, this is it. The Metropol Hotel in Moscow has a storied history and here is presented the intrigue and role of women there during WW II.
There are other titles that could be added to my list of favorites, but enough is enough. Here's to happy reading in 2024.
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