My Favorite Books of 2017
Best Overall Character: Emily Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman– Emily is the most real, quirky, and charming character I have read in a long time. She has been through very difficult circumstances, and we meet her just as she is beginning to step out of a safe, but isolated life. I was moved, laughed, cringed, and cheered for her the whole way through.
To Purchase this book on Amazon, click here: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine: A Novel
Best Historical Fiction: The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict– Did you know Albert Einstein’s wife was also a genius mathematician and physicist? This is a riveting and heartbreaking story of their love affair. It was fascinating.
To Purchase this book on Amazon, click here: The Other Einstein: A Novel
Best Middle Grade Novel: Wishtree by Catherine Applegate– Told from the perspective of a tree, the history, heartache, and hope of a little town is revealed by one little tree. Beautiful, imaginative, and wonderful.
To Purchase this book on Amazon, click here: Wishtree
Best Sophisticated Brain Candy: When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandya Menon– When Dimple heads to Standford for a summer program, she has no idea her traditional Indian parents have betrothed her to another student in the program. Calamity ensues, and it is funny, sweet, and light. Sometimes you just need a light read, this is it, but well written.
To Purchase this book on Amazon, click here: When Dimple Met Rishi
Best Non-Fiction: A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park– A simply stunning novel about the lost boys of Sudan. Everyone should read this book, and teachers or parents of 4th graders and up should add it to their read aloud list.
To Purchase this book on Amazon, click here: A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story
Best Re-Read: Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel- This was a book club pick, I had read it in college, and loved reading it again. It is passionate, tragic, and beautiful.
To Purchase this book on Amazon, click here: Like Water for Chocolate: A Novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances, and Home Remedies
Best Celebrity Novel: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah– Ever since the success of Tina Fey’s book, it gave license for nearly every celebrity to write a book. Most are not my favorite. However, I learned a lot from Noah’s book. You will learn a little about slave history, apartheid, and hear Noah’s powerful life story. A solid read, but not too challenging.
To Purchase this book on Amazon, click here: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
2018 To Be Read List: (So Far)
Peace Like a River by Lief Enger
Alexander Hamilton: Revolutionary by Martha Brokenbrough
The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
The Magnolia Story surprised me. I was far more inspired and impressed with their family story than I predicted. Most celebrities write books these days, many are hit and miss, in my humble opinion. However, Joanna and Chip write from their hearts. They tell their simple story, driven by a desire to invest their lives into Waco, Texas. They are much like their television persona: honest, driven, and goofy. I have always had a need to do things with my hands, to create, to grow seeds into food, to nurture children. I did a lot of soul searching thinking about a career move; at the root of some my dreams was creating with my own hands. Joanna and Chip echo the same desires, to help people with their hands. To build, remodel, create, and design. I liked walking through the ups and downs as they pursued their passions. They are not pushing anyone to be like them, or take on their values, they are simply doing their dream. I enjoyed reading about two people living and loving imperfectly, but doing their best to give back and give grace.
Beginnings and Book Ends 